Ivee was released from children's on Friday evening, so we stayed in the hotel that night. We got home Saturday around lunch time, and she has been very happy to be here! We are all adjusting to her situation and WEIGHT! She is quite heavy right now. It's like picking up a log, so now I call her Pinocchio!!!

Headed home from birmingham. Praying for a safe a stress free ride home in her new harness.

Ivee is contently watching UP from her hospital bed, lying next to daddy. She is not too fond of the RED cast (she chose the color) going from chest to foot. It's to the foot on the right and to the knee on the left. She's once again proving what a strong girl she is. Hardly any complaining at all. She is so amazing.

Ivee's in surgery now

Ivee and Recovery

So, a friend posted a question wondering what Ivee will be able to do during recovery. I am not sure at this time, but can speculate. She will be in a full body cast from chest to toes, in a sitting type position. It will probably require that she be propped up though. She will have full use of her arms, so I believe I'll be investing in some kind of table that could somehow fit over her legs. That way she can do puzzles, draw, color and the like. I'm praying that this is the case. Once again, I'm not completely sure what position the cast will have her in.
Another question/s asked of me lately is "What about going to the bathroom? Or feeding her through her g tube?" Good questions! They will leave the "diaper" area open for us to change her. They will also leave an opening around her button for feeds. Of course, NO to baths, so I guess a good wipe down every night. My plan, for now, is to still take her to school periodically. I will stay there and help her out. Her teacher will have her hands full enough with the other kids to have to worry about Ivee falling over. We will see what we can really do once we are home.
Thanks for caring and checking in!!! We love you all and covet your prayers!

Swallow Study

     Ivee made it through swallow study with the promise of the purchase of a new dress, which will have to be bought tomorrow cause Walmart had NOTHIN!!! She passed most of the test. On liquids, it puddles on the vocal chords, then after a few swallows, most clears. Some remained. On thin feeds (ei apple sauce, soups, yogurt consistency) she aspirated just a little bit, but we saw it. On th...icker foods (ei. p'nut butter, Pudding, refried beans consistency) she got it down all at once fine. So, drinking without a straw and thinker foods that stay together are the recommendations for now. Em and I aren't too worried, but she does tend to cough here and there when eating. It's been 2 1/2 years since her last study, and in the time we have feed her and given her drinks by mouth. She has never had a fever, severe cough, chest congestion or anything that lead us to believe that she had problems with aspiration. Never had pneumonia or other pulmonary issues.
     SO.....as her ENT at St. Jude, Dr. Thompson (who by the way also has a paralyzed vocal chord), says, "I love coffee. I aspirate it everyday, but it hasn't stopped me from drinking it." I guess what he means by that is...when she learns to love the food and gets more practice in swallowing and using those muscles, we won't be able to stop her.
     Hip surgery is only 9 days away. I don't seem to be able to go to sleep too well knowing what all I need to get done with the house, kids, and details. The mind just keeps running and running. Then I keep thinking about what we are going to do with Ivee. I don't stress out too much, and usually I internalize it. BUT lately I see myself snipping at others. Trying to keep it in check!!! It doesn't help my attitude when Ethan and Brittney are at each other lately. Ethan also has homework from the time he gets home and goes to bed. Brittney has two projects due this week. Hoping the week of the surgery things will slack off for them since we won't be home. Thank the Lord, once again, for our neice Erin. She is keeping them again for us. She is awesome!!!!!!!

A few more cruise pics

Our 6 person platter from Chen Rio

He tasted sooooo good! Really. And not I didn't eat the face.

YMCA

Em and McCall goofing it up at Chen Rio

Mexico and Surgery

Em and I had a wonderful time on our Cruise. A great rest before Ivee's surgery. Here's a few pictures and then I'll share the surgery information.

Dinner at night on the boat. Em, Catina and McCall in the Imagination dining room.

In the Atrium of the boat!

The Atrium from the top floor looking down.

Enjoying the kid free area of the Lido deck.

Before Formal night in the dining room.

Cozumel Mexico!!! Ahhhhh

Catina and Hope's feet in the Gulf of Mexico!!!

Em trying to command ownership of an old coral reef off the beach.

Chen Rio...LUNCH!!!

The beach!

Lunch time at Chen Rio

The wonderful, many colors of the water in Cozumel.

Catina and McCall Snorkleing

Tulum ruins in Mexico

Em and iguana

Playa Del Carman

Our Cruise Director Fileppe' after the Groove for St. Jude party on the boat. Carnival cruise lines is raising money for St. Jude right now!!!

Ivee's surgery is Thursday, Sept. 23rd at UAB. She'll be in the hospital for 2 to 3 days, and in a body cast for 6 weeks. So, from the end of Sept to the beginning of November, the Foleys will be needing prayers!

It's Tomorrow

So, tomorrow I send Brittney and Ethan off to public school. Brittney for the first time in 7 years, Ethan for the first time ever. I think he is excited. Britt is a bit nervous and scared! Mom is a bit sad. Ivee will be a bit mad, for I am not taking her tomorrow. I'm ready for a temper tantrum once I drop Ethan off, and she doesn't go in to the building next door. She only goes Tuesday to Friday, so she won't be in tomorrow. Gotta have speech on one day of the week! So, I am heading to bed to get them up early. This is definitly something they have to get used to!!! Ethan made himself a list tonight of everything he needs to do in the morning. Praying for my boy, that he will be able to keep up, succeed, and find many new friends/ no enemies!! (If you know what I mean.) He has a big heart, and is my goof ball, but some kids can be mean. Time for him to get a taste of life outside of church friends. Brittney is just scared of the unknown. I know she'll make friends and good decisions. We've had quite a few talks about this new mission field she is entering. Recently she learned not to "read a book by it's cover!" No matter what the "outside" package looks like, you can't judge the heart. Actions speak loud. Silence sometimes speaks louder! She is my talker, but hopefully God will keep her mouth in check. I have reminded her to respect her teachers and they will like her just fine. I have told Ethan to respect his teachers or he's going to have a meeting with my hand on his behind :)
Well, that is the Foley Family's next step. Em and I are leaving on a cruise to Mexico next week. When I scheduled it I thought the kids would have 2 good weeks of school behind them, but it started a week later than I had anticipated. I'm looking forward to our time alone, but it does make me a bit anxious to leave them all behind. (Esp. being that we are at sea and not easily contactable... is that a word?) I've been out of school 17 years, it becomes rusty :) Next step when home from vacation.....schedule Ivee's hip surgery...YUCK!!!

Another Step

After homeschooling my kids for three years, today I go register them for public school. Yuck! A big part of me wants to keep them at home. I will completely miss my kids. But, part of me knows this is what they need. Ethan really needs to be around boys. He said he wants to continue to be homeschooled, but I think he will really enjoy making friends. He is so sociable! Britt is really nervous about going to high school. We have tried to prepare her mind and heart for what she is walking into, and what all she is going to see and hear. After private education and homeschooling, my kids are pretty sheltered. What I think I have taught Britt is that this next step is doing what she has prepared for all these years. She is stepping out into the mission field!!!! She is trying not to be anxious, but starting something new can always be scary!!!
So, today is just another step in out lives. Ivee is ready to go back to school. She has missed her teacher and she likes to play. She doesn't care too much for the other kids. She finally "allowed" them to play with her towards the end of the year. I think they babied her at first, and she didn't like that. It's hard when you are 4 and the size of a 2 1/2 year old. They all think she is so cute, and she uses a walker, so they think she needs everyones help.
So, today the Foley's take a step on a new adventure. We'll see where this road takes us!

Scan

Ivee is 3 YEARS FREE!!!! This is a leap for her, as her percetage of survival has jumped to about 87%. We are so relieved! We know that God is faithful no matter the outcome, but we do give him the praise for her life and health! He obviously isn't done with her here on this planet. He must have something in store for her life, no matter how long she is on loan to us!

Update on 2nd opinion. Surgery is needed on Ivee's hip, but only the right one for now. This doctor wants to watch the left, but thinks it might not ever need anything done to it. So, we are looking at a less evasive procedure, but it will still require a 6 week stay in a body cast. Yep, from chest to toe, in a cast for SIX WEEKS!!! Yuck. We are going to wait until this next MRI is over to think about scheduling the surgery. If this scan is still clear, we will proceed with the hip surgery and we will be going to Birmingham for the procedure.


Thanks for your prayers once again. We leave this Sunday, July 25th. Her MRI will be Tuesday. Praying once again for a clear scan and an uneventful trip. Blessings and thanks again.

Ivee's Blessed Momma- Hope

Ivee update

Just making a quick note, I'll come back and add more detail later. We saw the doctor in B'Ham and surgery will be needed. It will be WAY less evasive than what the surgeon down here wanted to do.

We Mourn

I will now add ^^wings^^ to our little Johnny's link below. It saddens me to announce to you that little Johnny finally lost his battle with ependymoma. He got to celebrate and witness 100+ balloons being released on his birthday Saturday, and then on Sunday, July 4th at 9:50 p.m. he passed away from this world into another. Please join me in praying for his family and those who are still fighting this battle with cancer. We love you Johnny! You have forever impacted my family, you will never be forgotten.

Ivee's appointment to the orthopedic surgeon in Birmingham is July 13th. We'll be seeing Dr. Sharon Mayberry for a second opinion. We'll also see an ortho. surgeon at St. Jude at the end of July for a 3rd opinion.

Sent off a package for Johnny and Taryn today. I hope it brings a few hours of joy and pleasure as they dress up, color and play. I love giving kids stuff and seeing their faces light up. I'll just imagine their faces in my head....Ahh​hh

Updates

Lilly did great during surgery yesterday. Thanks for the prayers.


Ive​e saw the orthopedic doctor today, and we maybe looking at a double hip surgery for hip dysplasia. (an acetabulopl​asty) All I can do is sigh...over​, and over and over!!!

Cont​inue your prayers for Johnny, Anderson, Aaron Bell, and Ethan Mjolsness as they face problems, health decline and reoccurance​s.
 
YUCK!!!!!

Package for Johnny

I am making a package to send to the Sileno's. Johnny is 5 and Taryn is 3. If you would like to send a note, card, or something special to them, get it to me by this Sunday. He loves fire fighters (thanks to his daddy). He loves to receive letters. Anything for mom and dad would be great too! I thought it may be a good idea to send gift cards for dinners. Not sure of all the local ones, but McDonalds, Burger King, and Applebee's were a few.

Prayer, prayer

Praying for Lilly as she has gall bladder surgery this morning.
Praying for Anderson's family as he had a HORRIBLE night!!! May God give them a peaceful uneventful day!!!!!
Praying for Johnny, Jennine and John today! Don't know how they week is going, but think of them every minute!!!
Praying for Tyson's job interview!
Prayer works!!!

Prayer needs

I feel like the cancer monster of 2010 has just hit with a furry! I am sick to my stomach as I read the websites of the kids I follow. Please pray for these families as they face reoccurances and hospice.
Johnny Selino- Hospice care
Aaron Bell - Reoccurance after 3 years
Anderson Butzine - Continued fight. Alot of health issues in the hospital
Ethan Mjolsness - Reoccurance in spine. Surgery and treatment
Ivee's next scan is in July. I am getting anxious. Will be asking the Lord for a lot of peace right now.

"Be anxious for nothing, but with prayer and petition, take your needs to the Lord"