Last night (Thurs night) was a tough night. Mark had some interesting dreams that could be interpreted as "life flashing before your eyes", he woke up very disoriented. I got the girls up early, ready for school, loaded up in the van, packed overnight bags...just in case, and got Mark into the van. He was winded and hurting from just the few feet from the living room to the van. :(
We dropped the girls off in Hyrum with my mom to take to school, and to keep Amari for the day. We drove to the Huntsman again. Mark cannot talk when he is like this and so I listened to music and sang along but I swear every song was about someone in love who has to let go. Ugh.
When we were there on Tuesday, they took 2 liters of fluid from his right lung and said it was unsafe to take more. We were told it may return but it could be months or at the very worst, a week, before it got that bad again. I don't know why his condition deteriorated so quickly. In only 2 1/2 days an ultrasound confirmed his lung area was full of fluid. They drained over 3 liters today, and I don't know why it was safe to take that much today when it wasn't on Tuesday. They don't even have Tuesday's test results back yet.
Like I always do, I ask a lot of questions, so does Mark. The answer is usually "it depends", because Mark's cancer is so rare...who knows?
So many of you have reached out to us to serve us. I've been saying no to meals, but decided recently that it really is super-helpful, so for now I'll say yes. Nikki and Todd Oswald brought us dinners, so have Carrie Keen, and Helen Lundahl. Tonight Cindy Maughan brought us so many ready-to-eat meals, and groceries for anything the kids might want. She shared love and knowledge, and even put lotion on Mark's feet. Beck has come up for a few days to help out where she can. She loved on the kids and stayed with us. That's good medicine. Mark was actually feeling like getting out, so we surprisingly made it to the American Idol party. It was pure heaven to enjoy our good friends, our bacon-themed dinner (excellent!), some good love and laughter!! Britney Tyger gave Mark a foot rub for better circulation. The men (Todd, Mike and Tex) all helped Mark get to the car when his pain meds were running out and it was time to get home. It was really nice to laugh again.
So what's next?
Mark rests and heals up and stays as busy as he can without taxing his energy. If his lung fills again, we'll head back to the hospital. Next Wednesday there will be a permanent draining port placed under the skin under his right arm pit. We will be able to drain the fluid as needed. The sad part about this is that Mark is instructed not to go swimming with this port. He swims for comfort and rehabilitation. This is really a tough thing to ask of him.
I want to sincerely thank you all for your continued love and support. You don't have to post comments for us to feel that love. We know. It is what makes us able to keep going. I mean that. We love and thank you.
There is something profoundly beautiful about these dear sisters rubbing Mark's feet. It reminds me somewhat of the story of the woman washing Jesus feet with her tears and anointing them with oil in Luke 7. Also of the Savior washing the feet of his disciples. Not that these sisters should be considered sinners like the woman or Mark the Savior. Never the less we should all be a savior to someone. I know that Mark has been a savior to many in a lot of ways. These dear sisters serving Mark in a very Christ like manner makes me cry. I am excited to be there in a couple of weeks. I hope that I can have the opportunity administer to Mark and your family as others have done. Indeed, a beautiful heartache this is. Thank you for always sharing it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ben
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