Day 2

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Day 2

Day 2 and all is well. Ivee is not feeling too bad! The steroid they give her during this treatment time makes her a little hyper. She kicks her feet and arms alot, and turns her head back and forth. Like a nutty kid. It is funny to watch. I wish they could send some home with her, so that when she is in a bad mood I can give it to her. It puts her in a pretty good mood.
I am pretty excited. My friend Deborah (she's been my friend since kindergarten) will be having her first baby any day now. A baby girl. They have been trying for a few years, so I am thrilled that they finally are going to get to experience what I've had the blessing of for the last 10 years.
Also, for the prayer warriors out there. Lift up a prayer for my friend Diane's daughter Katie. They found a mass in her lungs. The doctors believe it is a benign tumor and it is in the lining of her lung. The last step for them to take is for Katie to have a skin test to see if she has ever been exposed to tuberculosis. If that test is positive, they will treat her for that; if it is negative, then they are finished. There is no need to remove it. So let's pray that it is just that...
Oh and Diane, Happy belated birthday. Sorry, it just hit me that I missed it.
Thanks for everyone's prayers. Hopefully she will continue to progress as well as she already is.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...: Hey Hope Ivee and family,

It's great to hear that sh'e doing well. I'm continuing ot keep you guys in my prayers. I'm so happy to hear about Deborah and having her first child. I will keep your friend Diane in my prayers. For everyone who reads this, I also have a prayer request. A friend of mine, Nancy, was diagosed with lung cancer about 9 months ago. She's been going through chemo. Recently they found five new areas in her lungs, therefore, it seems that the chemo is not working. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

Hope, thank you for the funny and wonderful e-card today...I love those guys..

Love you,

Kim; Tuesday, February 13, 2007 3:04:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Hey Hope, I am so happy that Ivee is feeling O.K., and being nutty, sounds like me on most days,ha!Thanks for the funny ecards, laughter really is good medicine. I miss ya'll. Praying and thinking of you daily. Karen; Tuesday, February 13, 2007 3:20:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Sounds good! I think I am blog challenged...I have tried to post this 3 x's. If you make it out of the hospital with the steroids, maybe you could slip a few my way. Whether I administer them to the kids or myself is yet to be determined. :D CP

Will be praying for Deborah and Diane.; Tuesday, February 13, 2007 3:40:00 PM
Anonymous said...: OK today really is SARCASTIC WEDNESDAY! I laughed so hard. THanks so much!
We hate that you all have to be there on V-DAy! but I know you are so pleased at Ivee's progress.
THIs morning I awoke to the sound of a plate crashing on the floor. I jumped out of bed only to fine my daring children were making there best effort at breakfast in bed. YOu should have seen it.

Ten gallons of grape nuts and two old biscuits with a glass of water. GOTTA LOVE IT!!!!

I will nnever forget their faces as they said sorry we broke your plate! Kids are great !

We are praying for you today!

LOve jen; Wednesday, February 14, 2007 6:46:00 AM
Anonymous said...: Hi Hope
Happy Valentines Day. We are so happy to hear Ivees doing so well .I took Meghen to get a tooth pulled not to long ago and the laughing gas worked wonders on her mood so I asked if I could have a can to go, so I know where your coming from with the streiods to go. Let us know if you need anything. I'd love to cook you a meal when you get home please let me know whats best for ya;ll. We pray for healing everyday .Love you guys. Steve, Debbie and kids; Wednesday, February 14, 2007 9:04:00 AM
Anonymous said...: Hope, Emmett, Happy Valentine's Day! The children at Faith Family Fellowship continue to lift Ivee up in prayer!

Love in Christ!
Beth Pinyerd; Wednesday, February 14, 2007 9:41:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Hope - I laughed when I read the blog because a couple of months ago Mac got RSV and they give her Albuterol. She was so very hyper and alot of fun. At daycare I would tell them I gave her the happy medicine so she should be good. Mackenzie can be really serious sometimes so I thought about getting a refill on this stuff... No seriously, I am so glad to hear Ivee is doing so well. I spent my Valentines Night at the ER - Mackenzie's elbow got pulled out of socket at daycare and we had to get that fixed. It is funny how you spend Valentines Day when you have the little ones. I can remember a few years ago before kids - well we won't go there.HaHa! Now my Valentine's night is coming home from the ER and cleaning the supper dishes and picking up toys and the mess in the bathroom. I wouldn't change it for the world. It is what I prayed for and waited for and now I have my answer (x2) to my prayers. I hope you all had a wonderful V-Day!! Next post - let us know about your friend. I read this scripture during Tuesday Bible Study and I thought about you "Remember the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life." Psalm 119:49-50 How His word gives us hope and comfort in times of need. Many blessings to your family!! Paula Casallo; Wednesday, February 14, 2007 11:03:00 PM

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

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Day 2

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