Prayers Answered......Again

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who joined us in praying for the Meyer twins! Both are doing so much better, especially the little baby girl, Cooper! She has apparently gotten past the critical point and her little body is doing what it's suppose to be doing! The drs are investigating the "why" it happened and are doing more tests next week. So, prayers for clear reports would be still be welcomed. You may check Cooper and Cutter's dad's BLOG for updates and pictures! You can just click on the link to the right labeled "Scott's Blog".

Blessings today and tomorrow as we honor our risen Savior!

Babies Need Prayers

I have mentioned our friends with the new twin babies, Scott and Erica Meyer. Well, their baby daughter, Cooper Joy, has developed a serious bowel problem and the next 24 hours is crucial as she might develop a perforated bowel and would require surgery. PLEASE join us in praying fervantly for this precious new baby and for her weary parents and confused big brother, Cayden who just wants to see his new brother and sister. But, since they are in NICU, that won't happen for a while. Many thanks.
Blessings to you all.

Encouraging Words

Acts 2:25-28

"I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices: my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence!"

Nothing But Blue Skies!

If you were in Abilene, Texas today, you might wonder where I got the title for this posting! Here in Abilene we say, "here comes Lubbock!" The wind was blowing 30 mph and the sky was brownish all day! Hard on people with upper respiratory diseases or children with asthma, etc.

But, as Mark and I walked out of the Cancer Clinic, I think we only saw "blue skies!" Certainly we had the best visit we could possibly have expected! We absolutely LOVE our oncologist! (Now that's a weird statement, huh?) He is a cancer survivor himself, so he's patient and calm and very upbeat about his work. He sits and listens and answers as many questions as you might have. Friends here will say, "HOW did you get in with Dr. Hirsch? He's the big gun here in Abilene!" Well, we don't know exactly. (yes we do!) But, he's a blessing and we are so very thankful!

Here's the plan: He sent off Mark's path report and other findings to M.D. Anderson for another opinion. Everything came back with agreement on what was diagnosed here and with no new surprises. He's ordered a PET Scan (you'll have to do your own research to know what PET means!) and he'll have that Friday next week. They inject glucose into your veins and it goes from about your ears down to your toes. It will show any "hot spots" like tumors or lymph nodes or any other abnormal places that might indicate some other concerns or spreading. This might also help the drs to know whether or not to go ahead and do the "other little surgery" that Mark loves to talk about! (you know, "T".....refer to previous blogs) So, this sounds like a really great test and we'll be anxious to do that and get the findings.

If all goes as planned and there are no surprises with the PET Scan, then Mark will start radiation the week of April 4th probably. It will be five days (Mon. thru Fri.) a week for six weeks. They can do it right here in Abilene in Dr. Hirsch's building which is about 10 minutes from our house. He said that Mark will probably not notice any side effects for the first three weeks and then he might have some fatigue or nausea. We're just so thankful to not have him go thru chemo! What a blessing!

The Cancer Center is a beautiful, modern facility here in Abilene. But, to sit and wait for your appointment, you notice many other folks who are not going out with such positive news. There are no "blue skies" in their future. It was a sobering moment to be witness to those precious people with such downcast faces. I will not forget this afternoon. God puts us in those places to be witness for a reason and I pray that our eyes will be open to where He is calling us to be.

Mark is planning on going back to teaching one class next week. It meets on Tues/Thur at 8am till 9:30am. He'll teach that class until he feels his stamina is up to taking back one more class and he'll do this until either he's back full time or schools out! He's more than anxious to get back to some normalcy! (College classes =normalcy, hmmmm?)

Prayer list for tonight: Our dear friends, Scott and Erica Meyer are in Scott & White Hospital tonight. Erica is 33 wks pregnant with twins and she's having some BP problems and the dr is inducing her. As of an hour ago, she was doing fine and not near delivery. She is going deliver early, so please pray for healthy babies and a healthy mother. Plus, a calm father in Scott and for their 3 year old son, Cayden to be healthy as he had a pretty serious health scare of his own recently.

