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

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Just a quick note. Ivee only had a virus, as we suspected. She's came home Saturday, and except for congestion is fine. The swallow study is scheduled for Monday, November 19th. So, we hopefully will be good and well for it.
A couple of notes:
1. If your child has aquadots, as my niece does, take them away. A recall is taking place because if they are swallowed, they react with the bodies acids and cause an effect like the date rape drug. Two children have been hospitalized after ingesting them. It is extremely dangerous. My niece put it in her ear, and had to go to the doctor. How much easier is it for them to swallow them.
2. The upstairs is near completion. I'll post pics soon. Carpet was laid on Monday, the stairs are stained, walls painted, and couch delivered. just need to complete doors and windows, some lights, and other minor stuff.
3. VERY IMPORTANT
If you are one of our friends or website followers, this is for you. My good friend Angela runs the preschool connected to our church. She is having a Preschool Trike-a-thon for St. Jude in honor of Ivee next week Nov. 12-16th. This means alot to us, and the support for St. Jude is huge. Just look at their website at all they do for medicine, treatments, housing/food, and so much more and you'll know. (stjude.org). Well, if you would like to sponsor a preschooler, it would be greatly appreciated. I don't have a tricycle riding preschooler yet (one day she'll be able to ride) but you can send your support in general, or perhaps even sponsor my friend Angela's little girl, Ella. Anyway, to show your support give Angela a call at work...626-1379 or email her at Angela@faithfamilyonline.com. You can also email me with your info, and I'll pass it along to her at hopealations@hotmail.com. Thank you everyone, and thanks for giving to help Ivee and other kids.
I LOVE YOU ALL. Good night.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...: I am so glad Ivee is doing better- yall are in my prayers (check out my blog if you have time); Thursday, November 08, 2007 8:19:00 AM
Anonymous said...: You are so sweet! The main thing we need is visitors so come by anytime! =) Luke is doing great, and we hope to be at church on Sunday.
I'm so glad Ivee is doing good, and she was just a "normal" sick. =)
We hope to see you guys on Sunday!
Daisy; Friday, November 09, 2007 1:53:00 PM
Luvlie said...: glad that Ivee is doing better! Keeping you all in our prayers!

Lori; Sunday, November 11, 2007 6:54:00 PM
Anonymous said...: hey i am so happy that it was just a virus and nothing to serious. I am praying for her every day. My mom would love to hear from you guys.; Monday, November 12, 2007 11:58:00 AM
Anonymous said...: Hey, girl (and rest of the family!) You've blogged quite a bit since I was able to check last. Thank the Lord, it is all (relatively) good news. How awesome that Em loves his new job. Ours are very tiring, but the chance to touch lives is amazing. Not sure how long that will keep us going, though. (insert laughter here of the "joking but not really" variety...)Anyway, Sarah needs me to quiz her for a social studies test so I better go, but I do think of all of you often. Love to you and yours.; Tuesday, November 13, 2007 6:24:00 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, November 07, 2007

5 comments: