Ivee this week

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Ivee this week

Well, Ivee is not feeling so well today. I blieve she has a cold. The nurse called and said that her lab results came back low. Her white blood cells are down, and so is her blood sugar, as well as other areas. So, we won't be getting out much right now uintil they come back up. Pray for sanity, and for Ivee to become well again. WSell, that is all the time I have at the moment. I'll update when she has another lab test done on thursday.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...: I'm sorry it's been a rough week so far. I'll be praying for everything to come back up to normal. It was so good to see you & Emmitt at the retreat this weekend. I'm so glad you got to come, and it really blessed my heart to see people care so much for the Lord and each other. Ivee is so precious, and seeing her this weekend really reminded me of how precious life is in so many ways. Hang in there!!
love, daisy; Tuesday, March 27, 2007 5:04:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Praying for all of you. I keep up with what's happening. Keep the faith.

Nancy Helton; Wednesday, March 28, 2007 4:03:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Hope - It seems to me by the blog that you are not having the best of days or nights. I can't even imagine however...in the days and nights of this mom things could be a little better on my end as well. My son got a staph infection at school and I think I might have it too. He really wanted to share the love with me you know. Anyway...I have been pondering what to blog for the last two days and have been at a lose for words. I decided to go on the clean jokes website cause I really needed a laugh myself tonight. This so sounds like something my brother would do...(Even though he went to Vanderbilt)...hope you get a laugh...
A lady who was pregnant with twins had an accident and went into a como. While in the como she had the babies. Her husband was away on business and could not be reached. The only person around to name the babies was the woman's brother. When the woman awoke from her como and found out what had happened she was very afraid because her brother was not very bright and she nervous as to what he would have named the children. She ask him and he proceeded to tell her that the first child was a girl and he named her Denise. Not bad she thought! Then he says the second child was a boy so I named him Denephew. HAHA! Corny joke as promised. Even when I am at a lose for words myself and I feel a little -what's the word - stressed, scared, anxious, etc...I remember that God is in control. I may be a little out of sorts today but God is the same yesterday, today and forevermore. I am sure not trying to make light of your situation - only to give you a little laugh in the midst of everything. A few weeks ago riding to church I thought about giving up - yes me... the church secretary thought this - but I remembered a scripture "Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul would soon have settled in silence. If I say (or scream as I sometimes do), "MY FOOT SLIPS," Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up. In the multitude of my anxieties within me, your comforts delight my soul." (Psalm 94"17-19) I felt my foot slipping - just from the day to day struggles of life - but God's mercies HOLD ME UP! When I am tired he carries me. Many are the afflictions of the righteous - but the Lord delivers them out of them all!! ALL!! His word says it and I chose to believe it for Ivee, you and your family, my family! I pray that you, Ivee and the whole family get some really good sleep. I hope to hear some GOOD news soon. Many Blessings, Paula Casallo; Friday, March 30, 2007 10:40:00 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, March 27, 2007

Ivee this week

3 comments: