Today started off a little iffy. Mark had a rough night as I stated in the earlier blog, but it got a bit better. He was given some steroids and some pain meds and was able to sleep most of the morning. He has some bruising on his arms that we are watching. Because his platelets are so low, any injury that causes a bruise can lead to a bleed...kinda scary. The ones that we are watching haven't gotten too much bigger so we're hoping they won't become anything serious.
With the amount of rest he's gotten and such an outpouring of love and support from family and friends, Mark's spirits are very high tonight. That helps any healing process!!!
He had two more units of blood today so I'm anxious to see if that helps with his red blood cell count tomorrow. The ENT doc came in again and took another look down his throat. His vocal cords are a bit more swollen and the ulcers are bigger, but the doc said that's to be expected with the acute leukemia and as soon as the chemo starts working they should start to dissipate. Currently the herpes in his throat and lungs is the only infection he's fighting, please pray that no more exposure takes place and he can remain healthy for the chemo treatments. We figure chemo will make him sick enough without having to deal with something else!!!
His infectious disease doc gave him some different pain meds and also a sleeping med that will help relax him and destress him so hopefully sleep will come easier tonight and the coughing won't keep him awake. The nurses do enough of that with their 2 hour vital checks!! hehe
Also, Dr. Caton changed his anti biotics around today to hopefully surprise that herpes virus and chase it out of there. Regardless of that pesky thing tho, we are ready to start the chemo in the morning. He shouldn't get all that sick from it in the beginning we are told, his body will react worse and worse the longer he's on it, so we're hoping for at least some time of feeling better before we get to the feeling bad again! OY what a year this will be!
Have a wonderful night and I'll chat with you tomorrow! Love to all!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
So Blessed
Tonight I sit here in amazement. It's taken me approximately two hours to go through all the heartfelt messages, blogs, texts, and msn messenger notes from everyone thinking about our family. I get at least 3 messages a day from people I've never met, people Mark has never met, just loving, faithful people that have heard about us "through the grapevine" or from reading someone's blog, or from a prayer chain requested by someone who loves us. It's brought Mark's faith back in people. He said tonight, "I'd given up on people, but really, people are still good."
This experience has already been such an eye opener for us. We have taken so much for granted. Our marriage; our relationship as partners and as friends, we need to focus on that and nourish it more. Our children; we need to spend more time together as a family, doing silly family things that bring us closer together. Our friends; we need to chat more, get together more, play and love more. Our extended family; we need to be in more contact with each other, let everyone know that we DO think about them and pray for them and miss them when we can't be together. Our co-workers; let them know how much we respect them and appreciate the experience of working with them and getting to know them. Our lives are filled with so many people that we can be sharing with, congregating with, worshipping with, partying with!!! We have realized that we take it all for granted, that everything that we've been given in this life could be taken away in a second and we'd live with regret of not appreciating every opportunity.
It's an amazing thing to go to the blog of a friend of a friend of a friend, see the picture of my family on their page and have a post about us, asking for more prayer. PEOPLE STILL DO STUFF LIKE THAT?!? Wow. To see God's hand through these people's kindness and ability to think about people that are not in their own "circle" is humbling to say the least. It makes me want to be a better person, a better friend, a better Christian.
So I thank you, not only to those visiting and reading my blogs, but also to the people that they tell, and then the people that are told after that! And for all the prayer that is going up for my beloved, for all the kind words, for all the support, the well wishes, the blood donated, the offers for help, the encouraging words, the visits even knowing that you couldn't come in, but just to drop off cards and let him know you cared enough to come. We are blessed indeed. And we thank you. And we love you.
God bless you all as he has us.
This experience has already been such an eye opener for us. We have taken so much for granted. Our marriage; our relationship as partners and as friends, we need to focus on that and nourish it more. Our children; we need to spend more time together as a family, doing silly family things that bring us closer together. Our friends; we need to chat more, get together more, play and love more. Our extended family; we need to be in more contact with each other, let everyone know that we DO think about them and pray for them and miss them when we can't be together. Our co-workers; let them know how much we respect them and appreciate the experience of working with them and getting to know them. Our lives are filled with so many people that we can be sharing with, congregating with, worshipping with, partying with!!! We have realized that we take it all for granted, that everything that we've been given in this life could be taken away in a second and we'd live with regret of not appreciating every opportunity.
It's an amazing thing to go to the blog of a friend of a friend of a friend, see the picture of my family on their page and have a post about us, asking for more prayer. PEOPLE STILL DO STUFF LIKE THAT?!? Wow. To see God's hand through these people's kindness and ability to think about people that are not in their own "circle" is humbling to say the least. It makes me want to be a better person, a better friend, a better Christian.
So I thank you, not only to those visiting and reading my blogs, but also to the people that they tell, and then the people that are told after that! And for all the prayer that is going up for my beloved, for all the kind words, for all the support, the well wishes, the blood donated, the offers for help, the encouraging words, the visits even knowing that you couldn't come in, but just to drop off cards and let him know you cared enough to come. We are blessed indeed. And we thank you. And we love you.
