January 31, 2024
Update on Robert, Lung Transplant and Cancer
On January 12, 2024, Robert was diagnosed with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (stage 4 skin cancer). This was after multiple ER visits and hospitalizations. Robert is a lung transplant recipient as documented previously in this campaign. Robert’s transplant was due to the Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome (HPS) which is a rare genetic disorder characterized by a specific type of albinism and a bleeding disorder. Many individuals with this syndrome develop pulmonary fibrosis (scarring or hardening of the lungs) and their only recourse is a lung transplant to survive. Robert was blessed with a lung transplant in October 2013. He completed his 10th year anniversary as a survivor of a single lung transplant in October 2023.
Robert is no longer with us as of January 26, 2024. He enjoyed a good quality of life for eight years after his transplant. The last two years have introduced new and more challenging health issues (three strokes, cancer surgeries, extended hospitalizations). Robert was always the kind of person YOU or anyone would want to just sit down and talk with about anything… but don't forget the coffee ;)! His selfless approach to life helped him to enjoy a satisfying one in knowing that he could be counted on to help people (which is why he became a contract specialist). Robert was a remarkable man- full of love, compassion, and resilience. Of his many accomplishments, he would claim his greatest was simply being a father and grandfather.
Extended hospitalizations, a multi-discipline team of doctors and supporting staff, and the significant diagnostics which were involved with Robert’s medical care have been expansive and expensive. Even with insurance there are many out of pocket expenses, such as insurance deductibles, insurance co-pays, wheelchair transport, home and vehicle modifications for a wheelchair, rehabilitation support through each medical event, etc. Donations to HelpHopeLive can help ease the financial burden during this difficult time.
We thank you for your continued prayers and kindness!
May 20, 2014
To My Family, Friends, Colleagues and Well-Wishers:
Hello Everyone! I thank God for this day and for the opportunity to write to you. Health-wise, it has been an uneventful month, which is a good thing. The family is doing well. Maria is finishing her school year, Alannah is REALLY showing and we are all excited about the arrival of the baby in Aug, and Francisco is doing fine at work. Alannah and Adrian visited us a few weeks ago and that was WONDERFUL. We really miss them and Adrian is truly a joy to have around, although it took every bit of my breathing capacity to keep up with him! My second highlight for the month resulted in my updated campaign picture. A couple of weeks ago I participated in my first 5K race/walk event EVER! To be clear, I walked it but it was a great experience. My mentor and role-model, Paul Sheridan (aka Superman), suggested I post this pic. It is one more step on my journey to good health and recovery, and I am again reminded of how blessed I am! I hope all of you are taking care of yourselves and slowing down to enjoy life. Thank you all for your continued support and warmest regards.RV
April 24, 2014
To All My Family, Friends, Colleagues, and Well-Wishers:
Hello Everyone!. I hope you all had a Happy Easter! Since my last update I have been busy, which is a good thing. I thank God for everyday and for giving me the opportunity to enjoy all his blessings. The first highlight for the month was paying a visit to VA to catch up with family and friends, especially Mom! Seeing her again meant so much. That said, catching up with the rest of the family; Cynthia, Cesar, Ako, Alannah, Adrian( I did miss Aniya :-() AND my friends and colleagues at the FAA could not have been more special to me. For me, it doesn't get any better! I have taken the liberty of posting a few pics of the visit so I hope those "caught on candid camera" wont mind. A special thanks go to Joey, Sarah, and Kim for bringing people together and my heartfelt thanks to all for taking time from your busy schedules to see me.
Second highlight was getting together with my DCMA Orlando-South FL team for lunch! Again, the welcome and warmth of the visit was overwhelming! Had a great time reminiscing with everyone! My special thanks to Ron for serving as the MC for the event. My guess is that there is a retirement sideline here! Now, I need to work in the other half of my team into a courtesy visit, my colleagues at DCMA Orlando...its coming. there have been some frequent remarks made like: "When are you coming back to work","The gab is back!". Its true, cant deny it.
Last but not least are the results of my three month checkup since being released by Mayo Clinic in Jan. Just got the final results Monday, all tests negative, praise God! Next check up in three more months. You heard me say this before...God listens!
With Easter comes our rebirth and that has a special meaning. In addition to my transplant I had a special reminder of what this means. My daughter and grandson were able to join us in FL for this Holiday. My grandson and the baby now growing inside Alannah remind me of the wonder of life and how precious it is! I hope all of you found something special to celebrate and treasure.
Please stay in touch and my sincere thanks for your continued support.
RV
March 9, 2014
To My Family, Friends, Colleagues and Well-Wishers:
Greetings to all! I hope all of you are well and for those north of the winter belt I sincerely hope you warm up soon! First, may I once again thank all of you for your kindness and prayers. I sincerely appreciate them and they really make a difference. As I have shared with you previously, God does indeed listen! I continue on this journey of recovery and God continues to watch over me I have settled into a routine of sorts; start my day with my meds, followed by daily house chores and errands, do my exercises and take care of doctor appts that come up. I have gained nearly 20lbs since leaving JAX! That said, Maria tells me that if I want to keep my weight steady I have to close my mouth. True enough but its easier said than done. The toughest thing for me currently is the damn Diabetes! Keeping my sugars under control is quite a challenge. It also makes you have cravings that are hard to control.
