Happy Birthday Mark & Kim

Oct 14 1965 - Mark came to us. Oct 14 1967 - his sister Kim was born. We were so fortunate to have these two with us. Mark has endured many painful procedures in the last year. He is still struggling, but slowly improving. Regaining strength, recalling words, and still able to smile. His wife Corale and children Chris, Joseph and Erica will bring Mark to Collinsville today, for a dinner out, his first since he was stricken. His friends and family have been invited to the Silver Dollar Cafe at 6:30 to see Mark again. For Mark, for all the family, it has been the most difficult time in our life. We all pray for the courage, strength, and patience to get through this. A special word of thanks from me to Linda for always being there for Mark, for me.

Happy Father's Day

Mark on his way to a cook out at my brother Scott's house! Had a great time.

Prom Night Cont......

Graduation Day....2008

This is my niece on Prom night. Her and Derek are from Broken Arrow. Very Proud Monica! Good Luck in School!

I 'm Back.........

Sorry to all I have not Blogged in quite some time. With Mark, therapists, kids, school being out and starting a healthy coffee buisness.... have been very busy. I am going to try and catch things up as best I can. You will have to read back a while however.

Thank You all for your faithfulness in reading Mark's Blog, I enjoy the comments everyone has.

Here is a picture of me and my 2 BIG brother's.

18 years ago.....

Happy 18th Anniversary Mark!!!!

I Love You Mark ....

Today is our 18th Wedding Anniversary! We are spending the day at Zale Lipshy, not really my idea of a romantic hotel room...LOL

I guess Mark wanted to know if I really meant my vows. for better or worse and in sickness and in health.....all I can say is YES, I meant every word.

I look forward to the next 18......Love Coral

April 10 & 11th

Mark is still doing great! He is becoming stronger everyday. They thought that the filter in him stomach to prevent blood clots to going to the legs had closed off and if this had happened, he would have had to have surgery again. Specialists found it was the vein next to the filter had collapsed. They usually remove these filters at 6 months, however with Mark they will leave it in permantly.

His blood pressure is 113/76 and his blood sugar is also good.

He is getting up daily, today they put him in his chair, the pt was very surprised at his strength and trunk control, this made pivot transfers much easier.

The wound care nurse came in and checked the sore and it looks great and so does his colostomy. This was a relief for me...we have spent almost a year healing that wound.

Plans are for the bone to be placed back in his head this summer....Prayerfully, the last trip to as my dad says "The Holyland" Longhorn Country...LOL

Mark will be returning home on Monday....

April 9th...

Mark has returned to the 5th floor. He is doing much better today, we finnally have gotten him to eat and drink. His strength seems to be coming back. The pt had him in a chair for a few hours (I am worried about his bedsore...).

Back to the 5th floor !!!!!Yeahhh

It is Tuesday morning and the orders are to move Mark back to the 5th floor today, they plan to keep him here for a couple of days for monitoring. He is doing well, just weak and healing after surgery. His head is quit sunken now. The doctors seem to want to place the bone back in 3-4 months. This will allow for even quicker recovery. I am blessed God has been working his healing powers on Mark.

Today Our friend Karen from Texas came to visit and took me for a great lunch at my favorite "Pappasitos". Oh......it was wonderful again! She also blessed me with a very nice prayer for Mark, some delicious cookies from a famous bakery and also bubbles and lotion. I had a awesome day.....The bubbles were perfect for my bath at the hotel.

Jerimiah 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusts in the Lord. And whose hope is the Lord.
This is today's verse from a dear friend Karen....she text's me verses on my cell every morning. It is so nice to wake up to Gods word, a great way to begin the day. Her day begins, earlier than mine.....LOL

Mark in ICU..

Yesterday, Mark was still vomiting and so they emptied his stomach through a tube in his nose. He still was sick some, but not as much. His blood pressure was rising and his oxygen level was decreasing. We were busy all night and day with him, trying to get him to eat or drink, with no avail.

About 5pm they decided to take him to ICU. They are giving him more respitory care and doing x-ray's, scans and blood tests. We are still unsure what is really up with him. I was told it is may be his body having a harder time than most in accepting the shunt and taking his brain longer to re-wire itself.

I called our cousin Diana, she lives in Plano and was on her way home from Austin. Her son was married Saturday. She was gracious to come pick me up and take be to Hawthorn Suites....home away from home...LOL She had my other cousin David with her, it was great to see him, however her mom was waiting in Plano for her to arrive so they could take David back to Preston, OK. What a day....

I walked in my room and there awaited a bed from HEAVEN. I took a nice hot bath and slept in, of course...(calling ICU serveral times checking on my sweet Mark, they said he is doing fine)

I didn't even answer my phone(whoever you were...please understand...LOL) I spent some time reading through Marks Bible and all the notes and markings. I would like to share one that he marked and read, he dated it 1-25-07, just a few months before his TBI.

Psalm 61 & 62 : "A Prayer when Overwhelmed": Hear my cry, O'God; attend unto my prayer
2)From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed;lead me to a rock that is higher than I. 3)For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. 4)For I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever; I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah
5)For thou, OGod, hast heard my vows; thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name. 6)Thou wilt prolong the King's life:and his years as many generations. 7)He shall abide before God for ever;O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him. 8) So will I sing praise unti thy name for ever,that I may daily perform my vows.