God bless you all as he has us.
Blood Donations
Ok. Turns out the blood credit system stopped a couple years back. Bummer. BUT, what you can do is just give blood at your local blood bank, tell them why you are there and a card will be sent to us letting us know that you have donated in Mark's name.
It is still the best thing to do if people want to give Mark something. You can donate every 8 weeks to insure that Mark and people like him will always have blood to bring them back to health. If people didn't donate, we wouldn't have the blood available for people who need it the most. You don't get paid to do it, but you are literally giving the gift of life.
AND you'll get a cookie!!!!
It's the little things....
Thank you again, Sean for all the info and the time you took today to find it all out.
It is still the best thing to do if people want to give Mark something. You can donate every 8 weeks to insure that Mark and people like him will always have blood to bring them back to health. If people didn't donate, we wouldn't have the blood available for people who need it the most. You don't get paid to do it, but you are literally giving the gift of life.
AND you'll get a cookie!!!!
It's the little things....
Thank you again, Sean for all the info and the time you took today to find it all out.
Stupid game?
Many people in my life and my husband's life have scoffed at our addiction to WoW. Playing that stupid game has consumed a lot of time and we know that, but it's been an escape, a datenight, a good time for us for over three years now. One thing that I always say about it is that MY enjoyment is mostly the people I meet, the friendships that we have built...yes, REAL friendships.
One of those people has proven today how right I've been.
He has found a way for EVERYONE to help Mark. Every single person who reads this blog and all of your friends, family, church family, people you meet on the street...can ALL help. Here's how.
An exerp from an email received today from our game friend Sean:
"After talking to my mother who works for the health department she told me what they will do is take my blood and I have to give them marks info and after that they will give him blood credit. So that means anyone that wants to help can they don't need to have the same blood type the more people that give the better off mark will be. Do get everyone to give and get him a big poll of blood the more credits he has the more likely they are to get the blood there for him."
After I hear from him later on and find out exactly what info you need, I will post it here.
Thank you, Sean. Our game friend, our angel. I love you.
Mark had a rough night. The infection in his lungs just won't leave him alone. His body is so sore and it's keeping him from the rest he needs. They've up'd his pain meds this morning so hopefully he'll get "knocked out" and be able to sleep. They are giving him more blood today because the 3 units yesterday barely budged his red blood cells. Went from 6.8 to 8.8.
Please be aware that Mark cannot have live plants, flowers, fruits, veggies...anything like that around him. I know you all want to send him stuff to show you are thinking of him. We FEEL your prayers, we feel your thoughts and well wishes. But live agriculture can potentially infect him with something else he can't fight.
Today is a rest day. Chemo starts tomorrow. Pray for Mark to find some comfort in his sick body today so he CAN rest.
Will post more later.
One of those people has proven today how right I've been.
He has found a way for EVERYONE to help Mark. Every single person who reads this blog and all of your friends, family, church family, people you meet on the street...can ALL help. Here's how.
An exerp from an email received today from our game friend Sean:
"After talking to my mother who works for the health department she told me what they will do is take my blood and I have to give them marks info and after that they will give him blood credit. So that means anyone that wants to help can they don't need to have the same blood type the more people that give the better off mark will be. Do get everyone to give and get him a big poll of blood the more credits he has the more likely they are to get the blood there for him."
After I hear from him later on and find out exactly what info you need, I will post it here.
Thank you, Sean. Our game friend, our angel. I love you.
Mark had a rough night. The infection in his lungs just won't leave him alone. His body is so sore and it's keeping him from the rest he needs. They've up'd his pain meds this morning so hopefully he'll get "knocked out" and be able to sleep. They are giving him more blood today because the 3 units yesterday barely budged his red blood cells. Went from 6.8 to 8.8.
Please be aware that Mark cannot have live plants, flowers, fruits, veggies...anything like that around him. I know you all want to send him stuff to show you are thinking of him. We FEEL your prayers, we feel your thoughts and well wishes. But live agriculture can potentially infect him with something else he can't fight.
Today is a rest day. Chemo starts tomorrow. Pray for Mark to find some comfort in his sick body today so he CAN rest.
Will post more later.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
March 3 / last one
Hey all
Mark's procedure went well. The catheter is inserted in his chest and they have his arm in this heating pad to keep the circulation going or something....lol But anyway that is done so tomorrow is a rest day before chemo starts on Thursday.
He's received two units of blood tonight and will get one more before they are done. Made an amazing difference in his color...he actually HAS color!
It was a rough day. He's feeling sicker than yesterday, up a lot last night with the coughing. Plus he didn't get to eat all day because of the procedures. He did get some pain meds for the surgery so that seems to be helping him relax and sleep which is a beautiful sight...let me tell ya!
Short one tonight as I am beat. Since he is sleeping, so will I! Thanks for all the wonderful messages, Bible verses and prayers today. keep them coming.