I have also found myself doing something I did not expect...in a word preaching! Folks have asked me to share my experience which I am happy to do. I certainly don't claim to be anykind of expert and the experience is a rather personal one. I end up speaking about it hoping that it helps others that may undergo something similar, promote becoming an organ donor, and being a witness to God's infinite love and mercy! Folks, this is how I feel and as such would not presume to generalize how others would react.
I had an opportunity last week to get together with my friends and colleagues at DCMA Orlando-South Florida! It was wonderful to see everyone again!!!Cant wait to head to DC to see my family and friends there.
Take care everyone and see you soon!
February 17, 2014
To My Family, Friends, Colleagues and Well-Wishers:
Happy Belated Valentines Day Everyone!. Its been awhile since my last update so I hope you will excuse my delay. I sincerely hope all of you are doing well, especially all my friends up north (DC)! You must be real tired of the harsh winter you are enduring. Guess I should change my pic at the risk of being told to stop rubbing it in! As I write to you its a balmy 76F outside with low humidity. It doesn't get much better!
As a recap, I was released from Mayo Clinic on 1/18/14 after getting a clean bill of health, relatively speaking. I could not get home fast enough and again I thank God for allowing me to do so. I continue to do very regular blood tests and will be heading back to Mayo in April for my first periodic series of tests. I feel good although being a diabetic does have its drawbacks. its been difficult to make the adjustment as far as modifying what I can/cannot eat and when to do so. I have felt the highs and lows of blood sugar and its not pleasant!. In addition, I have gained almost 20 lbs since arriving home! I am committed to my daily exercise routine.
The family, thank God, is doing well. Maria is very busy with school, Francisco is very happy with his new job and learning a lot, and Alannah is super busy at home and already three months into her pregnancy!!!
I am truly blessed! I look forward to visiting my family and friends in DC soon but maybe I will check the weather report first!!! Take care everyone and thank you once again for your thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely, RV
January 10, 2014
To: My Family, Friends, Colleagues, and Well-Wishers:
I hope everyone is doing well and starting the New Year right! For me and mine the New Year starts on a very positive note!. Maria is back at work, a big step for us returning to a routine lifestyle. Alannah has been promoted to Sergeant...so proud of her!. Francisco has landed a new job and he us excited about it...so proud of him as well. So, you are wondering is there more. YES! I was given my release from Mayo Clinic this past Tuesday!!! Praise God...He continues to listen to your prayers! Again, thank you for keeping my family and I in your thoughts. Latest test results showed NO signs of rejection. The embolism has been dissolved. I have some loose ends to tie up but hope to be returning home next week. Another step forward in my journey. I got to drive my car for the first time in nearly four months. Yeap, it felt so good...
Remember, take the time to appreciate your loved ones and the little things in life. Life is precious and fleeting. Be Happy. Hope to see you soon.
Warmest regards, Robert
January 1, 2014
January 1, 2014
To My Family, Friends, Colleagues, and Well-Wishers:
Happy New Year Everyone!. I hope you and yours have a blessed year ahead! My family and I have much to be thankful for and look forward to. God has made this possible , and so have you through all of your prayers and well-wishes. I am humbled and most grateful for your support. Maria and I spent the Holidays here in JAX at the recommendation of my medical team. The recommendation was prompted by my recent rejection and subsequent treatment. A bump on the road. I remain hopeful that this too shall pass and that I will be able to return home soon. This week I found out that I have developed diabetes. Not a surprise since a significant number of transplant patients develop this condition due to the impact of the medications on your body. Diabetes may be temporary or permanent, we will have to wait and see. EVERYDAY IS A BLESSING AND WHO'S COMPLAINING.
My daughter Alanna,, Ako, Adrian, and Aniya visited over the Holidays, no better Christmas gift. Adrian had me on the floor chasing him. Wonderful. Francisco had to work butI hope to see him soon. In other highlights, Alannah has been promoted to Sergeant, Francisco has landed a new job, and Maria will be returning to school. So many things to be thankful for already in 2014!
Keep in touch and keep the good vibes coming.
Warmest regards,
RVt
December 12, 2013
To My Family, Friends, Colleagues, and Well-Wishers:
I hope all of you had a Happy Thanksgiving! M was able to get a pass from my doctors so my family and I spent it at home. It was a very Happy Thanksgiving at home. There was much to be thankful for and that's an understatement.
May I take this opportunity to wish you all a blessed Christmas and New years! May you and yours enjoy the feeling of renewal which comes with the Holiday season and may you all be blessed with health, happiness, and prosperity in the coming year.
