Friday, February 09, 2007

I G Y B Mark

















Yesterday Mark saw his doctor. He got a good report about his broken ankle
and his internal organs are healing at a regular rate. His broken back?.....
not so good.

When he was in the hospital, the concentration was mainly on his internal organs, which are healing every day at a very hearty snails pace :^) But, after some extensive x-rays, the cracks (more than one) were blatant and Mark said it was very hard to look at the illuminated pictures and actually believe they were his. Back surgery is looking imminent. Just a jolt in the right place, could cause serious spinal cord damage and none of us will say the "P" word, out loud. We are going to get more than one opinion, hoping to make the right decision, in the end.

Yesterday was the hardest emotional day I've seen him have, so far. Reality seemed to crash down and we
shared some tears. As a momma, you just want it all to be happening to yourself, rather than your child. I rubbed his head, called him, "Mon chi chi" (my little monkey), and he gave me a small smile through his tears. He knows that life will never be the same and he is grieving that loss. (Cry it all out Mark...~~~~~~~~
then let it go~~~~~~~~)

He is THE most brave human being I know.

Bless you dear dear Mark. I love you, forever, Momma

48 Comments:

Blogger Magicaldamselfly said...

Mark cry it out then bite the bullet and do what you have to. We of course will all keep the prayers going and with the grace of God you will be ok. There is a reason and a season for all things in our life journey and I know that one day you will get to understand what/why all this happened. Hang in there!

Love to you all,
Sheila

12:20 PM  
Blogger turquoise cro said...

O! Darlene! I've got YOUR back and Marks too with lots and lots of prayers!!!! and lots of LOVE!!! XOXOXOX (((((((Mark))))) ((((Darlene)))))

12:21 PM  
Blogger Michelle O'Neil said...

He is amazing and so are you.

Continuous love and support surround you both.

1:06 PM  
Blogger Mimey said...

He's come so far so quickly, you've coped with so much, so bravely, I can't help but thinking the more you shoulder the stronger you get. {{{hugs}}}

1:21 PM  
Blogger Vanessa said...

thank you so much for the update Darlene. and I am so thankful for the good progress reported in it. weighing up the options for something so delicate and so huge as surgery on a broken back (added to all the other complications) must be utterly unnerving. I'm keeping you and Mark in my thoughts (haven't stopped!). I know you'll find the medical guidance you need. and the warmth of hundreds of well-wishing 'hopers' from all over the world will continue to root for you and mark.
Vxxx

1:35 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

People from all over the world will continue to walk with Mark, you and your family on this rough path. We are here and have your back(s).

Love to all of you,

XOXO Sophie

1:52 PM  
Blogger Julie said...

I'm going to concentrate on all the wonderful progress Mark is making and trust that the same healing miracles which have gotten him this far will continue to work in his spine. I'm sure that moment of realization yesterday will only make him stronger.

Sending hugs and prayers on angels' wings.

xoxo Star

2:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

He is brave and strong, and will make it through this next phase as well.

Thinking of you often!! Hope you are feeling well Darlene!!

Sending everyone my love and big hugs!

Oh yeah, by the way, I have to giggle, because I used to call Matt my mon chi chi too! How weird is that?

Teresa
xxoo

3:14 PM  
Blogger daisies said...

he is brave, you are brave and he has come so far ~ love is amazing i think and can produce miracles and this i know to be true as i saw it with my sister and the love of our family ...

sending you all much love ...

3:27 PM  
Blogger k said...

awww yes, the Clam Shell brace...not a favourite of too many people :) i've continued to follow mark's progress and your insights over the past several wks. i don't think spine surgery should ever be taken lightly, but since working on a surgical spine unit i am amazed every day how well my patients do after stabilization surgeries. i know mark has some complicating factors but i think he'll do quite well. i look frwd to the updates. thinking of you all.
kristin the OT xoxo

3:51 PM  
Blogger Julie H said...

Smiling here at the "hearty snail" - what a great description.

Our Lord had got Mark this far and I am sure that if he needs surgery then He will walk through it with Mark. It is scary, but you are not alone.

Have a peace filled weekend.

4:09 PM  
Blogger beth said...

"In those days,
we finally chose
to walk like giants
& hold the world
in arms grown strong with love
& there may be many things we forget
in the days to come,
but this will not be one of them."

