Recovery Wednesday, March 31

So evidently the "food" Brad was promised today comes in the form of ice chips in a medicine cup once an hour. Good thing he isn't very hungry!

Brad doesn't seem to have too much energy for walking today, although he did go on at least 4 walks. Might have to due with the lack of sleep. He is still bothered by hiccups throughout the night and nurses interrupting his sleep. He got some good sleep during the day today so hopefully his energy will be up tomorrow.

Road to Recovery...Tuesday, March 30

Brad is doing much better today. He didn't get a lot of sleep last night as hiccups would reoccur every 5-10 minutes, but those seem to be the only source of discomfort. The tech wanted him to take a lap around the ICU this morning, but of course Brad had to push himself and did 4 laps instead. The tech told him that was enough. I think he was just showing off :)

They moved him out of ICU around noon and into the Marlburg building which is very posh and has the feel of a hotel. The nurse removed the central line in his neck. The doctors informed him that they would start him on food tomorrow. Brad is hoping to be home by the weekend for Easter Sunday. His mom is flying up from Atlanta on Sunday.

Surgery at Johns Hopkins

18:10 update: The anestesia seems to be wearing off and Brad is becoming more alert and coherent. Team of doctors making rounds spoke with Brad, Karen and Jason. The doctors explain that the surgery went well. They had to remove a little bit of the liver, but they said his liver should regrow to its normal size by the time he leaves the hospital. They also removed parts of his colon and small intestine.

15:50 update: Went to ICU to see Brad. His CO2 labs came back positive so the nurse administered pain medication. He was in significant pain after he awoke from surgery.

14:45 update: Nurse Debbie briefed us that surgery is finally complete. Evidently Dr. Cameron is very strict with regards to post-op activities. Nurse Debbie actually took care of Brad after his Whipple surgery back in 2003, which was also perfomed by Dr. Cameron. Karen and Jason are going to see Brad momentarily in ICU.

12:30 update: Surgery was successful!!! Dr. Cameron came out to speak with Karen and Jason. He found 2 walnut sized tumors, one in between his liver and colon and one growing on his small intestine. Dr. Cameron was able to successfully remove both tumors. Dr. Cameron did not see any other tumors but suspects there could be others. Family will visit Brad around 14:30 in the ICU.

11:45 status: Surgery is going well. Dr. Cameron expects to be out by 13:00 to speak with us. They will close him back up by 14:00. Karen and Jason should be able to see him recovering in the ICU by 15:00.

10:00 status: Nurse told us Brad is doing fine and surgery is going well.

Arrived at Johns Hopkins bright and early at 5:30am Monday morning. Spoke with Dr. Cameron at 6:00am who sounded very confident in his ability to remove the tumor from my colon. Talked to Karen and Jason from 6:30-7:30 and went under around 8:15.

Good times at the 2010 ACC Tournament