Surgery Update

So, our appointment with Dr. Sanford (neurosurgeon) is Monday, August 18th at noon. He'll evaluate Ivee and see if he thinks the surgery is necessary. If we all agree it is, then Ivee will be admitted to Le Bonheur Hospital in Memphis on that Wednesday to do labs and prep her for surgery that Thursday, August 21st. She'll be in ICU that night and then recovering in a room for 2 to 3 days. So, we would be gone for at least 1 full week if this takes place.
That is all I know for now. Please, pray that the doctors don't find this surgery necessary, and that they believe Ivee will continue to progress on her own. But, in the end, God's will be done in her life and ours.

The Latest News

I'm quite tired, and not really up for long explanations, but I wanted to make everyone aware of Ivee's latest news. Dr. Merchant and I talked on Friday. There is some concern about scar tissue or a cyst near Ivee's brain stem that is causing the CSF (or brain fluid) to not drain properly. This is putting pressure on that area. After we stated some concerns with her balance, he wanted to review this finding with the neurosurgery (and others) board there. They are in agreement that this could be causing balance problems for Ivee. The "pockets" (as they are called) that can develop after a surgery like Ivee's is not uncommon, but they usually form in a place that causes no problems. After speaking with Dr. Samford (the neurosurgeon), he said in 5,000 surgeries he and his partner have performed, there have only been 3 other cases where they have performed a surgery to help children with this. The other 3 have been successful, and after 3 to 6 weeks, those children were able to walk.
So, as it stands right now, sometime in the weeks to come, Ivee and Mommy will travel back to Memphis. Dr. Samford (n-surgeon) will evaluate her and her MRIs. If he feels that surgery would definitely help Ivee, he is willing to do it. If he thinks it is a slim chance of helping, then he won't do it. Then, of course depending on the odds, Em and I have the final decision on this.
This would not be a "major" surgeries, that is in comparison to tumor removal, but it would mean opening up the back of her head again. This means another painful surgery and tough recovery for her (and for mom and dad).
So, Em and I are praying what any parent would pray. That the Lord would just see fit to make her all better. Em and I just don't want to go through this again, but we do want what is best for Ivee. So, even though my prayers may be for this "cup to be passed," I still want the Lord's will to be done in our lives!
I will keep you informed of the dates and more details as they become clear to us. You are all wonderful to keep with us, and as always, we covet your prayers.

Final Update from St. Jude

So, it has been a pretty good week of news. Ivee's MRI came back clear. There is a little concern that the CSF in her brain (the spinal fluid) may be causing some pressure on the brain affecting her balance. This has been a concern for us in consideration of her problems with standing unassisted and walking. But, good news other wise. We decided to leave Ivee's port in due to some discussions we had with Ivee's nurse and nurse practitioner, so we didn't have surgery today. We decided that since the port makes accessing her veins easier (due to the fact that she is so chunky and young) she should just keep it. It doesn't pose a problem for her, and if the port is flushed correctly every month, there is No chance of infection, unlike a central line (outer port). She has many of those, as many of you know since you have been following her life and our story.
So, thank you for the prayers! We really appreciate everything you do for us.
Hope, Emmett, and the kids.

Update From St. Jude

So far, our trip and stay has been great. On the way up, we visited Tony and Mel's (Harmans) new church in Meridian. We had a great time there, and got to sing with Tony and his new choir members.
We have had a safe trip up. The engine light came on "again" but it is just a sensor that we can wait to have fixed until we get home.
We met with her therapist here yesterday. They say she is doing great, esp. in comparison to where she was last time we were here. Today, she had her endocrine system test. We'll know the results of this tomorrow. Also today, she had her throat scope with Dr. Thompson...GREAT NEWS. Before, Dr. Thompson feared and prepared us for the fact that Ivee's right vocal chord would probably never regain function. BUT, today the scope revealed that her right vocal chord, though weak, is moving! So, he is predicting that she will make a full recovery! To God be the glory! Ivee is such a miracle! What a testimony she is and looks like will continue to be.
We still have three days ahead. Here is what you can be praying for.
Wednesday: Auditory Brainstem test, to check her hearing and our meeting with Dr. Merchant (Ivee's radiation oncology doctor)
Thursday: MRI and spinal tap
Friday: Surgery to remove her port.
God bless you and continue to pray!