Sunday, January 31, 2010

Baby come out!!

No Grayson yet. I guess you all really prayed when I asked for him to stay in. Thanks, but you can all start to pray for him to come out and play now. I am miserable. Huge, uncomfortable and so ready to meet our little guy.
Troy is doing better each day, although he doesn't see it. His incision line and other suture sites are healing great. His pouch still seems to be working well and he is really ready to get the external bag off. He made an appointment last week to see the Dr. at Cleveland for this coming Wed. We were hoping that Grayson would be here by this weekend but clearly that is not happening so Troy is going to have to cancel that appointment and move it to sometime next week. I feel bad that it means another week of misery for Troy dealing with the external equipment. I go back to see my midwife on Tues. so we'll see if he is any closer to making his debut. In the mean time Troy is eating a little more everyday. His biggest struggle now is the severe pain he is feeling deep inside his pelvis. All of the muscle of the bases of his pelvis along with his abdomen were cut during surgery and as those muscles start to heal they pull on the hundred of sutures inside. He is still taking his pain medicine but there really isn't a great solution to how uncomfortable he is feeling and will feel for the next several months. I feel so bad for him. As this new deep pain has developed he has returned to the recliner to sleep. He simply can't lay back as far as the bed requires, even with a bunch of pillows. Please pray for encouragement for Troy, he doesn't see how great is really is doing, and pray for pain relief.
Until Grayson comes I will keep going to work ( I went back last Mon.). It is really tough working all day and coming home to a busy Gavin but thanks to our Moms were are really doing pretty well. My mom helps out during the day if Gav. isn't at daycare and Troy's mom and Dick come over in the evenings. I feel bad that they all spending so much of their free time helping us out. I know, I know, they want to do it. But I still feel bad. Thanks so much to each of you!!
Hopefully we'll be updating with baby news soon. Gosh, I hope so.
Love you all.
Alicia

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

3 Pieces of Pizza and a Real Bed

Friday night pizza was brought to our house for dinner and Troy ate 3 pieces! This is awesome. He slept in our bed for the first time Sat. night and has been there every night since. It is great to not sleep on the couch for me and he is sleeping better in a comfortable bed, although getting in and out is pretty tough and he needs about three pillows behind his head and back so he doesn't lay too flat (pulls on all the stitches and incisions).
We were hoping to go to church Sun. morning but Troy still can't sit upright in a chair without a lot of pain so maybe in another week.
I went back to work on Mon. since Grayson just loves hanging out inside. I know I wanted him to stay in a for a while for Troy to heal but I'm am totally done now. He needs to come out now! I was measuring two weeks big last week and I just went to the doctor today and somehow gained zero pounds but grew 3 more cm in my belly. I am now measuring like I'm 42 weeks but I'm only 38 1/2. My midwife thinks the baby is really long. I hope thats true and I don't have a big butterball to deliver. sigh....... At least Troy seemed to do okay alone on Mon. He is very eager to get back to Cleveland wrap up his procedure and have a functional pouch. He is tentatively scheduled for 2/3 in Cleveland. This is if Grayson comes by the weekend. If not then he will move it to the following week. This will be a bummer for everyone because I know he wants to get on with his healing and I want Grayson out!
Keep praying for healing, patience and the health of our entire household (including the abnormally large and unborn).
Talk to you later.
Alicia

Friday, January 22, 2010

Daddy is playing with Gavin

Yesterday was a rough day for me. I didn't feel well, being the size of a blimp and all. Troy did amazing. He helped wrangled Gavin as best he could and even went down to the basement with Juanita (Troy's grandma) to play with Gavin while I took a rest. Troy's incision looks really good and is healing nicely. He got all 31 staples out of his belly yesterday. He till has two other incisions/punctures that are slowly closing besides his stoma (fancy word for the place the small intestine comes out of the abdomen). His stoma still looks great and is functioning properly.
After I wrote the blog Wed. Troy had enough strength to go to work and visit his friends. This was great for Troy's spirits and it was nice to say "hi" to all the friends that have supported him so much through all of this. Troy then came with me to pick Gavin up from daycare. It was so cute! Gavin was sitting at the table eating his snack when we walked in. He didn't really care that I was there but when he saw his daddy he squealed, yelled "Daddy" and had the biggest smile on his face. This made Troy's day and all the effort totally worth it. Gavin crawled up onto Troy's walker and out we went. So cute.......
We have had wonderful meals delivered to us from friends of the church and our small group literally stocked our freezer. I don't think I can fit a single item more into our chest freezer. We are so blessed.
Hopefully we can get Troy out and about today and maybe a little this weekend.
God Bless,
Alicia

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Making Progress

Good Morning Everyone,
Troy is making great progress at home. He is getting up and moving better and better. It still really hurts and he needs to stay on top of his pain meds but I see huge progress everyday. I'm really proud of his physical and emotional strength. He has learned to manage every part of his care on his own. This is amazing because sometimes you need eight hands, yet he is managing. We need to change his dressings at least 3 times a day and he has to flush and manage his external bag every 4 hours or so. I know he is getting mentally tired of the routine already but has he said it is temporary and we are trying to keep his spirits up. Please keep praying for mental strength and for him to remember to rely on God for support and realize he can't do it all alone. He is still sleeping in the recliner downstairs but hopes to move to the bed soon. I sleep on the couch next to him so I can be there when he needs me. He had some really rough and lonely nights in the hospital and I don't want him to feel that way again. Good news is that he gets his staples out tom. Yeah!! 31 staples to be removed. That will make him feel a little better I hope.
I had an OB appointment yesterday. Grayson seems to be cooperating and will stay in for another week. I am 1cm dilated and his head is fully engaged but my midwife thinks I still have time. I am completely miserable but trying to remember that this is for the best for Troy and Grayson. The longer he cooks the better. I will continue to waddle for another week. :)
Love you all.
Alicia

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Thank you all, home at last.

Hey everyone,
I just wanted to say thank you, to all who have been praying for us and thinking of my family through this time. It is great to be home and I couldn't have been more excited to see my son the morning after getting home. The drive home was interesting and a bit painful at first, but once I got some pain meds in me it went about as well as it possibly could. Thank you all for supporting Alicia through this time as well, she is so strong and does so much for me, evan while carrying our second child and bieng extremely uncumfortable herself. God has truly given me a gift in her. I believe I am doing pretty well at home, I have been able to take a shower, (ouch) standing for that long really hurts! It also makes it easier for me to get up and walk around the house, so that I get a little exercise. Continue to pray for healling as I am still in a lot of pain, also pray for strength of mind as I am really struggling with the idea of having this external drainage bag, evan though I know I will only have it for about a month. Alicia is also getting very close to going into labor and is getting really uncomfortable.

We love you all, and can't thank you enough for what you all do, and have done for our family,

Love-Troy

Friday, January 15, 2010

Blood Clot Still There

Troy just got back from his ultrasound and the blood clot is still present in his neck :( He will have to be back on the blood thinners for at least two more months and I'm betting that the FTW docs will have him stay on it for the duration of his chemo. Chemo makes you more prone to clotting. Troy went a long time without pain meds and is pretty tired now that he is back in his room. He at half a serving of Apple Jacks and drank a little water. His diet is really poor right now. I pray that his appetitie and tolerance for food will grow so that he can get stronger and not lose a ton more weight. I know his spirits are low, it is infectious. I just don't know how to fix him. I know I can't, that I need to leave it in the Lord's hands but it is so difficult to sit next to someone that is hurting and feels so bad about himself. Troy needs encouragement that his physcial change will improve every day and that he is strong enough to get through it.
sigh.......
Alicia

Going Home Today

Troy is being released today!!! It will probably take all day to get everything done and lined up but we are out of here none the less. Troy is currently having an ultrasound done to check on the clot in his neck that was found at the start of Dec. If the clot has shrunk, stabilized or disappeared then he won't have to go back on coumadin until the next port is put in. Even with his next port the MD here isn't recommending he immediatley goes back on blood thinners but wait to see if a blood clot forms or not. It would be great if Troy wasn't cold all the time from the blood thinners and didn't have to have his blood checked every week. So pray for that.
The surgeon is very happy with Troy's healing and progress. He will need to come back in about 3 weeks to have the irrigation tube removed and then he can start using the pouch like it is intended. That will be wonderful. Troy is starting to lose his patience already with the continuous irrigation. It definetely isn't fabulous but I try to remind him that it is short term and he will feel a lot better when we can get him home and into a normal routine and cleaned up better. No matter how much you try to stay clean in a hospital nothing beats a home shower. He will be able to shower even with the continuous irrigation, another big YEAH!!!
Mid and Dick are here today so they are going to help drive us home. I'm worried about hitting bumps on the road. I know the ride home is going to be very uncomfortable for Troy. We brought a pillow for him to hold onto and support his belly. Please pray for smooth roads and as much comfort for Troy as possible.
My mom and dad are picking up supplies at the Cancer Center today so that Troy will have everything he needs as soon as we get home. Mom also washed up all of Grayson's bedding and newborn clothing for me so that we will be set whenever he decides to show up. - THANK YOU!
Karin from our small group is making a small grocery run for us so that our fridge is stocked - AWESOME! I am so thankful for great family and friends. We could not have made it through this week without all of you praying and helping us out.
I'll keep everyone posted on our ride home and how Troy is settling in. I GET TO SEE GAVIN SOON!!!!!!!! (Not that I missed him at all :0 )
Alicia

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Walking Fool

Well yesterday was not very pleasant for Troy. He had a hard time getting the pain under control enough to walk and be active like the docotor wants. He actually did a little less than the day prior. He was finally able to get a good walk in before bed after much prompting and badgering by mostly my mom (she got to play bad cop) and me (good cop.) He did feel better after he got up and moved some.
The doctor pulled the extra drainage tube from his left side yesterday which hurt like crazy but he was happy to be rid of. Last night was another sleepless night because if you have ever worked or stayed in a hospital you know that there is always someone waking you up. Troy's roomate went home and we did get Troy moved to the window side of his room where there is more privacy and better air circulation so he can stay cooler. That left his old spot open for a new patient which they brought in at 3am!!! Lab also screwed up and came to draw his blood at 4, 5 and 6am. The doctors here are amazing but there is much left to be desired from the ancillary departments of CC. Troy will be happy to go home tom. and get some real rest.
He is doing better today with his pain and we have already been up and walking. I am so proud of his progress. He still has pain but is working through it and is starting to get onerie again. I love it!
We can't wait to see Gavin tom. So far Grayson is staying put and that's what we are praying for for at least another week. That way Troy can be part of the experience more.
Karin (our friend from small group) had a good appt. with the "super smart doctors" yesterday and is seeing a very good doctor today so please keep praying for wisdom for the doctors and patience and ecouragement for Karin.
More later. Love ya,
Alicia

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Pain Management is Key

Good morning everyone. Troy's day yesterday was a huge step forward. He started eating a little food and certainly got around a lot easier than the day prior. As I said they took him off the IV pain medicine and put him on oral meds. The oral meds don't work as well or as long so by the time he can have more he is really hurting. He ate part of a dinner roll at the end of the day yesterday and we think that was a bit much for him because he started having terrible cramps during the night. The nurse was able to give him some extra medicine to help him through but when I arrived this morning he is pretty exhausted. I've watched him sleep basically all morning. I feel bad for him. I can't do anything to take the pain away and I think that in small doses it is something he has to work through. I hope to help him get cleaned up and go for a walk later this morning.
The doctor came in this morning and said he was doing well. He can get the extra drain removed today and hopefully go home Friday. Yeah!! Pray that he continues to make good progress and we can get home safely before Grayson says "hello."
Please pray for Karin Bernard. She and her husband Scott are part of our small group and she is actually her at CC with her mom to undergo some tests from the "super smart doctors" as her kids call them. She has a lot going on and has been searching for answers for along time. Pray that this trip serves her well. Karin and her mom made an extra trip to the clinic last night after they got in just to have dinner with me and my mom and see Troy. How sweet is that? She is a wonderful person. I pray for the best.
My midwife organzied a 60min. pregnancy massage for me which I enjoyed yesterday. That was fabulous. The ocean noise, the warm lotion...all I needed was a little sand and a fruity drink and Heaven has been found. It was a great stress relief and I think she helped relieve my 'kankles' a little bit.
There are so many people that have blessed us as a family. Thank you, thank you , thank you!!
We love and appreciate you all. Hopefully today brings more progress for Troy and more pain relief.
Alicia

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Drugs are good till you start hallucinating

