Ivee Update

I know I have been a slacker about updating the website, so I wanted to share some highlights...

First, when we went up in Sept. for Ivee's check up we were able to make her permanent plaque for the RMH of Memphis, where we have lived a few times in the last 4+ years. Ivee's first handprint from 2007 was painted over in the remodel, so they put the kids handprints and info on moveable plaques. Here she is posing with her Butterfly Plaque! 

This is my suv of "Childhood Cancer Awareness" at the hospital that makes Hope's come alive!!! 

Here is Ivee with KK and Lilly. KK, the one standing, is a fellow Ependymoma Survivor/Fighter! We love meeting our fellow fighters. It makes you feel "not so alone" to meet others on your same journey!! Go KK!!!

This is Ivee with Allison. Allison lived with us at RMH this year. She just finished her Radiation and Chemo treatments and is back home. We love you Allison and Tabitha. Keep up the fight!!!

Back home, homecoming week was a few weeks ago. This is Brittney on Cartoon day. Alice in Wonderland. 

Homecoming NIGHT, we had a SMORES at our outback fire pit. Ivee loves to roast marshmellows for mommy to eat!!!

And here are my other "dorks" roasting hot dogs. 

Couldn't pass up posting Ivee's Scary faces!

Here is Brittney after the roasting and ready for the dance! So grown up! 

Just love this of Ivee. Such a funny girl!!!

Two weekends ago, our closest friends kids were over. This is Ethan with his "brother from another mother", Noah! They have been friends since birth!!

Niece Whitney and my Ella! They are so growing up!!

Nephew Nathan came to play with me! Love you Nathan, and he is enamored with his Aunt Hope!!!

Cousin Haley and Ivee had a reluctant Princess Photo Shoot!!!

Oct. 16, Fundraiser Polo at the Point, benefiting Ivee's home health agency, Mercy Medical! Britt, Ivee and Mica tagged along for free food and Polo!

Friday, Oct. 21 was my Mom's 60th birthday. We had so much fun eating together at Tacky Jacks.

Finally, a local church the kids attend on Wednesday nights has had a haunted-judgement-house. This is Brittney after spending the night in a cage in "hell". A bit creepy. 

Yesterday, Oct. 23, we were at our friends house for Grant, their sons, 8th birthday. Ivee had fun kicking a ball around the bot-chi court out back!!!

And today, Ivee was ready for the 50th day of school with her best 50's attire. This skirt was from when Brittney was in K5. So glad I hold on to things that my kids had. You never know when you may need it again!!!

Thanks for your continued prayers for our family and Ivee. We feel so blessed to have you all lifting us up in prayer. Continue to pray for Ivee's appetite. She has been doing really well lately trying something by mouth everyday! She actually ate a whole Popsicle one day along with trying popcorn, cookie, cake and licking an apple. The GI doctor in Memphis was so smart about putting her on a medicine (used for anxiety) but the side effect is a appetite enhancer. It has also alleviated her gagging, except when she sees something that makes her gag, like a mouth with chocolate on it! She is doing so well!!!

VOTING

Ivee has fallen to 4th place. We really need help with votes to stay in the top 10. God bless and thanks!!!

http://apps.facebook.com/yourlifecontest/content/ivee-blessed

Friends, don't forget to VOTE

Don't forget to vote everyday. We have someone sneaking up to catch us and take away our position!

http://apps.facebook.com/yourlifecontest/content/ivee-blessed

KEEP VOTING!!! -------------------------------------------------->

From my friend, Kate

My friend Kate is coming to end of her treatment journey with her Lucy! YAY! Someone shared this today with her, and I want to share it with you. I will probably add a few things, but this about sums it up. Thanks Kate!!!

11 THINGS I WISH MY CHILD’S DOCTOR KNEW.......



1. Please don't ask me to leave my child's side if not completely necessary!!! I need to be there for her in all these things!!!

2. I need to be part of my child’s care team. I am there everyday. I am used to being in charge. At home, no nurses or doctors are telling me what to do. Help me be a part of the team.



3. I am not stupid. I may not understand all the words that you use, but I am willing to learn. Teach me. Help me understand what you are talking about. What could be more important for me know? Let me tell you, after 5 years, I KNOW some THINGS!!!

4. I am not overprotective. I am a parent. I see my child struggling to survive. I was given this child to protect and love. If I am doing something excessive, then kindly, gently tell me that it is not necessary. But do not tell me I am overprotective. Those words are fighting words.


5. I don't know if you believe in God or not, but I hope and pray that you do. While my child is under the care of your hands, I am in the waiting room asking for God to guide your hands and your mind so that you can save my child’s life. I pray for you!!! And when I can, I'll share my faith with you!!!

6. Caring for a child with a chronic illness isn't what I bargained for when I was planning a family. This is the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with. I am not just my child’s parent. I have many roles and wear many hats. Please understand this problem has touched every facet of my life and is challenging me in ways that you cannot possibly understand or see.

7. I am grieving. Maybe not everyday, but often! This is not what I planned. My home is waiting for my child. Clothes hang in the closet; toys and books are waiting to serve their purpose. Please be kind while I try grasp what all of this means and while I mourn the life my child should have had.

 This is the mind of a parent who is in the hospital watching their baby go through chemo, or living hundreds/thousands miles away from their home! 

8. I have to trust you. I have handed over the most helpless and important person in my life. I know that you are not God, but I am hoping that through you, God will work a miracle!!!!

9. I have HOPE!! Big old stinking HOPE!!! I don't care about statistics. There aren't two children here at the same time, having the same surgery. There is one, and that is my child. Don't tell me that you don't think that my child won't make it. Tell me, that you'll do everything in you power to help my child survive.

 There is nothing like a doctor continually throwing statistics in your face! It offends me!!! My God is greater, and he has a plan! I will be content with what that plan of HIS is...not yours!!!

10. I know you don't have a crystal ball. When I ask you for my child’s prognosis, I am asking you for reassurance. Every parent wants to be a grandparent one day. Don't get irritated when I ask you about the future. Tell me I'm doing a good job today.

 Be supportive!

11. If it is God's will to take my child too soon, don't be afraid to let me see you cry. Your tears will help to cleanse my wounded heart. I need to know that you cared.



----UNKOWN AUTHOR..


Thank you Kate for sharing these unknown authors words!!! They sum it up just fine!!!


Thanks for everyone's prayers, and 


Don't forget to vote!! 

Don't forget to VOTE!!!

We are catching up to 2nd place! I didn't think it was possible!!! Keep voting and sharing my friends!!!

Still needs your vote everyday!! Thanks friends!
http://apps.facebook.com/yourlifecontest/content/ivee-blessed

I will put a short cut to this link on the right upper side of my page here!!

Thanks Friends!!

How can you help!

Whether you can or can't help financially is just okay with me. I know we all have circumstances and issues in life that can keep us from helping, even when we really want to.
BUT I have another way you can help. There is a movement called the Creating Hope Act. We parents are trying desperately to get our senators and representatives support to pass this act. You can help make that happen. We need supporters, those who would speak up and ask for it. You may be wondering what this act is. Here is a little video to give you some details.

Did you know that Ivee has many of the deficits he speaks of in this video? Did you know that she may never be able to grow on her own one day? She may never be able to have children? Did you know that her likely hood of developing another cancer is high because of chemo treatment? Please, go the this link and give you support!!
Now that you are aware of the act, here is how you can help! I'll be attaching a link in just a moment. CureSearch (a fundraising site for childhood cancer) has already done the work for you. You'll just email or send a printed letter to your representative, asking them to support this act. It is easy, you can use the pre-written note, change it or write your own. You have my permission to use Ivee's story if you like! Here is the Link to that page... Curesearch/Creathing Hope Campaign. 
Please, think about offering your support. Also, as I posted in a previous post. I am walking the Give Thanks. Walk for St. Jude. I could use your financial support to reach my goal. Just visit my walk site at this link...
Give Thanks. Walk. Team Ivee. 
I am always amazed by the support for friends and family!! God bless you all!! And keep praying!!!

GIVE THANKS WALK AND VOTE

     Hello Friends and Family. This November 19th I am walking to raise money for St. Jude through the Give Thanks. Walk. I could really use your financial or physical support to reach my goal of $1,000. I'm only $900 from my goal right now thanks to some of you!! You can visit my donation page Team Ivee and give a financial donation, OR you can join my team to raise support and walk with us that day in Spanish Fort. The info in on the website page.

ALSO

If you would, I could use your votes for Ivee's Reader's Digest Article. I would love for her to come in first to know for sure that her story and the awareness of Childhood cancer would be told. We have Sooooo far to go!!! Here is the link to vote.... Reader's Digest Your Life Story.

Thank you for always supporting us, especially when just in prayer. I pray that you can help support us financially.