July 29, 2007

Today is Dad's 71st anniversary of his birthday. And grdaughter Sophia's 9th B-day. And we got an early b-day present last night - Mark had his best night ever. He was alert, attentive to all his visitors, and was feeling better. With Mark last night were wife Corale, and children Chris, Joe, and Erica. Corale's dad John - family friend Lloyd. Sister Kim and husband Stan. And of course Jerry and Linda. Mark held on to Erica's hand like he didn't want her to leave. And when kidded about Texas beating OSU, we got a big smile from that one. John is big UT fan, Mark is OSU, having graduated from there in 1988. Lloyd asked Mark if he wanted to play football, and got a smile from that. Corale also had Mark's undivided attention - always glad for that support. Mark's doctor came in later in the evening, and noticed that he was more alert - and after exam, said "we'll just keep doing what we've been doing". We're getting there - it'll just take time. A special note of thanks for the caring support of Mark's cousins Dale and Joy, and Juanita in Coweta. So from a rainy, cool, overcast day in Collinsville, we love you Mark - see you later.

End of July

It has now been two months since Mark underwent his first surgery. It has been a very difficult period, but one which he is slowly progressing. Over the past week-end, and this Monday through Tuesday, Mark was mostly sleeping. But he is now much more alert, trying hard to focus on his visitors, and moving more. Even if he can't see me, he knows I am there. When I hold his hand and say "Give me a squeeze," he responds. I have asked him a question and he nodded his head. From day to day, in a weeks' period, change seems so slow, but from six weeks ago, we're making good progress. We don't know what God's plan is for Mark, but there are a lot of dedicated, caring people watching out for Mark's welfare. We accept and welcome little steps of progress, and we're getting there. Mark is in St. John hospital, but it is not a part of St. John itself. It is Continuous Care of Oklahoma. "Long-term acute care and specialty hospitals provide specialized care for medically complex patients who are critically ill, have multi-system complications, and/or have failures requiring aggressive and continuous acute care services for a longer period of time". Mark is in a very comfortable room, #468, in St. John hospital, 1923 S. Utica Ave., Tulsa, OK 74104. For Mark's extended family in Boerne, Texas, in North Carolina, in Dallas, who can read the blog, thanks for the prayers and support. We visit Mark daily, and will try to keep you up to date on his progress.

July 22 2007

This Saturday night was much like last week. Friday evening Mark was active, with eyes open and listening to us. Frequent hand and arm movements were encouraging. But he seemed more tired and was sleeping more. As for vitals, he had a slight temperature, 100. Pulse rate a little elevated, about 101-102. We know by this time that every visit will not be a great improvement over the last one - that sometimes progress is temporarily slowed. Over the longer term, we note a dramatic improvement since early June, not just this past week. Mark is getting a more intensive treatment for a bedsore, called VAC treatment, for which they have had very good results. A special note of thanks for the continuing support of Gene Cornett, wife Kim, and family. And always a note of appreciation to the many people who have offered kind thoughts and prayers for Mark's sake.

Saturday Night

Mark is slowly making progress toward recovery. This Saturday he seemed tired, and was mostly sleeping. He wants to wake up, but it is difficult for him. Vitals are good, oxygen intake excellent, no fever. He's now using a special air mattress, especially designed for long term recovery patients. The medical plans are to slowly reduce the amount of oxygen being supplied through his trach, and eventually rely on his natural breathing. They want to progress to the point that they can eventually remove the trach tube. We understand that progress is slow, but not having bad news is good news. As noted yesterday on www.cvilleok.com, the benefit car wash has been postponed until Sept 15. So many thanks to Mark's close friend Sheila Murphy-Wells for her tremendous efforts to assist Mark and his family. And for the continuing support of Marks' fellow employees at AA.

Little things can mean a lot. This Saturday night, we were so pleased to see Mark starting to move his hands, arms, and move his toes. His eyes were open all the time we were there. His will and strong heart are moving him along, even if slowly. But the important thing is for him to know we are there, that he is not alone. He hears Corale speaking, he hears others speaking - and follows the voice. For the friends that have come to see Mark - his good friend Doug - he knows you are there. Thank you all.

PROVERBS 16:9

A Man's heart plans his way,
but the Lord directs his steps.

