Troy here

Hi Gang, Troy here, I thought I'd post a quick note to let y'all know we're good here, this is a longer process than I thought it would be, I was just sure I'd be up and running around by now, but it's not going to happen, I'll be fine I'm sure, but this may take a while!! Deana went back to work today and I sure missed having her around, She's my blessing!! We both look forward to getting back to boat stuff, there are all kind of events happening right now that we wanted to participate in with the TMCA, we'll just have to ease back into the active lifestyle. Thanks friends for all the thoughts, prayers and help. Y'all are the best!!

Memorial Day

I hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful holiday and giving a little thought to why we celebrate this day. Thanks to all the wonderful heroes of our country!

Troy is still improving little by little. We both thought he would be further along in his recovery by now, but the pain has been lingering longer and more severely than we anticipated. It's a double edged sword. He needs to get up and move around, but it hurts to do so. The nights are difficult too. He is making progress though.

I was just thinking this morning about how we haven't had much time to let it sink in but - Troy is free of cancer! What a wonderful feeling. It seems like we have been living in a sort of dream world during his recovery from surgery. First in the hospital and now at home. Maybe it will sink in more as we resume our daily lives and get back to work and sailing and enjoying life. We are looking forward to a great summer on the water.

They are dead; but they live in each Patriot's breast,And their names are engraven on honor's bright crest.~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes! ~Maya Angelou

Congratulations Graduates!

Hey everyone! Happy Memorial Day Weekend and congratulations to all the graduates. My niece Amy is graduating today. Also, family friends Cassie, Amber and Allison. What a year!

Troy is doing better everyday but the nights are still difficult. The pain is difficult to manage at night. He is anxious to get some strength back and get back to doing some "normal" things.

Remember ladies: It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. ~e.e. cummings

You're awesome Amy - we love you! Way to go.

Life Is Good

We are both really glad to be home. Not much new to report. Troy had a difficult night last night. He is really in a lot of pain, especially during the night when he is trying to sleep. Hopefully that will start to get better soon.

He has been eating pretty well, so that is encouraging. He is a little disappointed that his recovery isn't going faster. The doctors said to give it about 2 months for recovery, but I think he secretly thought that he would be ready to go in a couple of weeks. He is amazed at how much his energy is zapped just to make it downstairs and walk out into his shop.

We are just trying to stay focused on the positive outcome that we know is right within our reach. Just remember -

Life is good. ~Jake

We're Home!

Home at last! We got home at about 4:30 this afternoon. It's great to be here.

Troy isn't feeling very well this evening, but it's been a long day for him. He's dealing with quite a bit of pain and his stomach is upset. Hopefully he will get a good night of rest in his own bed and will feel better in the morning.

I am happy to report that Troy received his Coast Guard Certificate while we were in the hospital. Now I must refer to him as Cap'n Troy at all times!

There's no place like home! ~Dorothy (Judy Garland) in The Wizard of Oz

Making Progress

Troy is still doing well and making good progress in the healing process. The chest tube and one other drain tube was removed today. The heart monitor was also removed. That leaves only the central IV line and of course the feeding tube. He is finally free to move around as nothing is attaching him to any machines or IV poles. He even got out of that hospital gown today!

He has been feeling quite a bit more pain since they removed the epidural yesterday. He had so much pain last night that the doctors finally agreed to give him morphine in order to help get control over it. He's doing better this morning, but we are definitely staying "on top" of the pain using several medications.

The surgeon came in and spent quite a bit of time going over the pathology reports. I don't think we could have asked for better results. No cancer in the lymph nodes and, according to Dr. Ramchandani, he removed lots of lymph nodes for biopsy. The tumor had shrunk considerably and, if I understood the medical terminology, it had shrunk to what they call pre cancer cells, meaning that the radiation and chemo killed all the cancer cells and the surgery removed the remaining tumor. Praise God!!!!!!

You're in pretty good shape for the shape you are in. ~Dr. Seuss

He Passed Another Test!

This one was the final exam! Troy passed the Barium Swallow Test this morning without a hitch. We are excited now that more of the tubes and wires will be disappearing. Also, he can now swallow ice chips and a little water, he even had an Italian Ice today.

We saw the surgeon this morning and we were really hoping that they would remove the chest tube today. Apparently they are concerned that there was still quite a bit of drainage overnight so the plan is to wait a little while on that one. The drainage slowed to almost nothing since this morning, so maybe they will remove it soon. They removed the epidural and the catheter this afternoon. Troy was most thankful and greatly relieved to get the catheter out! Now the only things left attached to him are the chest tube, the central line and the heart monitor. The chest tube is really the only thing left that ties him to a machine.

We received the pathology report today and as far as I can tell, it's all good news. There was no cancer in the lymph nodes! We will need to discuss the results in more detail with Dr. Jac (oncologist), but from what I can read on the report they are staging the cancer at Stage IIA which means the cancer has invaded the muscle layer and outermost covering layer or tissue of the esophagus, but has not spread to lymph nodes. Dr. Jac is still considering another round of chemo, which we are not looking forward to, but that will be decided at a later date. Right now it is good to focus on the positive - great news!

I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be. ~Douglas Adams