Pics of the chics

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Pics of the chics

Ivee on the ride up to Memphis...Sleeping Bald Beauty....

My first day of radiation...I am ready!

Christmas In July...Santa came to St. Jude today today and gave all the kids and their siblings presents. They said this is Joe Farris...the "real Santa Claus". I haven't looked it up, but he must be a famous Santa.? This is Ivee's first encounter with Santa and she was so good. Remember...she was only 5 days post brain surgery last Christmas, so she has never experienced a "real" Christmas yet. I was so happy that she wasn't frightened of him. Maybe if he had been wearing scrubs or a white coat it would have been different :)

Ivee is doing better with sedation this week. They are trying a later time in the day, and they are trying a different sedation medicine. She's getting hair on her head...finally. We are still making acquaintances here, and we are becoming accustomed to life here. It has rained "a whole lot" the last two days, but it is making it not so stinking hot! So we welcome it. We are missing our family, but daddy, Ethan and papaw are coming up this weekend. Ethan will stay here with us, and we will see how he does. Hopefully he and Brittney won't fight too much since they have been apart for 3 weeks. Pray for mom's sanity.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...: I am glad Ivee is doing better with sedation. She looks pretty happy with Santa & big sister. I love the pictures. We continue to pray; specifically now for Mom's sanity. May the Lord continue to strength and encourage each of you. Love, Anna C.; Tuesday, July 10, 2007 6:13:00 PM
Anonymous said...: The pictures are great, and I am glad to hear it's been a little better week. We'll be praying for safe travel for Emmett, your Dad and Ethan and also that the kids will all get along and do great together while you're there. Thanks again for keeping us all posted. We will continue to pray for you all!!!
Daisy; Wednesday, July 11, 2007 7:50:00 AM
Anonymous said...: Hope - I love the pictures of Ivee - she is such a cutie. Looking at those pictures it is hard to believe that she "is" (was by faith) sick. She is just so squeezeable (sp?). I am so happy to hear that she is doing so well and that you all will have company this weekend. Have a wonderful rest of the week!! Blessings, Paula; Thursday, July 12, 2007 2:19:00 PM
Anonymous said...: It's great to see the pictures; I'm glad all of you were able to go. All of you continue to be in our prayers. There is mail on it's way to you. Love, Anna; Tuesday, July 17, 2007 4:10:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Just thinking and praying for you guys tonight and looked at your blog. I'm glad you all had a great time at the zoo. Let us know if we can do anything for you.
Love, Nicole and James; Sunday, July 22, 2007 9:53:00 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

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Pics of the chics

5 comments: