VACATION

Well we made it back from vacation and boy did we have a blast. We are so lucky that we had no issues or problems with Troy since he had chemo 2 days before we left. The beach was certainly the highlight for Troy. Abby and Troy could stay all day and night if we let them. Most of the time they would just run from the waves and it made me tired just watching them run. The weather was perfect and everything went just great. We know that was a small miracle to not have any problems.

Troy did have an allergic reaction to one of the chemo drugs a week before we left. He got hives all over his body the day after he had a PEG Asparaginase shot in both legs. The drug that is substituted for that is not approved yet so at this time he will not have that chemo drug anymore. This was the first snag we have run into since this started so I can’t complain. I asked the doctor what that will do are far as his progress goes. He said we don’t know what the effects are when you don’t receive the shots but we do know that when the PEG shot is given in the high doses that Troy was receiving it is very effective. Kind of a bummer but what can you do? He only has one more of those shots on his protocol so that is ok. He goes this Thursday for some more chemo and then we start the intense phase which will last 2 months. By Thanksgiving or Christmas we should be in maintenance which will be heaven. I can’t wait.

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU!!!!!

We have to send an enormous thank you to the family owned Italian restaurant PapaRazzini’s. For the whole month of July until Troy’s Birthday, August 20th, they have been doing a fundraiser for him. Customers could donate money and receive a picture of a car to color or just write on and in return they would receive a free dessert. The response was overwhelming to me. We went to the restaurant a few weeks ago and all the walls were covered with the cars with well wishes written on them. My sister in law Angie had put posters around the restaurant with pictures of Troy and we were amazed. It literally brought tears to my eyes to see all the cards and pictures. What a truly KIND family to do this for us. We were just strangers to them but once they heard about Troy they jumped in and wanted to help. PapaRazzini will be on News Channel 3 on September 4th at 11:50 to promote a special dish in Troy’s honor. They plan on picking the fundraiser back up in October. Could they be the nicest family ever? Not to mention the food was outstanding. If any of you are ever in the mood for some yummy Italian food with an awesome atmosphere head down to PapaRazzini’s. We are so lucky to know them and thanks to Angie and Courtney for getting the word out to this incredible family. Here is a picture of Christine from the restaurant with Troy and the check and Troy with all the cards that were hanging in the restaurant. GRAZIE!!!!!

Paparazzinis.netfirms.com
1825 E. Guadalupe Rd., Ste. F-110
Tempe, AZ 85283
Ph 480-345-6560

TROY'S HAD A BIRTHDAY SHOUT HOORAY!!!!

Troy’s birthday was today and I am happy to say he is now 3 years old. We had a party on Friday and he had so much fun. Grandma Val got him some race cars and he has yet to put them down. How can one boy be so obsessed with cars? He truly loves them. We also had a friend that ties balloons come over and boy did all the kids eat him up. He did an awesome job for us. Troy had, of course, a cars birthday cake and loved opening his presents one tiny piece of wrapping paper at a time. It was a fun night.

Well, we started another mini phase of phase II about a week ago. We go to the doctor every 10 days for 41 days, plus a couple days in between those for different chemo drugs, plus 2 spinal taps. Everything is so precise and I have an enormous calendar to keep it all straight. One of his doctors said, "he is breezing right through this." Easy for him to say, but really Troy has been doing great. I just wish I could 'breeze' right through this.

Our family had a vacation planned the week this whole ‘journey’ began that we had to cancel, so we are now going to try and go in a couple of weeks. I hope Troy is feeling good and he does ok. The doctors are going to give us a couple different phone numbers of oncologist in San Diego just in case we need anything. All in all, he is doing amazing and we couldn’t be happier about his progress. Troy is a tough little guy who is adjusting to all of this like a champ. Thanks to all of you who still pray and think about our family. We truly appreciate every one of you and all the support. We couldn’t do this without you.

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.