Follow-up

The follow-up appointment with the surgeon went well. Travis is recovering nicely. His chest XRAY and his white blood count were both normal. For the past ten days, we have been diligently counting calories and protein - in order for Trav to maintain his weight he needs 2,600 calories (oh, how would it be?) and around 100 grams of protein per day. His nightly tube feedings provide 1,200 calories and 75 grams of protein. He needs to make up the difference in soft foods. Right now, his favorites are mashed potatoes and gravy, yogurt, juices, and cottage cheese. We also needed to track his blood pressure and heart rate - since Travis did so well on his calorie intake and maintaining his weight (about 180 lbs), he no longer has to count his calories everyday. We go back in one month to schedule a date to get the stent removed which will be around the first of August.

Travis is dealing with some pain issues on his sides, on one side it can be attributed to the thoracic surgery and the nerve endings. On the other side, its the pain from shingles (yes, he has shingles). He has a small patch of them on his belly, they are due from his immunities being low and stress.

He also has neuropathy (numbness on his fingertips and feet). Neuropathy is a side effect to one of the chemotherapy treatments he took last winter. He is going to try some medication to see if that will improve, so he can get back to work.

We do see small improvements everyday. His voice seems to be stronger and he is feeling more like himself. We have to keep reminding ourselves that he was in the hospital for a long time, and its best if we don't rush things.

To a Superwomen

I'm dedicating this post to a new friend that provided me strength and advice when I needed it.


Michelle B. has been battling gallbladder cancer for over two years. Her diagnosis came as a shock when she went in to have her gallstones removed. She went through liver resection surgery, chose alternative treatments and later chemotherapy. She's been through it all! That's why her talks have been so valuable to me.

Michelle and Travis' cases are similiar in that they are both young and were diagnosed with a rare and poor prognosis "statistically" disease. Her quiet determination reminds me of Travis in so many ways. Since I am the caregiver and she is the survivor we often trade stories, each of us getting a peek of what its like being in eachother's roles.

Her message that statistically the prognosis isn't so hot, but there are survivors and it might as well be us, has sustained me through the toughest of times. Even though our common ground isn't the best place, I'm glad to have met her.

Thanks Michelle!

Home is Where His Heart Is

Day 65 - We finally got the great news that Travis was well enough to be discharged from the hospital. We had spent most of the week celebrating each step to coming home. His swallow test on Monday was fantastic, our doctor followed Travis into the room and all the nurses in the ICU gathered around and cheered for him. His NG (nose tube) was removed on Monday, and his chest tube on Tuesday. He started drinking clear liquids and then gradually started with the thicker drinks like milk and the dreaded Ensure. It was also great to see Travis walking the halls without the walker.

On Thursday afternoon, we went for a walk and came back to a decorated room. The nurses had quickly blown up balloons using the oxygen pump and hung streamers. We also received a special card signed by everyone wishing us well. They were all outstanding doctors and nurses and quickly became our friends. They told us they were happy to see us go, but sad that they wouldn't get to visit with us any longer. We are excited to get the surgery chapter of this journey mostly behind us. Things that Travis will not miss would be the daily pokes in the finger for blood work, blood pressure checks and the long nights, just to name a few. I know I won't miss the daily 66 mile round trip to SLC and the rising gas prices!

In the next few months, Travis will be getting his calories and protein from the tube feedings at night, along with a liquid and soft food diet. His doctor would like to see him back in August to remove the stent to be followed by another swallow test to make sure that the leak has healed. We have yet to talk to Trav's oncologist to see if further chemotherapy and radiation is necessary.

For right now, we are settling into a routine again. Focusing on getting Travis healthy again. And looking forward to the future.

How's He Doin'?

How's he doin'? He's doing good. I have an '80's rock song going over in my head, some of you might remember it? Its called "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" by Great White. The lyrics don't go with this situation, and I won't torture you with the song on my playlist. We don't want to jinx anything right now, so I am being pretty guarded. But he's doing good. Praise God.

The DJ Tag

Daniel James (DJ) was born on March 29, 1992. He was one of those easy babies where I could load him up in the stroller, he would fall asleep and I could shop for hours. Until he was 7 years old, it was basically him and I against the world, we were partners.

Jump forward to now. Do you remember when you were 16? Oh, the life! He has a car, great friends and a job. Life is good. He is a honor student, stuggles a little with Geometry, but who really uses it after high school anyway? DJ excels in the arts, his 5th teacher, Mrs. Hales, raved about his artistic abilities. Truthfully, I didn't see it. Now, I am a believer! We have framed many of his pieces. Music is also an interest to him, he has many music genres on his IPOD, screamo, rock, rap, and reggae, many of the bands he listens to are obscure.

DJ has a passion for BMX. When he was 11 years old I bought him his first BMX bike, since then I've lost count of how many frames, bars, and wheels I've purchased. He spends hours upon hours perfecting his many tricks like the 360, the turn-down and disaster. DJ and his friends have been known to ride from Ogden to Layton on their bikes visting all the skateparks along the way. He has combined his love of biking with his talents in multi-media by filming him and his friends performing jumps to music. These feats are dangerous and he has scars from head to shins to prove it.

In the winter, you can find DJ on a mountain snowboarding with his buddies. DJ has a real love for the outdoors and being active. One of the many things I admire about him.

My DJ is a great kid. He has made his mistakes - we won't go into last years end-of-summer incident where I was roused out of bed at 3 a.m. by the Clinton City Police Department. Hey - we both learned alot that night! But I do know he tries his best to do the right thing. These past few months, DJ has been there for a shoulder to cry on. Once again, he's been my partner when I really needed him.

Home for a Little Bit

Friday's test showed that Travis' 2mm size leak has not healed. But thanks to the amazing staff at Salt Lake Regional, Travis was able to come home over this past holiday weekend. What a blessing it was! The case managers surprised us on Friday afternoon that all had been cleared with our insurance to give Trav a break and let him come home for a bit.

We brought him home on Saturday afternoon, a home nurse came over and showed us how to give him his meds, etc and left us alone!! Yay, no nurses or doctors!

Travis' took to the recliner not skipping a beat and started watching the car races. I wouldn't be surprised if that leak healed up while he was home! You can't underestimate the power of family and home and where it can take you.

Last Thursday, our doctor said that he had a "rep" call and talked to him about a stent that can be inserted into the esophagus by endoscopy to patients where surgery is not an option and the tumor is blocking food/liquids to pass through the esophagus. Our dr asked, "Can this be used to help a leak heal?" and the rep said, "Yes." Our dr started calling physicians out-of-state who have tried this procedure and they told him that they believe it would work. This could be the answer to our prayers.

Tomorrow, the rep is coming to town to assist our doctor in the procedure. Since it is done by scope, no surgery is required. The stent will be temporary to allow the tissue to heal and then removed again by scope. We have done some investigation on the internet, actually Angie has :), and it looks very encouraging.

We had a conversation with our doctor a few weeks ago. And we told him that, of course, we are disappointed that Travis' surgery has not gone as planned. Who could have foreseen the complications we have had to deal with? No one. But we ultimitley believe that Travis was diagnosed with cancer for a reason and that was to help others. And if our doctor can use Travis' case to help others with radiated damaged tissue then this experience is not all for nothing.

Travis Update Plus a Shout Out to T

To give everyone an update, when our surgeon came back into town, he studied the film and thought that maybe the position of the chest tube was some how not allowing the leak to close, last Thursday he brought the chest tube down a few inches. Yesterday, a test was done by turning off the nose tube suction and waiting to see what happened. What happened was that it showed that the leak is still there. The book answer to the healing of these types of leaks is for it to heal on its own. Surgery is not recommended, but could be a possibility later. Another swallow test will be performed on Friday to see if the leak has improved at all and then we will go from there. Of course, our main dilemma is that Travis desperately wants to come home, and when the Dr told him about his plan for Friday's test, he was OK with it. So, we are in the wait and see mode again. I told Trav that leak is becoming a four letter word for us now.

We know everyone is anxious for him to recover and return home. Our doctor to be included. The first surgery went so well, we thought we were home free. We know with God's help Travis will get to come home soon.

Thanks for all of your prayers and if I haven't asked enough for your positive thoughts I have one more request.


Please include another fighter that's battling Esophageal Cancer - his name happens to be Travis, too. Travis P. is my niece, Angie's, brother-in-law. He is 33 years old, with 4 children and an amazing wife, Mandy. T was diagnosed shortly after Trav, also at Stage IV. He has gone through chemotherapy and radiation and now his surgery is scheduled for tomorrow. And although, the two Travis' have never met, they are going through this journey together in spirit. Travis asks about T daily, and I know that Mandy and T are always thinking about us. How did two Travis', around the same age, that know of each other get this disease? I guess that will remain a mystery to us, but I know Trav and I have fed off T and Mandy for strength. Even though we wouldn't wish this on our worst enemy - it makes you feel better that we are not alone. If you would like to view Mandy's blog and read their story it has been added to my list of bloggers.

Good Luck T!! We will be praying for you all day long. We are positive you will do great.