Coming Home!

Vic got the okay from his doctors and we're coming home tomorrow via train. The doctors prefer that we take the train (although, an added expense) as it will only be a 2 hour ride and Vic can get up and walk around the train to avoid any issues with blood clots that could happen in a car ride. The "hole" in his belly is not infected and there should be no problem with it healing normally but it will take longer to heal than the rest of the incision. We have to come back in two weeks to have the staples removed and then again the first week of June to have his "filter" removed. We were given a copy of the surgeon's report with a copy to give to Vic's oncologist in Morristown. The report didn't include the pathology report or the chemical treatment report, which should be available when we return to Baltimore. I'll let everyone know how we made it home and I will be updating this blog from time to time as things change.

Once again, Victor and I would like to express our gratitude for all of your concerns, prayers and good wishes. God Bless you All!
Barb B

Little Setback

Vic had to see the surgeons again this morning. He started bleeding from the incision (actually where his belly button used to be). They had to take out 6 staples and "pack" the area with gauze, which unfortunately, I will have to repack and dress 3 times a day. (I knew I should have become a nurse instead of a secretary). We will have to see the doctors again tomorrow to check on my "work" and make sure he isn't developing a fever. His sugar was extremely low this morning and the doctor was also concerned about that - his medications will have to be adjusted again. This setback is a little disturbing but we're still hoping he'll be well enough to come home on Saturday as planned.

Update - In Limbo

Hi everyone - I'm still here in Baltimore. Nothing has changed, I'm still in pain and trying not to take too many painkillers so that I can function. I try to take small walks a few times a day but the weather hasn't been cooperating. I have no diet restrictions but it doesn't matter because I've been eating about one tenth of what I normally eat. We're just counting the hours until we can come home on Saturday. In the meantime, I've been keeping up to date with all the comments made to this blog and once again, I want to thank everyone.
Vic B

I've Been Sprung!

Hi everybody - I'm finally back in the hotel room as of 1:30 today. I'm very tired and in pain (obviously) but I am glad to be out of the hospital and with Barbara and with high hopes to arrive home on Saturday. I just wanted to take the time to thank everybody for their kind messages and prayers. As far as the surgery goes, and you all read what happened, it's just hard to get used to not having a belly button - ha ha. It's going to be 3 or 4 months before I'm fully recovered from the surgery but there's a long road ahead beyond that.

Once again Thanks to everybody and I send all my Love and Best Wishes to all my family and friends for their love, prayers and support during my time of need.

God Bless -
Vic B

Sunday's Progress

Vic is doing much better. He was taken off the pain pump and his all of the IV's. He still has the constant pain relief going into the incision and that will probably be there until Tuesday. He's having some digestive problems but we're hoping this is just a result of the surgery. The doctors told us that if he's released Tuesday he would still have to stay at the hotel until the weekend, in case there are any problems. The hotel situation has been taken care of - we're now on the 6th floor and in a handicap room, which will make it a lot easier for Vic.

The rest of Saturday - Update

Vic was in a little better spirits today especially after I told him about my early am experience. The doctor's came in to see him, they want to keep him on a fluid diet at least one more day to make sure his digestive system is working. They may try to put him on solids tomorrow depending how tonight goes. His sugar is still high but he's now getting insulin shots and his long-lasting insulin pen for the night. His blood pressure and heart rate are still fluctuating. The pain is more manageable and he's doing his walk arounds 5 times a day. When I was leaving tonight at 7:30, his temperature reading was 101.8. The nurse was coming in to give him something and was going to contact the doctor. The nurse also said that sometimes with this type of surgery, a patient will spike a fever at night but the drawback would be that if it continues, he wouldn't be released from the hospital. Right now, we're looking at Monday.

