Looks like the first week of December is going to be pretty busy! Mark has an MRI on the Monday after Thanksgiving. Then his surgeon, oncologist, and radiation oncologist each want to discuss the results with him at three separate appointments on the following Wednesday and Thursday. We'll have more of an idea about any treatment after that.
He has 5 more physical therapy sessions this month, and then they will reevaluate and decide if he would benefit from more sessions. While maybe not as quick as he would like, he is seeing improvement in the strength and function of his right leg and foot. The toes are a little slower to follow though, which does affect his walking. We are trying to look at the bright side: we get to park in the handicapped spaces for now, which is going to make Christmas shopping a whole lot easier! :)
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Are all neurosurgeons like this?
We had the follow-up appointment with the neurosurgeon today. Most of the time was spent with his very affable P.A. However, in the three minutes we had with the doctor, he let us know that Mark is healing exceptionally well. Then, almost as he was walking out of the room, he sort of nonchalantly mentioned that Mark might not recover "full" use of his right leg/foot/toes. Huh? This guy cracks us up with his, um, "bedside manner." Good thing he's otherwise really good at what he does... And good thing the physical therapist is a bit more optimistic!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Oncology update/from Mark
Hear any good brain-jokes lately?
I met with the Oncologist today and at this point he is suggesting we wait on any Radiation or Chemo treatment. I will meet with a Radiation Oncologist probably during the next week or so, because with my age and the type of cancer I have, I fall right on the line in regards to treatment solutions. Under the age 40 they recommend no Radiation, 40 and over they recommend Radiation. Since we are dealing with the brain, side effects of treatment include paralysis, so proceeding cautiously is favorable. By letting the brain settle down over the next six weeks, we should have a better idea how to proceed. This close to surgery, an MRI may not show a difference between scar tissue from the surgery and missed cancer tissue.
So this is good news!
In six weeks I will have another MRI taken and then will review those images with the Oncologist and then set a treatment course, if any, at that time if he sees it necessary.
Today I was also given a clean bill of health via the Speech Therapist. She was quite amazed how well I was able to speak, process and think, only having surgery 2 weeks ago. Yep, not only do I have pictures that prove I have a brain, I have a therapist who signed off on that I use it pretty well. :-)
As of today, I am moving around pretty good. I do have to use a cane to walk, but everyday feeling more strong. I have 7 more Physical Therapy sessions to attend over the next 3 weeks, and then will be reevaluated for further therapy.
I think that is about it.
Thank you again for your prayers and kind words. I will continue to keep you informed on how things are going.
m
I met with the Oncologist today and at this point he is suggesting we wait on any Radiation or Chemo treatment. I will meet with a Radiation Oncologist probably during the next week or so, because with my age and the type of cancer I have, I fall right on the line in regards to treatment solutions. Under the age 40 they recommend no Radiation, 40 and over they recommend Radiation. Since we are dealing with the brain, side effects of treatment include paralysis, so proceeding cautiously is favorable. By letting the brain settle down over the next six weeks, we should have a better idea how to proceed. This close to surgery, an MRI may not show a difference between scar tissue from the surgery and missed cancer tissue.
So this is good news!
In six weeks I will have another MRI taken and then will review those images with the Oncologist and then set a treatment course, if any, at that time if he sees it necessary.
Today I was also given a clean bill of health via the Speech Therapist. She was quite amazed how well I was able to speak, process and think, only having surgery 2 weeks ago. Yep, not only do I have pictures that prove I have a brain, I have a therapist who signed off on that I use it pretty well. :-)
As of today, I am moving around pretty good. I do have to use a cane to walk, but everyday feeling more strong. I have 7 more Physical Therapy sessions to attend over the next 3 weeks, and then will be reevaluated for further therapy.
I think that is about it.
