2 weeks off from doctors!!!!!

Just wanted to update everyone on Troy’s progress. We have had 3 weeks of spinal taps once a week, plus clinic visits every week and now we get a little break from that. He is really quite the trooper I must say. The nurses are great and Troy is even giving them smiles when they talk to him. This is a vast improvement from not talking to them at all for fear of what they were going to do to him. We sat down with the lady at the bank and Troy said really scared, “What are they going to do to my arm?” He is just leery of anyone. The protocol Troy is on will get more intense as the months go by. In about 2 months he will have be having a lot of chemo drugs. I just want to get through this phase and onto the maintenance phase. Everyone says that the maintenance phase is a piece of cake. We are enjoying the break and loving having our old Troy boy back. I do have to tell about a lady we met while Troy was getting his spinal tap last week. Her name is Trish and her daughter Sammy was diagnosed with the same kind of Leukemia as Troy (ALL) in March. This lady was so bubbly and happy telling us that she spend a lot of time in the hospital so if I need to know where the good toys or good treats are just ask her. She went on to tell us that her husband passed away in September of Leukemia so she is doing this on her own. Trish said that she does not think “woe is me,” she is just grateful for everyday she has with Sammy ( her only child ). I could not believe what I was hearing. I though what the heck does she have to smile about but somehow she has found a way to deal with all of this by herself since she just lost her husband to Leukemia. It just goes to show when you think you have it rough it could ALWAYS be worse. I am so grateful that Chris and I have each other and our seriously AMAZING support system. We love all of you.

HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN

Are these 2 related? Some people in the fam have said that Troy looks just like Nat. I just don’t see it. Are they talking about the nose, lips, or possibly the brown eyes, because I just don’t know? Troy has been SOOOOOO happy these last few days. He has been like himself , laughing, smiling, talking, playing and tormenting Wyatt like he used to. I never thought I would be so happy to peel Troy off of Wyatt. I used to spend most the day telling Troy to get out of Wyatt’s face and now I am just so happy to see him enjoying his brother again. Poor Wyatt has to feel the brunt of that situation. Good thing he is such an awesome baby. Troy has starting walking again which is great because carrying around a nearly 40 pound toddler has done a number on my neck and back. He even tried to run a little today which is really funny to watch. Troy just looks so great and life feels some what good again. Thanks to you all for your support. We appreciate everything that has been done for us.

YEA Troy's cancer is in remission!!!!!!

Well we got some awesome news yesterday. Troy’s cancer is in remission!!!! We could not be happier. The surgery to place his port went great and he is doing so super good. We have seen Troy’s smile emerging again and even him belly roll laughing. I can’t tell you how wonderful it has been to see a smile on his face again. Ever since he had his PICC line removed and we have been back home he has been so happy. Don’t get me wrong he still has his screaming spells but I know that will taper off eventually. I am just happy everything is happening just as it should. We could not hope for anything better at this point. Life is hard but things are looking up. Troy’s next clinic visit is on Wednesday and that is when we find out what protocol he has been randomized into. We will start a whole new set of chemotherapy in phase II, which will last 6-8 months. I know all our prayers have been answered and we just need to have a little faith.

Back in the Hospital

Troy had a PICC line in his arm that they have been using to draw blood, give anesthesia, and give chemo treatments through. This has been great since they haven’t had to stick him with an IV because they could use the PICC line. Well, on Friday his arm that the PICC line was in got very swollen. About double the size of his other arm. I did not call anyone about this problem until Saturday when the home health care nurse told me to take him to the ER right away. They did an ultrasound and luckily found no blood clots and he has not been running a fever so they didn’t think it was an infection either. All of this was good news. The doctor decided that the PICC line was doing more harm than good so they removed it and today the swelling had gone down some, enough to let us come home. I am so glad to be back home and what a horrible weekend it was. I know he will end up in the hospital every now and then but it still stinks to have your child in the hospital. I absolutely hate it. We go back to the clinic tomorrow and Thursday is D day. He will have all his procedures and have his port put in. For those who don’t know what a port is here is the definition. A port-a-cath (IVAD-Implantable Venous Access Device)- A small reservoir connected to a flexible tube which is surgically placed under the skin leading to a major blood vessel. This may be used for drawing blood or giving blood products, fluids, or medicines. Once the port is in they will be able to access it to give him chemo. Yes, I feel like I am talking about Star Wars with all this access port lingo. Hopefully, the next phase will go by fast and we will have our old Troy Boy back, which is all Chris wants. I will update after we hear the results from Thursday. Thanks again to everyone.