Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Diagnosis follow up and the plan

Mark's follow-up results were inconclusive, not exactly good news but also not bad news in that some nasty tumor types were ruled out.

Not knowing if this tumor might react adversely to chemo or radiation, the initial plan of attack is surgical removal followed with a biopsy to determine follow-up treatment options. The procedure is expected to last around five hours and will involve two neurosurgeons working simultaneously. Tentatively scheduled for January 12 or 19, with an expected post-op hospital stay of at least a week.

Mark is still stoic and cracking jokes. The primary neurosurgeon is impressed and said Mark seems to process things like an 18 year old. We are home for his birthday dinner.

I cannot overstate how precious your prayers and comments of support are to us, thank you!

6 comments:

  1. Merry Christmas Mark,
    I just came over here from a funny Husker Board with a whole bunch of posters who argue incessantly with each other over little things that are at most times not worth arguing about, but when they saw what you are going through and how you are overcoming it, they pulled together on this. It is amazing when that happens, one could almost say that is a miracle. Stay strong for your family and your dad young man, there a whole bunch of people pulling for you over there.

    By Red_in_Blue_Land — last edited Dec 24, 2014 8:17am

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  2. Hi Mark, Christmas Greetings from New Jersey. Lot's of rain predicted for today, so we're dodging the rain drops to do the last minute things. Want to wish you and your family a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!! i HOPE THE FOOD IS GOOD!!! But you can tell the Kitchen Dietician that you want some chopped tomatoes on your chicken or steak, with some Olive Oil. LOLOLOL-makes things taste better. :) Now I have a joke you can tell your Nurses: Why did the cow cross the road???? To get to the Moooooooo-vies!!! :) Hope you get a laugh out of it-I'm sure you will. I have a son named Mark too, Take care buddy and Merry Christmas!!!!!!

    By Joe Russo — Dec 24, 2014 5:44am

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  3. I met Wendi two years ago through CC. I am so sorry to hear your son is going through this. Please know that you are all in my daily prayers. My son Jonathan and I are going to pray a novena for him.

    By Jessica Rolfe — Dec 24, 2014 1:41am

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  4. I heard your story through Classical Conversations. My heart and prayers will follow your healing. He conquered it all for us! Be at Peace!!

    By Kori Glentzer — Dec 24, 2014 12:47am

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  5. Mark continues to be in our prayers, as well as the rest of the family. Was great to see you all at ECFR last week.

    By Cooki — Dec 23, 2014 11:25pm

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  6. Glad to hear the doctors feel confident enough about accessing the tumor to plan to remove it! May their hands and eyes and minds be blessed with precision and wisdom. Healing blessings to Mark, and blessings of peace and strength to his family supporting him. Love you all!

    By Erin Johnson — Dec 23, 2014 11:02pm

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