One more day

Erica is still recovering today but doing well. She far outdid record 4 laps yesterday by walking all units on both the 4th and 5th floors of the building...I think 12 laps were counted in total! She did get to eat oatmeal this morning, so was very happy to get something a little more solid in her today. She is looking forward to heading home tomorrow!

Janna

Recovering

Erica is slowly recovering from the surgery...or maybe faster than that since she walked around her unit 4 times today! She is still on the 4th floor of the Weinberg Building and on a clear liquid diet. Dinner tonight: jello, juice and tea! She will be discharged from the hospital either Friday or Saturday.

Janna

Out of ICU

Erica was moved out of the ICU and is now on the 4th floor of the Weinberg Building.

Janna

Recovery

Erica was able to get up and walk around a litte this morning. Her nurse and her mom walked with her as she pushed the wheelchair around. And she actually walked twice around the ICU where she still is at this time. Unfortunately she cannot have any food yet, but is enjoying the ice chips provided. She is comfortable and sitting up in the chairs and beds. She sends her thanks for the many thoughts and prayers as always!

Janna

Surgery is Done

The surgery went well and she is now in recovery.

Janna

Still in Surgery

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that as of 5:30 pm, Erica is still in surgery. The nurses came to get her at 12:30 to take her back and prep her for the surgery. At 2 pm, Erica was asleep and the doctor started her surgery. As soon as I have an update, I will update the blog to let you know. Thank you again for all your thoughts and prayers for her today and as she recovers.

Janna

Getting Ready for Surgery

Happy Monday!

I am spending a quiet day at home getting ready for tomorrow. Since it's an abdominal surgery, there is some prep work involved (clearing out my system) and I am on a clear liquid diet all day today. I'm trying not to get too anxious and I'm keeping my activity pretty low key as I cannot eat anything.


My surgery is scheduled to start at 12:15pm tomorrow and should take about 4 hours. Christian and I will head up to Johns Hopkins early tomorrow, so we can be there for check in at 10:15 am. My parents are planning to meet us at the hospital tomorrow morning and my family can be with me until I go into the OR.

After surgery, I will be in intensive care overnight and then regular inpatient care through Friday when I will be discharged to home. The surgery and my subsequent hospital stay will be in the Weinberg Building of the hospital (same as during treatment).

I am nervous and anxious about tomorrow, but I am also ready to go ahead and get surgery over with. I am looking forward to recovering from this surgery and returning to some of the normal things in life.

Thanks for your continued support and prayers!!

Love,

Erica

Working Girl

Sorry I haven't posted in several days. I've been covering at work, which has been great!!! Usually I'll go in for 3-5 hours, which is perfect. More than that would probably be a little too tiring. My co-workers and my bosses are awesome. It's wonderful to be able to go to work at a place where you know everyone really cares about you. I love being back even if it's just for a few days.
My internet has been down at home...I think the connection is messed up because of the new windows and siding we've had done over the past several days. Hopefully we'll be able to get it working ASAP.
I have my pre-op appointment in Baltimore tomorrow, which will be a whole day affair. I'll try to send a post afterwards.
Take care and once again thanks for all of your posts and positive thoughts.
Love,
Erica

Surgery Update

It's awesome to check my blog and read all of the wonderful posts. It's amazing how reading the comments helps to give me such a strong and positive perspective on things. Thanks for keeping up with me and cheering me on. Having all of you behind me gives me the strength I need to get through each new phase!!! I want to send out a special thank you for all of the support that I have received and that I will continue to receive over the upcoming weeks!!!!

My surgery is scheduled for Tuesday August 28th (very soon)! I will have my pre-op appointment next Thursday, August 23rd. Assuming everything looks good, surgery is a go.
I have been feeling pretty much like my normal self and was thrilled to be back at work for 5 hours yesterday. I will be working a bunch next week as well. It's so nice to be able to go into work and to feel good enough to get out of the house and do normal things in life.
I'll keep you posted!!!
Love,
Erica

The Next Step

Thanks for all of the recent posts. I had an awesome time at the beach. It was great to see all of my family. We had lots of fun!!! Everyone took care of me and wouldn't let me overdo it. It was a good mix of relaxation and activities!
I had my CT scan yesterday and saw Dr. Choti (the liver surgeon) today. It appears that the tumors have done a little shrinking since June. I also found out that I will be able to have liver surgery in September. I will call tomorrow to see about scheduling. The surgery will be a right lobectomy, which involves removing about 60% of my liver. According to the surgeon a healthy liver can regenerate in a couple of months to nearly full size. He said that aside from the tumors, the rest of my liver appears healthy. He will also be able to use radio ablation during the operation if any other small tumors are found when they go in. My gall bladder will also be removed during surgery.
This is good news, but it's also a lot to take in. Again, it's a strange thing to be really excited about. Hopefully, I'll be able to set a surgery date tomorrow. I'll let you know...
Love,
Erica

Weekend at the Beach

Christian and I are taking off today for a long weekend at VA Beach with family. It will be very nice to get away and to spend time with lots of family. We are both looking forward to this much needed vacation. Hopefully it won't be quite so hot over the weekend...
I have been continuing to feel better each day, though my energy is still relatively low, my spirits are very high.
Have a great weekend!!!!
Love,
Erica

Rough Week

Hi Everyone!!!!
I'm sorry for taking so long to post another blog, but it has been a really tough week for me. I was feeling pretty sick and miserable until today. I'm starting to feel better today and I'm regaining my appetite slowly. Our AC decided to finally shut down on Friday night, so I spent the past several days camped out on the couch in the basement. We have a new AC unit now and it is much more comfortable in the rest of the house.
I will go in on Tuesday the 14th for my next set of CT scans, and then I will have my consult with the liver surgeon on Wednesday the 15th. And then I guess the next course of action will be decided...
I spent the day at my parents house enjoying their AC while mine was being fixed, but it was the first time I had ventured out of the house since Thursday...Wow is it hot and oppressive out there. I definitely have absolutely no tolerance for the heat!!!!
Take care!
Love,
Erica