The Foley Family - Trusting in God at ALL Times!!!: May 2010

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Sickness never presents itself at a good time!

We are scheduled to leave for Disney tomorrow night, and Ivee has been up with fever since 3:30 a.m. Ethan became sick this past Monday with congestion, ear ache and sore throat. Ivee started getting congested Tuesday night, so yesterday I took them to urgent care. Ethan definitly had a "red" middle ear, and Ivee's was turning pink. So, they started antibiotics last night. Then her fever came this morning, so I guess I got on top of that one quickly. I normally let sickness run it's course, but with vacation coming this week, I wanted everyone to be well. I'm praying that God will allow the trip...for all of our sakes, but mainly my kids. Especially Ivee. I know God doesn't owe us anything, but in mommy's eyes, she deserves this trip. So, I'm praying selfish prayers today, and praying that God is gracious in allowing them. I know all things work for the good of those who love him...

Okay enough of my self-absorbed prayers...
Asking for prayer for Johnny and Anderson. Both are having real side affects of their tumor removals. Johnny had to have a feeding tube inserted this weekend after having difficulty swallowing. Anderson just had tumor reduction, and will have a trach and g-tube put in this afternoon after side affects. So, please pray for these two little ones and their families.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Ivee is FOUR years old!!!!

Ivee celebrated her 4th birthday this past weekend. She loves many things, but decided on the Dora Theme (cause mommy could make a cake easily of that)!

Here is the cake mommy made her or Dora and her cousin Deigo on a purple Aztec themed cake.

Then she wanted to take some pics after big sister Brittney fixed her hair and makeup.

My Ivee is a girly-girl!!

Ivee with Grandma Long at the party...

Ivee and her daddy. She loves to rub on his head!!!

It was some hard work trying to blow out the candles!!!

Present time...she got Dora's Backpack and many pretty clothes!

She is a huge puzzle fanatic!!! So, a $5 puzzle is just her thing!!!

She informed her cousin Haley that this backpack was hers!!! (Haley had gotten one a few weeks before for her birthday!!! Ivee was the jealous one then!

And of course......she loves money!!!!

In the end, she ended up on the couch with the puzzle we got her!

Thanks to everyone that has wished our girl a very happy birthday! She is amazing!!

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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, May 20, 2010

Sickness never presents itself at a good time!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Ivee is FOUR years old!!!!