Fishing means a lot to retired police Sgt. Troy Guidry, so when a routine exam led to a life-changing cancer diagnosis, he found a new fishing buddy: his surgeon.
“I’m blessed to be here,” the retired police detective says, thinking back on his journey, “and it all started with that one appointment.”
Troy scheduled a colonoscopy at Methodist Midlothian Medical Center after putting it off. Doctors recommend that anyone over the age of 45 get a colonoscopy at least once a decade, and it had been 11 years since Troy’s last exam.
“I figured it was just time to get it done,” the 66-year-old says. “I didn’t expect them to find anything. I felt fine.”
Troy’s screening discovered a polyp that turned out to be a rare type of cancer that often causes no symptoms, says Ivan Cruz, MD, general surgeon on the medical staff at Methodist Midlothian.
“I told Dr. Cruz if he got me through this, I would take him fishing,” Troy says.
Troy’s favorite pastime is fishing on Joe Pool Lake with his dog Ryker.
RARE FORM OF LYMPHOMA
For 26 years, Troy served the Santa Ana Police Department, retiring as a sergeant detective in the suburb outside Los Angeles. A native of Port Arthur, Texas, he and his wife moved from California to Midlothian to be closer to her family.
Troy made annual visits to his primary care physician, who suggested it was time for a colonoscopy.
“My primary doctor referred me to Dr. Cruz,” Troy says. “I called another facility, and they never called me back. I went with his recommendation, and I am glad I did.”
He was diagnosed with a form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma known as MALT, or mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. It’s a slow-growing cancer that starts in the inner lining of the belly and typically affects people age 65 and older. Troy, now 66, was not experiencing any symptoms, which is typical for cases of MALT lymphoma.
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Troy had surgery to remove the mass, but a complication that occurs in less than 1% of patients forced him to return to the operating room four more times.
“One of the surgeries was so complex that we had to leave his abdomen open overnight,” Dr. Cruz says, explaining that doctors worried they might have to go back in the next day. “It was a very delicate situation.”
A major constant throughout his surgeries and recovery, Troy says, was the compassion he felt from the Methodist Midlothian staff.
“The doctors and nurses were incredible, but it wasn’t just them,” he says. “The housekeeping staff, the cafeteria workers, everyone made me feel like I mattered.”
His “best nurse” was his wife of 45 years, Robbin, and he will never forget the kindness shown to her, too.
“They didn’t just take care of me. They took care of her, comforting her while she waited,” Troy says. “That’s the kind of care that sticks with you.”
Troy retired from the Santa Ana police in California and moved to Midlothian with his wife, Robbin.
A BOND BEYOND THE OR
As the months passed and Troy recovered from surgery, he and Dr. Cruz developed a friendship.
“He never made me feel like just another patient,” Troy recalls. “He sat down. He listened. He got to know me.”
Dr. Cruz considers Troy a “kindred spirit,” although he tries to treat every patient the same way.
“I treat all my patients with care and compassion,” Dr. Cruz says.
Dr. Cruz took the wheel of Troy’s bass boat during one of their fishing trips.
Once Troy was cleared to resume everyday activities, he followed through on the promise he made to his doctor. The two went fishing — not once, but twice.
“I figured taking him fishing is the least I can do to thank him for helping me during this journey,” Troy said, “and he’s not a bad fisherman.”
He says they caught a few fish on Joe Pool Lake but tossed them all back because they were too small. Troy even let Dr. Cruz drive his bass boat.
“If I can trust him with my life, I can trust him with my boat,” Troy says.
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