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

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Just taking a moment to remind you all to pray for Ivee. Her swallowing test is coming up on Monday, and mommy is very anxious. Trying not to be, but human feelings can be hard to control. Praying for peace.
The fundraiser for St. Jude is going so well. If you don't know what I'm talking about or still want to give your financial support, look at the last blog.
The upstairs is near completion, with doors to paint and install and a toilet leak that we'll have to find a way to fix.
Gonna try to post some pics later.
Take care.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...: Hope, I am praying for all of you, especially for you & Ivee. May the peace of God (which we cannot begin to comprehend)guard your heart & mind in Christ Jesus.
Much love,
Anna C.; Wednesday, November 14, 2007 7:58:00 AM
Anonymous said...: Hope - I have been a little anxious myself lately. I sometimes think about the overwhelming love and the RESPONSIBILITY I have for my children and it can cause such anxiety in me. I am a worry wart anyways so the slightest thing can get me in a tizzy. This totally goes against God's word but like you said human feelings can be hard to control. However, I keep reminding myself "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard MY heart and mind through Christ Jesus" (Phi 4:6-7). I am like a kid who needs that security blanket. I want to know XYZ is going to happen and when it is going to happen. I need touchstones and God says to me I am the only touchstone you need - just trust me. As a mommy, this is just so hard sometimes. I will be praying for you (pray for me too, please) that God gives us the peace we need to trust him completely with our kids and all the things he has blessed us with. How "teaching" going with the kiddies? Many blessings, Paula; Wednesday, November 14, 2007 9:01:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Hey!! I have a moment (very rare these days!!!) of peace and quiet so I'm catching up on things. Hope to post on my own blog again soon, but we'll see...
Anyway, I'll definitely be praying for Ivee and her test. Keep us posted on how it goes!!!!!
Daisy; Friday, November 16, 2007 8:39:00 PM
debchastain said...: We'll be praying for the test on Monday and for you! I hope that the final touches on upstairs are done soon so that you can really begin to enjoy the fruit of your labors! Can't wait to see the pictures. Love you lots!; Saturday, November 17, 2007 4:05:00 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

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

4 comments: