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Friday, November 30, 2007

Update for today...

Hey everyone!
Sorry that I haven't posted in awhile - I will try to do better ;-)
I've been home for a little over week now and it feels great. Reports from the doctors have been good. I don't have to go to dialysis anymore and they released
my 'diet' and told me I could eat what I want. I liked that news!
If anyone needs to send me anything - please mail it to the following address:
5783 Newberry Point Drive
Flowery Branch, GA 30542

Next week is going to be busy. We are meeting with some of the doctors at Northside on Wednesday to see what our next steps are going to be.

Thank you all for you thoughts and prayers during this time!! They have really been felt and appreciated! Keep them going!!!

-Troy

Monday, November 26, 2007

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Nov. 23 - "Take me home..."

"Country road....
To the place....
I belong!...."

With a great WBC (2.9) and low creatinine levels (3.ish), Troy was released to go home today!!!! Furthermore, he didn't have to have dialysis today, and tests indicate that his kidneys may be coming back to full strength soon!

His voice is the strongest I have heard in in 2 months! Troy is kickin' butt and kickin' cancer y'all!

He didn't make it home in time for Thanksgiving...but he got there as soon as he could.

I think we are all thankful for that.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Nov. 19- Happy Turkey Day! (A little early)

Happy Thanksgiving!
Troy was in good spirits Sunday evening. His white blood cell count is keeping him in the hospital for now, (it's still a little low and has been slow in coming up), but he has been told by Dr. K. that he will be home for Thanksgiving. Troy is still on dialysis, and is willing his kidneys to continue to heal. He's eaten so many turkey dishes (it was very similar to Forrest Gump when he started listing all of the ways that the cafeteria used turkey) that he's hoping for ham on Thursday at home. (Please.)

I know that I am thankful to know Troy, and thankful that so many people are wishing only for the best for him. I also know that I am thankful for his family, who have dealt with a tremendous blow with strength, grace and humor. I know that I am thankful for his friends who have made the trek up I-985 to lift his spirits or sent a card or email or gift. I'm thankful for all of students and their families who have shown him how many lives that he has touched (and will continue to inspire). I'm thankful for the support of his adminstration at the Grove, and the support of the faculties there and at PMS. And I'm especially thankful for his doctors, nurses, and all of the staff at Northeast Georgia Medical Center who have taken such good care of him.

Happy Thanksgiving y'all
Helen

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Nov. 15 - Cross your fingers

Troy's creatinine levels dropped to 3.2 today....and if they stay down....he won't have to have dialysis tomorrow!!! (I guess the magic number is anything lower than 4.0)

He was still pretty weak today, although he said he was stronger than yesterday. For instance, his voice was much stronger today. I assume they will keep him in the hospital over the weekend just to protect his immune system - but they assured us he would be home for Thanksgiving!

Keep your fingers crossed!

Nov. 14 - Flowin'!

Well, it sounds like things are progressing for Mr. Henson. According to his mom:

"White count was still 0.3 today. Hemoglobin was still good at 9.9 and Dr. Kallab said his Creatinine (the kidney protein) is hovering between 4 and 5 which is really good and he was excited about his output the last several days (which was over 2,000 ccs today). The Creatinine was 9 Monday a week ago after no dialysis over the weekend and this Monday it was 5.9, so that is a good sign that the kidney function is improving."

They hope he will be home soon which I'm sure will improve his morale as well as increase his strength and kidney function. The second round of chemo will be done soon as well.

Unfortunately, Troy's voice is still very week, but maybe it will also improve when he gets home - it did last time!

Keep the positive energy flowing to his kidneys (no pun intended...well, maybe)!

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Nov. 10 - Black Out!

Dictated from Troy's hospital bed:

"Hello everyone, this is Troy! I really appreciate all of your thoughts, prayers, gifts, cards, and emails over the past month...It has made getting through difficult times easier. Having the support of friends, family, students, and colleagues has been absolutely amazing during this time. Each day has brought new challenges and also brought answers and progress. Physically I'm feeling well, but I know it's going to take time to continue through this process. Your thoughts and prayers will still be appreciated. I would love to respond to all of your emails, but I just don't have the energy to get to everybody - but I'll do what I can."

All signs are good, but his white blood count is 2.2 (which is a little low, but ok). Troy seems to be in good spirits tonight.

I guess the Black Out helped....Go DAWGS!!!

Friday, November 9, 2007

Nov. 9 - On the Mend

They replaced Troy's dialysis port with a more temporary one today. Things seemed to have gone well and he kept his temperature down.

They want to keep him in the hospital this weekend to monitor the new port to make sure everything is ok. He is also losing his voice again. No one seems to know what is going on with his voice although Troy hypothesizes that it has something to do with the chemo. I don't know...I give that a Henson Hurumph!

Tomorrow will be interesting as Troy's devotion will be divided...Georgia plays Auburn!

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Nov. 8 - Another Round Please!

Troy kept his temperature down today! They took cultures of the area around his dialysis port today, but won't have results until tomorrow. However, the nurses said it is common for that area to get infected (remember it bled a lot when he first got it - plus it has been there for almost a month). Hopefully that was the cause of the infection and he will be able to go home again soon. I told him it was like going to work...drive to the hospital during the week to fight cancer, and spend the weekends at home!

They started the second round of chemo today and hopefully this time it will be a little easier on him.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Nov. 7 - The Waiting Game

They took out Troy's dialysis port today (hoping it was the cause of the infection), but they won't know more about the cause until tomorrow.

While he is fine and doing better, I know he HATES being in the hospital. Let's all hope he gets out soon.

Here is an image of what the shirts will look like. I think the first orders will be ready Friday and we will work to get them out to everyone ASAP. Don't fret, we will take a second order soon.

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Nov. 6-Back in the Saddle Again

It's time to play good news/bad news.
Bad news first. A minor setback. Troy went in for dialysis yesterday, and the staff there noticed that he was running a fever, which is an indicator of infection. He went in to the emergency room, and at 3:30 in the morning, he was admitted back into the 5th floor of NGHS. The blood culture came back positive for infection, at the 48 hours point, we'll know exactly where the bad stuff is. Fingers crossed, he'll be able to go home Wednesday afternoon. (Troy's mom and I started counting the number of rooms that he's been in. I think he's up to nine different rooms since the end of July. )
Good news time! (Yay!) Troy's voice is sooooo much stronger. To me, he sounds 99% back to normal. He's also getting feisty again, and definitely wants to get back home and out of the hospital.
Thanks again for all of the positive thoughts and good energy.
-Helen

Friday, November 2, 2007

Nov. 2 - Home Sweet Home

Troy's WBC was 2.2 today! So, after exactly one month (Oct. 2 - Nov. 2), Troy went home tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I spoke with him this evening and he said "you have no idea how nice it was to smell fresh air and be at home!"

So, I think we can all sleep a little better tonight. I'm effectively "signing off" and will get back with you when something new develops (visitation, etc.).

Thanks for your support over the past month, I know Troy and his family really appreciate it.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Nov. 1

WBC 1.2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Troy had a pretty good day today. If his voice was at 25% the past month, I would say it was at 50% today. And, of course, his WBC is significantly better. So, I would say that he will be home VERY soon.

Email: I would suggest stopping emails to the hospital and begin emailing Troy directly. Troy wanted me to mention he may not get back to you immediately (or he may not get back to you at all), because his inbox will probably get flooded. (I don't want to publish his email online in order to protect his privacy.)

Visitation: I'm sure it will take a few days for him and his family to get settled, so please be patient as they figure out how to manage the visitation process.

Food/Gifts: Troy's immune system is still impaired, so please don't send any flowers or food. Cards and emails are probably the best things right now.

Thanks

Oct. 31

Troy's WBC almost doubled today! His dialysis machine broke down halfway through treatment, so he had to start all over - a total of 6 hours! The worst part is that he can't eat while on the machine, so his lunch just sat there - taunting him. He still has some minor pain from the shingles - all of this left Troy to describe today as "long."

His voice was a little stronger today and he seemed to be doing well - tired of the hospital - but well.

p.s. Jack, your email bounced back - could you resend your address?