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OK!  Believe it or not there's still much to say after our wonderful news today!  Let's get started!

As I mentioned before, Mark had his second bone marrow test this morning.  I don't recall if I said before, but these tests are EXTREMELY painful.  The first one he had done in the doc's office three weeks ago was done drug free.  There were locals put at the site, but nothing in Mark's system.  Dr. Caton said they only do it that way once, from then on the patient is always given something.  We knew why right away...after that first time, YOU KNOW WHAT'S COMIN!!  They suck.  Well anyway, today he got a huge dose of Ativan and then some benadryl on top of that.  Although he still felt the pain, it was numbed a little and frankly, that high on drugs he didn't care all that much.  The doc said he wouldn't remember, but Mark is "special" and of course rules don't apply to him!  He remembers it all!  LOL

So while the doc was here we mentioned that we thought Mark was having some anxiety reactions to the meds he's on.  As he started explaining that he's been seeing things that aren't there, having horrible visions as soon as he goes to sleep and therefore wakes himself up, Dr. Caton just nodded.  He said oh yes, I've seen that many times.  It's not a reaction to meds, it's a reaction to sleep.  We have been here for 3 weeks and I don't know how many of you have stayed over night in the hospital, but it's NOT a place to come to rest.  They are in and out of this room all day and all night, checking on him, taking vitals, asking if we need anything etc. etc.  So what Mark is experiencing is sleep deprivation psychosis.  His brain is actually not functioning properly due to lack of sleep.  He's hallucinating.  It's SCARY AS HELL to see.  He was really freaking me out today.  So, they have put him on a special thing in his room where the nurses won't come in as often, especially at night.  From midnight to 6am they will not come in his room unless we ring for them.  He's also being put on a sleeping pill.  I pray that over the next day or two he'll get enough REM that his brain can snap out of this phase.  I'm gonna be white haired and wrinkled by the time this is over I tell ya!  OY!

So back to the bone marrow test thing.  Dr. Caton is going to run a "flat 3 ligand" test.  I still am not clear on what it is exactly because all I've found on the internet is all in medical terms and I'm just not quite there YET!  I'm sure I'll understand better tomorrow as I will grill Dr. Caton until I understand.  He indicated however, that if that test comes back positive we will be back to talking about a bone marrow transplant.  Needless to say, we need prayers going up for a negative on that test!  NONONO on transplant talk!!

The Plan:

Now we are at the point of after care.  Here's what will happen.  We will remain here in the hospital for approximately 2 more weeks while Mark's blood cell levels even out.  We need his white blood cells, his hemoglobin and his platelet all to come back to near normal levels before we can head home.  We will barely have time to get settled at home however.  After a week (or two maybe Dr. Caton said) home, we will then come back to the hospital on a Monday.  He will have HEAVY doses of chemo on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, all of which will be a 12 hour drip through the IV.  We will go home on Saturday, then be home for that following week, then back into the hospital the following Monday.  One week in, one week out.  This will continue for 8 dose weeks; about 4 months.  As soon as we are done with that, he will be in recovery mode.  A couple months for his body to heal and for him to start feeling normal again, then he can go back to work.  During those four months Mark will still be very sick.  He will not be able to be around a lot of people and especially not around anyone with an illness of any kind.  He is now, and will be for at least those four months, Neutropenic.  

Neutropenia (adjective neutropenic), from Latin prefix neutro- and Greek suffix -πενία (deficiency) is a hematological disorder characterized by an abnormally low number of a type of white blood cell called a neutrophil. Neutrophils usually make up 50-70% of circulating white blood cells and serve as the primary defense against infections by destroying bacteria in the blood. Hence, patients with neutropenia are more susceptible to bacterial infections and, without prompt medical attention, the condition may become life-threatening

Basically what that means is that he will get sick if anyone around him is sick and his body will not be able to fight it because he will have no defense; ie: white blood cells.  (good dudes that fight infection).  When Mark gets the sniffles it means the hospital with IV antibiotics.  Scary huh?  So, you will all understand I'm sure if we lay low this summer.  Chances are not good we'll have our annual 4th of July party...first time in 12 years!

So there ya have it.  What we are looking forward to here in the next few months.  But ya know what?  After all is said and done we will all be stronger for it.  Our family, our friendships, our love will all be stronger.  We know there is a Higher Power at work here and we are going down this path not only for ourselves but for others too.  We know that many of you have had changes in your lives because of this struggle and we are proud to be able to be examples of God's undying love and power.  Despite all of this, we know He is here, watching over us, protecting us, bringing us through it better people.  God is so good.  I know I've said it before but we FEEL him here in this room.

To end this long winded post I thought y'all deserved some pics!! yay!!!  

Our beautiful boy.

Gracie and her Grandma
Allie in the beautiful new hospital near the cafeteria.
Mark while he still had hair.  Although notice how thin it is compared to last weeks pics?  Crazy!  Our floor was starting to look like a shag rug!  Gross!
My handsome Beloved after a shave!

God bless you all, Family and Friends.