Friday, March 20, 2009

Post Treatment Issues

Since February 27th everything has been pretty good. Troy is struggling with the length of time it is taking for his body to heal from the radiation. He's frustrated to say the least. He has only had 2 doctors' appointments since the last post - one with Dr. Riley and one with Dr. Machuta (she is one of the radiation oncologists that rotates at Dr. Allen's office). Dr. Riley just sees Troy on a monthly basis for the next year and he checks down Troy's throat to make sure everything is going as it should. Dr. Machuta walked in and said to Troy, "Let me guess, you feel like..." and she basically rolled down every symptom and feeling that Troy was experiencing at this point. This made Troy feel better knowing that this is the way he is supposed to be feeling - like crap! He has been going through a little bout of depression (which seems to have subsided over the past week). He just said that he wakes up and just relives the nightmare of the pain, feeding himself through his PEG tube, and pouring his medicines through the PEG also. He can't wait to get it removed. In fact, we were supposed to leave for Disney tomorrow, but we pushed it back to April 18th and then pushed it back again to May 2nd in the hopes that Troy would feel a lot better and he would have the tube removed by then. Keep your fingers crossed for us!! Anyway, Dr. Machuta gave Troy a steroid to take which will help the swelling in his neck. She said the biggest side effect of the medication is irritability which just makes me laugh... you mean he's going to be more irritable!!!? Great. We're doing well and the kids are doing well and we're looking forward to a vacation. Speaking for myself, you have no idea how much.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Troy, Dad & I, Chris & Michelle, Mike & Toni and everyone else here thinks and prays constantly for you to constantly. I know how hard it is for you not to be able to be on the go and doing all the time. The first coupe of yrs when my shoulder was so bad I felt like you- crappy, useless, and hated myself. You constantly told me to take it easy and relax, not to worry about being able to do practically nothing. Now that the shoe is on the other foot you see how hard it is. So, I do understand somewhat how you have been feeling, but you will get better and must be patient. I am glad that the past 5 days you have sounded a little better to all of us. We know it will come, just not fast enough- but it will come.Glad to see Disney won't be until May. By then even Ryan will have more fun. Give my main Squeeze extra hugs and kisses for the super pictures he drew & colored. Dad & I love them!! Take care of yourself and get plenty of rest. Make sure to remember & try not to be too grumpy to Terry & the boys while you are on the dexa. Even though you know it can make you grumpy sometimes it's hard not to go there. We all love & miss you and can't wait until you guys feel well enough to come home to visit. Love, hugs and extra kisses, Dad & MOm xoxoxoxoxoxox
P.S. Loved the beautiful bday cards!!!! They made me cry happy tears.