Mark looks great today. He is having quite a bit of pain. He looks great though!!! They maxed out his paravertebral block dose and gave him an extra bolus today when the pain team was making rounds. That seemed to help. They also increased his narcotic dose. He can push a button and get a dose every 8 minutes and trust me he is getting it every 8 minutes. He is constantly pushing the button. We started timing it for him and telling him when he had 30 seconds left. He is a little loopy from all the drugs and still has his sense of humor through all of this. He is joking with us and the nurses.
We were all very impressed with watching him get up and into a chair at noon today. He pretty much just popped out of bed. He does whatever he is told. He just wants to get better.
His swelling is much better today. We were warned that he might be worse today, but instead he looks better. His face is less swollen, but he still has a lot of edema in the body and hands since they aren't elevated like his head.
Dr. Bartlett came to see Mark this morning. He usually doesn't make rounds since he does so many of the day long surgeries and is chief of surgery here. We were excited that he stopped by to see Mark. Words cannot express how I feel about that man. He has been a God send to our family.
Thanks for all the messages and support. We wouldn't have made it this far without everyone's encouragement and support. God bless!!!!!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
May 30-Final update of the day
Mark's surgery ended up being 10 hours by the time they closed him up. He spent the next several hours in the recovery room and then to ICU. We finally got to see him around 9pm tonight. He was awake although heavily sedated. He is doing great!!! They were able to get him off the ventilator and he is breathing on his own. The nurses told us his labs look better than 90% of the patient's that she sees with this procedure.
Mark is very swollen. They warned us he would be. He can hardly open his eyes with all of the edema. We jokingly told him he looks like Jabba the Hut. Matt keeps asking where the bee is that stung him. He still has his sense of humor.
We are all exhausted from a long day in the waiting room and are ready to crash for the night. We plan to get back to the hospital early in the morning to see Mark again.
Calen was thrilled with the news of his father and jumped for joy I'm told. He then hit a double and a single followed by a stolen base to second, third and then he stole home. He has called a few times to check on Mark and is just thrilled to hear about his dad.
I have been telling Mark about all of your messages on the blog since he can't read them yet. Once he is sitting up in a chair, we can take him the computer and he can read them for himself. Thanks so much to everyone for the support. We are just elated tonight. It is definitely an answered prayer for us. Praise God!!!!
Mark is very swollen. They warned us he would be. He can hardly open his eyes with all of the edema. We jokingly told him he looks like Jabba the Hut. Matt keeps asking where the bee is that stung him. He still has his sense of humor.
We are all exhausted from a long day in the waiting room and are ready to crash for the night. We plan to get back to the hospital early in the morning to see Mark again.
Calen was thrilled with the news of his father and jumped for joy I'm told. He then hit a double and a single followed by a stolen base to second, third and then he stole home. He has called a few times to check on Mark and is just thrilled to hear about his dad.
I have been telling Mark about all of your messages on the blog since he can't read them yet. Once he is sitting up in a chair, we can take him the computer and he can read them for himself. Thanks so much to everyone for the support. We are just elated tonight. It is definitely an answered prayer for us. Praise God!!!!
May 30-Surgery is over!!!!!!!!!
Mark is finally out of his 9 1/2 hour surgery. We were thrilled to hear from Dr. Bartlett that they think they got EVERYTHING!!!!!! They got out the primary tumor and the external tumor around the rectum and prostate without difficulty. They did have to do a temporary colostomy, but it will be for only 6 weeks. They resected the lymph nodes and they were all benign. No cancer in the lymph nodes. YEAH!!! The spots on the liver were not disease. They had spots on the diaphragm, pancreas, spleen and peritoneal seeds that were all removed successfully. These were all superficial spread of the tumor and not disease in the organs themselves. They completely removed the omentum (lining outside the stomach/intestines). They did have to take out some of the small bowel as well and another section of the large bowel. They took out his gallbladder and appendix and then did the heated chemo bath.
Mark is being closed up now. They should move him to the recovery room soon and then to ICU. He will remain on the ventilator tonight and they will keep him asleep, so he won't get all of this exciting news until the morning. We will have a big party in the ICU for him tomorrow. He will definitely be excited.
We were thrilled with the news from Dr. Bartlett. Thanks to all of you prayer warriors out there. There is a lot of power in prayer and I think we've witnessed that today. God bless!!!
Mark is being closed up now. They should move him to the recovery room soon and then to ICU. He will remain on the ventilator tonight and they will keep him asleep, so he won't get all of this exciting news until the morning. We will have a big party in the ICU for him tomorrow. He will definitely be excited.
We were thrilled with the news from Dr. Bartlett. Thanks to all of you prayer warriors out there. There is a lot of power in prayer and I think we've witnessed that today. God bless!!!
May 30-Surgery update
We just got another surgery update. Mark is 6 hours into the surgery. They are now starting the heated chemotherapy perfusion into the abdomen. They removed all the "seeds" or metastatic disease from the abdomen, but they didn't give us any specifics about the colon and what had to be done on the liver, prostate, rectum, etc. The chemo wash will take another 2 hours and hopefully he will be finished.
We should be getting the full update from the surgeon when they are finished. It sounds like God has been present in that OR today. Thanks so much for all the prayers today and every day since Mark's diagnosis. God bless!!!!
We should be getting the full update from the surgeon when they are finished. It sounds like God has been present in that OR today. Thanks so much for all the prayers today and every day since Mark's diagnosis. God bless!!!!
May 30-surgery
We are waiting on a second update. They called from the OR once about 3 hours ago and stated that they were a go and that Mark was stable, but didn't offer much else. They were going to call and update us every 3 hours (or at least try). Our 3 hours should be up in the next 10 minutes or so. We'll keep you posted as we know things.
We are saying a lot of prayers that God is working his magic in that room with the doctors and healing Mark's body of this cancer. God bless!!!!
We are saying a lot of prayers that God is working his magic in that room with the doctors and healing Mark's body of this cancer. God bless!!!!
May 30-Surgery has started
They started Mark's surgery an hour and 15 minutes ago (7:45am central). Since we haven't heard otherwise we are assuming all things are a go. They started with a scope to make sure they would procede with the entire surgery. Mark was doing great just before they took him back. They gave him good drugs and he was feeling good. He was calm and ready to go. They had already given him the paraspinal block as well. He was giving the nurses a hard time and had his sense of humor the entire time. They were laughing at him in the pre-op area.
Matt, Eugenie, my mom and I all got to go visit with him until they rolled him away.
We will keep you updated. God bless!!!!
Matt, Eugenie, my mom and I all got to go visit with him until they rolled him away.
We will keep you updated. God bless!!!!
May 30
Hi. It's surgery day. We are at the Family House. The hospital was completely full yesterday and Mark didn't get a room like planned. It actually kind of worked in our favor since he got to spend the entire day with all of us here instead of in a stuffy hospital room. Anyway, by 3pm I called the doctor's office and asked if we should be starting the bowel prep since we didn't have a room yet. They said this has never happened. We had to scramble to get to the pharmacy and pick up Rxs and bowel prep stuff. We got it all done and had an okay night. Not a lot of sleep. Mark is doing okay. He is nervous of course, but ready. It is 3:44 central time and we are headed across the street to get checked in. I will update as I can. Keep the prayers coming today. God bless!!!!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
May 29
Well, we're 1 day and counting. We went out last night and had our "last supper". It was Mark's last meal before surgery. We walked and found a neat little restaurant in the area and the food was wonderful. We are close to both Carnegie and Univ of Pittsburgh campuses, so there are some neat areas around here. We just walked back to the room and watched TV after dinner. I suggested we buy tickets to the Penguins game and Mark just cracked up laughing. Apparently they're playing for the Stanley Cup which is the equivalent of the World Series in baseball for those of you (like me) who don't follow hockey. Anyway, they were playing here and won last night. We didn't go!!
We've spoken to the kids a few times and they seem to be doing okay. It will be hard on them and us. Mark's parents are taking them to practices and caring for them in our absense.
Mark had his CT scan this morning at 7am Eastern and then we met with Dr. Bartlett and some of his partners who will be doing the surgery. They were surprised that the area around the bile duct that they were concerned about didn't look like there was tumor present. That was the area they were worried about initially. Maybe the last few rounds of chemo took care of it. They were a little concerned about some tumor outside the rectum that extends to the prostate and surrounds the ureter (urinary tube). It will now be the tricky spot. They will start with a scope as a precaution. Occasionally they get in and see more disease than the scan shows and they decide not to procede with surgery at all and it would save Mark a huge incision. They always do this as a precaution and we're not expecting this to happen in Mark's case. They expect anywhere from 10-14 days in the hospital if all goes well.
We are now back at the Family House and just waiting on the hospital to call us with our room assignment. Mark should be admitted anytime now and will spend the day over there doing his pre-op prep stuff. He is more calm today than I thought he would be. I think talking to Dr. Bartlett and his team reassured Mark that we are in the right place and in the right hands. Dr. Bartlett does more of these procedures than anyone else in the world. He is the nicest and most humble guy.
I will update as I can and will try to get in a few tomorrow. They should start surgery between 7:30 and 8:30 eastern time if all goes well and surgery could last anywhere from 5 to 10 hours depending on what they find and have to do.
Continue to pray for healing and a cure from this cancer. God bless!!!!
We've spoken to the kids a few times and they seem to be doing okay. It will be hard on them and us. Mark's parents are taking them to practices and caring for them in our absense.
Mark had his CT scan this morning at 7am Eastern and then we met with Dr. Bartlett and some of his partners who will be doing the surgery. They were surprised that the area around the bile duct that they were concerned about didn't look like there was tumor present. That was the area they were worried about initially. Maybe the last few rounds of chemo took care of it. They were a little concerned about some tumor outside the rectum that extends to the prostate and surrounds the ureter (urinary tube). It will now be the tricky spot. They will start with a scope as a precaution. Occasionally they get in and see more disease than the scan shows and they decide not to procede with surgery at all and it would save Mark a huge incision. They always do this as a precaution and we're not expecting this to happen in Mark's case. They expect anywhere from 10-14 days in the hospital if all goes well.
We are now back at the Family House and just waiting on the hospital to call us with our room assignment. Mark should be admitted anytime now and will spend the day over there doing his pre-op prep stuff. He is more calm today than I thought he would be. I think talking to Dr. Bartlett and his team reassured Mark that we are in the right place and in the right hands. Dr. Bartlett does more of these procedures than anyone else in the world. He is the nicest and most humble guy.
I will update as I can and will try to get in a few tomorrow. They should start surgery between 7:30 and 8:30 eastern time if all goes well and surgery could last anywhere from 5 to 10 hours depending on what they find and have to do.
Continue to pray for healing and a cure from this cancer. God bless!!!!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
May 28
Well, we're here in Pittsburgh!!!!! We made it and we're in our room at the Family House. The flight was uneventful. We sat behind Phil Stacey (he was on American Idol) on the plane which was pretty neat. We are staying in room 404 and I posted the address earlier on the blog. Our direct number to the room is 412-802-4866 and I think you can leave voice messages if we're not here.
Matt, Eugenie and Sue (my mom) are flying in tomorrow to join us. We are gearing up for a big day tomorrow and an even bigger day Friday with the actual surgery.
Last night Calen had a rough time and cried for nearly an hour. He just wore himself out. He wants to be here with his dad so bad and doesn't understand why he can't come. It's very hard on him. Colton had his episode this morning while we were saying goodbye and he cried and cried and then we were all crying. We got back in the car and Emily was crying. It was awful. I think it will be a long few weeks away from the kids.
Continue to keep Mark in your prayers. Thanks for all the love and support. God bless!!!!!
Matt, Eugenie and Sue (my mom) are flying in tomorrow to join us. We are gearing up for a big day tomorrow and an even bigger day Friday with the actual surgery.
Last night Calen had a rough time and cried for nearly an hour. He just wore himself out. He wants to be here with his dad so bad and doesn't understand why he can't come. It's very hard on him. Colton had his episode this morning while we were saying goodbye and he cried and cried and then we were all crying. We got back in the car and Emily was crying. It was awful. I think it will be a long few weeks away from the kids.
Continue to keep Mark in your prayers. Thanks for all the love and support. God bless!!!!!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
May 27
3 days from surgery and counting. I am taking a break from packing to update. We are feeling a little anxious now. Mark spent the afternoon out fishing. He is trying to keep himself occupied so as not to think about the surgery too much. I worked today and started feeling a lot of anxiety as well.
We will be packing and getting things together tonight and saying bye to the kids. We will leave very early in the morning for the Atlanta airport. We will drop the boys off early for baseball camp before we go and take Emily in to her "school". Father Bill is coming by tonight for a visit which is very nice.
As always, keep Mark in your thoughts and prayers. I will update as much as possible. Friday will probably be an all day surgery if all goes as planned. God bless you all!!!
We will be packing and getting things together tonight and saying bye to the kids. We will leave very early in the morning for the Atlanta airport. We will drop the boys off early for baseball camp before we go and take Emily in to her "school". Father Bill is coming by tonight for a visit which is very nice.
As always, keep Mark in your thoughts and prayers. I will update as much as possible. Friday will probably be an all day surgery if all goes as planned. God bless you all!!!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
May 25
Wow we are only 5 days away from surgery!!!! It is going quick!! This has been a very busy week for us. The kids had their last day of school Friday and later that evening was Colton's last baseball game with the parks and rec team. They played well and won and we had their party right after the game. We really had a great year. We travelled to Alex City Saturday morning for Colton to play in a baseball tournament. Their team did well and made 2nd place. They had a blast playing. Calen's team, meanwhile, was playing in Hoover. We left Colton's games and drove to Hoover and stayed the night and watched more tournament games Sunday. It was hot and busy, but we all had fun. There was a playground for Emily so she was in heaven.
Mark's parents made it in Friday night just in time for baseball games and they haven't stopped watching baseball since. I'm sure they're glad to be back here and resting in the AC. haha
Mark is feeling well. He has some tummy issues intermittantly and is getting anxious about surgery, but is just ready to do it and get it behind him. We leave Wednesday morning for the Atlanta airport and things will be in motion from there. We start Thursday morning at 7am with a CT scan in Pittsburg.
I am busy making lists of things to pack and do before we leave. I am also making a calendar of all of the kids activities for the grandparents while we're gone. I hope and pray things in Pittsburgh and here in Auburn go smoothly.
Some of you have been asking for the address of the hospital and it is:
UPMC Shadyside
5230 Centre Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15232-1381
The address for the Family House where I will be is:
Family House
5245 Centre Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Once again the prayer pager number is 334-729-0152.
I will do my best while we're gone to keep this updated for everyone. I think they will have wireless internet access. If not, I will get a family member to do it for me. Keep Mark in your prayers as always and thanks for all the support. God bless!!!
Mark's parents made it in Friday night just in time for baseball games and they haven't stopped watching baseball since. I'm sure they're glad to be back here and resting in the AC. haha
Mark is feeling well. He has some tummy issues intermittantly and is getting anxious about surgery, but is just ready to do it and get it behind him. We leave Wednesday morning for the Atlanta airport and things will be in motion from there. We start Thursday morning at 7am with a CT scan in Pittsburg.
I am busy making lists of things to pack and do before we leave. I am also making a calendar of all of the kids activities for the grandparents while we're gone. I hope and pray things in Pittsburgh and here in Auburn go smoothly.
Some of you have been asking for the address of the hospital and it is:
UPMC Shadyside
5230 Centre Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15232-1381
The address for the Family House where I will be is:
Family House
5245 Centre Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Once again the prayer pager number is 334-729-0152.
I will do my best while we're gone to keep this updated for everyone. I think they will have wireless internet access. If not, I will get a family member to do it for me. Keep Mark in your prayers as always and thanks for all the support. God bless!!!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
May 20
We got lab results back and Mark's cancer marker (CEA number) fell back to 3.4 with normal being less than 3. We were very glad to hear the news since his marker had trended upward the last 2 times. It actually fell being OFF the chemo. Go figure!!! Anyway, his amylase number was elevated some and his lipase was upper limit of normal. Those are the pancreatic enzymes. We didn't hear anything from Pittsburgh today saying they would hold surgery for these numbers, so hopefully we're still a go for the 30th. The rest of his labs looked great!!!!
We're getting anxious about the upcoming surgery. There is much to be done between now and the time we leave so it feels like forever, but it will be here before we know it. We pray hard that this will bring Mark one step closer to being cured. We have a lot of faith in Dr. Bartlett and his staff and we pray that they are the answer we need for Mark.
Mark is feeling better today. He is still having some abdominal discomfort intermittantly. He looks great and for those of you who don't see him regularly, you would never guess him to be sick or to have just gone through 6 months of chemotherapy. It's truly amazing. (I attribute it to all the vitamins and protein smoothies I make him take, hahahaha) , but seriously he does look great!!!!
Continue to keep Mark lifted up in your prayers. We feel very blessed to have such great friends and family supporting us through this difficult journey. God bless!!!!
We're getting anxious about the upcoming surgery. There is much to be done between now and the time we leave so it feels like forever, but it will be here before we know it. We pray hard that this will bring Mark one step closer to being cured. We have a lot of faith in Dr. Bartlett and his staff and we pray that they are the answer we need for Mark.
Mark is feeling better today. He is still having some abdominal discomfort intermittantly. He looks great and for those of you who don't see him regularly, you would never guess him to be sick or to have just gone through 6 months of chemotherapy. It's truly amazing. (I attribute it to all the vitamins and protein smoothies I make him take, hahahaha) , but seriously he does look great!!!!
Continue to keep Mark lifted up in your prayers. We feel very blessed to have such great friends and family supporting us through this difficult journey. God bless!!!!
Monday, May 19, 2008
May 19
Hello. It was quite a hectic weekend for us. Mark went on a fishing trip Saturday while Calen spent the day with the Weaver's in Alexander City and I took Colton to his baseball game and later practice here in Auburn. Emily stayed with Colton and I and played all day at the ball park. We got a little too much sun, but had a good time. We were exhausted to say the least. A big thank you to Kim Key for bringing us a delicious dinner Saturday night. It was great not having to cook after a busy day like that. The food was great!!!! Mark was absolutely worn out and not feeling well after the trip and spent all evening Saturday and all day Sunday in bed for the most part. He didn't eat at all Sunday. I think he's finally starting to recover.
Today was Mark's last appointment with Dr. Farmer before our trip to Pittsburgh. It was unusual going in to the office and not receiving chemo. He had all of his pre op labs drawn. We will get results tomorrow. She was upbeat about the surgery and will be ready to restart the chemo when we return from Pittsburgh. She is probably going to switch his chemo regimens for the post surgery chemo since the neuropathy is so bad. We'll discuss all of that again when we return from Pittsburgh.
Colton had another game tonight. They lost badly. I think the final score was 11-1. They have one final game Friday. He starts playing with a travel ball team this weekend. Saturday will be their first tournament. I'm glad Mark and I will get to see one before we leave. Colton is excited about that.
Mark continues to get many pages on his prayer pager which is comforting. We can't thank everyone enough for all of the support and prayers. The cards, calls and well wishes are all appreciated. God bless!!!
Today was Mark's last appointment with Dr. Farmer before our trip to Pittsburgh. It was unusual going in to the office and not receiving chemo. He had all of his pre op labs drawn. We will get results tomorrow. She was upbeat about the surgery and will be ready to restart the chemo when we return from Pittsburgh. She is probably going to switch his chemo regimens for the post surgery chemo since the neuropathy is so bad. We'll discuss all of that again when we return from Pittsburgh.
Colton had another game tonight. They lost badly. I think the final score was 11-1. They have one final game Friday. He starts playing with a travel ball team this weekend. Saturday will be their first tournament. I'm glad Mark and I will get to see one before we leave. Colton is excited about that.
Mark continues to get many pages on his prayer pager which is comforting. We can't thank everyone enough for all of the support and prayers. The cards, calls and well wishes are all appreciated. God bless!!!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
May 15
Well, this has certainly been a busy week for us. It's just crazy!!!! I think with Mark's upcoming surgery and then all of the end of school things going on we've been overwhelmed. Thank goodness the weekend is just around the corner. Mark is doing well. He is ready for the surgery. He is eating well and taking his vitamins like he's supposed to.
Mark's aunt Louise came in yesterday from New Orleans for a short visit. It was great of her to make the trip and we enjoyed seeing her. Emily really took to her and loved aunt Louise as did the boys!!! We had a great dinner last night and then met again for breakfast this morning before she had to leave today.
Mark has been going in to the office daily just like usual before starting chemo. I think he enjoys that and is looking forward to the day he can do it permanently. He really does look great!!!
I drafted our appeal letter to Blue Cross Blue Shield tonight. That is what Pittsburgh recommended we do about their denial of treatment. We will see where that gets us. I don't think that Pittsburgh has had a lot of problems with other insurers paying, so we'll see where we get.
The kids are excited about having only 6 days of school left. Colton is taking Leppy (the guinea pig) to school with him tomorrow and is super excited.
Continue to pray for Mark. We have had a lot of pages on the prayer pager. The sound of it is now very comforting. At first I would wonder what was beeping, but now it makes me feel good. Again the number is 334-729-0152 if you want to use it. Also pray that the Ripleys got good news today in Pittsburgh. They were seeing Dr. Bartlett as well to see if Bob would be a surgery candidate. God bless!!!
Mark's aunt Louise came in yesterday from New Orleans for a short visit. It was great of her to make the trip and we enjoyed seeing her. Emily really took to her and loved aunt Louise as did the boys!!! We had a great dinner last night and then met again for breakfast this morning before she had to leave today.
Mark has been going in to the office daily just like usual before starting chemo. I think he enjoys that and is looking forward to the day he can do it permanently. He really does look great!!!
I drafted our appeal letter to Blue Cross Blue Shield tonight. That is what Pittsburgh recommended we do about their denial of treatment. We will see where that gets us. I don't think that Pittsburgh has had a lot of problems with other insurers paying, so we'll see where we get.
The kids are excited about having only 6 days of school left. Colton is taking Leppy (the guinea pig) to school with him tomorrow and is super excited.
Continue to pray for Mark. We have had a lot of pages on the prayer pager. The sound of it is now very comforting. At first I would wonder what was beeping, but now it makes me feel good. Again the number is 334-729-0152 if you want to use it. Also pray that the Ripleys got good news today in Pittsburgh. They were seeing Dr. Bartlett as well to see if Bob would be a surgery candidate. God bless!!!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
May 13
Hello. We are in the countdown for take off to Pittsburgh. We fly out 2 weeks from tomorrow. I keep praying that all goes well and that Dr. Bartlett is able to remove all of Mark's cancer. We could stand for some great news like that!!!!! It has been quite the journey for us since October 16th. We are coming up on the 7th month since Mark's initial diagnosis and life has not been the same since that moment in time. We've been through a lot and are ready to make this next part of the journey. It's hard to describe all the ways living with cancer changes you, but it does in so many ways. It would be nice for all of us to be able to move into the next phase of our lives, Mark in remission. We will pray hard for that!!!!!
Mark has been a little frustrated with the way he's feeling. He doesn't feel terrible, but he was definitely hoping to be better without the chemo on board. He still wears out very easily and sometimes just has to lay down and sleep. His hands bother him a lot with the neuropathy and little things are painful. He's dealing with it the best he can. He has managed to do a little fishing and golfing. He says his golfing game was terrible because his grip is off with the neuropathy. (I guess we'll give him that one).
That kids are doing well. The definitely keep me busy with sports and homework. Only 8 more days of school. YEAH!!!!
Thanks to all of you who continue to call Mark's prayer pager. It is great to know that there are so many of you praying for Mark and our family. We couldn't get through this without all the love and support we've had. God bless!!!!!!
Mark has been a little frustrated with the way he's feeling. He doesn't feel terrible, but he was definitely hoping to be better without the chemo on board. He still wears out very easily and sometimes just has to lay down and sleep. His hands bother him a lot with the neuropathy and little things are painful. He's dealing with it the best he can. He has managed to do a little fishing and golfing. He says his golfing game was terrible because his grip is off with the neuropathy. (I guess we'll give him that one).
That kids are doing well. The definitely keep me busy with sports and homework. Only 8 more days of school. YEAH!!!!
Thanks to all of you who continue to call Mark's prayer pager. It is great to know that there are so many of you praying for Mark and our family. We couldn't get through this without all the love and support we've had. God bless!!!!!!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
May 11
Hello everyone. Just a quick weekend update. Friday we got a letter from Blue Cross/Blue Shield saying they were not covering the heated chemo part of Mark's surgery. They don't give a reason other than it's not a covered benefit, but it took them quite a long time to review it. Anyway, we will have to check with Pittsburgh and work something out with them. Blue Cross will not decide until AFTER the surgery whether or not they will cover the surgery itself. It must be nice being able to run a business like that!!! I shouldn't complain as they've been good to us this far in Mark's treatments. Anyway, just to add a little more stress to an already stressful situation.....
On to more upbeat things, we made it to the cookout Saturday at lake Martin. We got the boat out there without a hitch. We all had a great time. The kids played in the water, went tubing, and played horse shoes. It was nice visiting with the old tailgate group again as well. As we were ready to leave and get the boat loaded for the trip home, Mark's keys went missing. Yes, the entire group was looking for them but we couldn't find them anywhere. Finally, we left the boat at the Gropper's place and caught a ride home with the Padgett's. Luckily the keys turned up today in someone's purse (we won't name names, but I promise it wasn't mine). We were able to get the boat back home today.
This morning was Colton's First Communion at chruch and he was very excited. He looked very handsome as did all the boys and the girls were all so beautiful. It was a nice mass and they had a reception for them afterwards. After the service, we went to the Padgett's house for a cookout and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Thanks Dan and Lisa for the hospitality!!!!
Mark has been feeling pretty good through all of this. The neuropathy is still quite difficult for him. He has to ask people to open his beverage cans for him and has to use a foam huggy/koozie to be able to hold his drink. He still has difficulty with buttons, tying his shoes is difficult and zippers are even a pain. His feet hurt with short bouts of walking. We just pray that all of the side effects are for good cause and that a cure is around the corner for him. We met a very neat lady in the Cancer Center a few weeks ago who is several years in remission now. She said she hates to complain about the residual side effects of her chemo because it got her to this point. Hopefully Mark will say the same thing soon. He is getting a lot of pages on his prayer pager. Thanks to all of you who pray for him daily. There is a lot of power in prayer. God bless!!!!!
On to more upbeat things, we made it to the cookout Saturday at lake Martin. We got the boat out there without a hitch. We all had a great time. The kids played in the water, went tubing, and played horse shoes. It was nice visiting with the old tailgate group again as well. As we were ready to leave and get the boat loaded for the trip home, Mark's keys went missing. Yes, the entire group was looking for them but we couldn't find them anywhere. Finally, we left the boat at the Gropper's place and caught a ride home with the Padgett's. Luckily the keys turned up today in someone's purse (we won't name names, but I promise it wasn't mine). We were able to get the boat back home today.
This morning was Colton's First Communion at chruch and he was very excited. He looked very handsome as did all the boys and the girls were all so beautiful. It was a nice mass and they had a reception for them afterwards. After the service, we went to the Padgett's house for a cookout and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Thanks Dan and Lisa for the hospitality!!!!
Mark has been feeling pretty good through all of this. The neuropathy is still quite difficult for him. He has to ask people to open his beverage cans for him and has to use a foam huggy/koozie to be able to hold his drink. He still has difficulty with buttons, tying his shoes is difficult and zippers are even a pain. His feet hurt with short bouts of walking. We just pray that all of the side effects are for good cause and that a cure is around the corner for him. We met a very neat lady in the Cancer Center a few weeks ago who is several years in remission now. She said she hates to complain about the residual side effects of her chemo because it got her to this point. Hopefully Mark will say the same thing soon. He is getting a lot of pages on his prayer pager. Thanks to all of you who pray for him daily. There is a lot of power in prayer. God bless!!!!!
Friday, May 9, 2008
May 9
Hello. A quick update. All is well in the Bertus household. We continue to count down the days until Mark's surgery. 3 weeks from today he will be in surgery. We continue to pray that Dr. Bartlett and his team will be able to remove all the cancer from Mark's body and that the heated chemo will take care of the rest. We have one last appointment with Dr. Farmer before we leave and that will be on May 19th.
Christy and Jason Price stopped by last night and brought Mark a prayer pager. It is a pager that Mark keeps and it beeps to let Mark know that someone has just prayed for him. If you would like to use it to let Mark know you are praying for him, you just dial 334-729-0152 and follow the instructions (I think you just dial 111 and hang up). It is pretty special to know that you are being thought of and prayed for all through the day and night by so many. He will keep it through his surgery, so feel free to use it whenever you want to reach out to him and let him know you care. Thanks Christy and Jason!!!
Mark brought the boat to our house from the lake as we are taking it to lake Harding this weekend for a cookout. Of course, it rained while here so Mark had to purchase a boat cover. The salesperson gave him the wrong size and watching Mark try to put it on resembled a Clark Grizwold scene from Christmas vacation. It was pretty hysterical (not to Mark of course). He ended up taking the cover back and getting the correct size. It was much easier to put on the second time. Anyway..... a bit of humor from our house to yours.
God bless!!!!
Christy and Jason Price stopped by last night and brought Mark a prayer pager. It is a pager that Mark keeps and it beeps to let Mark know that someone has just prayed for him. If you would like to use it to let Mark know you are praying for him, you just dial 334-729-0152 and follow the instructions (I think you just dial 111 and hang up). It is pretty special to know that you are being thought of and prayed for all through the day and night by so many. He will keep it through his surgery, so feel free to use it whenever you want to reach out to him and let him know you care. Thanks Christy and Jason!!!
