Ivee and her NEW DO!

Monday, March 17, 2008

Ivee and her NEW DO!

We have finally been able to put Ivee's hair up...some. Below are some pics. Her braces came in today. I put them on her feet for a little while, and the only thing that really bothered her about them is that she couldn't get her socks off. That just made her mad!

Here is her hair after pulling out the first ponytail she had on top of her head. Then we tried something new.

Here she is with her pigtails. They lasted a little while. Today she had her hair up all day. I was happy that she wasn't obsessed with pulling stuff out of her hair.

This is her troll look after pulling out today's ponytail. Too Cute!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...: Ivee sure does have a head full of hair now! I liked the pic with 2 pony tails. She looks like she may be happier with them out though! lol Does she have to wear the braces all the time, even to sleep? I remember Dave said he had braces when he was little for his legs and he hated them. Hopefully she will tolerate them. I haven't commented for a while but you and Em looked awesome in the pics you posted of your before and afters.
Becky; Tuesday, March 18, 2008 7:59:00 AM
Christy said...: She is the cutest little thing. Her hair is really pretty...it is fun that she can have pigtails now!Miss you all bunches. (oh we got the FFF church directory in the mail, it was so good to see everyone's faces again!); Tuesday, March 18, 2008 10:59:00 AM
Anonymous said...: Hope _ I love Ivee's hairdo. It really shows her spunk! I put two pigtails in Mackenzie's hair almost every day to keep her bangs out of her eyes (and to make her look squeezeable cute). Ivee is so chunky now - in a cute way don't get me wrong. She looks so incredibly healthy (Praise God)! You and your honey are looking pretty awesome yourself. I am so glad things are going well at the Foley home. I check the blog everyday but I don't always have time to comment. All God's Best - Paula; Tuesday, March 18, 2008 9:37:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Maggie is the SAME way, and she was TWO before she was able to have any kind of anything in her hair. She still doesn't have a whole lot to do with.
Ivee is looking so sweet!!! I hope the braces help!
Daisy; Tuesday, March 18, 2008 10:11:00 PM
debchastain said...: How fun! i can't wait for Erin to have enough hair to do something with. I just love the pig tails! And you and Emmett are both looking great!
Erin has a high fever today. Always fun... I feel like I'm just a walking kleenex. Nothing like slobber and snot all over you to make you feel fabulous :); Tuesday, March 18, 2008 11:20:00 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!

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

About Me

Monday, March 17, 2008

Ivee and her NEW DO!

5 comments: