MARK LEWIS DIXON: March 2008

Sunday, March 30, 2008

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

Saturday, March 29, 2008

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.

Sunday, March 9, 2008

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!

Monday, March 3, 2008

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.

How it all began.....

It all began on May 20th 2007, After Church in Tulsa, OK my family was working on the Church newsletter and Mark had gotten up to go to the bathroom. He was gone maybe 5 min. or so and the kids and I heard 3 strange groans, we thought Mark was joking around and my oldest son Christian went to see what was up and he came back to me and said something is wrong with dad. He had a strange look on his face and I asked him if he was serious or kidding around? (Mark & the kids are always joking around) He said he was laying on the floor his face was purple and he was biting his tounge. Corale screamed and ran up stairs to call the police. She waited till the police got there. I think that very moment tramatized my life. They arrived and they gave him oxygen, loaded him up, then took him to the hospital. I road home with my sister and my brother. My mom went with my dad to the hospital. The next day things seemed to be getting better with him.
Chris- ever since I was a kid I love my father with all of my heart. I looked up to him because he never favoured anybody. He always was neutral neither did he fight back nor did he win all the fights but he made them less harmful to both partys. I have had this though in my mind that my dad is invincable, he always overcame what the devil had thrown at him. God filled his life so much and effected all of us who were close t0 him, that you just get the though about him i don't know why, but i do. I then later realized that he was not invincable but through God it sure made him seem that way to me. When me and the rest of my family all got together one night he said he went to the doctor and had a MRI done and that he had a huge brain tumor. I then knew he was going to be fine because he can go through anything. They said he has had it since he was born and it just never busted. But he told us he could leave it alone and it might or might not bust until God calls him home or we could operate on it and rid of it once and for all. We all agreed to have the surgery done. Little did we all know how hard and devestating all of this would be. Seeing someone who you think is invincable all bloody, stitched up, half a skull missing, knocked out and kept alive by a drug induced coma completely changes that thought. Wondering will he live or not? Will God call him home and leave me fatherless? Well I have seen him at worlds worst and him completely happy coaching me and my brother (Joey) in sports spittin sunflower seeds (He loved those =P) He did everything with us sports, homework, love, family, when we were sick, even when you didn'd need him he was there. He is one of the few people i could trust and rely that he is there for me. My dad still alive but diffrent, he gets better and better everyday. Everyday I think to my self we all reap what we sew. I think that in my heart God has givin us and our family a big seed to sew, and when this seed sprouts life, the crop will be very much plentiful. So everyday i work my hardest with family, school, God, sports (track), and my social life. I watch as my dad become stronger, smarter, and better. After his sugery he was put in ICU and there he stayed for almost two months. He was bruised badly from the surgery. It hurt to see him that way. The only thing you could do was just sit and pray. After about 2 months he could open hid eyes a little bit, then he could smile, and squeeze your hand. That alone was enough to cheer me up. We stand by and watch God work his miracles everyday. We have had amazing Christmas's, Thanksgivings, Easters, New Years, and many other holidays with dad. Recently we took him on the Jim Thorpe Courage Run he did aweome! Afterwards we went to a hotel were we pushed him around in the swimming pool, ate out with him and he had no headaches, and didn't complain once! He is getting better and better everyday and i can't wait until he is at full potentcial once again!!!

MARK LEWIS DIXON