Blessings to you all!

Man Cannot Live by Liquids Alone

We've been home from the hospital (this time) for three days and all is going very well I'm happy to report! In fact, I didn't really feel like there was anything to BLOG about, but I've had so many people telling me they've been checking for updates, so I thought I'd let you know how we're doing.

We're doing good! Mark returned slowly to eating solid foods and then started out with soft, bland items. But, this evening when I asked him what he wanted for supper, his answer was "hamburgers and I'll grill them!" The good news is he hasn't lost his touch with grilling! Whew!

Yesterday morning after his shower, he was tuckered out and headed for the couch. I told him he could rest a few minutes and then we're headed up to ACU to walk! We went up to the colliseum where we walked one lap around the concourse (sp?) and he said "let's go again!" Today, we walked three laps and he was wearing ME out! But, then we both came home and rested. I guess I'm just out of shape from sitting in a chair all day at the hospital! Pitiful, I know.

Monday, we go to the Oncologist for our first appointment with him. (that is a phrase I thought I might never have to say!) Then, hopefully, we'll have a plan established for the near future. We are anxious, but not worried or stressed, to find out what the next step is!

Thanks again for all the nice comments and emails. I cannot tell you how they lift our spirits daily! We are SO blessed!

Our love and blessings to you all!

We're Home......Again!

After a long day of waiting, we're finally home again! Hopefully, this time for good. He tolerated his liquid diet and what solid food he had just fine. So, we arrived home at 7:30pm to be welcomed by our small group from church and Katie and Will! It just doesn't get much better than that! Our small group was really here to help Mark celabrate his 52nd birthday! They were suppose to meet at the hospital, but when they got word of us coming home, they waited and met us here! It wasn't much of way to spend one's birthday, but I must say it was memorable! And, the hospital even had a birtday cake sent up to his room and three nurses came in and sang happy birthday to him!

We are both tired and just glad to be home again and hopefully, on the way to a quick and sure recovery. Next on the agenda, is a visit with his oncologist next week. Then, we'll find out more about what the future holds as far as treatment, etc.

Prayer request: My dear, sweet friend Becky in College Station is in the end stage of her battle with cancer. And what a battle it has been and she has fought it unswervingly and with so much conviction of faith! She has been a true role model and I love her so much. It's hard to be so far from her, but I'll hope to get down to be with her as soon as Mark is a little more stronger. PRAY for her and her husband, Steve and son, Christopher and daughter, Laura.

Love and blessings!

What's One More Day

Today was suppose to be the day to "try" liquids again. So, we waited and waited and waited. No doctor. I'm pretty sure he spent his whole day in surgery, by the way he looked when he walked thru the door. He ordered a full liquid diet for tonight and if he's doing ok tomorrow and no nausea or vomiting, then I'm pretty sure he'll come home tomorrow. Yeah! Everybody keep your fingers crossed!

Good Sunday morning to you all! Just a quick note to let you know that Mark spent a very restful day in the hospital yesterday. He has another IV and they are giving him lots of medicines to "encourage" this partial bowel obstruction to resolve itself. Also, he is not allowed anything to eat or drink. Not even an ice chip! The Dr. said that it could still become completely obstructed, which would require another major surgery or it could resolve itself with medicine, but that can take anywhere from a few days to months.

However, he rested really well yesterday and didn't have ANY nausea or vomiting and was more than thankful to NOT have that NG tube put back in! (Whew! Dodged a bullet there!)

We are so thankful for the many phone calls and emails we received yesterday checking in on us! Also, to Larry and Marie Matthews, our dear friends from Temple, who drove three hours one way, to just hold our hands and pray with us and love on us. Some have been concerned about "bugging" us and calling too often to check. We feel like every single phone call or email or comment or visit is just very encouraging and soothing to our weary souls right now.

Since Mark was resting so well, I came home last night to sleep. That was VERY hard! I had stayed at the hospital with him thru the whole surgery and recovery process and didn't want to be anywhere else. But after two nights with no sleep, we were both beyond tired. So, I"m happy to report that I got nine hours of wonderful, restful sleep last night! I'm anxious to talk to Mark this morning and find out about his night.

