The Foley Family - Trusting in God at ALL Times!!!: September 2012

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Hey St. Jude...

Watch this video "HeyStJude" and then pray about giving to Team Ivee for the Give Thanks. Walk

in honor of my baby, Ivee!

Team Ivee!

This Team gives thanks for the work that St. Jude has done in the life of Ivee! Ivee was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive brain tumor called an Ependymoma at the age of 7 months. She has fought the battle for her life twice, first in 2006 and for a second time in 2011. She has undergone 15 total surgeries (7 of those brain surgeries), 6 months of chemotherapy, and 63 total doses of radiation to the brain. She is a living example of the hope and miracle that is offered through St. Jude Children's Hospital. St. Jude doesn't just care about finding cures, but in giving the most effective and less damaging treatment they can to try to help Ivee and other children live a normal life. After all she has fought through, Ivee still suffers the damage of her disease and surgeries, but your help in supporting St. Jude, they are still looking for ways to help her and to try to keep this from happening to children in the future!

That's why we are participating in the St. Jude Give thanks. Walk. on Saturday, November 17, and why we need your support to help me reach my fundraising goal.

Monday, September 10, 2012

WORDS.....

Take a moment and watch this video, then read my post below it...Thanks!

Words...My friend Brian emailed me the link to this video this morning. Before I even read what the lady had rewritten on the sign I began to cry. Then once I read, "It's a beautiful day, and I can't see it" my heart burst with grief. My mind immediately went to the thoughts of Justin, Brandon, Myah, Anderson, Johnny, Avery Ann, Christian, Erin, Dorian, Fredrick, and all the other children to the left of this post and the countless others I have meet in person or online. It's a beautiful day here in on earth. Their parents feel the coolness and breeze of the day, but their hearts are so heavy, they can't enjoy it.

I don't know how this video may have moved your heart today...perhaps it didn't affect you at all. I would encourage you to look around you today, to find someone with a need, and to let God help you to meet it! I would ask you to pray about sponsoring me in the Give Thanks Walk (mentioned in my previous post). Words...they are powerful! But ACTIONS....they speak the loudest!!!

Thursday, September 06, 2012

September...Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Team Ivee. St. Jude Give Thanks. Walk. <--Click for my donation page.

Above is a link to my St. Jude Give Thanks. Walk. fundraising page. My goal this year is $1,000.00. I am looking for supporters to donate towards our goal and I am looking for Team mates.

This years walk is in Spanish Fort, AL on November 17th. I am praying that Ivee and I will be able to attend, but that is the week she is scheduled for multiple test at St. Jude in Memphis.

I am praying that this years support supersedes last years!!!!

I owe Ivee's life to God and the nurses, doctors and researchers at St. Jude. She isn't out of the woods, especially knowing she has fought this monster twice, but with your help, we can hopefully find a cure for all childhood cancers, and financially help families devastated by this disease!

Please, carefully pray about giving and the amount that your should give.

God bless you all!!!

The Foley family!!!!

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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!