62:6 He only is my rock and my salvation:he is my defense;I shall not be moved. 8) God is a refuge for us

I find great comfort in God's word and Mark did also.

Here are before and after pics of the bed. It was a slice of Heaven!

Hangin in there....

Mark had an ok night, he vomited again a few times and also this morning. He has been sleeping mostly. They did an e-ray of his stomach this morning to make sure the end of the shunt is still in place, have not heard the results as of yet.

He has not been eating very well and now not drinking....the nurse said she was going to let the doctor know and see what we need to do. He will not really wake up when I try to get him to, the only time I see him waken is if he is in pain in his head and he is just groggy. I am hopeing this is normal after the surgery. They said it was a simple surgery and he could go home in a day or two, I guess I should know by now......life after surgery is a roller coaster ride and just to be prepared for anything. God knows and will continue to perform his works. Please keep him in your prayers.

God's timing...

Mark was scheduled to return home today, we had transportation issues and ended up having to stay til Monday. I had just called Mark's dad and told him the news and that although it would be nice to come home, everything happens for a reason....Maybe he is not supposed to go today.
After the call, I began to unpack and noticed Mark acting odd. He began having a big siezure and he was turning blue and foaming at the mouth....I was terrified. I ran into the hall yelling for help and many came to see what was up. It took 2 hours for 8 nurses to get an IV in him during this time he had to vomit quit a bit and so they put a tube in his nose to give him anti-siezure meds, hopeing he could keep them down and also started him on oxygen and heart monitor. I was thanking the Lord we had not been on our way home. The pictures below with the nose tube are after his siezure. Continue in prayer....

Another Big Step

Mark is in Dallas at Zale Lipshy Hospital. They did a procedure this morning to install a shunt in his head, to relieve pressure. His wife Corale reports all went well. He was awake and alert after surgery. The surgeon was satisfied with the procedure, and said it should improve Mark's cognitive skills. Corale said they expect to be able to return home soon, in a day or two, to celebrate their daughter's 11th birthday which is today. The very pretty tulips are from Natasha (She is a service desk attendant) She was here a year ago when Mark had his first surgery, at that time she brought us roses twice over that month...It is amazing how much cheer flowers bring. She is a sweetheart.

Today , my dad came to visit us in Texas and he took me to lunch at "Pappasitos" I Love my Dad! Had a very nice time and he said some very nice prayers over Mark...

Mom is watching over you..........

Chris and Tara......

Chris has been with Tara for some time now and she is a blessing to our family, they are soooo sweet together. The first picture is Christian's talent with computer skills....Gotta love emmm

Last of March

This will a brief update on Mark's progress. He started his physical rehabilitation at Neuro Specialists, but that had to be put on hold temporarily. He started having difficulties with headaches. They were reluctant to work with him until they explained his problem. On Saturday March the 22 Corale took Mark to St John hospital in Tulsa for an MRI. Neuro surgeon and other doctors examined him, and while they didn't reach a definite conclusion, they did think he should go back to Dallas. Corale obtained Mark's records and film and sent them to Zale Lipshy in Dallas. Their diagnosis was that Mark needed to return for another procedure. Mark will return to Dallas on Monday the 31. The plan is to install a shunt in his head to remove a surplus of fluid which is creating pressure that causes his severe headaches. Medical personnel at Zale Lipshy told Corale it is a procedure that they do often. Mark will be in Dallas for two or three days, and return home. Relieving the headache problem will enable Mark to return for further progress in his rehabilitation.

Progress

Mark has been accepted at Oklahoma Neuro Specialty. Starting Tuesday March 11, he will begin a comprehensive daily regimen of specialized outpatient therapy. His first week from the 11th to the 14th will be from 9:00 until 3:30. The second week will be Monday, with a pause on Tuesday the 18th for a scheduled appointment in Oklahoma City for eye check, and back again on Wednesday the 19th. Wednesday through Friday will be the regular 9:00 until 3:30. The third week will be a regular Monday through Friday. Treatment following brain injury requires proven therapeutic interventions to ensure optimal outcome. The program provides intensive therapy focused on functional outcomes. A structured and consistent treatment environment to promote neurobehavioral stabilization. Family involvement and education to ensure a successful return to home. Mark is approaching ten months in this struggle, but he is making good progress. We're with you Big Guy. We love you Mark!

Mark is Home

Chris and Joe fixed a great dinner for their dad's return home and Mark also enjoyed his new therapy bow and target.

Stacey you said this would happen...LOL

While we were at Jim Thorpe, Stacey (PT) talked us into getting an electric total lift for Mark at home, she said he WILL end up on the floor at some point and it will be better than calling the fire dept. to get him up.....Well Stacey......you were right....LOL LOL

Going to see ANNIE !

After Mark came home, his dad, sister and family and brother came to sit with Mark while me, my dad, my niece, erica and sophia (my other niece) went to the PAC to see the musical ANNIE. It was wonderful and we also went to eat at Copelands (to die for). It was a one of the best nights I have had in a long time......