One more thing: Will arrived back in Abilene late last night and I'm meeting him this morning after church for breakfast! Katie and Brad York are on their way back to Texas right now. I've missed them terribly and I think they are also going to be good medicine for their father!

Blessings to all our family and friends this Lord's day!

A Plan

The doctor just came by and visited with us and he feels good about Mark's progress as of today. So, "the plan" is to be conservative.....still nothing by mouth today. Tomorrow, if all continues to go well, then some liquids and watch to make sure he tolerates them better and then solid food and watch. So, probably we're looking at Tuesday at the earliest for his 2nd homecoming.

Of course we still seek your prayers for Mark's recovery. But, please let me add two more to the mix: 1) I mentioned Darrell Martin in my BLOG a week or so ago. He and his wife are good friends of ours and Maryanne has been battling cancer for several years. Well, her battle ended last night. So, please pray for Darrell and their children. 2) Jon Westin Bennett is one of the boys who was severely injured in the Highland accident a month or so ago. He has (I think) two compound fractures in his right leg and he's back at Cook's Children's Hospital in Fort Worth fighting an infection that won't go away in that leg. It is very dangerous. Please pray fervently for Jon Westin and his family as their ordeal continues.

Blessings to you!

De ja Vu

Good morning everyone. We've had a LONG night and really a LONG past two days! We came home from the hospital on Tuesday evening. Mark did just fine and we were even taking short walks in our neighborhood on Wed. and Thur. But, Thursday evening he started feeling "not right" in his abdomen. Kind of some nausea and some bloating. (sorry, not pleasant to hear nor experience) That night he threw up and then all day on Friday was just sick feeling. We called the dr who ordered him something for nausea and told him to stay on liquids all day. Well, he had a little Sprite and then afternoon had about a cup of chicken broth and some gatorade. He couldn't keep it down and felt terrible. We called the dr back at 8pm and he said to take some more medicine and call him if in four hrs he didn't feel better.

Well, we didn't make it that long. At 10:30 (or 11 ish) he was miserable and I couldn't stand watching him any longer. So, we headed back to the ER. (my car knows it by heart) They did an abdominal X-ray and then a CT scan. That was an experience as you have to drink three big glasses of this raspberry stuff! Yuck! (you might close your eyes for this next part.....) He "tossed" the first glass and they gave him something much stronger in his IV for nausea. He was able to get down the rest, but it took my best cheerleading efforts. Finally, after the CT scan, the radiologist called the surgeon and he was admitted AGAIN for "observation and possible bowel obstruction." :( He will have some blood tests at noon today (Sat.) and maybe some other tests as well and then we'll see the surgeon again. They said if he keeps throwing up they are going to have to put the NG (tube from nose to stomach) tube back down. He promised them he would NOT be throwing up any more, but we'll see.

Mark is in Room 5701 at Hendrick Hospital. I had hoped my BLOGing days were over. But, I'd like to keep the prayers coming on his behalf and keep you informed on his progress. You may call me on my cell phone or check here for updates. Also feel free to email me at dkrapplepie@aol.com.

Blessings!

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

We are so glad to be home and the weather has been awesome this week with the high tomorrow suppose to be in the mid-80's! Perfect getting out and walking a bit weather!

Mark's been feeling a little bit better every day. But, last night, he had "one of those nights" and it really set him back. He's either been on the couch or laying in bed all day. A true Texan would say he "doesn't feel worth shooting!" As Spring Break ends and classes begin on Monday, his frustration level is only going to rise as he wants to be back in class! Mark teaches one class that no one else in the department can teach. So, they are making do. Please pray for Mark to be patient and have peace about this situation right now.

For a medical update: You might recall that Mark's tumor is a "germ cell" tumor and was found to have some testicular cells in it. Before leaving the hospital on Wednesday, they did a sonogram of his....well, you know....and we got a phone call from the surgeon yesterday and they did locate some abnormal, irregular cells on the right side. We are scheduled to see a Urologist on Tuesday and perhaps (more than likely) will be facing another surgery in the next week or two, however just day surgery this time. Hopefully, this won't push back his recovery time too much and add to his frustration level with not being in class.

I was hoping to slow down the BLOG report, but I think I'll still be posting from time to time as we see the drs and get some kind of "plan".

Prayer requests: 1) patience and healing for Mark, 2) Will and his ACU team fly back and drive into Abilene late tomorrow night and 3) Katie and Brad York drive all the way back starting Sunday morning. Also, our good friends, James and Barbara Penland's daughter in law, Amy's dad is having some serious heart ailments. Please pray for peace for Amy and some healing for her dad.

Blessings!

We're Home!

There's no place like home! There's no place like home! I'm not sure if the best medicine are his pain pills or sitting on the couch with our dog, Sandy! Either way, he looks relieved and so am I.

Before we left the hospital tonight there was a knock on his door. It was Carol Baker, the lady I wrote about last night. She wanted to meet Mark and wish us well. I opened up the laptop and showed her my BLOG site and where I had asked for prayers on their behalf. She threw her arms around me and the look in her eyes I will never forget. I plan to see her again and try to offer even some of the comfort that our friends and family have given to us the past week and a half. Please continue to pray for Rick and Carol Baker and their two boys.

Blessings to you all!

Ready or Not

I can't say for sure, but all signs are pointing to us going home sometime today. We are awaiting his surgeon who has been out of town and is due back this afternoon. All the other doctors have said we are free to go. So, I've made one trip home with our belongings and we'll be pretty disappointed if it doesn't happen today or tonight.

Well, we have a long-awaited diagnosis and it's derived from the pathology report that just came in and confirmed what the path report from Hendricks showed. It is a germ-cell tumor and is a seminoma, which is a particular type of testicular cancer. Mark's tumor appeared in his abdomen and not the testicles (probably way too much usage of the word "testicles" for Mark's liking), but "that area" is still under suspition. He had a sonogram this morning and our (his) oncologist is sending the sonogram and some tissue samples off to either Houston or Dallas for "the experts" (the oncologist used that phrase) to check it out. We may or may not travel to one of those experts and let them give us their advice as to further treatment. We will either go to them or they'll send their advice here. The treatment will either be radiation or chemotherapy, whatever the experts tell us is most effective towards this type of cells. Mark's internal medicine dr. this morning said, "well,if you have to have cancer, this is the one I'd choose! It's treatable and cureable!" We are going to go home and recuperate and probably start this new venture in about 3-4 weeks.

Mark and I are changed people. I'm not sure I can totally explain that. How can you be blanketed in prayer and have God's abundant (and I do mean abundant) peace and not come out being different. I'm also not sure how this difference will be manifested, but if those we come into contact with from here on out don't notice, we will have failed the love of God. So, with the future looking bright, we will anxiously await how God is going to use us for his glory!

I have one more prayer request today....I met another wonderful woman about my age and her husband is down the hall from Mark and his cancer is conquering his body. They are both faithful Christians and totally reliant on God's mercy. I asked them both this morning if I could mention them in my BLOG so that many, many more people would be praying for them and they said "yes, please!" So, add RICK and CAROL BAKER to your prayer list and remember them daily.

I have been pretty "wordy" since I started blogging about Mark and our hospital stay. But, words totally fail me how to express what your prayers or comments or emails or cards or phone calls have meant to us both! You have sustained us greatly the past week and a half and we will NEVER forget that. We hold each of you dear to our hearts. You are family to us!

I am not planning on keeping up the daily BLOG journal after we get home. It has served it's purpose WAY beyond my imagination! If there is news, I will write. So, always feel free to check.

Blessings and our love and thankfulness to all!

Just a Note

I know, I know! The last time I said I was going to abbreviate my BLOG, it was LONG! But, this time for sure it will be short.

Today was very uneventful and we like uneventful! All tubes gone, so just a lot of walking and drinking juices and attempting solid food. His own surgeon has been gone since Friday, so we anticipate his return tomorrow and finding out what he might know about the path report and when we might go home.

