Hearing Prayers with Earthly Ears

Update #4 ~ I first must say that the overwhelming support that I feel from YOU, from every corner of the world, is so appreciated. When I leave the hospital, I come home and immediately turn on my computer to read your words. Leaving Mark is so hard, I can barely stand it and just knowing that you are praying, even if you said the same thing over and over, word for word...is strengthening me. I have bundled up the shirt they cut from his body, bound it with a rubber band and clutch it to my breast, wipe my tears and whisper back my 'thank yous' into it, while reading your comments and smelling his scent. Thank You Thank You

I was told that so many people forget their car accidents or other serious tragedies, Mark didn't...he remembered everything. He remembered using his hands to pull the rest of his body out of the canal, thinking he had broken ankles, not a broken back or exposed organs. He remembers each person that came to see him, even if it was ever so brief. He remembered me singing to him and felt the calm that lowered his blood pressure. He remembers that I told him that people were praying for him all over this world...he remembered, despite the amnesia medicine they gave him to reduce his stress.

Mark was taken off the ventilator and is breathing on his own. This meant that he could talk...and ask questions. We answered each one. We told him about the state of his intestines, the surgery and his broken back. We told him of the complications and all the blood transfusions. Then, he cried and we all cried with him. We just stood their rubbing whatever part of him was close to us and cried. He said, "My life is over" so quietly, with so much pain in his eyes. We all back peddled and began to reassure him that he has a lot of future left to live and a hard road that we would walk with him every step of the way, But I felt him squeeze my hand so hard and the presure broke my heart.

He needs more blood, he is still bleeding internally. By morning, we will know if he will go back into surgery. He will also be x-rayed for his back and determine the extent of injury. He will remain in the ICU. Later, he will need a large plastic guard surgically inserted under his abdominal muscles. The tearing was severe and he will be prone to hernia's. He has no idea of this or of the huge L shaped incision that starts between his breasts and goes down to his groin and around to his right side, ending at his back. This will be a harsh moment, as will his road to recovery. If he doesn't have a 2nd surgery tomorrow, he will become more lucid and may decide to look. He is only 24 and has no current girlfriend, the way he looks will matter to him. I am preparing myself for more tears that we will share.

Today I fed him ice chips and wiped down his face and body. For me, he smiled and said thank you. For every Doctor and every Nurse that came and did anything to him, he said thank you. When they had to roll him to check something, with tears in his eyes, he said thank you. He is brave and strong, polite and well mannered and I love him more today, I admire him and he is now, my hero, but still, my baby boy.

I will update you all again, you deserve it for your unwavering show of love and kindness. I am hearing your prayers with my earthly ears.

I will be getting to each one of you for a huge Thank you :)