Keeping in touch by phone the last two days has been hard. I know Mark is in good hands but I constantly worry about him. He had a very rough day on Saturday, with very severe pain and agitation because of it. The pain medication did not seem to work well (and it is very heavy) and his heart rate jumped very high again. He was very frustrated and told the doctor he was done, wanted to stop the therapies, etc. Obviously, this is not an option.
Because of the rapid heart rate and the extreme pain, the doctor had the PT department cut off the casts early and replace them with the braces. After just two days, his legs were much straighter than anyone imagined and that was a good sign. He was more comfortable after the removal of the casts, but they do want to try again on Tuesday to do the next ones. When we spoke to Mark and his nurse this morning, he was still uncomfortable, but it was tolerable and he was in a better frame of mind.
As hard as it is to see him in such awful pain, it needs to be done. I keep telling myself it will only last another couple of weeks, at best and after that he will be on the way to walking again. It is the only option, there is no other. We will not allow him to curl himself into a fetal position (which is comfortable) and stay there. He would spend the rest of his life in bed in a nursing home and that is totally unacceptable. I think, in reality, he knows this, but when you are in constant pain it is hard to be reasonable. Imagine having a charley horse in your hamstrings, quadriceps, and calves all at the same time, constantly, and not being able to move your leg. Then at the same time, the ligments attaching your knees to these muscles are being stretched. Then add physical therapy to the mix. That's basically what he is going through on each leg. I have not been specific before about what is happening, but you can probably realize his frustration at this point.
Mark has never been a complainer about any ailment in the past. His motto was always "suck it up and drive on" but it's a little hard to do under the circumstances. Therefore, please keep him in your prayers for relief from some of this pain so that he can endure and "drive on".
Sunday, February 17, 2008
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8 comments:
Hey Mark - This is Garrett and Jillian from RH. Keep at it! We can't even imagine what you are going through! We hope to see you at band practice when you are ready! We know you can do it!
Hey MARK! I am so happy to have this website,, I hope you get to check it often so you can see how many people are thinking of you,, I wish I could have visited you when I was in Spain,,I will write you much more,,, I just wanted to write you a quick note here to tell you to SIGUE ADELANTE ALEJANDRO,,,, Yo creo en ti,,, tu puedes hacerlo,, vale mi hombre? I wish I could give you the biggest hug in the world right now,, know that I have been thinking of you constantly,, and Dios has been taking good care of you,, just keep at it,, keep at it
~ krystal
Mark, My name is Sarah and I am friends with Janey and Tom in Mississippi. You are in our thoughts, and we are praying for you. You have made such wonderful progress, and we are trusting God for your continued recovery. God Bless you and your dear family. In Philippians 4:13, the Apostle Paul wrote,"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." KJV
Allow Christ to continue to strengthen you and your family. He is.
Mark and Anne,
You are BOTH showing incredible strength. Mark allow the baby steps to happen as frustrating as they maybe. We all find holes in our lives that we must dig ourselves out of. It takes time and a lot of work. I did not think I would ever be the same Kim again after having my girls. But, I took it day by day, and I am back and feel better than ever. You can do it too. I know you can
MARK, MARK, MARK...
Yes, that is me screaming your name! Can you hear me in Forida?
I am convinced God saved you from that awful crash for a reason!! You are an inspiration to so many. Look how far you have come.
Yes, it sucks! It must surely be awful to deal with, but for you, nothing less than regaining you strength, balance and ability to walk will make you happy and bring you the freedom you deserve for the future. Today is the present but every little thing you are doing is for the future. The future is bright Mark...hang onto that. Your future is so bright, Mark, that you are gonna definitely need some shades.
I am praying for you and your family each day!!!!! I am glad Mom got alittle time to get away. There are so many people at the high school pulling for you. Hang in there...God will give you the strength to go on.
Hi Mark - it's the Adornettos from St. Matthews. We are praying for you daily and am encouraged to hear of the progress you are making. We hope to see you back here in Brecksville when the church celebrates it's 50th Anniversary! (Sometime in the next few months) Love, Laurie, Mike, Andrew, Megan and Allison
Hi Mark,
I'm Michelle Harsh from St. Matthew's and I know your Mom pretty well. I do believe you've been spared for a reason and the progress you've made so far is nothing short of miraculous (that, and you know how to work HARD!). You CAN make it through this and God is helping! He's been answering our prayers for 3 months, where you're concerned! Hang in there!
Mark, all of America owes you and your fellow compatriots a debt that can never be repaid.
Don't ever think that you guys are not much loved and respected and admired by Joe and Mrs. Blow, no matter what you read or hear or see on the TV or the newspapers.
Two-hundred-and-ninety million Americans are thinking about you and praying for a full and speedy recovery for you and all the wounded veterans out there.
God Bless you and keep you, son...you'll be hanging off the rock again before you know it.
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