God opened the door for me to meet a young woman tonight. Her room is next door to Mark's and she is 36 years old and has advanced cancer. I would like to BLOG more about this experience later. But for tonight, my prayer request is for her. Her name is CAROL KING. She is being air lifted to M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston tonight. I told her that many people would be praying for her tonight and the next few days. Thank you for joining us in lifting her before the Father.

Blessings to you all!

No Strings Attached

What a day! We had a very interesting encounter with his nurse of the day. Let me just say, that nurse will no longer be assigned to him during this stay. We can rest in that promise!

Mark titled this BLOG tonight. He no longer has any tubes from any part.(if you catch my drift) Everything is also functioning. (if you catch my other drift!) He's walked some and that is a funny sight I'm sure from those watching. Here is 6'5 Mark walking with two nurses and me. I'm the next tallest at 5'3. But, if he were to fall, it would take all three of us to attempt to catch him or break his fall. He's still pretty unsteady walking, but getting stronger each time.

Our small group from Highland Church of Christ came this evening. He's not been having any visitors since surgery, so this was a big step! Talking is what wears him out the most, so I started out by giving everyone an up-to-date medical report. Then, each family shared with us what is going on in their lives. Since we were not asking them to stay long, they then gathered around Mark's bed, held hands and each of them took turns praying for him, me, Katie and Will, the doctors, the nurses and the outcome of the pathology report. We love and adore our small group. We've only been together for a year and we are just as think as thieves! Mark and I are the eldest folks in the group and I think we're in good hands. I think they'll take care of us in our old age! (that is a joke, I hope you understand!) They have been so good to us and we love each of them dearly. They are family.

I guess our prayer needs for this evening would be for continued good progress in Mark's recovery. And, we should be getting the path report soon, so we're thinking positive there as well.

Blessings to you all from Room 7627!

A Turning Point

Last night was not the best night for Mark. The NG tube was driving him crazy and he was awake off and on most of the night coughing and generally just miserable. We were taking his first walk down the hall at 4am! At least there was no traffic!

We were blessed with a wonderful soaking rainstorm today. So, this afternoon while the skies were very dark, I turned off the lights and we each dozed in our appropriate beds (well, mine is a recliner) and that was what we both needed! We've continued the "no visitor" sign thru today, so it's been quiet and restful.

His NG tube was removed at 5:58pm to be exact! We offered his nurse large sums of money to come as soon as possible! He is a far stretch from feeling well. But, he's like a new man now and I think I might have even seen a small grin from his face once this evening! He even told his nurse "thank you" for something and he hasn't done that once since surgery! Too bad these nurses don't know what a really nice man they are taking care of. Perhaps they will before we go home.

Many thanks for your prayers for Will today. He called from Dallas as they boarded the plane; from Las Vegas as they changed planes and from San Francisco when they arrived. He is really good to communicate and especially now with his dad in the hospital. I want him to enjoy his trip, be Jesus to the homeless he encounters, and be at peace with not being here with Mark.

I don't know what tomorrow holds as far as his recovery plan. I think we will do "limited" visits to 5 minutes and then by Monday, be able to receive all friends and family. We are both enjoying reading the BLOG comments, the emails and the cards that we have received. Each message is soothing to our weary souls. Keep them coming!

As I finish this BLOG, I look at the clock and it's been EXACTLY one week to the hour and almost to the minute since we first heard the word "tumor" and our lives changed. But, in the last week, God has been busy hearing the prayers of faithful friends and family members and He's been so good and blessed us so abundantly! Now, I'm thinking of yet another Zoe song that has been a favorite of mine..."I will never be the same again. I can never return, I've closed the door. I'll walk the path, I'll run the race and I will never be the same again."

Blessings to you all!

What a Way to Spend Spring Break!

I had just written this really great BLOG report when the internet shut down and I lost the whole thing! Ugh! I'm only going to write an abbreviated version this time.

