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

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Well, for those still keeping up with the Foley's...I miss the comments :( ... Ivee is feeling much better, and her attitude has improved. Still hacking her head off, but who of us isn't right now. Mucus has taken up a permanent residence in my throat. Now I've grossed some of you out. Sorry :) A quick prayer request. Remember Johnny (link to the left...Sileno family). His MRI came back with a shadow. Could be radiation scarring or tumor grow. Leaning toward scarring, but the docs have to paint worse case scenario. Johnny received his second dose of radiation for the same tumor Ivee had while we were at St. Jude. His parents are awesome. He'll have another MRI in a month instead of three to make sure there is no new growth, and that it is an affect of the radiation. Thanks.
Ethan has left to go to Jacksonville with papaw to see Aunt Sonia this weekend. Britt wanted to go, but our Christmas musical is this Saturday and Sunday, and I told her if she wanted to be involved she had to be committed. SO, even when a fun trip comes up, commitments come first. I'm sure she hated the responsibility speech. For those interested, the musical is at 6:00 pm. It seems a bit strange that this is the same time last year when Em, Britt and I portrayed a family in "cancer" crisis, and then a few weeks later it became reality. It just seems sometimes like it was yesterday, and then other days it feels like forever ago. We are so blessed! By the grace of God we will celebrate our first Christmas at home with Ivee there! He has been gracious on this journey, and we are forever grateful. And I can't tell you enough...you all were his physical hands here on earth through it all! We ended that musical (The Gift) with a song called "We are One." I'll end with the words that truly became reality for us through you.
They'll (the people will) know we are Christians by our love
Yes, they'll KNOW we are Christians by our love
You are a gracious, giving and Loving family. Have a blessed and Merry Christmas!
(PS. Daisy, I wasn't referring to you earlier :) Compliment, I mean comment all you want!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...: Hope, You haven't posted anymore about Ivee being able to eat yet. Has the doctor cleared her for solid foods? It's good to hear Ivee is feeling better. Kirby and I were listening to your Christmas CD yesterday and thinking about all of you. She couldn't believe that was someone she knew on a CD. LOL Her dream is to become a singer so she was very impressed! Take Care. Becky; Friday, December 07, 2007 6:53:00 AM
Anonymous said...: You're too funny! You know I stalk, I mean watch the blog all the time. =) I just think you guys are awesome and have so portrayed how a Godly family should handle all you've been through in the past year and I thank God for the example you've set.
I do understand about the mucus, too. I'm right there with ya'! Here's hoping we're all well for the weekend! Can't wait to see the musical!
Daisy =); Friday, December 07, 2007 9:22:00 AM
Anonymous said...: Hope, I've been thinking of you all and how The Gift (the play) became reality for you right after the last performance. Watching how you've handled the situation has been a real inspiration for many people, myself included. We're looking forward to the musical this weekend. I know it will be a great blessing. And I do appreciate all the hard work and long hours that go into the production;;;;Faye Carter; Friday, December 07, 2007 11:32:00 AM
Christy said...: Will there be a way to get this years Christmas Musical on DVD? Are there any DVD's of "The Gift" still around? Just wondering... Oh yeah, how is the upstairs addition to the house going? Do you have any pics yet?; Friday, December 07, 2007 8:01:00 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

Thursday, December 06, 2007

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