Hello to everyone. Mark hasn't been doing well. He continues to decline. He does have a bowel obstruction. He hasn't had anything move in many days now. His abdomen is hard and distended. He was initially having a lot of pain, but the last 2 days he actually seems more comfortable. He is less awake and just seems to be in less pain. When he is awake, he doesn't really complain and takes less of his pain medications. He is looking jaundiced. He doesn't eat and drinks a little.
Today was Emily's 5th birthday. She was quite excited this morning as James, our elf, decorated the house for her birthday. It was really cute. She got a cute party headband and button to wear. She opened presents and we got Chili's takeout for lunch and we plan to have cake and ice cream later. I didn't plan a party for her with her friends yet. I figured I might wait until January to do that. Things have just been so day by day and it is hard to make any plans right now. We will see.
I am trying to get my Christmas shopping done. It is hard to get out and do that, but it is slowly getting done. I might even finish.
Thanks for all the support. We have made it this far because of so many of you helping us with prayers, love and friendship. God couldn't have put us in any better of a place than Auburn, AL. I ask for continued prayers for Mark that he be free of pain and feel God's presence. God bless you all!!!!
12 comments:
We all wish so much that there is more we could do, but just know that all of you are in our prayers. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Calen, Colton, Emily and you Ronda as you face such a terrible disease. You all have been so strong through this all and kept faith and hope. We pray that Mark will find peace from pain and suffering during this season of hope.
Please know that your family is in my thoughts, as always,
Your friend,
Christoph
Emily Bertus; WOW you are five years old, you do not look a day over four, trust me, you will love this comment in about 30,years. Your Mom and Dad are so proud of you. Calen and Colton I feel like I know you guys as well.
Your Dad was a professor for my son at Auburn, I have been following the blog for weeks. He LOVED your Dad and learned so much from him.
Ronda, every woman reading this blog is there for you, via cyberspace, emotionally, prayerfully. OK, I just want to scream, NO, NO,Not yet, but God does have a perfect plan, my prayer is that you will understand and take some comfort in HIS ultimate plan.
there are so many folks thinking of you and praying for your family, my holiday season will be filled with the prayers for the Bertus family.
Ronda,Be still and know that he is God; breathe, breathe, you are not alone. Good night, God Bless.
I wish so bad things were different for all of you. I'm glad you found a way to make Emily's birthday special for her. You are a wonderful and amazing mother, Ronda. Emily will look back on her 5th birthday and marvel at how you made it her special day in the midst of what you are going through.
Please tell Mark again how much he means to our family and how appreciative we are for all the instruction and wisdom he gave to Harrison. Harrison looks up to him and always will. I think Harrison learned more from Mark about the game of baseball than anyone.
I pray that Mark will have a birthday filled with love, peace, and absence of pain. We are continuing to pray for all of you every day.
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers every day.
I just wanted to wish Mark a happy birthday! I hope today is a good day for all!
Praying that the God of Peace & Comfort will fill your mind, thoughts, hearts, during this time. Keep the faith God is a good God, I know I have not met you Ronda, but I pray for you regularly. If there is anything you need, errands, shopping, meals, whatever, please call. We continue to pray for each one of you.
The Nichols Family
Ben, Sydney & Hope
All our love from Samoa. God bless all of you. Kim and Michael
I think about your family every day. As a family we pray for all of you...I pray that Gods loving presence is felt around each and everyone of you. I am so sorry that you all are going through this. I pray that His presence brings you some peace...Kathi
I know we don't know each other, but I have been following your blog and I am praying for all of you. It is amazing how we can be total strangers yet joined because of prayer. Please know that I am praying!!
Happy Birthday, Mark! You are in our thoughts and prayers everyday!!! May GOD's loving arms hold you ever so tightly and relieve you of ALL the pain and suffering!
If there is EVER anything I can do, Ronda, please let me know. I REALLY mean it. If you need someone to come and stay with Mark so that you can run an errand, do something with the kids or whatever, I would be VERY happy and honored to do that. What he is going through reminds me so much of what my Dad went through when he was suffering from cancer. I will know exactly what to do and how to take care of him!!!! You can always reach me at 334-744-8312 if you EVER need me (or if you EVER need us for anything).
I will pray that Mark is free of pain and is able to enjoy his precious family during this holy season!!! May GOD bless you all!!!
Love, Kathy
Happy Birthday, Mark! Our thoughts and prayers are with you daily! We pray that you are relieved of pain and can enjoy your precious family!!!!
If you EVER need anything, Ronda, please let me know. I MEAN IT! If you need to run an errand, do something with the kids or whatever, I will be more than happy to come over and stay with Mark. I certainly understand and know exactly what you are going through. It reminds me SO much of what my father went through when he was suffering with cancer. It would be my honor to help you all! I know exactly what to do and how to take care of Mark. If you EVER need me or us, please call me at 334-744-8312 or John at 334-744-8313 (cell numbers) home 334-742-0630----DAY OR NIGHT!!!! We mean it! I can remember sitting in the "chemo" room at Dr. Farmer's office with you all when I was going through my chemo treatments---you were always sitting in the same spot--just like me--so funny how you "pick a spot in that room and stay there for each chemo treatment." Oh my---so VERY hard! You have been through so much!
May GOD'S loving arms wrap around you ever so tightly and bring you well deserved joy during this holy season.
Love, Kathy
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