Hope and Glory

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Hope and Glory

I am playing video games with my daddy... it is fun.

Emmett and are still rejoicing today in Ivee's results, but we don't want to give any of you a false idea of what is happening. We can't officially say that Ivee is cancer free. Em and I believe that God will completely heal her, but she is not out of "the woods" yet. Like I said below, we will have to continue treatment for now. We can't forget that this is an aggressive cancer. We have to keep in mind that something may appear on the 6 month MRI. The oncologist said that usually the first MRI after treatment begins can be better than the ones further down the road. BUT(But...I'm always reminded of that word in context to scripture, and in this case look forward to it) I BELIEVE that my God is greater than what the doctors say. I know they have seen many cases of cancer, and many different scenarios, BUT I don't trust in science and in man. I trust in the Great Healer and Physician. I remember when they said that Ivee's odds were low (statistically) that was the first day I had actually felt discouraged in this trial. So, I will not let any one's words discourage me. I also remember all of you, and know that your constant prayers go up everyday, and I know God hears them. So, just know that I will never lose hope, and the same God who told my spirit that she would be fine from the fall and that he needed to reveal something that was endangering her life, is the same God who tells my spirit now that he is still in control. I just pray that our faith is proved genuine and that those doctors and nurses around us will see what a Great God we serve, and it will be a testimony of our faith and his glory. Love all of you, and thank you for rejoicing with us.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...: We are rejoicing, and we will rejoice every day that God gives any of us. We forget how very precious every life is sometimes, especially when we're not facing something like cancer, but James Chapter 4 reminds us near the end of that chapter that we can't say that we will do anything tomorrow or the next day unless God Himself desires it to be that way. We are foolish to think that anyone but HIM is in control.
Your post was full of wonderful scripture, and I am always encouraged.
I hope this week of chemo isn't too bad. Thanks for keeping us all posted.
Daisy; Tuesday, April 10, 2007 6:57:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Hope - I just got to read the blogs from the last 2 days. I am off week this week for vacation and my husband brings our laptop with him everyday....anyway!!! I started crying through the official report because I am just so awed by what God has done for Ivee. When you said I am just so happy to have her in my life still - I have prayed that you will get to see her turn 5, 10, 15 and so on and I just think God answered that prayer. There is this old hymn (I know that are not "popular" anymore but!) it goes My God can do anything, anything, anything, my God can do anything!! How true those words are - My God can do anything. I think through this, I as well as so many others are re-realizing that our God is Big and His is awesome and He can...simply He Can!! I have this devotional - Oswald Chambers - and one of the devotions for the day (bare with me because this is from memory) talks about how we have to keep our eyes on God not on circumstances because when we take our eyes off of God we begin to "drown". It referred to the story about Peter walking on water but when he saw the wind and because to focus his attention on the wind he began to sink. When he cried out to the Lord, Jesus stretched out his hand to him and caught him. He said to Peter "O ye of little faith - why do you doubt?" The doubt is looking at the problem instead of the person able to handle the problem. I know that I am so guilty of this, especially when it comes to my children. I get so upset when the are sick and hurting. The what if's can scare you to death. But God Can. He can handle our every fear, our every struggle. This miracle is such a testimony to His goodness and his ability. When we are baptized in water they say "by your profession of faith in Jesus Christ, I now baptize you". I just think that when you speak of Ivee being healed (even if that is not totally official according to the doctors) it is your "profession of faith" that God has healed her. The same faith that gave you and I a new life in Christ is the same faith that gives hope and healing. I am just so excited for your family. It is a GOOD REPORT!! Those pics of Ivee are so cute...she must think she is a big girl just sitting up watching her daddy play video games. I know I have said it before but she looks JUST like your husband!! She is so precious. There is this other song running through my head right now "There is a light at the end of this tunnel - a light at the end of this tunnel for you!" I have got to get to sleep. My little one got tubes in her ears this morning at 6:30am and she was up most of last night cause the little chunk could not have any bottles after midnight and at 9 months she is still drinking bottles in the middle of the night. Needless to say she was not happy with me all night. She kept looking at me like you know what I want - what is the problem! Have a great night - well morning now. All God's Best, Paula Casallo; Wednesday, April 11, 2007 12:18:00 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!!!

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Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Hope and Glory

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