Today, Vicki's father (Olin Bullock) and I completed final arrangements for Vicki. We posted this information so that those of you who are able and wish to participate will have adequate advance notice.
Friends may call at the ADAMS-GREEN FUNERAL HOME, 721 Elden Street Herndon, VA on Friday, September 15, between 6 and 9 p.m.
Internment will be held at the CHESTNUT GROVE CEMETERY in Herndon, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, 16 September.
A celebration of life service will be held at SOUTHVIEW BAPTIST CHURCH, 2620 Reston Parkway, Herndon, VA at 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 16.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Vicki B. Sartorius Memorial Fund, Southview Baptist Church, 2620 Reston Parkway, Herndon, VA 20171-2559.
For those of you from outside the Washington, DC metropolitan area who plan to attend Vicki's funeral, I have included some links that may provide useful information:
If you are flying to Washington you will want to fly into Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD), which is just a few minutes from our house. You will need to rent a car at the airport. See any of the major rental car company web sites to rent your vehicle.
Herndon has many moderately priced hotels. I have included some that are very close to the funeral home, cemetery and church.
Hawthorne Suites Herndon
Spring Hill Suites Herndon
Residence Inn Herndon-Reston by Marriott
Embassy Suites Dulles Airport
Courtyard by Marriott Herndon-Reston
Friday, September 08, 2006
Vicki Bullock Sartorius - April 27th, 1962 - September 8th, 2006
After a long, valiant struggle with bile duct cancer, Vicki died peacefully at home at 12:32 a.m. on Friday morning, September 8, 2006. By God's grace and His power our Lord Jesus Christ rescued Vicki from her suffering. He has restored her to live for eternity in His heaven. "But the fact is that Christ has been raised from the dead. He has become the first of a great harvest of those who will be raised to life again." (1 Corinthians 15:20)
Once again, I thank each of you who supported our family through these past years of struggle. You have richly blessed our family with your gift of prayer, encouragement, time, meals, and friendship.
I will post memorial service and burial arrangements on this web site when I can confirm the times and dates. Earlier this week I wrote a short biography/obituary to send to the newspapers. I will post it now so you can read it here first:
Vicki was born April 27, 1962 in Maryville, TN. In her early years her family moved to Salisbury, NC and finally settled in Florence, SC where Vicki attended West Florence High School, class of 1980. She then attended Furman University in Greenville, SC, and in 1984, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish.
After graduation, Vicki accepted a position as a Christian missionary with the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board. In this role she was assigned to the staff of Columbia Baptist Church in Falls Church, VA where she served for two years as a missionary to the various foreign embassies and consulates in Washington, DC.
Following her service as a missionary, Vicki accepted a position with the Meetings and Expositions Department of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) in Alexandria, VA. For the next seven years she coordinated annual and semi annual meetings and national and international conventions throughout the US and Canada on behalf of the Association. By the time she resigned from APTA in 1995 she was the director for exposition services.
In late-1995, following the birth of her second daughter, Vicki began her career as a stay-at-home mom and followed her life-long love of music by becoming a part-time piano teacher. As a piano teacher, she focused on the development of beginner music and piano fundamentals in pre-teen children. She taught piano in her home in association with the Fairfax-Loudon Music Fellowship (FLMF), where she also served for a period as the treasurer. She continued in this endeavor for 10 years, until in early 2006 she became too weak from the ravages of cancer to continue.
Vicki expressed her love for children throughout her entire adult life. She participated in, and usually led, various children’s missionary education programs and Vacation Bible School programs at Columbia Baptist Church, and later at Southview Baptist Church in Reston, VA.
For most who knew Vicki, the word gracious captures her personality. She always greeted people with a smile, striving to encourage others and build consensus. She lived a beautiful, but all too short, life. Before she went home to the Lord, she spoke of her only regret: she would no longer be able to help in the lives of her daughters and students. But she will remain in our hearts forever. Her spirit will carry us until we see her again in heaven.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Vicki Entering Life's Final Stages
Vicki entered into life's final stages over the past several days, according to nurses from Capital Hospice. She has shown multiple signs of the end of life processes such as an inability to eat or drink, and an inability to communicate. These signs have developed progressively and rapidly. The Hospice nurses tell us she could be in the last day or few days of her life. As you can imagine cancer has devasted all of us. Even though Vicki has fought this disease for neary three years, we could never prepare for such a demise.Today the Hospice delivered a hospital bed and oxygen to make Vicki as comfortable as possible. We disassembled our queen-size bed and moved it out of the bedroom, and replaced it with the adjustable hospital bed. We also have an oxygen machine that connects to tubes and supplies Vicki with support for her breathing. Based on the directions from the Hospice doctors and nurses, we have discontinued all of Vicki's earlier medications. She now simply takes a liquid pain medication. Each of us have taken time to spend our alone time with Vicki. At this point she is non-responsive, however, her hearing will shut down last so we still speak to her.
Thanks to our good friend Jim and several other close friends we finalized plans for cemetery plots, funeral and memorial services, etc. Many, many other friends have helped us in so many ways that we cannot even count them. Our family continues to offer our thanks for such a wonderful community of friends and neighbors.
I took the photo of Vicki above on our honeymoon in April 1989. We married at Vicki's home church in Florence, SC on April 8th, 1989 and then took a week-long vacation at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Vicki's in Hospice Care
Yesterday afternoon I decided to place Vicki in the care of Capital Hospice. The people we met with from the Hospice seemed to be quite knowledgeable and caring. We seek to make Vicki as comfortable as possible in these last days, and hopefully, allow her to spend her time with friends and family in the comfort of her own room.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Comforting Vicki
Vicki's gastroenterlogists consulted with us over the phone several times yesterday (Friday, 1 September), after reviewing her test results from Georgetown. They believe that conducting an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP) would not help Vicki. The ERCP potentially could have allowed the doctor to insert a small plastic tube (stent) through the endoscope and into a blocked bile duct to open a passgage. However, the doctor's believe the real problem lies deeper in her liver, in the thousands of small tree branches of her bile ducts that the tumor has invaded.
We could continue to push for more procedures and I am sure Vicki's doctors would do the best they could to improve her condition, but the ultimate outcome would not change. One of Vicki's options includes using a stent to drain her bile ducts from inside her liver, through her abdomen, and into an external bag. However, as I noted earlier, the real problem lies in the many smaller bile ducts that we cannot drain. So we are now shifting our focus to comforting Vicki, and preparing for her imminent death.
Overall Vicki continues to fight for life the very best she can under the circumstances. She eats well. She suffers from significant fatigue which cleary affects every aspect of her life, and chains her to her bed most of the day. However, she perks up a just bit when a close friend drops by for a visit. In addition, she continues to struggle with what I believe to be only a mild case of hepatic encephalopathy which we are treating with several daily doses of lactulose. Some of her friends have signed up for rotating night-shift duty and stayed in the room with Vicki, sleeping on a mattress by the side of her bed. In this way friends provide round-the-clock assistance should Vicki require any help during the night. Those of us working throughout the day also have the opportunity for some needed rest.
We could continue to push for more procedures and I am sure Vicki's doctors would do the best they could to improve her condition, but the ultimate outcome would not change. One of Vicki's options includes using a stent to drain her bile ducts from inside her liver, through her abdomen, and into an external bag. However, as I noted earlier, the real problem lies in the many smaller bile ducts that we cannot drain. So we are now shifting our focus to comforting Vicki, and preparing for her imminent death.
Overall Vicki continues to fight for life the very best she can under the circumstances. She eats well. She suffers from significant fatigue which cleary affects every aspect of her life, and chains her to her bed most of the day. However, she perks up a just bit when a close friend drops by for a visit. In addition, she continues to struggle with what I believe to be only a mild case of hepatic encephalopathy which we are treating with several daily doses of lactulose. Some of her friends have signed up for rotating night-shift duty and stayed in the room with Vicki, sleeping on a mattress by the side of her bed. In this way friends provide round-the-clock assistance should Vicki require any help during the night. Those of us working throughout the day also have the opportunity for some needed rest.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Update on Vicki
Dr. Marshall from the Lombardi Cancer Center at Georgetown called today with Vicki's test results. The blood tests were more consistent with a blocked bile duct than liver failure. However, the sonogram showed no clear evidence of an obstruction in the common bile duct. Rather, the test showed a partial blockage further up the biliary tract which has been evident in previous CT scans. Unfortunately, the net result of these inconclusive tests yields no obvious choice. We believe the best course for Vicki will be to place stents into the bile ducts in an attempt to improved the drainage and alleviate some of her symptoms of disorientation. By tomorrow we hope to complete the arrangements for conducting this procedure at either Fairfax or Georgetown University Hospital, depending on the doctor's recommendations.
The combination of the reduced liver function, cancer, and radiation treatments has dealt Vicki such a tremendous blow that she can now barely function on her own. On Tuesday night we began round-the-clock observation in our home, with close friends staying in her room at night to be sure she has ready help. She can only communicate with short words or phrases. She rarely has the strength to open her eyes and when she does she cannot hold them open for very long. When I look at Vicki I wonder how long she can survive in this condition. We try to make her as comfortable as we can.
With the help of some close friends and Vicki's parents, we have begun to make a variety of arrangements. This morning we met with a representative from Capital Hospice. After the doctors perform this next procedure (or if they perform it) we will begin Hospice care for Vicki and our family. Our close friend Jim has helped us contact a local funeral home (Adams-Green) and cemetery (Chestnut Grove), which is only 100 yards from our house. This afternoon Jim, Olin (Vicki's father), and I walked through the cemetery to review the various options. We also discussed Vicki's funeral and began preparing. I suppose I always knew I would have to deal with these issues, but I had not given them any thought over the past three years. I spent my energy and time on finding the best treatment. Even now I am grateful for the friends who carry me because I find all of these so difficult to think about.
I spoke to both Kelly and Lauren very directly over the past two days. I believe they understand but they also process grief differently. I think we adults know what to expect and anticipate the grief so we feel much more pain before a tragic event. I am not sure if children realize what might arise when a parent dies. So they may not feel the full force of the blow until Vicki actually dies or even some time later - when the sense of loss manifests itself in their lives. Kelly just came into the office while I wrote this note to say goodnight and give me a hug. She said "dad, you're doing a great job with all of this, I love you." That's a great way to end a very difficult, emotional day.
The combination of the reduced liver function, cancer, and radiation treatments has dealt Vicki such a tremendous blow that she can now barely function on her own. On Tuesday night we began round-the-clock observation in our home, with close friends staying in her room at night to be sure she has ready help. She can only communicate with short words or phrases. She rarely has the strength to open her eyes and when she does she cannot hold them open for very long. When I look at Vicki I wonder how long she can survive in this condition. We try to make her as comfortable as we can.
With the help of some close friends and Vicki's parents, we have begun to make a variety of arrangements. This morning we met with a representative from Capital Hospice. After the doctors perform this next procedure (or if they perform it) we will begin Hospice care for Vicki and our family. Our close friend Jim has helped us contact a local funeral home (Adams-Green) and cemetery (Chestnut Grove), which is only 100 yards from our house. This afternoon Jim, Olin (Vicki's father), and I walked through the cemetery to review the various options. We also discussed Vicki's funeral and began preparing. I suppose I always knew I would have to deal with these issues, but I had not given them any thought over the past three years. I spent my energy and time on finding the best treatment. Even now I am grateful for the friends who carry me because I find all of these so difficult to think about.
I spoke to both Kelly and Lauren very directly over the past two days. I believe they understand but they also process grief differently. I think we adults know what to expect and anticipate the grief so we feel much more pain before a tragic event. I am not sure if children realize what might arise when a parent dies. So they may not feel the full force of the blow until Vicki actually dies or even some time later - when the sense of loss manifests itself in their lives. Kelly just came into the office while I wrote this note to say goodnight and give me a hug. She said "dad, you're doing a great job with all of this, I love you." That's a great way to end a very difficult, emotional day.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
A Very Challening Night, Call for Help
Vicki and I experienced a very difficult night last night. However, for the first time in 24 hours she now appears to be sleeping comfortably. I urgently need help - please read through to the end.
Vicki is suffering from a condition called hepatic encephalopathy which affects people with decreased liver function due to cirrhosis of the liver. She began showing noticeable symptoms of this condition last week and has since wavered between various degrees of confusion and disorientation.
Last night the condition grew progressively more severe. She remained awake nearly the entire night, moving from one floor of the house to the other, engaging in a variety of unusual behaviors. Throughout the night I followed her around the house to be sure she did not hurt herself or do anything that might endanger the house and/or family. As a result, I have also had little sleep in the past two days. And, I certainly cannot leave the house without Vicki remaining under the constant supervision of an adult.
Vicki spends a great deal of her time in bed, usually sitting up to take pressure off of her abdomen. At times she is reponsive and alert and at other times she appears to be asleep or semi-conscious. She labors hard to breathe, which I suspect is a result of the fluid building up in her abdomen and pressuring the other internal organs such as her lungs. The cancer has also spread to her lungs so she may be experiencing some additional difficulty as a result.
I do not really know how much longer Vicki will live. I don't know if she can recover a bit from this latest series of complications. But, when I look at her and see how she is suffering I find it hard to imagine that she can survive for much longer. We will discuss all of these issues with Dr. Marshall when we meet with him later today.
Many of our friends and neighbors have helped us in a variety of ways for the past three years. I thank you on behalf of our whole family for all of the help and support. Now, during this very difficult period I ask for even more help. I am in urgent need people who can come to the house to help me. I need help watching over Vicki. I need help getting the girls ready for the start of school. I need help preparing for the end of Vicki's life.
Vicki is suffering from a condition called hepatic encephalopathy which affects people with decreased liver function due to cirrhosis of the liver. She began showing noticeable symptoms of this condition last week and has since wavered between various degrees of confusion and disorientation.
Last night the condition grew progressively more severe. She remained awake nearly the entire night, moving from one floor of the house to the other, engaging in a variety of unusual behaviors. Throughout the night I followed her around the house to be sure she did not hurt herself or do anything that might endanger the house and/or family. As a result, I have also had little sleep in the past two days. And, I certainly cannot leave the house without Vicki remaining under the constant supervision of an adult.
Vicki spends a great deal of her time in bed, usually sitting up to take pressure off of her abdomen. At times she is reponsive and alert and at other times she appears to be asleep or semi-conscious. She labors hard to breathe, which I suspect is a result of the fluid building up in her abdomen and pressuring the other internal organs such as her lungs. The cancer has also spread to her lungs so she may be experiencing some additional difficulty as a result.
I do not really know how much longer Vicki will live. I don't know if she can recover a bit from this latest series of complications. But, when I look at her and see how she is suffering I find it hard to imagine that she can survive for much longer. We will discuss all of these issues with Dr. Marshall when we meet with him later today.
Many of our friends and neighbors have helped us in a variety of ways for the past three years. I thank you on behalf of our whole family for all of the help and support. Now, during this very difficult period I ask for even more help. I am in urgent need people who can come to the house to help me. I need help watching over Vicki. I need help getting the girls ready for the start of school. I need help preparing for the end of Vicki's life.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Vicki Returned Home Today
The doctors at Georgetown released Vicki this afternoon. Unfortunately, they also sent her home with another difficult diagnosis. The doctors now believe that Vicki's liver is not functioning properly. In fact we have know for some time that her liver had come under severe strain due to the combination of cancer and treatments over the past few years.
The evidence of this strain began to manifest itself when earlier this year she had a build up of fluid in her abdomen. This latest problem is simply a further decline in the function of the liver resulting in a harmful build-up of unsavory chemicals in her body. The chemicals (e.g. ammonia) can be toxic and cause a number of symptoms such as a lack of oxygen in the blood supply, leading to the confused state of awareness. The doctors sent her home with some medications to try to alleviate these symptoms.
Tonight she came home and went straight to bed - like she usually does after another exhausting hospital stay. Just a short while ago she took a shower and cleaned up for a good night's rest. I helped her brush and dry her hair, just like I used to do with our girls when they were little.
I continue to struggle to put into words how devastating this experience has been for all of us. I cannot find the words to describe the depth of hopelessness and helplessness. At one time, before cancer, Vicki radiated with life, energy, and kindness. This disease has reduced her to fearing being alone in her room because she may not be able to get up again, may not know who or where she is, or may not live through the night.
This week I am taking off work since it is the last week of the summer before the kids go back to school. All summer I had planned to make home movies featuring Vicki to capture some lasting memories. Now I wonder if I put it off too long, by a week or so. I don't know. I'll wait until next week to see if she improves a little.
The evidence of this strain began to manifest itself when earlier this year she had a build up of fluid in her abdomen. This latest problem is simply a further decline in the function of the liver resulting in a harmful build-up of unsavory chemicals in her body. The chemicals (e.g. ammonia) can be toxic and cause a number of symptoms such as a lack of oxygen in the blood supply, leading to the confused state of awareness. The doctors sent her home with some medications to try to alleviate these symptoms.
Tonight she came home and went straight to bed - like she usually does after another exhausting hospital stay. Just a short while ago she took a shower and cleaned up for a good night's rest. I helped her brush and dry her hair, just like I used to do with our girls when they were little.
