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!!!!
4 comments:
Mark and Ronda,
We lit a candle for Mark in Canterbury Cathedral today. You are in our prayers and thoughts as always.
Mark, Rick here. I ran into Dwayne and Stacy at Health Plus; we spoke of you, our prayers, looking forward to seeing you back here soon. We talked of our latest rounds of golf and fishing. In your honor, and to more fervently think and pray for you, I fished your hole at the lake at the end of Monticello Drive on Wed evening. I caught a nice one in your honor, and set it free just so you could come back and catch it again! Seriously, although I am such a new friend, I do long for the goodness of God to fall from heaven upon you and your family. I will continue to pray. See you soon.
Mark and Ronda,
Please know we will be praying for Mark and the team of doctors that will perform the surgery tomorrow. We pray God's grace and mercy will shower you as you trust in Him for your every need. Also, we will be thinking of the children (and the grandparents). If there is anything we can do to help out in Auburn...we would be glad to.
Tim and April Speaks
Mark and Rhonda, find strength in knowing that hundreds of prayers will be with you in the days ahead. We look forward to a successful day tomorrow and a healthy recovery.
Post a Comment