Troy had another eventful night. He finally got some good sleep but a little too good at one point. The nurse came in to flush his tube and Troy was in a really deep sleep. I know that you can't wake Troy up right away when he is really sleeping good but this nurse thought everything was fine when she started talking to Troy and he was talking back. Troy wasn't really awake and remembers having a dream where he thought he was in a psych ward because everything was white (everything is white here at CC including the nursing uniforms)he got scared and coudn't figure out why he was in a psych ward. The nurse asked him if he knew where he was, what his name was and why he was here. He answered no to everything and was considering pulling out all of his lines because he thought they were holding him against his will. He couldn't remember he was married and that I visited him and thought the name Troy Floor sounded vaguely familiar but didn't believe it was his name....Eventually he really woke up and remembered everything that just happened and could answer all the questions correctly. It gave the nurse a little scare and bought him a fast track to oral pain medicine and off the IV crack. It all makes sense to me as a nurse, I've been there with my patients, but I'm sure it was very scary for Troy.
I called this morning and got the full scoop from him before I even arrived and by the time I got here he was ready to go for the day. Today has been a huge turning point. He is moving easier, walked the hall at least 3 times the distance he did yesterday and is sitting upright more. He even got some chocolate pudding with his pills. His pouch is doing well and everyone seems very impressed with his progress, most of all me! I'm so proud of him. He just took some more pain medicine and then we hope to get up and walk again before evening. Thanks again to everyone for their support and prayers. Keep praying for a speedy recovery and that Grayson will decide to stay inside for at least another week.
Love ya,
Alicia

Monday, January 11, 2010

Devotional Thoughts

I was reading my devotional earlier this morning from "Streams in the Desert" and it fit Troy's message of purpose for his journey perfectly. The overall message was that God puts hurt and sorrow in your life so that you can help others more effectively. "You will be wounded so that in the binding up of your wounds by The Great Physician, you may learn how to render first aid to wounded everywhere." Because Troy has been wounded and is now being healed he will be able to give witness to the power of Jesus Christ.
"God comforts us not to make us comfortable but to comfort others." John Henry Jowett

I hope Troy's journey has been a blessing to others already and I am looking forward to seeing how God uses him in the future.
Alicia


PS - Troy's cell get zero service in the hospital. If you need to reach him you can e-mail us at troy-alicia@hotmail.com or call my cell (260)602-5149.

Another rough night but things slowly improving

The night was rough again for Troy. He started coughing during the night and that hurts his abdomen terribly. It continued for most of the night so by the time I talked to him at 6:30 from my hotel room he was exhausted. Poor guy can't get any decent sleep even if he wants to. I arrived in the morning and basically watched him try to sleep till noon. I did help him get cleaned up and he is moving better than yesterday. Brian, Troy's uncle from Akron, Ohio came up for some testing of his own and stopped in to see him and we had a nice lunch together. When I came back from lunch Troy rested a little more and then he went for his first walk. Yeah!!! This is a huge step. Troy says it hurt like the dickens but felt good to get out of bed and off his back. The drainage from his bowel is slowly changing from blood to a little bit of normal stuff (I won't elaborate to avoid grossing out you non-medical folk, but I will gladly fill you in on all colors and activity if you so like via e-mail :o) Troy is pretty quiet. I know this is because he is putting all his energy into healing but it is still tough to see my normally laughing and joking husband struggling.
I'm starting to miss Gavin pretty bad too. I don't know what's harder, calling and listening to him babble and laugh or not calling. I hope he still remembers Mama and Dada when we get home. I know he won't forget his Dada, his lives for his Dada. If you have kids give them an extra hug and kiss tonight just because you can.
Keep praying for strength and pain control for Troy. Pray that he will see the progress he is making and realize that this too shall pass.
Love you all.
Alicia

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Hanging in there

Yesterday was post op day 1 and from what everyone told us would be the hardest day. I certainly hope it was because Troy really struggled to get his pain under control. He never found the balance between just the right amount of pain control and being completely zonked. The nurse doesn't want him zonked because then he doesn't want to move and do his breathing exercises yet he can't move or do his exercises when his pain is out of control. It was a real struggle. His heart rate is still very high and doctors are attributing that to pain as well. So please pray that his pain will improve, it will help a lot of things.
This morning was a little better so we hold out hope for day 2. He has been up to the chair twice and the pain is now below a 5/10. Please pray for patience and confidence. Troy needs encouragement that each day will be better than the last and that he really is making good progress (which he is!).
I am proud of his accomplishments and try to remind him that his body will need time to heal.
Most of the family is heading home today will a few short visitors expected in the next couple days. Please pray for safe travels. Troy is blessed to have so many people care about him including each of you reading this.
Thank you praying. We have felt the impact and hand of God on us our entire journey. I miss going to church today. I hope each of you were blessed with a special message. I'll have to catch Ron's sermon online soon.
Love to all,
Alicia