Peace be with you,

Diana

The day after....the 4th

The 4th of July is Mark's favorite time of year and I was sorry he had to sleep through this one, This just means next year will be even more special to us.
Mark has been stable most of the day. They increased his feedings. His blood levels are lowering and they are giving him 2 more pints of blood. I believe this will make 11 pints total.
His fevers have passed and the tests they ran came back and it looks like it is an infection in his trachea. They said this is normal, and is being treated by the antibiotic they started yesterday.
Since we have been back, Mark has had lots of family and friends come and see him.
He may only be responsive from time to time, but he can hear everything and this is encouraging to him.
If you want me to be here when you come up to the hospital, just call my cell @ 845-2003. I usually stay overnight with him and go home the next day to shower and check on our kids, so I am there at different times during the day.
Tonight he has given me a little smile when I kissed him and also griped my hand several times, where I know this was not a reflex, but him trying to communicate with me. When he opens his eyes each time he seems to try to focus more and more on things around him.
Thank you for all the comments and support. The A/A Employee's have raffled a 4-wheeler which they said took a lot of time walking the plant for donations and explaining the story of Mark and had a pancake breakfast, which they said employee's put in more that their share foe the cause. This is always a blessing to be a part of and to know how many friends have stepped forward to help Mark through this difficult time. We do not know how long his recovery will be, but we are praying for a speedy one. It could be 2 days, 2 weeks or 2 years....Only God knows. I have been by his side for 17 years and will be there for the next 17 and so on......Our love has been only strengthened by this journey and we have a lot of living left to do. Thank you all...Coral

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

We arrived in Tulsa. We are at St. John's Medical Center in the Continous Care on the 4th floor in room 478. He has a private room. This is not the newest facility, but they seem to be taking good care of him thus far. They allow visitors anytime.

It was a long trip and we are glad to be home. I think Mark gets a lot from hearing familier voices and this encourages him to wake up.

He has a ways to go, but it is all in the Lord's time, not ours.

I am headed to bed now, sianara.....Coral

7:30 P.M.

MARK HAS ARRIVED IN TULSA......WILL LET YOU KNOW MORE ABOUT THE TRIP SOON.

GO POKES !

Joe and I are at the hospital tonight and Mark looks great. We are going to have a Beauty Night tonight so that he will look handsome for his trip home. I have shaved his left side and when they turn him in an hour I will shave his right side.

Today was the best day for Mark yet....he yawned about 10 times and during one of his yawns he did a big stretch with his body. He had his eyes opened a lot of the day so the nurses and I were very excited. He did not move any of upper portion, only his body and legs.

Diana...You are crazy, insane..you are always doing so much for our family and we love you sooo much. How do ya like the HAT? It's great! OMG,I do not believe you did all that for his hat, he will be proud. Also, the clothes are adorable, Erica loves horses! The nurses thought they were way cute too.
Well, I was glad to be able to share some good news today, keep on praying.

Isaiah 53:5 "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed".

It is a good day!

Corale

SATURDAY NIGHT HOSPITAL VISIT

I went to see Mark last evening, but before I went to the hospital I went to look for what seemed to be an impossible quest. I began a search for an OSU hat in the city of Dallas, Texas. Corale had been wanting a hat for him and I felt that he need this hat for his ride home to Tulsa. I visited 4 stores in the mall with no luck. As I was leaving, I looked down over the railing and saw a little stand in the middle of the isle. From the upper level I could see an OSU hat, so like a maniac I
yelled to the girl "is that OSU hat an X-large?" Of course she couldn't hear me so I yelled again "is that OSU hat an X-large?". Now we were both frustrated, so I said
"never mind I'll be down." I made my way down to the store only to find that the hat
was a youth hat. She called her other store in the Galleria mall and found that they had one extra large OSU hat. It is now 8:30 p.m. and I have 30 minutes to get across
town, run up three levels of the mall, and find a place that I don't even know where it is. So I drove like the other idiots here in Dallas, racing on the highway, and made it to the mall and up the levels with 4 minutes left before they closed. I focused in on the hat and grabbed it, just in case someone else was looking to buy the last OSU hat in Dallas.

While I was in line to buy the hat there was a young man in front of me about 19-20 years of age. He had a scar extending up from his ear to his temple. He was well built so my fist thought was that he was a soldier that had returned home injured.
I struck up a conversation with him. "Are you a soldier?" I asked. The young man
chuckled. The young man replied, "I guess you could say I am a soldier but not the kind you think I am". I told him that I saw his scar and knew he had recently had a surgery. "Oh, he said. The young man continued to tell me his story which turned out to be his testimony to God. He had gotten in a fight and had a blood clot in his brain. While recovering in the hospital he came to know the Lord and now is a soldier for God. I told him about Mark. The young man said "I will pray for Mark, and remember this, What man can not do God can".

So when you see Mark in his bright OSU hat.........let it be a reminder..........
that even in our everyday hustle and bustle........God is with us.

July 1 - Dad

This is something I've found, that reminds me of Mark - "ONLY A DAD - Only a dad - with a tired face, coming home from the daily race, bringing little gold or fame, to show how well he has played the game, but great in his heart that his own rejoice to see him coming, and to hear his voice. Only a dad - with a brood of four, one of ten million men or more, plodding along in the daily strife, bearing the whips and the scorns of life, with never a whimper of pain or hate for the sake of those who at home await". I know how much of a struggle this has been - but you must know how many friends you have, how many miss you, and how many prayers and well wishes have been sent to you. Love from all of us - Dad