We were suppose to be in Fredericksburg tonight at a beautiful B&B to start off Spring Break and with some really dear friends. However, here we are in Hendrick "B&B" with some really dear nurses and some really dear friends dropping by. You just never know what God has planned do you? That is why you should always make sure you don't have thread-bare socks on......Mark!

Last night was definately more restful than the night of the surgery! We were both able to sleep in one hour increments which was great. Mark has sat on the side of the bed and in the chair twice today which has been shakey for him, but every time he gets better at it. The surgeon came in this morning and decided against taking out the NG tube today which was not what we were anticipating. So, he's still on IV fluids and ice chips. As in the words of a wise college student (Will) "Dad, you're gonna look GOOD when you get out of here!"

As far as the pathology report, basically still no news. The surgeon reported that he spoke to the pathologist this morning and she said that they are doing more tests to determine exactly what kind of tumor it is. It is not your everyday, run-of-the-mill tumor. We knew that from the moment it was diagnosed in the ER. They feel like we'll have a report between Monday to Wednesday next week. Then, the speciman will be sent off for another read in Dallas or another large lab.

People are kind of surprised that Mark and I don't seem anxious about getting the results. I guess because he feels so bad right now, it just doesn't matter. At least we're not having to deal with his recuperation and a lab report. Hopefully, by the time we get the news, Mark will be well on his way to feeling better and we'll be ready to deal with whatever the outcome.

As we speak, they are changing his IV for the fourth time since we've been here! He is a patient trouper.

Katie just called and reported they had a safe trip to Nashville and she was so excited to start seeing her friends. Thanks for your prayers on her behalf. Will and his team leave at 8am in the morning out of Dallas for San Francisco. Pray.

Tonight, I, personally, am so thankful for my brother-in-law Bruce Riggs of Richardson, TX. Bruce drove up today and is going back tomorrow sometime. But, he stayed with Mark solo for a while and that allowed me to go home for an hour or so and shower, change clothes and love on our dog, Sandy for a while before returning for the night. Wearing the same clothes for almost 48 hours is unbearable! Ick! So, I was sooooo thankful to be able to shower and clean up and return to Mark smelling much better than I had left him! He's going to allow me the same thing in the morning before he heads back. What a blessing family and friends are!

Oh yes, I've had so many nice comments on this BLOG site. I would have never shared this site in a million years. But, I do believe it has been a good thing for those not here to know what's happening. However, I've had several comments that there are some of you who would rather just email me back and not have to BLOG a comment. That is just great and here is my address: dkrapplepie@aol.com

Please continue to pray for his speedy recovery, patience with nurses and for that elusive path report.

Blessings to all!

Day 1- Post Op

Today has been a long day. But, a very typical first post-op day. Mark's incision is quite long, but considering he's a "long" guy, I guess that shouldn't come as any surprise! Today has been spent doing breathing treatments, sitting on the side of the bed, eating ice and putting up with his doting wife. He's in a moderate amount of pain. They measure everything here on a "1-10" scale, so he's saying his pain is a 4-5. Not bad, but he does have a medication pump so he can use it whenever he wants. What a great invention! He's had quite a few visitors today, but I've caught everyone at the door and visited with them and then let them just stick their head in and wave, so he doesn't have to talk. He still has an N-G tube down his nose, so he doesn't care to chat right now. I spent last night with him and will again tonight and as many nights as possible. Our precious neighbor, Kenneth Pybus, called tonight and offered to stay the night with him and let me go home and sleep. His wife, Amy has come up every day and brought me my favorite sweet tea from Chicken Express. I hope everyone is as blessed as we are with unselfish, kind and loving neighbors. (by the way, I am NOT going home!)

As if I haven't asked enough, I have just a few more prayer requests:
1) Will is leaving tomorrow afternoon for San Francisco with a group of ACU students
on a Spring Break mission trip. One student told us that he went there last
year and that was the most scared he'd been in his whole life! Pray for
safety.
2) Katie is leaving early in the morning for Nashville for a spring break vacation.
She and Brad York (a lifelong friend family friend) are driving together. Pray
for safety.
3) Our angel friend, Darrell Martin came up again tonight to check on Mark. He's
our friend whose wife is near the end of her journey here on Earth. He told us
tonight that she had seen a couple of angels and she was at peace and so is he.
Pray for comfort and strength.