This is a quote from Brain Andreas...he is man behind Storypeople.com in case you don't know him.

Anyhow, I came across this quote today while looking for a different one, and thought it was perfect for you and Mark..

Our thoughts are still with you !!

4:33 PM  
Blogger Lisa Oceandreamer Swifka said...

Dearest Darlene, Mark has come this far and I know his journey has miles to travel yet, but I feel in my soul that he will continue to WALK through it until he's near running. Sending love, gently hugs and prayers of well being...for both of you.
XOXOXO

4:35 PM  
Blogger Jack K. said...

Mark, your mother is not the only one who loves you. There are a lot of us out here in the blogosphere who want to let you know that we care about you and would like to serve in whatever way we can.

So, trooper, keep up the good fight and continue to heal. Who knows, with a little luck you may play tennis or golf in the future, or not.

We will send you all of the energy we can to you and your family to use as you will.

5:02 PM  
Blogger Wanda said...

Darlene, I picture you hold Mark in your arms as you did when he was an infant, rocking back and forth. Bonding with you infant is wonderful, bonding with an adult child through a tragedy, holding them, sharing your tears. Something you will treasure and ponder the rest of your life. I know! Know my tears and prayers are flowing for you and Mark right now.
I love you every day!

5:17 PM  
Blogger poet said...

for mark; dear mark. i have been following along since all of this first happened. i don't always comment, but i am always praying. you are such an inspiration. i imagine you don't feel like one, but in my heart, you are. let it out, crying is NOT a sign of weakness...and weakness is not part of you. at least to me. take care....poet.

5:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i don't know what it would feel like to watch your child in such pain. but i do know that, from what i have read, your family sounds like an extraordinarily strong and loving one. i can understand those tears but the image of a small smile finding its way through is a lovely, hopeful one.
take care,
amy d.

6:28 PM  
Blogger gerry rosser said...

I haven't commented every day lately, but I'm still here, watching, hoping, waiting.

By the way, I sent the picture of my little Babycakes just because it is so damn cute and cheery.

6:44 PM  
Blogger Juli said...

Glad to see an update... I think of Mark often and am happy to hear he is progressing well. As far as what lies ahead, hopefully it'll seem like a cake walk compared to what he's already experienced.

6:48 PM  
Blogger chulita4 said...

scauwyYes, Mark's life will never be the same again and he needs to grieve the passing of that life, but in time he will value his new life just as much--or more perhaps--as the old one. He is truly a remarkable human being and he has been put on the path to become an extraordinary man who is meant to help so many others during the course of the rest of his life. And you are his proud momma, and we, I, get to be involved from afar and I am very grateful for that and very honored as well. My continued prayer and my love to Mark and to you, and the rest of the family. Take Care, both of you.

8:12 PM  
Blogger Trish Ryan said...

You guys are in my prayers...God's not out of miracles yet!!!

Bless you -
Much love,
Trish

8:26 PM  
Blogger Kim G. said...

I'll be praying for wise counsel on the decision you guys will have to make about surgery. Scary, but we know Mark is a survivor and will make it through whatever he needs to. Hoping that tomorrow will bring sunshine and hope to you both!

8:59 PM  
Blogger Georgia said...

Well, so many good things happening, and some a bit scary too. I will be praying for you guys tonight.

Love to you!
Georgia

9:52 PM  
Blogger LEstes65 said...

I'm glad you posted this. It tells me specifically how to pray for you and for Mark. I send you guys my love and strength. I'm praying big here. I'm expecting more miracles.

Love you...

9:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mark is in such a scarey place right now but never underestimate the power of the human spirit. Look how far he has come! Testimony to the strength of the human spirit. With the wonderful support system that he has Mark will get through this phase and keep healing untill he no longer feels afraid. One thing I am sure about is that you are all strong enough to do this because since the 19th December you have come through much worse.

12:40 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dearest Darlene (and Mark),

I cannot begin to conceive of how frightening it must have been to see the spinal cracks and how confronting the reality of everything you've gone through truly is.

We've got not just your backs but all of you covered in prayer.

I pray for God to guide the medical specialists to make the right diagnosis and treatments as well.

Thank you for giving us an update to make our prayers more 'targetted'. We lift you up.

Many hugs to Darlene, Jay and Angela, and a very, very, very delicate fairy pat on the cheek for one of the bravest people I have ever heard of!!!!

With love from my family to yours

Annie

1:06 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

(((Mark))) and (((Darlene)))...still praying and still sending thoughts of strength and support...

dd/sandy

3:30 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You are both so very brave and strong, and your relationship with each other is inspiring.
Sending my love to you all, and praying for the strength you need to keep on keeping on...
Love Always,
Suze xXx

5:00 AM  
Blogger Sheila said...

You are both so brave. Mark will surely have more days of despair, but tears are therapy too. We cry ~ we grieve, and at some point we move on. You have come so far together, and still have a long way to go, but you will beat that smail by a mile..
Hugs
xx

8:01 AM  
Blogger Sheila said...

Sorry for the typo..that was supposed to read SNAIL..!!

8:02 AM  
Blogger paris parfait said...

You are all brave. Sending prayers and good wishes Mark's way.

1:02 PM  
Blogger luzie said...

((Mark and Darlene)) I'm still here, thinking of you daily. I'm also still sending out healing vibes to Mark. He's come such a long way already.. I'm amazed by his strenght as well as by your strength, Darlene.

Love
luzie xoxo

3:28 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dearest Darlene

Matthew wants to give a message to Mark:

"Don't be too sad. Get well soon"

Love Matthew

5:23 PM  
Blogger JP (mom) said...

You remain a loving, faithful momma ... even when it must take every ounce of strength. Good idea on the second opinion. My heart goes out to Mark and all of his health struggles--he is a VERY brave young man. Much love, Deb

6:02 PM  
Blogger Shari said...

You guys got this far, you can go all the way. We are all your cheerleaders. Gimme an "M."

Sending prayers. Take care.

6:18 PM  
Blogger Teri said...

you two can get through anything together.
xo

6:31 PM  
Blogger Gill said...

Gosh, what terrifying news. I hope and pray that Mark gets through this next phase. When will it end? I hope you all stay strong, and just know that all of us are still thinking of you guys all the time.
xoxoxo

6:50 PM  
Blogger Regina said...

Yes, bless you, Mark- what an ordeal you have been through... bless you, bless you, bless you...

9:41 PM  
Blogger angela said...

Thinking about you all.
Praying for you and Mark to make the right decision.
Good luck,
Hugs,
Angela

6:35 AM  
Blogger mareymercy said...

I haven't been online in awhile and wanted to check in to see how things were going. Last I read here Mark was still in the hospital and it was touch-and-go as he had high fever, etc. Now I come back and he's out and his internal organs are healing...it is hard to see the hope and progress when you are in it everyday, but when you step back you can see that things are slowly getting better and you are blessed to still have him with you. Definitely get that second opinion and keep your spirits up!

7:25 AM  
Blogger Jerri said...

Always, always prayers go into the Universe for Mark and for you and for the highest good for each.

Blessings to you all, dear Darlene.

11:27 AM  
Blogger Amber said...

He IS so brave. This has got to just be so hard...

Please remember that people are still out here praying for you all. We have not forgotten his need for prayer. Even if we all wish we could do more!

oxoxox
:)

2:03 PM  
Blogger Amber said...

Oh, and I had to smile. My mom always called my brothers "Mon chi chi". I remember those little monkey dolls that came out when my brother was small. I think he and Mark are about the same age.

silly mommies. :)

:)

2:06 PM  
Blogger ::Bek Geach:: said...

Mark is such a brave guy.
My thoughts remain with Mark, You and all your family.
With much love
Bxx

8:05 PM  
Blogger Lady Prism said...

Crying is good!..

And..yes..it may look daunting..but Mark is brave and strong..and so are you...and we are all here together....

3:59 AM  
Blogger AMY said...

Still praying for you. Now whenever I see my daughter's little stuffed monkey I'll think of Mark. We'll continue to pray for wisdom and understanding of Mark's condition and for the knowledge to know what to do to help him be restored.

9:44 AM  
Blogger Left-handed Trees... said...

Thinking of you as he moves into yet another trying stage of his journey...
Love,
D.

9:58 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow - I cannot believe how absolutely amazing this man is! One would never guess, by these pictures, that he has had such a tramatic experience. It's shocking.
Mark, you look great, I hope you feel as great as you look sooner than later.
Just another bloggie friend who has been here since day 1.
Take care Darlene, Mark and Family.

7:53 AM  

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