We continue on the road to recovery! The latest "bump on the road" occurred this past Tuesday. The results of my latest biopsy revealed early signs of rejection. This time I was sent immediately for additional treatment to arrest the rejection. This does happen and its the result of the bodies defenses naturally fighting the foreign body, in this care my lung! God continues to watch me and He is the Ultimate heeler! Treatment will end today. I already requested permission to head home for Christmas so I am hoping I can still do that. My family is doing well and Maria is well on her way to earning her honorary Nursing degree and Caregiver Award!!!
I thought I would answer each of the Guest Book comments but I assure you I have read them all and they mean so much! Keep em coming.
Warmest Regards to All and I hope to see you soon. My New Year's resolution!
Robert V.
November 24, 2013
Nov 23, 2013
Happy Thanksgiving to My Family, Friends, & Colleagues!
I want to take this opportunity to wish all of you and yours a joyous Thanksgiving!. We all have much to be thankful for and as you can imagine this is a very special Thanksgiving for my family and I. Among the things I am thankful for is having all of you as my extended family sending Maria and I your good wishes and prayers. Thanks again!
We continue on this journey of recovery. Latest results showed very mild evidence of rejection. So mild in fact that the doctors did not consider additional treatments or medications necessary. God continues to watch over me! I hope to get the doctors approval this week to return home to spend Thanksgiving! I hope they will say its ok and I am looking forward to that. I continue to make progress as far as my rehabilitation and I am feeling stronger with each passing day.
Another blessing I am thankful for are my caregivers and I dedicate this update to them; my daughter Alannah, my sister Cynthia, and most especially my Angel on Earth, Maria. God has a plan and He put Maria in my life. She has been my rock and without her I would not be able to get through this. She is very special and I am grateful to God for having her.
Warmest regards,
Robert
November 13, 2013
To My Family, Friends, Colleagues, and Well-Wishers!
I thank God for giving me the opportunity to write to all of you and to once again thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.
Everyday is a blessing! While undergoing routine testing at the hospital about a week, after my initial release, I "felt" strange. Heart palpitations and shortness of breath so Maria went into hi gear! I was rushed into the nuclear medicine lab and they did some imaging. I was back on O2 which helped to stabilize me.
Turns out I developed a pulmonary embelism. As one of my Drs said; bumps on the road are to be expected. I was admitted 10/30/13 and released 11.1.13. I am doing much better now with no repeat "speed bumps" so far. Drs are pleased with how I am responding to the blood thinning med.
Today, 11/13/13, I was allowed to exercise without the use of supplemental )2. No iron man stuff but a moderate pace on the treadmill, a step forward!
God continues to guide my way! So, Maria and I continue on this road to recovery. I sincerely appreciate all the comments you all are leaving for me on this page. They mean more than you know. And, of course, thank you all for your generosity. Like I said before, the power of prayer and well-wishes from you all cannot be overstated. I look forward to the day when I can see you all again, I hope soon.
Warmest regards,
Robert V
November 2, 2013
A Bump On The Road
To All:
God blessing.. has given me and mine a new lease on life, and complications are to be expected. While undergoing routine exams on 10/30/13 I experienced palpitations and shortness of breath. If things like this happens, there in no better place than the hospital.
Turns out that I have developed a pulmonary embelism (clot). I was immediately readmitted and underwent a battery of tests to determine where it was located and potential causes. I have a few more meds and was released from the hospital yesterday 11/1/13.
God continues to watch over me and mine! I continue to have faith and pray for HIS continued protection. The doctors have a plan to monitor my progress with the expectation that the treatment will dissolve the clot(s).
Thank you so much to all of you for your calls, texts, cards and good wishes. Keep them coming. Take care of you and yours, cherish life, and put God first above all.
Warmest regards
October 29, 2013
Update 10/29/13
To My Family, Friends, Colleagues and Well-Wishers:
Warmest Greetings to all! Those of you that know me know that I am not usually at a loss for words! This time, its different. I am at a loss for the words that come close to describing how God has blessed my family and I.
As a recap, I got my first hospital call on 10/13/13I did not receive the transplant due to incompatibility with the donor organ. Disappointed yes, but we never lost hope that God has a plan and was listening to me and to all of you! Got my second call on 1016/13 and went into surgery that evening. Woke up the following day with a transplanted right lung! So many medical factors lined up in just the right way that only God could have touched me directly to make things happen and to act through his servants to help me!
I took my first breath that afternoon and literally had a new lease on life. I stood up on Friday and the Drs started me walking and I didn't look back. As you can imagine, I was under observation and undergoing and endless series of tests and drug cocktails to essentially recalibrate my whole body to prevent lung rejection, infection, and adjust my chemistry. Drs were pleased with my progress and was released to Nurse Maria care on 10/24/13, a week after surgery!
Drs are quick to caution that this is not a cure but a treatment. Setbacks are common and I should not be surprised. Yet, God in His infinite love has given me and mine a miraculous gift along with the donor and his family.
I thank God for His gift, my wife Maria, and all of you for your thoughts and prayers. Keep them coming, God is listening! I will do my best to honor his blessing and the very special gift from my donor. Enjoy every day coming and look forward to seeing you all soon as I get stronger. Happy to stay in touch either through this page, phone, or email as you wish
Thank you again and warmest regards
RV