I continue to struggle to put into words how devastating this experience has been for all of us. I cannot find the words to describe the depth of hopelessness and helplessness. At one time, before cancer, Vicki radiated with life, energy, and kindness. This disease has reduced her to fearing being alone in her room because she may not be able to get up again, may not know who or where she is, or may not live through the night.
This week I am taking off work since it is the last week of the summer before the kids go back to school. All summer I had planned to make home movies featuring Vicki to capture some lasting memories. Now I wonder if I put it off too long, by a week or so. I don't know. I'll wait until next week to see if she improves a little.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Back to the ER
Vicki had to skip her radiation treatment today, and instead went directly to the ER at Georgetown University Hospital. She had been having significant difficulty communicating and seemed rather incoherant. After a number of tests the doctors believe she may have made a mistake on her pain medications which caused her to be so disoriented. I just spoke with her on the phone and she sounded much better than this morning. She may be able to come home tomorrow. Several doctors will see her in the morning and evaluate her condition. She will also see Dr. Putnam, a pain management specialist she has seen before. We hope that Dr. Putnam can continue to help Vicki strike the right balance to have relief from the pain, but also not be overcome by the medications.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Vicki Completes First Radiation Treatment
Vicki completed her first radiation treatment today at Georgetown. The treatment began on time at about 10 am, progressed quickly, and Vicki and her Dad arrived home by 12 noon. She will have a total of 14 radiation treatments during this first round. Each treatment will be at 10 am. She will have the weekends off. After Labor Day the doctors will image the tumor in the L-5 vertabrae with CT scans to see if the tumor has reduced in size.We took this picture on one of our many trips to New York over the past few years. Vicki had been meeting with some doctors at Memorial Sloan-Kettering in hopes that they may have a potential cure. During our visits we tried to add some fun events to distract us for a while from our true purpose. In this picture, taken in July 2004, we were in Times Square to see Beauty and the Beast on Broadway.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Radiation Beginning Wednesday
Vicki completed all of her MRI exams this morning with no problems. Then, after a four-hour delay the radiologists began the preparation for radiation treatments. They placed markers, or aimpoints, on her to designate the points they will target for radiation. We arrived home late in the afternoon and Vicki was exhausted. We will begin the actual treatments at 10 AM on Wednesday.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Radiation Planning Scheduled for Monday
Vicki will complete her MRI testing at Georgetown beginning at 7:30 am on Monday morning. The doctors will have to sedate her because she has been in too much pain to lay down for the length of time required for the MRI exam. At 10:30 am Vicki's Radiologist, Dr. Brian Collins, will aim the radiation therapy instruments. This should take about two hours if all goes as planned.
We still do not have a radiation schedule, but we hope Dr. Collins will have the plan ready for us tomorrow. Once we begin radiation treatments Vicki will need to go to Georgetown every day for about two weeks. Each treatment will only last about 20 minutes but the ride to and from Georgetown and the potential waiting at the hospital could add up to be several hours each day.
I believe this will prove to be an exhausting few weeks for Vicki because of the daily trips and the radiation itself. Vicki has typically complained that one of her greatest challenges is a lack of energy.
We still do not have a radiation schedule, but we hope Dr. Collins will have the plan ready for us tomorrow. Once we begin radiation treatments Vicki will need to go to Georgetown every day for about two weeks. Each treatment will only last about 20 minutes but the ride to and from Georgetown and the potential waiting at the hospital could add up to be several hours each day.
I believe this will prove to be an exhausting few weeks for Vicki because of the daily trips and the radiation itself. Vicki has typically complained that one of her greatest challenges is a lack of energy.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Cancer Spreading Again
Today we met with Dr. Marshall at Georgetown to review the results of Vicki's latest CT scan. Unfortunately, we received very bad news. In just the past couple of months the cancer has spread again - this time to the L-5 vertebrae in her spine. The tumors in her lymph nodes in her abdomen have also grown larger, and the tumors on her lungs have grown as well.
With this new measurable tumor growth, Dr. Marshall counseled us that we need to act quickly to try to stop the tumor in the vertebrae. If the tumor on the L-5 vertebrae continues to grow it could weaken the bone enough that it may collapse and potentially cause nerve damage or even paralysis.
Tonight the doctors at Georgetown are conducting an MRI on Vicki's spine. Tomorrow morning we will meet with Dr. Brian Collins, a radiologist at Georgetown. We expect him to prescribe radiation therapy to attack the tumor in the spine. We will know more after tomorrow's meeting.
