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

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

It's offical. Ivee is in REMISSION. There was no sign of anything on her MRI, except the fluid still on the back of her head. And as Dr. Merchant said before, he doesn't see this causing any issues. Praise God, we are cancer free.
So, most great news all around this visit to St. Jude. Now, our only concerns are getting started with PT and OT here at home, and to get a swallow study done again. Read the previous post for more info on that subject.
Once again, thank you all for your unending prayers. I have many pics from this visit and will post them when I have time. We love you!
Once again...WHEW>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Praise God!

13 comments:

Christy said...: That is such wonderful wonderful news. God is so good! Can't wait to see the pictures.
Love to you all,
Christy; Wednesday, October 10, 2007 8:16:00 PM
Anonymous said...: YEAH!!!!!! We are so happy for Ivee!! Have fun celebbrating this wonderful news! Love you all.
Becky and Dave; Wednesday, October 10, 2007 8:21:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Praise the Lord!! God is so good. We will continue to pray..looking forward to the pictures. Love, Anna C.; Wednesday, October 10, 2007 8:27:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Emmett and Hope and Brittney and Ethan and most of all Ivee, I am soooooooo very happy to read the wonderful news, it is the best news I have heard in a long time. Praise God! love to you all, Karen G; Wednesday, October 10, 2007 8:32:00 PM
Anonymous said...: WHOOOOOOHOOOOO!!!!!!!!! I am so happy to hear that news!!!! Praise God from Whom ALL!! Blessings flow!!
We will continue to pray for her as she does the therapy and gets all her strength back.
Congratulations!!!
Daisy; Wednesday, October 10, 2007 8:49:00 PM
Anonymous said...: FOR EVERY MOUNTAIN.......He's still in the healing business!!
Faye; Wednesday, October 10, 2007 9:26:00 PM
Anonymous said...: What wonderful news!! Thank God!
Happy to hear this news. I will keep parying.
I'm Theresa Vaughan's friend--just to refresh your mind.
Mary Ellen P.; Wednesday, October 10, 2007 10:10:00 PM
Anonymous said...: HALLELUJAH WHAT A SAVIOR!!!!!
God bless all of you as you celebrate this wonderful news.
Love Ya'll!!
Kathy F.; Wednesday, October 10, 2007 10:41:00 PM
Anonymous said...: What AMAZING news! I'm so happy for all of you and will try to call when you've had time to settle back in. Love you!; Monday, October 15, 2007 5:56:00 AM
Anonymous said...: Yeah!!! I am so happy for you all. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you!

Amanda Manning, RN; Monday, October 15, 2007 10:33:00 AM
Luvlie said...: Praise the Lord! That is wonderful news!; Monday, October 15, 2007 4:43:00 PM
Anonymous said...: YEAH, praise the Lord......

Love, Aunt Kim; Wednesday, October 17, 2007 7:49:00 AM
Anonymous said...: Hope - I just saw Aunt Karen today and she asked if I had heard the news. I told her yes and she said that she wasn't sure because I had not blogged. I did the first night and I don't know what happened...maybe my blog is in the twilight zone. Anyway...YEAH!! God is so good!! YEAH!! I used Ivee as an example of God's goodness and answered prayer this week at staff. She is a trooper. Aunt Karen says she looks like a little doll. I am so excited about your news. I pray there is be many more good reports to come about her speech and swallowing. Many Blessings - Paula; Saturday, October 20, 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!

About Me

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

13 comments: