After Surgery

Monday, January 15, 2007

After Surgery

Ivee is sleeping, sometimes well, sometimes restless. She finished her first dose of chemotherapy 1 1/2 hours ago, and so far, all is well. The surgery went fine. The doctor said he was actually preping to take the first central line out, and it just fell out. It was simply to put the other one in, so it was relatively a short surgery. She really needs a great night of sleep tonight, cause last night, yesterday in general, was a very hard day for her. It took 9 tries to get an IV in her arm. They keep blowing out. It was horrible. But, we were just moments away from starting chemo yesterday, when the puffyness started in her neck and we noticed the leak on her side. If that hadn't have happened and we didn't know something was wrong with the line, chemo would have started, and something could have gone horribly wrong. Once again, God was just proving that he knew what was best. WEll, she is beginning to cry, so I'll be going now.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...: I just don't have the words except for that your strength is inspiring to all of us. I look at your blog everyday to see how sweet little Ivee is doing. The picture of her smiling gives me great joy. I am praying for her and my heart longs to know she is healed. Thank you for keeping us updated. In Him, Tonya Wesson; Tuesday, January 16, 2007 12:23:00 AM
Anonymous said...: Hey Foley's -- I wanted to let you know that we are praying for your entire family. I can't begin to tell you how your strength has not only inspired me but has taught me many lessons over the last few weeks while reading your blog everyday -- or twice a day. Ivee is just beautiful, and I know that God has great things in store for her, she has already touched sooo many lives.

Cindee Townley Isaiah 41:10; Tuesday, January 16, 2007 7:39:00 AM
Anonymous said...: From an unknown single-mom in Dallas. My daughter & I are praying for Ivee & her family. GOD is taking care, so keep the faith and IVEE will be OK. She's totally in HIS care. Prayers do get answered!! God Bless you all...; Tuesday, January 16, 2007 1:41:00 PM
debchastain said...: It's so good to see that smile! I'm glad to hear that things are going well after the first chemo. It's amazing to see how God is taking care of her-and all of you for that matter. I was talking to the teacher of my aqua fitness class (so nice to move and feel light and not have an aching back) and her son had cancer when he was 3. She talked about her experience and their struggles to still have some semblance of life for their other kids. It's so different when you have family and "extended" family in Christ to love on and care for you.

So, for those of us who are far away and wish that we could come and sit with Ivee or clean the Foley's house or go hang out with Brit and Ethan-thank you to those of you who are loving these friends so well. Our love and prayers are with you!; Tuesday, January 16, 2007 4:44:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Hope - I am hoping that you had a good day and that Ivee didn't have too hard of a time with the chemo. I started reading this book in our tape ministry closet yesterday to pass some time while I was making a sermon copy. Anyway... the title of the chapter I choose to read was "Hold on to Hope" . I think I might mail you a copy only cause it would take to long to blog all that is in these few pages but this part I grabbed on to...It is the story of Lazarus and how Mary and Martha struggled with the fact that Jesus didn't seem to get to him in time. They believed that he could heal them but they wanted it in their time. You know the story. It is talking about the desperation they felt for Jesus to get there and heal there brother. I have felt this desperation for Ivee. I just really want God to come in and heal her today -no more surgeries, chemo - nothing. But like you say at the top of your blog this is a faith journey!! This chapter has this to say about faith...Faith is imperative in such times of need. But what about hope? Without it, faith cannot produce desired results. If we are to stand victorious in adverse situations, faith and hope must operate together. Faith deal with details; hope deal with deity. Faith finds foundation in the Word; hope is a mental attitude. Faith is the activator and the channel for the miracles of Jesus; hope is the motivator that brings us to Jesus in the first place. It goes on to talk about the women with the issue of blood (which by the way was our Ladies Bible Study today). It says that "she had faith - but hope put her on the road to health". As I have been praying for Ivee, I knew I had faith that God could do it and after the last few days I felt myself getting a little discouraged that he hadn't yet. But hope is necessary to the healing. I don't think it is a coincidence that you - her mommy- is named Hope. You are the Hope with the Faith that Ivee needs. Don't lose hope - The Lord is on the way. Another part of the chapter says "Satan's attack may not be against our faith so much as our hope..." It also says "Fear robs our hope" but Jesus says in Mark 5:36 "Don't be afraid, just TRUST ME." I feel like I could type all night. I keep saying this but I know you don't know me but when I pray for you and your baby it is as if I am praying for family. I am clinging to the hope that God can, WANTS TOO, and will heal Ivee. Her life has pushed me to new levels of faith in the Lord. How she has surely done that for so many. We prayed for her today - my friend who had meningitis agreed with me in prayer for her. I have been blogging for days now but I want you to know that if I as your sister in Christ can do anything to help you all have to do is tell Aunt Karen. My son just woke up crying so I got to go. Many Blessings, Paula Casallo; Tuesday, January 16, 2007 11:01:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Hope, Emmett and my family,

I know that I don't call you guys much, I do all of my checking in on Ivee through Dad and Sonia, I want you to know that your are constantly in my prayers. I have place all of you in my prayer groups and, oh, how I believe in the power of prayer. I wish that I could be there more to help!

I want to say thank you to everyone that has lended support to my family in this time of need. I'll be there on the 25th, so I'll be able to finally see you guys and give support that I can.

God is great and his hand is directing everyone involved. I thank God for having such a wonderful family and your faith in him.

I love you guys, please give everyone, Brittney, Ethan, Ivee and Emmett a hug from Aunt Kim.; Wednesday, January 17, 2007 10:25:00 AM

Ivee's story in SHORT...As if....

Ivee is a tough little girl. And with our help and by the grace of God, all will go well. We pray for a complete healing, and we know that our God is big enough...He is the Great Physician.

Story: On a routine Monday, December 18, 2006. I was missing work and taking my oldest daughter to the doctor cause of a stomach virus. Stopping at a grocery store on the way, I left the oldest in the car for a moment and ran inside with Ivee. I put her car seat on top of the grocery cart as so many of us mom's do. Leaving the store, I turned for a brief moment to throw something away. I turned around just in time to see the entire car seat fall face down on the concrete. I flipped, as any mom with a 7 month old falling face first would do. I arrived at the ER in record time. She already had a huge knot rising on her forehead. As they (eventually) started a CT scan, I felt God speaking to my heart. In all but audible words he told me she would be fine, but that we would find something else, that this was why she had fallen, so He could reveal it to us. So, as I watched from the tech room, I saw something that even to me, a non-trained observer, knew was not suppose to be there. A friend of mine was the radiologist there, and he confirmed, also by doing an MRI, what I suspected. I was at peace in spirit cause my heart had been prepared...but not okay. My husband was working out in Texas and would have to drive more than 7 hours to come home, not knowing what was happening, but just that she fell. Ivee was transferred to a local children's hospital in Mobile. That night, Dr. Martino consulted, and would run an MRI the next day of his own, and perform surgery on that Wednesday. On December 20, after 5 hours of surgery, all was successful, and Dr. Martino removed 98% of what he knew was an egg sized malignant tumor, later diagnosed as Stage 3 Anaplastic Ependymoma. The remaining 2 cm was on her artery next to the spinal chord.

Deficits from initial resection/treatment: Ivee had many deficits due to the tumors removal, even though he was able to leave her nerves in tack. Her right eye was severely crossed. Her vocal chords were paralyzed (left has regained use). Her hearing was affected (loss at 2000 hz and high frequency sounds). Hearing aids received June 6, 2012 at age 6. Have already hear improvement in F, S and ending sounds in 2 days time! Her balance was never truly restored, and she has left side body weakness. After 30 days (including Christmas) we were allowed to take Ivee home. She had 6 months of chemo and then 33 treatments of radiation at St. Jude.

Procedures/surgeries:

1.) Tumor Resection (12/06) – Anaplastic Ependymoma

2.) Gbutton placed for eating. (01/07)

3.) Nissen fundiplication pyloroplasty done (wrapping of throat & stomach) (01/07)

4.) Chemotherapy Begins (01/07)

5.) 5 central lines placed (many fell out on their own) (01/07 – 05/07)

6.) Port placed at St. Jude (06/07)

7.) Chemotherapy ends (06/07)

8.) Radiation (06/07-08/07)

9.) Rare scar tissue formation in the brain removed (09/08)

10.) Shunt Placement (10/08)

11.) Shunt revision/replacement (02/10)

12.) Hip Displaysia surgery – Dega Osteotomy {Not tumor related} (10/10)

13.) Reoccurance - GTR {Gross Total Resection} (02/11)

We were shocked (as was the doctor) when her Jan. 2011 scan showed a reoccurance. It was on the same artery where the orginal tumor was left behind. GTR was done on February 18^th with much success. 2^nd dosing of radiation began March 28 and ended May 6, 30 doses.

14. Begin 2nd dose radiation on March 28 (30 doses) Ended on May 6, 2011.

Improvements:

1.) Right eye is still weak, doesn't require glasses yet. Patching the good eye to strengthen the right one.

2.) Right vocal chord is still partial paralyzed. In Fall of 2008 , to the doctor's dismay, discovered she has received movement again in right chord (update: Since resection in 2/11, Right vocal chord is completely paralyzed, no movement now)

3.) Still G Button feed. Cannot eat much by mouth. She doesn’t have the drive to try to eat, but we are treating her with an appetite enhancer. She has been approved through Modified Barium Swallow Test.

4.) Balance is still and issue. Has improved over the years. Uses a walker and wheelchair.

5.) Has learned to stand (assisted) for a few moments by herself and take some steps/usually across a room (May 2012). Uses a walker VERY WELL!!

6.) Currently watching a paraesophageal hernia of the fundoplication. No surgery required at this time.

7.) Non-cancer related surgery due to hip dysplasia in Fall of 2010. Has improved her balance and slipping out of socket.

Currently:

She is doing very well! She attended K5 full-time with a personal aid (might repeat K5). She is very smart and attentative. She used her walker often throughout the day and is learning to take independent steps. She takes a little bit of something to eat everyday now instead of once a week! She has learned to drink larger portions at a time. Enjoys Hippotherapy (horse therapy). Is extremely observant, caring and just down right funny!

The Foley Family - Trusting in God at ALL Times!!!

About Me

Monday, January 15, 2007

After Surgery

6 comments: