Mark is now in the recovery unit. The surgery was more extensive than we had planned. Although the scans were unchanged, his cancer had advanced far more than we realized. It had invaded the bladder. It invaded his pelvic wall, basically near his sciatic nerve. I'm glad we were here, because they were able to save part of his bladder, most of his colon and all the visible tumor. Both kidneys were saved. The big challenges will be dealing with the remaining microscopic cancer and possible nerve damage in his leg. If he has damage, the doc says physical therapy usually works well. I'm sure all the Surgers out there will be willing to coach him during his recovery.
Mark will be in the PACU or ICU tonight, so this will be my last entry until tomorrow. Thank you all for your prayers and support.
- Posted using Pocket Watch Software Mobile GBlogger.
12 comments:
Y'all are in my prayers! *hugs*
I've been thinking of you both all day. Hang tough. Our prayers are with you.
-Joel
Dear Mark and Sheila,
Don and I are sending healing wishes from NY. We are with you in spirit. O, Lord, everyone is praying for a miracle and if anyone can do it, it's you Mark!
Love you, your in our hearts,
Cathy and Don xxxx's & oooo's
Oct 23 is almost a done deal and it began for me 12 hrs ago as I sat on my back porch gathering in the birds at sunrise and praying for you both, and for the surgeons. I have spent the evening reading this blog and crying with joy for all the spirit, strength, love and humor it holds - and those perfect sunsets = both here and in Pensacola - and I have spent the day with little prayers going up esp at sunset this evening. I believe the energy is the Holy Spirit and that He was with you and will continue to be as you go through this long recovery - it may be hard, but it will be worth the fight and we are all fighting with you....
With so much love and respect in our hearts,
Embracing you with a big hug...
Dannie
Dearest Sheila,
As usual I was late getting to the dock this morning and as I was walking down the ramp from the parking lot to the dock, I looked toward the dragon boats and had to take a double take. The sight I saw was the most incredible, heart warming, loving display of affection I have ever seen! It gives me chills just to think about the picture that I still have imprinted in my brain. There were so many people sitting on the dock that it looked like a "people" blanket spread over the entire dock area where we warm up. Hardly a word was said as everyone meditated and prayed for Mark in their own ways. Sooooooo quiet and sooooooo peaceful. Gene (our new prayer leader) said a beautiful prayer for our beautiful Mark's successful surgery.
As you are reading everyone's comments I know you are wondering about the comments made about the picture of you and Mark. Well,I made copies of a picture I had of you and Mark and handed these out at the dock. Leave it to the dragon boaters, first someone mentioned something about Mark being close to everyone's hearts then guess what happened next??????????? Ah come on Sheila you know this group!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Think really hard!!!!!!!!! Yep, all it took was one comment from Leslie and Mark was literally next to every woman's heart the rest of the day (well so were you, so you can't be too jealous!)
May God wrap his loving arms around Mark tonight as he spends his first night in ICU and is on the road to recovery and one more day closer to coming home.
Love from Chris and Alice
I, too, have been thinking about you all day. Mark has been a living miracle for 5 years - may the blessings continue. Looking forward to tomorrow's posting. Love you.
Sheila;
Wow! After we've been gone most of the past month this morning's gathering began a day of prayer for you and Mark. In our Synagogue we say a Mi Shebeirach prayer for healing; appropriately set to music. It asks God for healing....We've said it over and over for a most remarkable guy.
Love you both!
Ira & Anita
It is a new day... a day closer to your recovery.
Low, dark, rain filled clouds loom over head ready to pour healing water on our parched city.
Just as yesterday's sunrise signified strength and God's promise, today's rain represents the cleansing of your body and a new beginning for your healthy, strong cells!
Every raindrop that falls today in this universe is a healing prayer for you and Sheila.
Love you both sooooooo much! xoxoxoxoxo
Dear Mark and Sheila, we have "MARK" bracelets on and we wear them as a reminder of your strength and courage. I wait impatiently for each and every word you can share. xoxox g
mark and sheila,
hang in there- dragonboat prayers and good wishes are powerful and are working. along with your strong will!
we love you and are by your side all the way. boo and bobby
Thunder and lightening brought a wonderful rain to Seabrook at dawn and the news from California is that the winds are diminishing....Thus startes another "new beginning "morning. Yesterday, we all barely breathed praying as one body, for a good outcome to the long surgery. Today, as we put out the candles that burned through the night, we can add a breath in-between...still praying just as hard and sending you both as much strength and love as we can.
Thank you, Sheila for giving us all the honest information you shared with us yesterday. Thank you, Mark for all you are that so touches our lives. Our arms are wrapped around you both as we go into the next 24 hours.
Love ya, P
Mark & Sheila,
We're praying for you and holding you close to our hearts.
Love to you.
Cindy & Lance
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