Thank you again for your prayers and kind words. I will continue to keep you informed on how things are going.
m
Friday, October 16, 2009
Baby Steps and Legos (Note from Mark)
I just wanted to thank all of you who have been praying and loving on my family during this season of our life. Some of you I may never know but I will remember by the peace you helped provide me through your prayer, confirming God is in control and we have an awesome God!
Today I got to go home. Yeah!
Now I look forward to playing Legos with my boys. They are going to enjoy playing with dad. Who knew it would be the simple things like this that will help reprogram my brain and rehabilitate me back to a full recovery.
I have a lot to relearn, and so much to be thankful for. With baby steps and Legos I am on a path to a full recovery!
In His grip!
m
Today I got to go home. Yeah!
Now I look forward to playing Legos with my boys. They are going to enjoy playing with dad. Who knew it would be the simple things like this that will help reprogram my brain and rehabilitate me back to a full recovery.
I have a lot to relearn, and so much to be thankful for. With baby steps and Legos I am on a path to a full recovery!
In His grip!
m
Home!
Mark is home! :D We are so happy :D He is doing really well.
The boys made big "Welcome Home, Dad" posters, which Nana hung on the porch railing for him to see as we drove up :)
Next week we start up with all sorts of appointments, but for the next few days we rest.
The boys made big "Welcome Home, Dad" posters, which Nana hung on the porch railing for him to see as we drove up :)
Next week we start up with all sorts of appointments, but for the next few days we rest.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
the key
If you know much about us at all, you probably know that our faith is pretty important to us.
As I was just telling a friend, the reality is that our faith has been the key to getting us through this hard time. Because over the years we have pursued knowing Christ, there is a connection there that, while maybe hard to put into words, is still very very real. Without Him, without His Word, without confidence in prayer, and without knowing that He loves us and has the best in mind for us, we would be a mess.
We would have no peace, no hope.
But we do.
Jesus is real. Jesus is here. And Jesus is giving us this chance to speak up for Him.
Even if the hardest thing you have to do today is decide what you want to wear, remember that you are loved by an amazing God, who wants to know you better. (And if that's puzzling to you, let's talk more :))
Do we still have our *moments,* our hard times? Of course! We would be delusional not to. But we choose not to go down the path of "what ifs," but instead rest in Christ's love for us. Even when the "best for us" feels hard for a while.
From Psalm 91...
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God in whom I trust..."
"Because he loves Me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him;
I will protect Him, for he acknowledges My name.
He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble.
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him
and show him My salvation."
As I was just telling a friend, the reality is that our faith has been the key to getting us through this hard time. Because over the years we have pursued knowing Christ, there is a connection there that, while maybe hard to put into words, is still very very real. Without Him, without His Word, without confidence in prayer, and without knowing that He loves us and has the best in mind for us, we would be a mess.
We would have no peace, no hope.
But we do.
Jesus is real. Jesus is here. And Jesus is giving us this chance to speak up for Him.
Even if the hardest thing you have to do today is decide what you want to wear, remember that you are loved by an amazing God, who wants to know you better. (And if that's puzzling to you, let's talk more :))
Do we still have our *moments,* our hard times? Of course! We would be delusional not to. But we choose not to go down the path of "what ifs," but instead rest in Christ's love for us. Even when the "best for us" feels hard for a while.
From Psalm 91...
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God in whom I trust..."
"Because he loves Me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him;
I will protect Him, for he acknowledges My name.
He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble.
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him
and show him My salvation."
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
A little oncology info
Mark saw the oncologist today, but he didn't really give him much more information. It sounds like the oncologist works with a team, and they will be figuring out a course of action together, over the next few days. We'll set up an appointment to meet with them next week, and will know more then.
Therapy is going really well, which again we attribute to the power of prayer and the grace of God.
He is scheduled to go home sometime this Friday! We are really looking forward to that :)
Therapy is going really well, which again we attribute to the power of prayer and the grace of God.
He is scheduled to go home sometime this Friday! We are really looking forward to that :)
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