Sunday

Well, he was supposed to come home tomorrow but now it might be Friday before they release him. Dr. V wants to run some tests. None of the nurses knew why, all they know is that he's having a CT scan. They took the stomach line off the pump and are using the gravity method now. Still feeding him through the central line in the chest and the navel. He did walk around the whole floor three times today, which is good. The more he is upright the sooner everything in the abdomen will move back in place. He is not in any pain, the incision is healing very well.

I spent all weekend between visits to the hospital cleaning the house and fixing it up so when he came home he'd be comfortable. I asked if he wanted a hospital bed and he said no. Dr. V said he'll be able to go up and down the stairs so he won't have to stay in the bedroom all the time, as both of our bathrooms are upstairs. A nurse will be here to teach us how to use the feeding pump and how to keep the abdominal site clean. He can't wait to be able to eat food and drink again, but it has to wait until the insides are healed. We need to put some weight on this guy, he's all skin and bones!

Friday

A little set back today. Burt vomited once or twice so they had to put the stomach tube back in. He had it in for 15 minutes and it pumped half a liter of bile and stomach acids out. That stuff was making him throw up. He's not happy about it, but it's necessary. It will have to be removed again before he can come home.

I arrived home after work to find a Medical Supply truck in my driveway. They delivered a food pump for Burt to use after he is released. They showed me how it works, hope I can remember what to do when it's actually time to use it! He will be fed through a tube in his abdomen until he can eat solid food. The pump is just like the IV machines they use in the hospital.

It rained tonite and on the way home I saw a rainbow. Another sign that God is watching over us!

Thursday, May 28th

Surprise! The doctor said we could take Alleyah up to see Burt! He was soooo happy to see the dog! And she was just as happy to see him!

All the nurses came in to see her and just loved her! I have to say it made Burt's day so see her, it's been over a week since he's seen his "baby".

He is getting better every day. They are going to wean him off the central line and take it out. They are feeding him a little bit through the feeding tube in his abdomen. He can sip water but no food in the mouth yet.

Dani visited him during her lunch break and they walked around the floor. He's walking slowly but he's walking! Every day we are more encouraged that he's going to be ok. Keep those prayers and good wishes coming!

Wednesday...

Another tube out! The nose drain popped out this morning and they decided to leave it out for a while. He may have to have it put back in tomorrow, we'll see. As it has been, he's been in good spirits, but he's a little worn out. Got up out of the bed several times today to sit in the chair. His blood pressure has been a little low so they hooked up another bag of fluid to his central line. Right now he's nothing but skin and bones, we need to fatten this guy up some when he can eat again! Dr. V told him they sent the tumor to Johns Hopkins for diagnosis, seems the lab here can't figure out what it is.....

Thanks for all your comments and good wishes, prayers. I tell him you're all asking about him. I went back to work today so didn't get to see him until around 3:30. Working tomorrow and Friday. Taking Mom and Dad to the airport Saturday morning, they are going to California to see Ryan (Buddy's oldest) graduate from high school. Way to go Ryan! Wish we could be there. And congrats to Kayla and Noah who are getting married Saturday, wish we could be with you all too. Say hi to Michael and wife for us.

Tuesday

A good day for Burt. They are starting to slowly feed him a liquid diet through a feeding tube in his abdomen. They are still feeding him through the central line in his chest also. He got out of bed today and did a little bit of walking around the room. Can't go too far as he is hooked up to the stomach drain. Incision is healing well, have no idea when the staples will come out. Still haven't gotten the pathology report yet. Maybe tomorrow.

He's out of intensive care (ICU)

He's in a regular room (247A) now and feels much better. They've removed all the tubings and lines and whatnot, now he only has two drains in the abdomen, the central line in his chest, and the nose drain. Dr. V stopped in today and said he's progressing very well. No news from the pathology department, tomorrow we should hear from them. I'm starting to think he's amazing!

Sunday

Well, he is doing good but mentally he's struggling. It's tiring to watch TV all day in bed. Every time he falls asleep a nurse or doctor or technician comes in to check something. The tube in his nose that goes to the stomach slipped out an inch today and had to be put back in. That was not pleasant. Yesterday they took out the two IV's in his arms so that helps. The swelling in his hands and arms has gone done. He still has several IV lines going into the central line in his chest. Two drains in the lower abdomen. 33 staples! The incision is healing well, no redness or streaking.

I hope everyone had a good Memorial Day weekend. This is the first time in 9 years we haven't thrown our Memorial Day party for our family and neighbors. Oh well, there's always next year.....