Big Cheeks

I can hardly believe how slow time is going by. It has only been 3 weeks since this whole “Journey” began and it feels like a year. Well Troy is doing OK so far he is on a steroid that makes you grouchy and hungry ALL the time. I tried to take a picture of his cheeks while he was looking in the pantry but he was not having that. He looks like a different child and has gained 5 pounds in 2 weeks. When you start out at 28 pounds 5 more makes a huge difference. I can’t help but laugh when I look at him which precedes him covering his face saying, “Don’t look at me!” Chris and I have got to learn to just get used to this plump faced Troy. We go back to the clinic on July 3rd to make sure all his numbers look good for another spinal tap and bone marrow aspiration on July 5th. Hopefully all the Leukemia cells will be gone and into phase II we should go. Phase II will last 6-8 months. As I understand it he will have highs and lows in Phase II. We could possibly end up back in the hospital if he gets sick at all. I am not looking forward to that but I won’t be surprised when it happens. We know Troy is in excellent hands since these doctors and nurses are seriously unbelievable. Even down to the gal taking my insurance card at the clinic, they are all incredible. I still wish every second of the day that this in not happening but I know this is reality and I just have to deal with it, no matter how much both Chris and I HATE it. I will let you all know after the result from the July 5th procedures come back. Thanks to all of you friends and family.

GREAT NEWS!!!!

Yesterday we got some great news from the doctor. Troy's bone marrow came back and he only shows 4.5% Leukemia cells left. This is amazing new to us but just what the doctors had expected. They hope to see only 5% or less by day 8 of chemotherapy. Troy is right on track and still considered a standard patient. We also found out he is a rapid early responder meaning now they know what path of chemotherapy to go down and how intense it needs to be. This is certainly an educational experience for our family but I'm sure by the end of the 3 years we will all be experts on this subject. What I do know now is that the cause of Leukemia is unknown. Contrary to what some have thought, you can not get Leukemia from eating bad meat or drinking bad water. I don't know why Troy has this disease and I will have to ponder that question later, but for now all I am focusing on is taking care of him and getting him better. Thanks to the Busby gals for starting this blog. It is a great way to tell everyone that cares how he is doing. You know I love you girls. Life is looking up and thanks to everyone for their love and prayers. I believe we have been blessed already.

We are starting to see some of our old Troy boy coming back. Today he insisted on dressing himself all by himself hense the inside out and backwards shirt. He is doing great at home. Yesterday was a tough day for the whole family especially Troy since he had a couple of procedures done. He is doing well enough to only go the the clinic once a week instead of the twice a week normally. By next Tuesday we should know how much of the leukemia is gone. They hope to only see 25% left. If they show more than that they will have to do another spinal tap and bone marrow aspiration next Wednesday. We hope to not put him through that again since he has just HAD IT with doctors, nurses, and hospitals all together. Little does he know this is going to be a long process and he will just have to adjust. This has certainly been a life altering experience for our whole family and I am sad that life will never be the same. I can't worry about that now though, all that matters is getting Troy better so he can have a happy normal life. Thanks again to everyone for all your help and support. We greatly appreciate it.

We are home!!!!

Well we finally got to come home on Saturday night. The moment we walked in the door Troy got the biggest grin on his face and we knew he was so glad to be out of the hospital. He is doing pretty good considering his leukemia. He takes 18 doses of medication everyday which can be a challenge to get a 2 year old to swollow medicine that taste like poop. But, we know he is trying his best. I can already see great inprovments just in the few days we have been home. He is finally eating a little bit, sleeping great and trying to be a good boy. Troy will go to the clinic and outpatient treatment center twice a week for the next month and they expect ALL the lukemia cell to be gone by the end of this month. We just can't wait till the 4th of July!!! The rest of his treatment will be about 3 years but we don't care as long as he gets better. That is the only option at this point. I have to tell all of our family, friends and ward buds how wonderful they all have been during this terrible time. I know that we are so lucky to have a great support all around us. Without it this would be impossible. I don't know how I will ever thank everyone for their help, words of hope, and prayers. Please know everything is appreciated and I know that is what will pull Troy through this. I'll try to update his progress as often as I can and pass along the good news when it comes. Thanks again.

Update - June 6, 2007

Troy had a spinal tap performed yesterday morning. There were no Leukemia cells found, which means that there was no sign of the disease in his spine or brain. He also had his first dose of chemotherapy yesterday afternoon. He is still in a lot of pain but he has been a trooper.

He loves his room at the hospital. It is filled with balloons and he has his bed and the table next to him full of cars. He holds on to two of his favorites at all times; right now it is Lightning McQueen and Sally. While Troy was in another room, Chris asked him if he wanted to go home. He said, "No, I want to go back to my room." Troy was also able to go on a couple wagon rides yesterday through the hospital and even outside. The hospital accommodations have been great and the nurses have done a wonderful job of trying to keep the whole family comfortable. Abby and Wyatt were able to visit Troy yesterday and Troy was happy to see his crazy sister and his little brother that is almost as big as him. He did have to keep telling them to be quiet so that he could hear the movie Cars though.

Leukemia Confirmed

It has been confirmed that Troy does have Leukemia. A catheter has been placed into his chest and chemotherapy treatments will begin as early as tomorrow morning. He has been diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), which of all the kinds of Leukemia gives Troy the best chance for a full recovery. The doctors have indicated that Troy may be able to come home as early as Saturday where he will continue his treatment at home. Once the remission of the Leukemia has been achieved, Troy will continue his chemotherapy for the next few years in order to ensure that the remission is permanent. The remission rate for ALL is as high as 90%.

A ward fast will be taking place this Thursday on behalf of Troy and the Wendt family. Your participation would be greatly appreciated. With your prayers, we are sure that Troy will be on his way to a full recovery.

On Monday, June 4th, Troy went to the doctor to find out why he was so uncomfortable after a night of restlessness. Once the blood tests were returned, the doctors ordered him to Desert Samaritan Hospital. The doctors have indicated that the most likely culprit is Leukemia. Troy has spent the last few nights at the hospital undergoing several tests. We have created this blog to keep all those that know and love Troy Boy up-to-date with the latest information as to his health.

Some tests that have been performed include taking bone marrow samples from his hip and extensive x-rays of his chest. As of now, the doctors are not 100% sure that it is Leukemia or a really bad infection. However, they do say that it is extremely likely. They also say that it is not a typical case and they are running further tests to be sure. There are several types of Leukemia and the tests will tell us what type, if any, he will have to face.

This is all the information that we have at this time. We will post any new information to this blog so that Chris and Heather can concentrate on being with Troy. Phone calls are appreciated, but please check this blog first or contact the Houskeepers at 480-832-1464 in lieu of contacting the Wendts directly.

Also, for those who would like to send anything to the hospital, we have been told that flowers and latex balloons are not allowed in the ICU. The only balloon they will accept is the Mylar type, which is the metallic kind.

Thank you for your prayers and concern.