Mark brought the boat to our house from the lake as we are taking it to lake Harding this weekend for a cookout. Of course, it rained while here so Mark had to purchase a boat cover. The salesperson gave him the wrong size and watching Mark try to put it on resembled a Clark Grizwold scene from Christmas vacation. It was pretty hysterical (not to Mark of course). He ended up taking the cover back and getting the correct size. It was much easier to put on the second time. Anyway..... a bit of humor from our house to yours.
God bless!!!!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
May 6
Mark's test went well this morning. It was uneventful, but uncomfortable for Mark and he's glad it's over. He was finished in enough time to make it for the Biscuits game although he was a little late. He decided to check Colton out of school early and they made it a guys day at the ballpark. I think they had a good time despite the Biscuits giving up the game in the 9th inning. Both the boys came back with hats and shirts and pink cheeks (even though they say they put on sunscreen).
We took a short walk in the neighborhood tonight. Mark wants to start getting his strength built back up. He was pretty worn out from the test and the game, so we didn't go far.
Continue to pray for Mark's healing. God bless!!!!
We took a short walk in the neighborhood tonight. Mark wants to start getting his strength built back up. He was pretty worn out from the test and the game, so we didn't go far.
Continue to pray for Mark's healing. God bless!!!!
Monday, May 5, 2008
May 5
Things are starting to settle down a bit in the Bertus household. Knowing that there isn't any chemo in the near future is a blessing for Mark. It just makes you feel good. We are anxiously counting down the weeks until surgery now. It will be here soon. Mark has a not so fun test scheduled tomorrow morning at the hospital as part of the pre-op evaluation. He is hoping to join Calen in Montgomery after the test for the Biscuits game. Calen's school is going there on a field trip tomorrow. It will be a nice outing for the guys.
Colton had a baseball game tonight. They won it by 1 point. Their team has definitely improved this season. Calen had a baseball tournament this past weekend in Auburn and their team took 2nd place. They also did well.
Not much going on this week. We pray for Mark to feel good during this chemo break so that he can get out and play a little before the upcoming surgery. Continue to keep Mark lifted up in your prayers. We can't thank you enough for all the support. God bless!!!!!
Colton had a baseball game tonight. They won it by 1 point. Their team has definitely improved this season. Calen had a baseball tournament this past weekend in Auburn and their team took 2nd place. They also did well.
Not much going on this week. We pray for Mark to feel good during this chemo break so that he can get out and play a little before the upcoming surgery. Continue to keep Mark lifted up in your prayers. We can't thank you enough for all the support. God bless!!!!!
Saturday, May 3, 2008
May 3
Hello. Mark is starting to feel more like himself. He had a rough day Thursday and Friday he wasn't up to par yet. The last round of Oxaliplatin really did a number on the peripheral neuropathy and his hands and feet are burning. He was having difficulty even holding the phone up on Thursday and Friday. He's doing a little better, but it hasn't been much fun. That should be his last round of the Oxaliplatin altogether. His neuropathy has progressed to the point that we will have to change chemo regimens after surgery.
Colton's school had thier annual Bash N Dash on Friday. Mark had planned to go, but just couldn't make it out. Colton ran in the 1 mile race and came in 3rd in his age group. We were very proud of him. The kids all had a great time.
We woke early this morning for Calen's baseball tournament here in Auburn. They started their first game, but it got rained out in the middle of it. They will resume tournament play tomorrow. Colton was supposed to have a make up game from a previous rainout today and it also got rained out.
Mark is feeling better today, so hopefully this is this is the beginning of several weeks of recovery time before his surgery. I know he is planning to play some golf and go fishing.
Thanks for all the support and God bless!!!
Colton's school had thier annual Bash N Dash on Friday. Mark had planned to go, but just couldn't make it out. Colton ran in the 1 mile race and came in 3rd in his age group. We were very proud of him. The kids all had a great time.
We woke early this morning for Calen's baseball tournament here in Auburn. They started their first game, but it got rained out in the middle of it. They will resume tournament play tomorrow. Colton was supposed to have a make up game from a previous rainout today and it also got rained out.
Mark is feeling better today, so hopefully this is this is the beginning of several weeks of recovery time before his surgery. I know he is planning to play some golf and go fishing.
Thanks for all the support and God bless!!!
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