An Interview with Travis . . . .

Well, I figured since Travis is feeling better, everyone would like to hear from him for a change. I typed up some questions that I thought you might ask if you visited with him for a few minutes.

So, here it goes:

1. You have been home almost 3 weeks now, how are you feeling?
Mentally, I'm great. There is nothing better than being home with my family. Physically, I am still sore from the incisions and the J-tube.

2. Now that the hospital stay is a little bit more in the past, do you think you can talk about it?
I was there too long. The nurses were the best and I'll never forget them. Being there that long I seen people die, it really changes your perspective on living.

3. What was the most challenging part of those long 2 months?
Losing my independence. You can't even stand up without help because of all the tubes, IV's and equipment.

4. Was there anything good that came out of it?
I have a totally different outlook on life.

5. Did you get sick of the same old 3 faces showing up in your room everyday for 65 days?
No, it was hard enough being there, but being there alone would have been awful.

6. After your surgery, what’s been the hardest thing for you?
Building up strength, I lost all muscle tone and stamina.

7. Can we go back to the beginning – how did this cancer crap start?
September 2007, I had trouble swallowing food, with pain in my chest and became nauseous. In October, had an endoscopy that found a cancerous tumor and the journey began.

8. So, as you look in the future a little bit, do you have any big plans?
I don't have big plans, but I treat everyday as a gift. I don't make long term plans.

9. What about work? You want to go back on Monday are you looking forward to it?
Yes, I'm at the point where I need to get my body back into daily routines.

10. So, after all that you’ve been through what’s your philosophy about life’s up’s and down’s? Why do you think this happened? Where do you go from here?
I have never taken my cancer too serious because it would drive me crazy. When I get down I remember that I would rather have cancer than anyone in my family or any child. Life is exactly that, up's and down's, so enjoy with all your soul the up's.

11. And lastly, what’s gotten you through it all?
My loving wife and family. God and I have become very close, we talk daily.

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.