I also wanted to add that on my way back across the street (at this point I was walking very slowly because my foot is still swollen) and as I crossed the street a very familar sound was coming from the hotel. Yup, another fire alarm! I stood outside, Again, watching the firemen entering the hotel and people being escorted out. I couldn't believe it so I started talking to one of the housekeeping people and she told me that this time some kid hit the alarm on the 19th floor. This morning there was a system fire on the 32nd floor. After I was let back in (I was really tempted this time to go sleep in the hospital) I went straight to the desk and told them that there would be no way I would be able to get Victor down 23 flights after he gets out of the hospital. They understood completely and tomorrow they are going to transfer me to a room on a lower floor. They couldn't do it tonight because the hotel is booked solid. So, I'll be moving again tomorrow but they'll call me at the hospital when the room is ready.

Oh, just a note for those who wanted to know what I was actually wearing at the time of the first fire evacuation, I had on my Wal Mart green pajamas with cupcakes on them (I originally thought they were ice cream cones) and over them I had a hot pink polka dot robe and over that a lime green jacket and slippers - so there, I looked like one of the homeless people that wander the streets around here, so I fit in perfectly!
Barb

Barb's Saturday Adventure

Each day that I've been here has been a new experience for me and at 4:30 am, this tops it for the week. At that time (4:30 a.m.) I was awakened by the extremly loud noise of fire alarms going off in the hotel. Normally, since I wake each morning at 4:00 to go to work - I would be more than awake by 4:30; however, there is some kind of function going on in the hotel with many little girls doing a cheerleading contest and on my floor, an entire wedding party with all the women having their own celebration, so I didn't get to sleep until after Midnight. I opened my door and saw everyone (very quietly mind you - the little darlings were half asleep) running toward the stairwell. I grabbed the essentials, my cigarettes, wallet and door key and followed them down 23 flights of stairs. It wouldn't be bad going down but my left foot is swollen like a balloon again and this made it difficult for me - I was happy that everyone was very calm and orderly. There was a small fire but I don't know where - we stood outside for about 15 minutes and then were told we could go back - it took me until 5:30 to get back up to my room - 1 elevator was down and I certainly wasn't going to walk up 23 floors! I was tempted to go across the street to the hospital and be with Vic (his window actually faces the front of the hotel) but then I would have to leave the hospital in daylight and I was in my pj's. I am now hoping that this doesn't happen when Vic gets out of the hospital - I don't know how I'll get him down all those stairs. I'm going to the hospital now (I have unlimited access to his room) and will post an update on how he's doing later when I come back here.
Barb

Friday's Progress

Vic is slowly getting better. His nose to stomach tube was removed last night so they could attempt to give him the medication he normally uses on a daily basis and start him eating fluids. His blood pressure is still quite high, as well as his sugar levels. His goal for today was to walk around the hospital floor 5 times today. And he accomplished that! He's much more lucid now since he was taken off the constant iv pain medication. He still has the pain pump (which he controls), though, and also the continuous pain medication going into the incision. We met with the doctors again - Dr. Sardi will be away next week, so we met his assistant surgeon, who will be taking care of Vic until we go home. Dr. Sardi said that if he continues to improve and they can get his blood pressure and sugar under control, he may be released Sunday but more likely Monday. Thank you all again for your kind thoughts and prayers.
Barb

Thursday Afternoon

Vic had his first physical therapy. He did very well considering he's attached to multiple wires and machines that beep alarms if you even go near them. After he came back, the nurse had to redress one of the staples in his incision. It looks like he has 100 staples this time. His blood pressure is still high, as well as his heart rate and sugar. His doctor was calling in another cardiac doctor to go over his medications to see if these rates can be brought down. All in all, he looks much better today and he's staying awake a little longer. His doctor said if he continues to improve, he may be released from the hospital (to the hotel, of course) by Sunday.

Vic and I both want to Thank everyone for their prayers and continued support. It means alot to both of us and we are truly grateful.

