~ Update #6 ~ My Security Blanket

It's 5 a.m. in the morning and I can barely keep my eyes open. But I must, I must post this first. What is this bundle that is sitting on the teal satin pillow? This is the shirt and T-shirt that they cut off of Marks body as he lay in the street. It was then that I saw his internal organs bulging out of the side of his torso, pulling the skin around them tight. I grabbed both shirts from the ground as soon as they left the MT's hands. They have not left me since that moment. Rubber bands hold the bloody parts neatly folded into the center where it can't be seen. Now this shirt is soiled again with my tears, smeared makeup and probably a little spit and snot. Today, I showed it to Mark. He recognized it and I told him what it was to me. "A representation of him," shaped somewhat into the form of a baby. Yes, I tenderly held it, cried hard tears into it, laid it on my pillow near my nose, so that I could smell it as I tried to go to sleep. I held it up and he just looked at me with his big brown eyes and said, "Mom, why are you carrying that around?"

Mother's...do I need to explain? No, I didn't think so.

The surgery took 2 hours. After, the Doctor entered the waiting room and made us gather around in the chairs. My heart tightened, I clutched the shirt bundle close, ready to cover my face with it to...what? Hide from the bad news? When the surgeon opened him, she found 2 small bleeders. Hmmmm? That wouldn't cause all of his complications. She continued to find more injuries, non-repairable injuries around both his small and large intestine. 1/2 the length of each intestine had to be removed. His colon didn't look right, she removed 3/4 of it. Then, the big find...a long length of large intestine that was black and about to rupture. (bad indeed)...out with it and closed him up.

No colonoscopy! :) I cried, knelt before her and held her tight sobbing, "Thank you, Thank, you!"

"Mark is a strong, healthy, young man...he may experience some eating difficulties, but he will be okay."

Back in the ICU for two more days of close watchful observations, tests and readings, but no colonoscopy...that was the "big Fear" looming in the back of my mind. Now, we make him work his lungs to prevent pneumonia, pay special attention to every tube entry for infections and then he is cleared for a regular ward room for another 7 days. As soon as he can do a little bending, x-rays to begin the assessment of his broken back. A good possibility for another surgery and a 4th for the rubber shield that will be inserted behind his stomach muscles to prevent future hernias.

Boho (my baby sis) sends her love and gratitude for all the lovins. I need her right now. We still have some hurdles to jump. No one wants to have Christmas this year. I pass.

I want to be at the hospital at 10 a.m. sharp. Mark asks for me as soon as visiting hours start. We have done a lot of long gazing into each others eyes...reading fear, courage, shared pain and love. No need for words, just the glisten that makes our eyes sparkle.

Update #7 ~ Mark is on the ventilator for possibly one full day. Doctor feels like the 2nd surgery was rough on him. He is in Morphine la la land. His blood is increasing and getting thicker.

His fever is up, but they felt that this is due to the trauma of the second surgery. My adrenaline has finally run out. I feel like a lead weight (with wings:D) Blogger tells me that this is my 200th post! I can't think of any other subject better than the positive outlook we now all have. Now my tears are those of thankfulness and joy. Now I can admit that death was hovering over my son and the prayers of people all over the world held it at bay. When I close my eyes, I see such warfare in the Heavenly realm that took place. Of course Mark is loved, but what kind of man is born into an era that his cry for help is heard worldwide? Early this morning, while waiting in the surgery wait room, this is all I could think about. Why him? Why me? This cannot be explained. I have read countless (countless!) comments of how this web of protection spun together like wildfire all over the world! If you knew Mark, he is a most humble man...quiet, polite and does not like to be the center of attention. I need YOU to stop and think...why did this story touch so many of your hearts? Most of you are total strangers, yet you wrote account after account of tears that were shed, posts that you dedicated to him on your own sites...why? I am humbled to the core of my being. I feel like the God of this Universe turned in my direction and loudly commanded death to go back where it came from and to NOT touch this man. That's powerful stuff! My knees buckle beneath me in this wonderment.

So, now I ask you...why has Mark's circumstances touched you all so deeply?

And know that this Momma feels so extremely grateful and blown away by all of this. I can't stop telling people about YOU. I stand in Awe of YOU.