Saturday, January 9, 2010

What a long night....Good things come with the Morning

Hey everyone,
Sorry this is the first update since Troy's surgery but....wow, what a long evening it turned out to be. Troy was out of surgery at 3pm yesterday and was supposed to be in post anesthesia care unit for two hours and then go to his room. Ha, 7 hours later Troy finally got a room. He was stable enough to move well befor that but a room wasn't available. His room was being "cleaned" for four hours!!! We were all swearing that we we're going to Walmart to buy supplies and clean the room on our own. The staff did let me see him twice for about ten minutes during this time. The first time he did not look so hot. Pale, in a lot of pain and just generally miserable. It broke my heart when he said he nurse was a jerk. I wanted to punch her lights out. She woudn't tell Troy how often he could just his pain button and told him is was crazy when he said his pain was 12/10. Bless his heart, he just got his gut ripped open and someone has the nerve to say he can't rate his own pain!!! Arghhhhhhh. Anyway we talked him through that and started having him push his button as often as he felt like it and the heck with that nurse. He was better the second time I saw him and just 3 short hours after that he got a room. Are you sensing the sarcasm and irritation yet? I'm laying it on pretty thick.
When he finally got to his room the nursing staff was much better and he was just exhausted. The family stayed for a little bit and then we all left for the night to hopefully give him a little peace. When we came back this morning he said it was the worst night of his life. He was in horrible pain. The staff was adjusting his medication when we arrived and with an eye on the clock we got Troy feeling better six minutes at a time.
Just this past hour or so the nurse and I got him stood him up for the first time. A huge feat. He did amazing considering all the pain he was in and what has been done to him in the last 24 hours. I also saw his incision and drainage sites. They look realy good and are smaller than I thought they would be.
Overall I am encouraged at how well he has done. This day is going to hurt and going to suck. We all know that. But God has given Troy amazing strength and built his body and spirit do to things that he never imagined he was capable of.
I was given a wonderful devotional "Streams in the Desert" by L.B. Cowman. Today'a scripture really spoke to me, Romans 8:18 "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
Love to all, Alicia

Friday, January 8, 2010

God is Good. Troy is out of surgery

God is a good and gracious God. Praise Jesus. Troy is out of surgery and everything went as planned. The doctor was able to make the internal pouch and the liver looked good (no cancer visible). He is currently is recovery and I still can't see him. Hopefully he will be out in another 1.5 hours and up to his room where I can't wait to kiss him and hold his hand. Please keep praying for a quick recovery and as little pain as possible. Troy is strong and I know he will be happy to deal with the pain in light of the great news from surgery.
Thank you Jesus for blessing me with more days with my best friend.
Alicia

Surgery Update

Update at 10:30 - Surgery going well. The prayers are working. I personally feel so much peace. Thank you for all the responses and support. We are trying to keep our heads up. God is in control and He is amazing. I'm sure Troy is doing better than me at this point. He is so strong. I am so lucky to be married to such a wonderful, Christian man. God has blessed me so much.
God Bless.
Alicia

Surgery Time

Good Morning everyone. Troy was just wheeled back to surgery. I am amazed at how calm Troy was rolling back to surgery. He had a peace about him that only God can give. I'm sitting here in the massive surgical waiting area at the Clinic with Ron Williams, Mid (Troy's mom), Dick, Gary (Troy's dad), Lynn, Matt (Troy's brother) and my dad.
I must admit that I am an emotional basket case, pregnancy hormones on top of wife/mother worry....not good. But the longer I pray and look at the confidence Troy has the more reassurance I have in the ultimate power and grace of my Lord.
Thank you to everyone who has been and is praying for our family. Please keep praying. Prayer is power. We hope to have more to update later in the afternoon when he is out of surgery and in his final room recovering.
Love to all.
Alicia

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Troy's Upcoming Surgery

Troy and Alicia are preparing to head to Cleveland for Troy's surgery on Friday. At this time we have no idea as to the exact time. More will be posted on Thursday.