Thursday Morning

I talked to Victor today. He sounded pretty good considering what he is going through. I was really happy to hear from him. He wants to get out of the hospital soon. He still has a lot of pain. They have drainage tubes going into his stomach and he is still on oxygen. Mom says his color is better today. They took him for physical therapy and they plan to take him again later.
Kristen

Vic's Goals for Today

My mom wants to let you know that Victor is "hanging in there." The docs and nurses set goals for their patients each day, and Victor's goal for today is "pain management." He is still in quite a bit of pain. His blood pressure and sugar levels are still high. This may be due to the pain he is in. The nurses got him to sit in a chair today (I think my mom said that he sat in the chair for 15 minutes). She said that the staff is very attentive to Victor, and he is continuously checked and monitored. She thinks they may be home late next week.

My mom is passing all the prayers and good wishes to Victor. They truly appreciate your support.

Tracey

Update #2

I just spoke with mom, and she asked me to update this blog. She wants you to know that she truly appreciates all of your prayers and concern for Victor. She asks that you continue to pray for him.

Victor was kept in recovery longer than expected because he had a dangerously high blood pressure, heart rate, and sugar level. Once everything was under control he was moved to a room. His cardiac functions are being monitored by a box which remotely transfers information to the cardiac unit (he is in the cancer unit). He is in a lot of pain which is being controlled with pain medication. Although Victor is kind of "out-of-it," he knows that the doctor had to stop the surgery, and he knows why. The doctor is testing the cancer to see if a chemotherapy medication could be used to control the cancer growth, but Victor said he does not want to do chemotherapy again. The doctor will not give a time limit on Victor's life. Victor said he wants to return to work.

My mother explained that when the doctors opened Victor up they found that the cancer had fused his organs together. The doctor spent four hours separating his organs. His gallbladder, stomach and pancreas are not cancerous. The cancer is in his liver but most of the cancer was in his umbilical area. The doctor removed cancer from that area. He tried to remove as much cancer as he could. The cancer is also around the outside of his large intestine. The doctors decided not to wash out his abdomen with chemo as originally planned.

Victor may be released from the hospital this weekend, but he will be required to stay close to the hospital for a few days afterwards.

My mother said the doctors, nurses, and pastoral staff at Mercy Hospital are the best. They are compassionate and dedicated to Victor and his care. They also have gone out of their way to show compassion to my mother.

Please continue to pray for Victor.

Tracey

Surgery Update

I'm sorry to report that the doctors have stopped Victor's surgery. My mom called me to let me know that the doctor stopped Victor's surgery at approximately 2:00 p.m. because the cancer has spread through his peritoneal cavity. His cancer is very aggressive, and it has covered his organs. Because of this, the doctor felt that there was too much cancer to remove. He explained that he did try to work around the cancer to see what could be done, but the cancerous tumor was too large. My mom was going to see him now. The doctor said that Victor may be able to come home by this weekend. I will update this blog as I find out more information.

Tracey

SURGERY DAY

Victor has been in the hospital since yesterday morning. He was required to come in the day before surgery in order to have pre-op procedures. This morning Vic and Barb met with the team of doctors to discuss the surgery plan. He had to have pre-op procedures done (to replace his chemo shunt/be put on a respirator) which started at 7:45 a.m. The main surgery started at 9:00 a.m. Everything has been going well so far. Barb will be informed on his status every two hours.

Traveling to Baltimore

On Sunday, April 12, 2009, at 6am, we'll be heading to Baltimore to check in at the Tremont Hotel. Monday morning is check in at Mercy Hospital, and Tuesday at 6:00 am is the surgery (10-14 hours approximately).

After that, Victor will be in the ICU most likely until Thursday, April 16th – if everything goes well. He will be in the hospital for a minimum of 10 days and after that, he has to stay in the area for at least 5 days for follow up.

I will be staying either in the hospital with him or at the following hotel across the street from the hospital.

Tremont Plaza Hotel
222 Saint Paul Place
Baltimore, MD 21202

- Barbara