News about the News in 5

Wednesday, March 02, 2011

News about the News in 5

1. Ivee is doing well. She has crawled today, played with my friend Cathy while I went to the grocery store, has begun to talk a little louder and a whole lot more, and she used her walker tonight. She just came walking down the hallway to the kitchen, surprising and scaring her mother all at the same time.

2. Her neck "wound" (which I will not share the gross details of) is beginning to look better. Still redish in the skin around the suture and "other stuff" but it is not getting worse. We will continue to clean it as we have been and let it air dry.

3. I heard from Make-A-Wish today. We have only been trying to get together on this interview since the end of December, and YES it is March. We were all finally able to meet next Thursday, March 10th...UNTIL....

4. Christy, Dr. Merchant's nurse from St. Jude called. Dr. M wants us back up there next week. Sooo....once again, I can't meet with Make-a-wish which means I can never make this kids wish happen!!!! (Done Venting)

5. This means that next Tuesday I will once again leave for Memphis. We will do her radiation mapping/planing scan on Wednesday and her MRI on Thursday, then come home. He will give us a week at home, and then Ivee and I will be moving up the weekend of the 20th, I assume (date wise). This means that she and I will be in Memphis during the kids Spring Break and Easter. Guess their coming to see momma and Ivee for that week. This would have Ivee and I moving home the first part of May.

WHERE HAVE THE FIRST 2 MONTHS OF 2011 GONE??!!?!?!?! Seriously, It's March? I guess time flies when your world goes into a "loopty-loo" again! Now, if only the time in Memphis will go that fast. At least I know what to expect this time, and I am looking forward to being able to minister to families who may be going through this for the first time. I'm actually a PRO at this now....how sad : (

So, as you continue to pray, and thank you for your continued prayers and just your thoughts of us throughout the day....Pray that we can finally meet with Make-a-wish and get that rolling for Ivee. Pray for our trips to Memphis and our time apart from family. Pray for us financially. BUT our BIGGEST prayer....PRAY FOR NO SIDE EFFECTS FROM A SECOND DOSE OF RADIATION!!!! This is a huge consequence of 2nd time dosing.

God bless you all and thanks for putting up with me.

No comments:

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

Wednesday, March 02, 2011

News about the News in 5

No comments: