Spooktacular Night

Mark had a very active day. He began to talk and boy does he have a lot to say. Most of it pretty funny. He refers to his nurse as "The Soup Nazi". He says she has diagnosed him with some crazy disease I can't even begin to spell. He is trying to win all the doctors and nurses over with his carisma and I think he is succeeding. I know it's hard to imagine but you have to lean over close to him to hear him talk although I know that powerful load voice is still in there. He has become confused several times today but I am praying that is still due to the amount of time he has been down and amount medicine in his system.

He went through phase #1 of the swallow study and did good but Brad, the speech therapist will have to do some type of an exray in the morning as he swallow to insure everything is properly going down the esophagus vs the lungs.

We are anxiously awaiting the trauma surgeon to come and assess him. As I understand he is what stands between ICU and moving to a private room out of ICU. Tara, a social worker is working on getting us our options for possible transfer to Cape or Sikeston when he is ready.

The email I receive lift my spirits and I love each of you. Thank you for loving us so much. When something like this happens you need everyone in the support system to make it through. Don't think for a minute I am any super strong person each of you would do the same thing for that special person that means the world to you. He is still not really ready for visitors one now and then is OK but he so strong willed he seems to try to over perform to let them know he is going to be OK.

Hope you all received lots of treats and no tricks! For those of you who saw my little munchin tonight I know you squeezed him a little harder and made him realize what a special little guy he is. Thank you.

Love,
Stephanie

Happy Happy Happy Halloween

Wow! We have had a wonderful morning. Our favorite respiratory therapist came in first thing and she had managed to get approval to put a trachea cover on Mark. He was immediately able to speak. In true Mark fashion he never skipped a beat. He almost immediately said "Happy Birthday Dad". No one had to tell him it was his Dad's birthday he read the date on the wall board and it clicked. What a birthday gift for his father.

We have been so blessed. As we listened to the Count your many blessings song last night Mark said he must have had 3 billion blessings. I simply agreed.

The doctor has ordered a swallow test. Passing that would allow him to eat solid foods and possibly transfer out of ICU by tomorrow. Mark wants to come home or atleast be transfer to Cape or Sikeston.

We are blessed to have the knowledge of the power of God.

Love,
Stephanie

Early morning update

This is the first night Mark has been completely off any type of support. He is breathing well and we are all impressed with how strong he is. He is looking great and was very alert most all day. He tried to write and use the computer to communicate this afternoon. We had the best luck with lip reading but it's hard for him to slow down his words.

I am staying with him tonight because he seemed a bit confused. Mark's parents went to the Bedell apartment and I will go rest when they return in the morning. He is not sleeping well but who does in the hospital environment.

Will update again tomorrow.

Love,
Stephanie

Mark in the Man House with his Duck's Unlimited Friends

Tuesday, October 30th

With a small dose of Ambein Mark managed to get a little sleep last night. He struggled with quite a bit of nausea. But was looking great this morning. The hospital staff has began telling us how good looking he is....duh! The nurse reported when she told him she would see him tonight we mouthed no he wouldn't be here. He said he was ready to go golfing.

Dr. Meyer and his staff said they are very pleased with his progress, but we must be patient and realize it is going to take time. He was able to sit on the side of the bed and then with some assistance be transferred to a recliner for a few hours. The occupational therapist gave him an A+ she could not believe the improvements compared to last week.

Mark's parents seem to be holding up like champions. I am very glad they are here for me and Mark. I enjoyed an evening at home with Clayson. He woke up asking for his Daddy. He asked Amy Alcorn his stand in Mom why we couldn't strap his hospital bed to the back of the car and pull him home. As you all know he is a "chip off the old block". Mark may be thinking the same thing.

I know it's hard for him to listen to everyone telling him what he has to do. Please pray for him to have the patience he is going to need to recover.

My heart goes out to all of you who continue to pray for Mark and follow his progress.

Love,
Stephanie

Mark and Boone

Mark and Justin