CVST is a rare form of stroke occurring when a blood clot forms in the venous sinuses, preventing blood from draining out of the brain.
It is a debilitating condition that has left Troy with constant headaches, dizziness, left side weakness and memory loss.
He has been unable to work for the past 18 months.
Troy's wife Mel said it had been an extremely difficult time for the family and it had been hard to watch Troy go from a formerly active and hardworking family man, to someone suffering daily.
The condition is so debilitating, when Troy recently tried go for a simple bike ride with his kids Charlie and Lila he was overcome by dizziness.
His heart rate increased and he fell, breaking his collarbone and requiring surgery.
“Troy has headaches every day, a left side deficit and left leg weakness,” Mel said.
“He also has cognitive changes which we are unsure if they are caused by the clot or post-concussion syndrome after the large number of concussions he received when he was playing football.”
Troy is currently working with a specialised sports and exercise chiropractor and regularly travels to Melbourne for neuro orthopaedic rehabilitation with the aim of increasing his function.
He has also been referred to the inpatient brain injury unit at Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre and is currently on the waiting list.
It was March last year when Troy’s health first took a turn for the worse, suffering from a bout of pneumonia including high temperature, headaches and sinus pain.
“The headaches kept getting worse and I felt like my brain was going to explode,” Troy said.
After visiting his local doctor, Troy was sent off for a brain scan where a 4.8cm blood clot was discovered. He was then transferred to the Austin Hospital for treatment including blood thinners to reduce the burden of the clot and prevent further bleeds.
“We were told Troy would be right in about six weeks, the headaches would go away and he would be back to normal,” Mel said.
He has since had multiple stays in hospital and his recovery is very much on-going.
It has taken a long time but Troy has accepted his diagnosis and his physical limitations, but that doesn’t mean it has been easy.
Physical activity has always played a major role in his life and to have that taken away has been a bitter pill to swallow.
“I have accepted things for what they are and I can’t really fight it anymore,” Troy said.
“Life goes on and I am just trying to make the best of the situation and focus on Mel and the kids.”
Up until this point. the family have kept Troy’s battles largely to themselves and it wasn’t until Murray Nilsson, the president of Troy’s former football club Glenroy, reached out to the couple to organise a fundraiser that they decided to go public.
“I played football with Troy and he was a very courageous player and a ripper bloke with a fantastic family and we just wanted to do something to help,” Murray said.
The club intend to organise a family function when COVID-19 restrictions lift including food carts, jumping castle, auctions, raffles and a donation tree.
A GoFundMe me page has also been set up at gofundme/0a6c6bc5
“We are seeking to get as many items donated as we possibly can so every cent can go toward Troy and Mel so we can take some of the financial pressure off,” Murray said.
Local businesses, including BarLee and Discovery Parks Maidens Inn Moama, have also put their hands up in support.
“Initially we felt really uncomfortable and embarrassed, but the football club really wanted to jump on board and help us and we are so very grateful,” Mel said.
There also is a Facebook page set up for the fundraiser, which will have updates on dates, ticket sales and auction items in weeks to come.
“It’s called Courtsy's Helping Hand,” Mel said.
“The event is planned for October 3, but will likely be delayed by a month with COVID.
“We are still hoping to get it done before Christmas,” she said.
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