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Generous family finds itself asking for public's help...
Denny and Linda Troia of Mercersburg have lived a quiet life, often supporting good causes without asking for recognition. These days, they're hoping that people return the favor.
A year ago, Linda, 54, made a doctor's appointment after experiencing severe
lower back pain.
She wasn't too worried. She led a healthy tobacco-free and alcohol-free life
and always scheduled the appropriate tests to screen for colon and cervical
cancer.
Nothing prepared her for the news that a huge tumor was growing in her lower
back. It wasn't until Linda scheduled an MRI last fall that doctors discovered
the painful mass.
After months of analysis, doctors came to Linda and Denny Troia with the
results - Linda had cancer, but no one could determine what type. The top
six cancer specialists in the nation were clueless.
“It just appeared. There's no markers or anything,” she said.
“How do you define something you don't know anything about?” Denny
questioned. “If it's unidentifiable, you're dead ...”
A simple life
In Mercersburg, a name like Troia stands out. According to Denny, there are
only about 300 Troias in the United States and 10 in Pennsylvania.
When Denny and Linda settled in Mercersburg and started a family, he always
told his two sons to keep one thing in mind - “I told my sons there
is only us, so you better be good.”
Denny, 60, was born and raised in Mercersburg and graduated from James Buchanan
High School. He taught his children to give to the community and help others,
but “remain out of the limelight.”
The Troias have been married for 30 years and began their life in a small
trailer home. Denny, a contractor, has worked with Linda through the years
to triple its size.
The family is proud to have a strong faith and education for their children.
Whether a fund-raiser for the March of Dimes or for childhood leukemia, the
Troias taught their boys to give what they could without seeking attention
or thanks.
“I'm a person that a lot of people have come to for help,” Denny
said. “I have never turned anyone down, and I have done this for nothing
but the good feeling in my heart.”
To ask for that help in return is difficult, but necessary.
“You don't know how hard this is for me to ask. I never asked anybody
for anything,” Denny said. “But we need some financial help.”
Struggling with cancer
Linda said her mother and aunt have battled cancer, but the Troias never
dreamed they would have to deal with it themselves.
After a half dozen MRIs, CAT scans and bone density scans, doctors still
do not know where Linda's cancer originated. The biopsy was sent to the top
six cancer specialists in the nation - in Hershey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh,
Washington, D.C., Chicago and Minnesota.
“They all came up unidentifiable,” Denny said.
Linda looks amazing, Denny said. However, the massive tumor in her back is
so painful she can only lie on one side. Doctors are treating her for the
most aggressive type of cancer with chemotherapy and radiation five times
a week.
The tumor has stopped growing and has not spread. But Linda is in too much
pain to sit or stand and can barely get in a wheelchair to travel to Chambersburg
Hospital for treatments.
“I'd feel fine if I could get rid of the pain,” she said. “It's
swelled and is pushing on my nerves.”
She is taking dozens of narcotics to dull the pain. Doctors have told Linda
if she chooses surgery, they would have to amputate her entire left leg.
“This leaves us in limbo,” she said.
Mounting bills
The Troias are thankful to have good medical insurance through Denny's work.
Even while working half days, he said doctor visits are nearly entirely paid.
But the high cost of medication and travel and lodging for treatments are
taking their toll. The Troias' insurance pays just 40 percent of the cost
of prescription drugs.
“I can't complain about the medical profession - the doctors are great,” he
said.
“But I complain about the pharmaceutical side. They have you in a Catch-22
... I don't care who you are, you don't want to give up (your life), but
one pill can cost as much as $23.”
Denny moved to part-time work when his wife became ill. He relocated the
bed to the den so Linda can remain near the television.
He said he always appreciated his wife's work at home, but he never realized
how much she accomplished until recently. Today, Denny does the cleaning,
shopping, cooking and bills before heading to work.
The Troias also are getting quite an education about cancer. He said they
didn't understand the process until a few weeks ago and are trying to learn
more.
If Linda's chemotherapy and radiation do not work, doctors intend to move
to more experimental methods. Denny said his insurance will not cover those.
“How far do you go till you want to use up all your family resources?” he
said. “But without my wife, life ain't worth living.”
Creating a trust fund
With the help of their two boys and daughters-in-law, the Troias hope to
remedy the financial hardship associated with cancer.
A trust fund has been established to help with the Troias' medical bills.
Donations can be sent to Linda Troia Medical Fund, First National Bank of
Greencastle, Mercersburg, Pa. 17236.
Donations made to the fund can be used only for medical expenses, Denny said.
He noted the Internal Revenue Service interviewed him to make sure the funds
were to be used appropriately.
The Troias' daughter-in-law, Winter Troia, also is organizing a fund-raiser
to benefit Linda.
If Linda improves and the money is no longer needed, Denny said they have
one year to dissolve the account and use the money for other charitable donations.
For a family focused on giving to others, they're hoping for the latter.
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