Mark and I send our love to all our dear friends and family who have accessed this BLOG and sent kind messages either thru comments or thru emails.

A Day We Won't Soon Forget

Mark and I were able to spend about 45 minutes together alone (well, if you don't count the mulitude of nurses, drs and other patients) in the surgery holding area before they took him away. That was actually kind of nice, in a weird way. We've had so many wonderful visitors and we are thankful for each and every one of them. But, not too much time to reflect on the situation at hand amongst ourselves. We discussed the news of the day and then sort of counted our blessings and that took a while as we just feel an abundance of them! He went into surgery about 12:20pm. I had a host of family and friends waiting on me in the waiting room: Katie, Will, Mark's mom and dad, my mom and sister Darla, Gayla Pope, Dickie and Becky Porche, Don Pope, Greg Powell and some dear friends from Temple: James Penland, Steve Stern and Jeff Scott. The time went by as quickly as possible and at 3:10 we received a phone call that the drs were closing and Mark had done very well. The surgery lasted about 3- 3 1/2 hrs. He had a short stay in the recovery room and at 6pm, he arrived back in his regular hospital room. He resting comfortably (that's easy for me to say, but he is snoring...that has to be a good sign!) and is asking a few questions. He'll probably ask the same questions tomorrow, since he won't remember!

Here is the report from the doctor. Surgery went fine with no complications at all. He did not require a blood transfusion or anything serious like a colostomy. The tumor was in an "inflammed capsule" that had adhered to his duodenum, but had not invaded it. The tumor was not difficult to remove from it and there was no difficult repair then. He then went on to apologize that they were not able to kind of "eyeball" the tumor to make some kind of suggestion as to what kind of tumor we are dealing with. Three doctors each had their own opinion as to what kind of tumor they thought it was. So, HIS dr said we'll just have to wait until the frozen section comes back with the path report and that will take three to five days. The dr was so apologetic that he couldn't give us some idea about the type, but I assured him that right now, I just wanted to know that Mark came thru the surgery fine and in the meantime, we will get him well and then deal with whatever the path report tells us. EVERY single person here at the hospital has been WAY above par! I just can't tell you how nice. From the floor nurses and aides, to the OR nurses, Recovery room nurses, lab techs, etc.......just wonderful. What a blessing!

One of my favorite Zoe songs right now is "Forever". "Give thanks to the Lord, our God and King, His love endures forever. For He is good, He is above all Kings, His love endures forever. Sing praise, sing praise! Forever God is faithful, forever God is strong. Forever God is with us, forever, forever!

All Done

I will write more later this evening....but for now....Mark is in recovery and had no surgical complications at all. He should be in his room by 6pm. No news on the tumor type, but I'll blog more about that later this evening. Many, many, many thanks for all your prayers and blessings. We are overcome.

The Peace That Passes Understanding

I guess that has been our theme song the past couple of days and we hope to keep it for the rest of this journey. Thanks to everyone for their personal prayers and for asking your churches, Bible Study groups, prayer groups, etc. to pray for us. We have definately had the peace that only comes from the Spirit.

The surgeon said today that we can expect him to be in surgery for 2-4 hours and the hospital stay to be 5-10 days.

We have two requests today: 1) Mark is possibly going to require a blood transfusion. So, if you are in Abilene and are so inclined, go to the Meek Blood Center and donate a pint in Mark's name. 2) The Dr. has advised us to have no visitors for the day of the surgery and on Thursday. Friday, we'll have to see how things are going. But, if you do want to come, just knock on the door and I'll come out and visit with you. We're so thankful for all who've come to visit though. It has made the days go by so much faster!

One prayer request for now: please pray for safe travel for my mom and Mark's parents who will be driving here tomorrow to be with us.

So, until tomorrow......we are in His hands.