Love you all, Becky
Mark's procedure went well. The catheter is inserted in his chest and they have his arm in this heating pad to keep the circulation going or something....lol But anyway that is done so tomorrow is a rest day before chemo starts on Thursday.
He's received two units of blood tonight and will get one more before they are done. Made an amazing difference in his color...he actually HAS color!
It was a rough day. He's feeling sicker than yesterday, up a lot last night with the coughing. Plus he didn't get to eat all day because of the procedures. He did get some pain meds for the surgery so that seems to be helping him relax and sleep which is a beautiful sight...let me tell ya!
Short one tonight as I am beat. Since he is sleeping, so will I! Thanks for all the wonderful messages, Bible verses and prayers today. keep them coming.
Love you all, Becky
Heart test
Mark just go back from the heart scan radioactive and in relatively good spirits. He's lost his voice again from the herpes on his vocal cords, but Dr. Barnes our infecteous disease doc should be coming by this afternoon to discuss that and the possibility of getting him some numbing meds so he doesn't cough so much at night.
The Groshgong catheter is next. His heart scan must have been fine because they just came and got him for the catheter. He's very worried about that one because it does go directly into his heart. Prayer for his peace of mind and for guidance of the doctors hand in the next hour would be greatly appreciated.
All for now!
The Groshgong catheter is next. His heart scan must have been fine because they just came and got him for the catheter. He's very worried about that one because it does go directly into his heart. Prayer for his peace of mind and for guidance of the doctors hand in the next hour would be greatly appreciated.
All for now!
March 3 / 10am
Hello again!! I promise I won't keep this up for the entire month we are in the hospital! We are just being thrown so much info and this is the easiest way to get it to all of you at once!!
Dr. Caton came to see us this morning and here's more info and the plan.
Mark tentatively will be off work for 6 months at the very least. After this initial 30 day hospital stay where they are gonna knock this puppy out on the first try (cuz that's what we're all praying for and we know prayer works!!!) he will get to go home for a week. Every other week he will be back in the hospital for one week to get chemo. then home a week to recover and so on. This will go on for 4 months. After that is finished, he will need at LEAST two months for his body to recover before he's going to feel normal again, be able to work, be able to go out etc etc.
Today:
Mark is scheduled for a heart scan this morning to make sure it's working like it needs to be to handle all of what's coming. After that, they are inserting a Groshong Cathedar which is basically a big IV that will be put under his skin directly into his heart. With the meds that are going into him, his normal veins will just collapse; unable to handle the amounts and the types of meds. He is also on Aloepurinaol (sp?) for his kidneys to prepare them for what's about to go down. They are trying to prevent any bad (worse) things from happening to his body before they start. We are probably going to begin the chemo on Thursay morning.
Mark's red blood cells are down even lower today. He will be getting 3 units of blood this afternoon and the doc said it's gonna make him feel SO much better! We are looking forward to that and for him to have some color back in his cheeks!
This chemo is not like the other stuff we thought he was going to be on. This chemo WILL ravage his body. He will lose his hair, he will get sick, infections, rashes, weird things that will have the docs scratching their heads....but we'll get through it. Mark is super strong and he's young, and he has an army at bat for him. God is hearing your prayers. We have felt His hand over us so much already and we are so grateful to all the prayer that's keeping Him busy!! Keep it up!
Dr. Caton came to see us this morning and here's more info and the plan.
Mark tentatively will be off work for 6 months at the very least. After this initial 30 day hospital stay where they are gonna knock this puppy out on the first try (cuz that's what we're all praying for and we know prayer works!!!) he will get to go home for a week. Every other week he will be back in the hospital for one week to get chemo. then home a week to recover and so on. This will go on for 4 months. After that is finished, he will need at LEAST two months for his body to recover before he's going to feel normal again, be able to work, be able to go out etc etc.
Today:
Mark is scheduled for a heart scan this morning to make sure it's working like it needs to be to handle all of what's coming. After that, they are inserting a Groshong Cathedar which is basically a big IV that will be put under his skin directly into his heart. With the meds that are going into him, his normal veins will just collapse; unable to handle the amounts and the types of meds. He is also on Aloepurinaol (sp?) for his kidneys to prepare them for what's about to go down. They are trying to prevent any bad (worse) things from happening to his body before they start. We are probably going to begin the chemo on Thursay morning.
Mark's red blood cells are down even lower today. He will be getting 3 units of blood this afternoon and the doc said it's gonna make him feel SO much better! We are looking forward to that and for him to have some color back in his cheeks!
This chemo is not like the other stuff we thought he was going to be on. This chemo WILL ravage his body. He will lose his hair, he will get sick, infections, rashes, weird things that will have the docs scratching their heads....but we'll get through it. Mark is super strong and he's young, and he has an army at bat for him. God is hearing your prayers. We have felt His hand over us so much already and we are so grateful to all the prayer that's keeping Him busy!! Keep it up!
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