Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Surgery Update #4

Mark is sleeping now, sorry for the delay in getting an update out. It's been a very long day!

The surgeons were able to remove about 75% of the tumor, but some of it was simply not accessible without unacceptable risk of damaging critical veins.

We have some preliminary info on the tumor type now but will have a much clearer picture of what we're dealing with later this week, for now we just want Mark to rest and rebound.

With much of the tumor removed, we've bought that much more time to plan and react to what's next. Whether that entails mainstream approaches such as chemo or radiation, or alternatives based on the tumor type, and whether or not that involves travel to a specialty hospital, remains to be seen.

Despite still being groggy and unsure what time of day it is, he has still managed to tell us he was concerned for Joseph and Gabriella, making sure someone was taking care of them.

This is merely a step in the journey. It is clearly not over, and won't be for a while.

Wendi and I thank you all for your tremendous gifts of prayers and words of support. More tomorrow.

16 comments:

  1. God bless Mark, he is such a brave boy. We continue to pray for his total recovery.

    By Susie — last edited Jan 28, 2015 10:31am

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  2. Thank you for the update! Mark and your whole family have been in my thoughts and prayers all day! Thankful the surgery went okay...praying for complete healing!

    By Pamela Crockford — Jan 28, 2015 12:51am

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  3. Our prayers continue for your dear family.

    By Peggy & Steve Coquet — Jan 28, 2015 12:11am

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  4. Praying with you dear friends!

    By Heather Owens & Family — Jan 27, 2015 11:18pm

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  5. Thanks for the uodate. May God fully heal him very soon and give all of u guys strength and comfort and peace. I love you all. Plz give Mark hugs and kisses for me and tell him I love him and am praying for him and that I'm proud of him. God bless you all.

    By nancy — Jan 27, 2015 11:11pm

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  6. Praying for you.

    By Lori M. — last edited Jan 27, 2015 10:51pm

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  7. Great news that the surgeons were able to get so much of it out and that everyone will have a much clearer idea of what you are dealing with. Be assured of our continued prayers as Mark enters the next phase of his treatment. He is one impressive kid.

    By Liz Phelan — Jan 27, 2015 10:31pm

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  8. Mark & all of you are in our prayers and thoughts ! Let us know if there is anything we can do. - anytime.

    By John Billington — Jan 27, 2015 10:15pm

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  9. Mark is just an amazing kid. We all knew that, but until this unfortunate turn of events we had no idea quite HOW amazing!

    By Much love, Mom/Grandma/GG Crook — Jan 27, 2015 10:13pm

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  10. hey bro if you need me let me know i can be there in 8 hours. call 24 hours a day. alexander is in kindergarten and i can bring him with so length of time is no problem being a at home dad. your family is in our thoughts and we hope for marks full recovery in the near future.. robert shay and alexander.

    By Robert Smith — Jan 27, 2015 9:49pm

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  11. Thank you so much for such a quick update, Frank. I can't imagine the journey you've traveled emotionally (and physically) all day long. As you said, it's a marathon, not a sprint -- and rest assured we'll all be with you for the journey. You have much love and support and I'm sure through sites like CaringBridge, that will only grow. God bless and sleep well tonight -- all of you -- we're praying for Mark's rebounding and the next steps. <3

    By Lauren D — Jan 27, 2015 9:43pm

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  12. Praise God he's alright. May He continue to bless you, Have a restful night you guys. Love and hugs.

    By Leslie Alexander — last edited Jan 27, 2015 9:36pm

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  13. If you need anything let us know. I told my boss already if we are needed there I'm going to drop everything and go. He said he is praying for his quick recovery and I can go whenever needed. We love you all.

    By Heather Heiss — Jan 27, 2015 9:32pm

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  14. Our prayers are with you. Glad to know there was success.

    By Elisabeth Howard-Langmack — Jan 27, 2015 9:30pm

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  15. We've never met, but we are parishioners at St. Thomas. We are praying for Mark and the family.

    By Rachel Bauer — Jan 27, 2015 9:28pm

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  16. What a sweet and thoughtful young man. I am so proud of Mark and I am relieved that he is out of surgery and things look hopeful. Please give him a big (gentle hug) as soon as is possible from his Aunt Karen and tell him I love him very much! My prayers continue for all of you!

    By Aunt Karen — Jan 27, 2015 9:08pm

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