Walking, Talking, Enjoying Summer . . .

Mark continues to feel very well. He takes daily walks, enjoying the walking paths here. His steroid pills are tapering off, for which he is thankful. It does increase his appetite, as a side benefit. He is happy to talk with friends and neighbors. And yes, he did go to church on Sunday, six days after surgery! He also spends a lot of time reading. I think the Phillies are making him happy too, as they continue to win each game. Many mornings we enjoy web cam conversations with Kris. Then we enjoy the beautiful weather we have been having, often eating out on our patio. Thanks so much for your interest and prayers.

Home from the Hospital!

Just 72 hours after surgery, Mark was released from the hospital! He has been anxious to get home because he feels so well. The nurses had orders to keep him in bed or in his chair,but Mark kept getting up when he wanted to change places or go to the bathroom. He is strong and has no pain. And he is so glad to be home. He has very few restrictions.
After his brain heals, at his post-operative visit with his oncologist in about 4 weeks, it is expected that he will resume chemo to destroy any remaining cancer cells. On the schedule he had for the past 3 years, he took high doses of chemo pills for 5 days every 9th week. Soon he will begin a regimen of daily, low-dose chemo pills. He has always tolerated his chemo very well. We pray that he will continue to. We are optimistic about his prognosis.

Nan

Day after Surgery

The surgeon, interns and nurses who have Mark under their care are all very pleased with Mark's recovery from the surgery. He was moved from ICU to a regular room on the neurology floor which is thankfully, much quieter. The view from his oversized room with large windows on two corners overlooks the city. The afternoon sun is toasty warm, a nice change from cold AC elsewhere.
With the monitors removed, there are only a few medicines, including minimal pain medication. Mark enjoyed 3 regular meals today. I left the hospital tonight after he was settled in a recliner, watching the All Star baseball game. (Do you think he noticed that I was gone?)
We'll soon learn when he will come home. With this quick initial recovery, I am reminded of the verse in Ephesians 3:20, "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His poower that is at work within us, to him be glory for ever and ever!"

Nan

Successful Surgery!

Mark has successfully come through his surgery with flying colors. The surgery was three hours to remove the small tumor. The surgeon met with us afterwards and said the new tumor was successfully removed.

We visited with him after his surgery, and he was very lucid. He seemed much better than the previous surgery - the difference was amazing! Nan plans to stay here overnight.

Although Kris was not here, she had the next best thing. Jeff was able to keep her constantly updated with email and even sent a video of Mark saying hi after the surgery.

Thank you all so much for your prayers.

Jeff, Sara, & Nan

An R & R Trip, July 8-9

Today Mark did the pre-admission round of tests and paperwork for his surgery next Monday. We will be leaving the area for 2 days on a short trip with our good friends, Vernon & Blanche Althouse. Wednesday and Thursday we'll be away. Mark feels great and it looks like the weather will continue to be beautiful. That's a bonus!

New Tumor, July 1, 2009

I've reactivated Mark's Blog to bring you up-to-date on what's been happening recently. We have rejoiced in God's merciful care over Mark for three years. He has enjoyed a good quality of life, and has responded well to his on-going treatments to prevent a recurrence of a malignancy. However, at his regular check-up on June 19, an abnormal area showed up on his MRI. A second MRI a few days later confirmed that a small tumor has grown, near the site of the old one. The team of various specialists at HUP (Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania) reviewed the images. Jeff, Mark & I visited the surgeon yesterday and were shown those images. The surgical method and possible risks were discussed. We have been in communication with Kris in Thailand and have decided to move forward with surgery with the same doctor who did the first successful surgery.
Dr Kevin Judy's plan is to reopen the 3 small titanium plates which he screwed in Mark's head after the first surgery, since the new tumor is in the same general area. He says that this will make it less invasive. Mark will have another MRI and lab work on Tuesday, July 7 in preparation for surgery on Monday, July 13. (He is so good about these tests!) I will not know the time of his surgery until a day or two before. We appreciate your prayer support during this new phase.
Nan (and Mark, Jeff, Kris and Family)


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