Curiously, the tumor in the liver has not changed in two years. The earlier treatments through the first half of 2004 seemed to have stopped that tumor very well. The areas of new growth are actually the same cholangiocarcinoma cells that have spread to other, more distant areas of Vicki's body, and seeded themselves in various organs and tissues.
With this new measurable tumor growth, Dr. Marshall counseled us that we need to act quickly to try to stop the tumor in the vertebrae. If the tumor on the L-5 vertebrae continues to grow it could weaken the bone enough that it may collapse and potentially cause nerve damage or even paralysis.
Tonight the doctors at Georgetown are conducting an MRI on Vicki's spine. Tomorrow morning we will meet with Dr. Brian Collins, a radiologist at Georgetown. We expect him to prescribe radiation therapy to attack the tumor in the spine. We will know more after tomorrow's meeting.
Curiously, the tumor in the liver has not changed in two years. The earlier treatments through the first half of 2004 seemed to have stopped that tumor very well. The areas of new growth are actually the same cholangiocarcinoma cells that have spread to other, more distant areas of Vicki's body, and seeded themselves in various organs and tissues.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Visit to Georgetown
Today Vicki held her regular appointment with Dr. Marshall at Georgetown University Hospital's Lombardi Cancer Center. In the discussions Vicki asserted that the pain she has been experiencing has significantly degraded her quality of life, and I agree based on my observations over the past few months. This past week she has spent nearly all of her time in bed and all of her time in pain.
Dr. Marshall gave Vicki the option of cancelling her chemotherapy treatment, which Vicki agreed to. This will provide Vicki a little longer break and hopefully help her regain strength for our annual trip with her family to Myrtle Beach in early July. Her next appointment and chemotherapy treatment will be July 11th.
Dr. Marshall also called in a specialists in palliative care and pain management, Dr. Andrew Putnam. Dr. Putnam spent a significant amount of time interviewing Vicki to learn more on the details of the pain she has been experiencing. He made some recommendations for slight modifications in the dosage of some of the pain medications and asked her to follow up with him on Thursday. We liked Dr. Putnam because he spent a great deal of time listening to Vicki's concerns and seemed to think he may be able to help her.
Vicki will also have an appointment with her new gastroenterologist on Thursday, Dr. Axelrad. We are hoping he has some idea of how to control and alleviate the symptoms of Vicki's Ulcerative Colitis. So far he has not shown us that he has anything better to offer than Vicki's previous gastroenterologist, but at least his office is closer.
I have spent this week trying to resolve several mistakes by our mail order pharmacy, MEDCO. In addition to these problems, an employee at UPS has either stolen or lost one of the narcotic pain relief presriptions MEDCO had sent Vicki. I am filing a prescription drug fraud report with the County Sherrif's office this week on the matter. In the meantime, Vicki has run out of an important pain medication so we obtained an emergency prescrition from Georgetown today. Believe it or not, every week I have something like this, a fouled up bill, prescription, appointment, or similar event. This is par for the course in medical administration.
In fact, the whole series of events has raised my stress level past the breaking point. Taking care of a terminally ill spouse, two kids, a dog, a house, working a full time job, and dealing with all of the associated problems that go along with these has proven to be too much. I am forgetting more than I remember. I suppose many things will just have go undone and in the end it may not matter much. I look at tomorrow and I really don't even see how I'll get through it.
Dr. Marshall gave Vicki the option of cancelling her chemotherapy treatment, which Vicki agreed to. This will provide Vicki a little longer break and hopefully help her regain strength for our annual trip with her family to Myrtle Beach in early July. Her next appointment and chemotherapy treatment will be July 11th.
Dr. Marshall also called in a specialists in palliative care and pain management, Dr. Andrew Putnam. Dr. Putnam spent a significant amount of time interviewing Vicki to learn more on the details of the pain she has been experiencing. He made some recommendations for slight modifications in the dosage of some of the pain medications and asked her to follow up with him on Thursday. We liked Dr. Putnam because he spent a great deal of time listening to Vicki's concerns and seemed to think he may be able to help her.
Vicki will also have an appointment with her new gastroenterologist on Thursday, Dr. Axelrad. We are hoping he has some idea of how to control and alleviate the symptoms of Vicki's Ulcerative Colitis. So far he has not shown us that he has anything better to offer than Vicki's previous gastroenterologist, but at least his office is closer.
I have spent this week trying to resolve several mistakes by our mail order pharmacy, MEDCO. In addition to these problems, an employee at UPS has either stolen or lost one of the narcotic pain relief presriptions MEDCO had sent Vicki. I am filing a prescription drug fraud report with the County Sherrif's office this week on the matter. In the meantime, Vicki has run out of an important pain medication so we obtained an emergency prescrition from Georgetown today. Believe it or not, every week I have something like this, a fouled up bill, prescription, appointment, or similar event. This is par for the course in medical administration.
In fact, the whole series of events has raised my stress level past the breaking point. Taking care of a terminally ill spouse, two kids, a dog, a house, working a full time job, and dealing with all of the associated problems that go along with these has proven to be too much. I am forgetting more than I remember. I suppose many things will just have go undone and in the end it may not matter much. I look at tomorrow and I really don't even see how I'll get through it.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Vicki's Home from the Hospital
Yesterday the doctors at Reston Hospital released Vicki. They never did determine what caused the pain in her abdomen. So I suspect we are likely to experience this cycle of events again.
Vicki seemed to do well last night. She stayed up through the evening and interacted with the family, organized her stuff, etc. Overnight she said she experienced more of the same abdominal pain, usually after she eats anything.
We'll just take life one day at a time and hope we can keep her home and comfortable as long as possible.
Vicki seemed to do well last night. She stayed up through the evening and interacted with the family, organized her stuff, etc. Overnight she said she experienced more of the same abdominal pain, usually after she eats anything.
We'll just take life one day at a time and hope we can keep her home and comfortable as long as possible.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Vicki Hospitalized
Vicki went to the Reston Hospital Emergency Room on Wednesday because of cramps and pain in her abdomen. The doctors admitted her to the hospital and she has been in room 566 since late last night.
Vicki called me a few hours ago to let me know that she had met with her doctors and they were not sure why she was having so much discomfort. They initiated a number of tests, including a CT scan to try to determine the cause.
No word yet on when she might be released.
Vicki called me a few hours ago to let me know that she had met with her doctors and they were not sure why she was having so much discomfort. They initiated a number of tests, including a CT scan to try to determine the cause.
No word yet on when she might be released.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Update on Vicki
Vicki had a mixed Memorial Day weekend. On Saturday she became very sick and spent the entire day in bed. Sunday she was a little better but still mostly bed-ridden. Fortunately, by Monday she began to recover a bit and rallied for the end of the day and a nice dinner with our friend Sheila and her family. Olin arrived back from SC and Alabama just in time for grilled steaks and salmon.
Yesterday we met with Dr. Marshall at the Lombardi Cancer Center. He said he thought Vicki was doing reasonably well considering all she has been through. Still no new growth of the cancer, liver is functioning sufficiently, and blood counts were close to normal.
So Dr. Marshall recommended that Vicki continue chemotherapy treatments, but he modified the treatments to make them easier on Vicki. She has switched to an oral chemotherapy agent called Xeloda and is still receiving the Avastin via IV. Vicki and her dad went to Georgetown today for the Avastin treatment. We will meet with Dr. Marshall again on June 20th, and have another chemotherapy treatment that afternoon.
Yesterday we met with Dr. Marshall at the Lombardi Cancer Center. He said he thought Vicki was doing reasonably well considering all she has been through. Still no new growth of the cancer, liver is functioning sufficiently, and blood counts were close to normal.
So Dr. Marshall recommended that Vicki continue chemotherapy treatments, but he modified the treatments to make them easier on Vicki. She has switched to an oral chemotherapy agent called Xeloda and is still receiving the Avastin via IV. Vicki and her dad went to Georgetown today for the Avastin treatment. We will meet with Dr. Marshall again on June 20th, and have another chemotherapy treatment that afternoon.
Monday, May 29, 2006
Online Memorials
Online Memorials Bring Strangers, Friends Together in Community of Grief
By Yuki Noguchi
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, May 29, 2006; Page A01
Days after his wife's death from inflammatory breast cancer in 2004, Michael Bloomer set up a Web page memorial. An old co-worker from Florida signed Kim Bloomer's online guest book. So did a high school classmate in Michigan.
For Bloomer, a retired government worker who lives in Dumfries, the memorial page became a soothing place where he could read stories, receive condolences and even reach out to his wife by posting his own messages: "Hi Honey. . . . It's only been about a month since you left, but it seems like ages since we laughed and loved when the days were normal and you were without pain. I miss you so much it hurts inside."
Bloomer says he frequented the online memorial in the first year to read new postings or to reread old ones. "It was kind of like a lasting tribute so that anybody could go on there at any time."
As the country observes the memory of those who died in its wars, online memorials have altered acts of bereavement and become palliative retreats for some who grieve. Web sites dedicated to the deceased now number in the millions in the United States, and for those left behind, posting stories, photos and videos is a way of keeping a permanent record of the person's life. Material added to mark important days such as birthdays, Mother's Day and Memorial Day, or even notes left by well-wishing strangers help the page evolve, so the memorial itself can take on a kind of second life.
Viewers use the Web sites to find and comfort one another -- not only to facilitate communication from far-flung or long-lost friends who couldn't attend a funeral, but also to send messages from one dead soldier's wife to another, from one mourning mother to another or among those galvanized to fight a disease.
Some sites such as Legacy.com, Memory-of.com and Mem.com have been around for about a decade and provide software tools for users to customize their Web pages. Legacy.com and Memory-of.com charge one-time fees of $50 to $100 for a permanent place on their sites. There are other, smaller sites started by funeral homes; still others are set up by individuals who purchase domain names in honor of the deceased.
Read the rest of the article at The Washington Post On-line.
By Yuki Noguchi
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, May 29, 2006; Page A01
Days after his wife's death from inflammatory breast cancer in 2004, Michael Bloomer set up a Web page memorial. An old co-worker from Florida signed Kim Bloomer's online guest book. So did a high school classmate in Michigan.
For Bloomer, a retired government worker who lives in Dumfries, the memorial page became a soothing place where he could read stories, receive condolences and even reach out to his wife by posting his own messages: "Hi Honey. . . . It's only been about a month since you left, but it seems like ages since we laughed and loved when the days were normal and you were without pain. I miss you so much it hurts inside."
Bloomer says he frequented the online memorial in the first year to read new postings or to reread old ones. "It was kind of like a lasting tribute so that anybody could go on there at any time."
As the country observes the memory of those who died in its wars, online memorials have altered acts of bereavement and become palliative retreats for some who grieve. Web sites dedicated to the deceased now number in the millions in the United States, and for those left behind, posting stories, photos and videos is a way of keeping a permanent record of the person's life. Material added to mark important days such as birthdays, Mother's Day and Memorial Day, or even notes left by well-wishing strangers help the page evolve, so the memorial itself can take on a kind of second life.
Viewers use the Web sites to find and comfort one another -- not only to facilitate communication from far-flung or long-lost friends who couldn't attend a funeral, but also to send messages from one dead soldier's wife to another, from one mourning mother to another or among those galvanized to fight a disease.
Some sites such as Legacy.com, Memory-of.com and Mem.com have been around for about a decade and provide software tools for users to customize their Web pages. Legacy.com and Memory-of.com charge one-time fees of $50 to $100 for a permanent place on their sites. There are other, smaller sites started by funeral homes; still others are set up by individuals who purchase domain names in honor of the deceased.
Read the rest of the article at The Washington Post On-line.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Update on Vicki
Overall, Vicki had a reasonably good weekend. She spent most of her time preparing for the Girls in Action (GA) end-of-year ceremony at out church. By the end of the ceremony on Sunday evening she was completely exhausted so she came home and went right to bed.
Vicki has an appointment with her Gastroenterologist, Dr. Axelrad, on Thursday to check on the progress of her Ulcerative Colitis. She seems to be getting by, but certainly not getting any better.
We are looking forward to a long uneventful Memorial Day weekend, and then next Tuesday, 30 May, we will go back to Georgetown for another appointment with Dr. Marshall and most likely another chemotherapy treatment.
Vicki has an appointment with her Gastroenterologist, Dr. Axelrad, on Thursday to check on the progress of her Ulcerative Colitis. She seems to be getting by, but certainly not getting any better.
We are looking forward to a long uneventful Memorial Day weekend, and then next Tuesday, 30 May, we will go back to Georgetown for another appointment with Dr. Marshall and most likely another chemotherapy treatment.
Monday, May 22, 2006
The Deerslayer
This morning, at about 6:10 am, a deer lunged from the center median strip of a major six-lane highway (Route 28 in western Fairfax County) and slammed into the front of my car. I swerved in an attempt to avoid the deer, nearly hitting another car. Obviously, I did not turn far enough though. At least I avoided a head on collision. The car hit the deer on the front left bumper, and the deer must have spun around upon impact - see the dents on the door. Not the best start to the day, but much better for me than the deer. I'll take the car into the shop for repairs on Wednesday.
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