Update - 2/23/12

Dear Friends and Family,

Well, we've been home over a week now and Mark continues to rest and recuperate. He got his staples out on Tuesday of this week. He has a slight infection that they put him on antibiotics for. The bottom part of his wound has opened up a bit and so we are trying to treat that at home - we thought we were going to end up in the ER on Tuesday night as the wound kept bleeding but praise God it finally stopped and he got some rest.

Right now about all he needs to do is lay flat on his back. Sitting or walking really seems to aggravate the wound. The nurse is trying to get us an appointment to take him in tomorrow so they can take a look and make sure everything is ok - we have some concerns so it would be a good to see a professional. I've learned a lot these past three years and done a lot of things I wouldn't have thought I could but changing the dressing on this wound almost took me down Tuesday night! Afterwards all I could think of is, that is all we need - for me to pass out with Mark laying there with his wound open - we'd be quite a sight!! I thank the Lord for humor - He has definitely allowed us to laugh a lot - at ourselves, other things, etc. It's always good to laugh!!

As you are faithful in your prayers for Mark please pray that this infection will clear up and his wound will heal quickly. We are slated to go to Kansas City for FCA conference the end of next week. This only happens every 3 years and is a highlight for all staff - please pray that Mark will be able to go and will feel good.

Much Love,

Mark and Lee

Psalm 20:1-5 – “May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May He send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May He remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God.”

We are looking forward to shouting that victory cry and giving God all the honor and glory for all that HE had done in our lives!!

There's No Place Like HOME!

Friends and Family,

We thought that Mark wouldn't get out until Tuesday or Wednesday initially and also thought they he may end up in ICU the first night -

God has been so gracious to us that he never went to ICU - and they discharged him this morning and so he is HOME!!

What a relief to be away from the hospital and be able to rest and relax and just concentrate on regaining his strength and allowing his body to heal.

Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers!!

Mark and Lee

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways ackowledge Him and He shall direct they paths.

Good News on God's Day

I know this is the same picture from the last post but I loved it so much I couldn't not use it!

It is Sunday morning and the doctor already came by to see Mark. He had really good news for us - the pathology report came back and everything looked good!! Then he said that Mark was doing so well that he may let us go home tomorrow!! He also said that Mark can start on clear liquids today - this is very exciting since he hasn't had a bite of food since Monday evening - ice chips just weren't getting it - he's pretty excited to get that tray of clear liquids! (perspective is everything!)

I'm so happy I almost ran down the hall as I went to get something to eat - how I praise the Lord for this great news!!

The next step is to do a follow up visit with our surgeon and then will go to our oncologist to see what type of treatment they recommend.

Thank you for your prayers - please join us in thanking the Lord for the great results that He gave us!

The next time you go to the Lord in prayer please lift up the Simonds family - their precious 14 year old daughter who was only diagnosed in January with Lukemia went home to be with the Lord on Thursday this week. This is so tragic and we have been lifting this family up since we got the news - please pray for them when the Lord brings them to mind.

We are looking forward to getting home tomorrow and to a full recovery soon - I will just have to make sure that Mark doesn't push it and if you know Mark then you know I have a really hard job!!

We are so grateful for all the prayers and thank you with all our hearts!

Lee

Psalm 105:1-5

Oh give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him: Talk of all His wondrous works! Gory In His holy name: Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! Seek the Lord and His strength: Seek His face evermore! Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders and the judgments of His mouth.

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 6:33,34

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be addd to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world the He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Day 3 - See for Yourself

Friends and Family,

They say a picture is worth a thousand words - so I though I'd let you see for yourself - Mark doesn't even look like he had major surgery 3 days ago!! This is by far his favorite visitor, our first grandchild Camden Grace Tidwell born 5 weeks ago!

His recovery is going great and we give God all the honor and glory for this!

He is still only on ice chips and hasn't had a bite of food since Monday evening - I'm sure we will have to put some weight back on him after we get home.

The doctor is still saying probably Tuesday at least before he can go home - we are hoping maybe Monday but we will see - he is getting rest here and probably best to stay as long as possible for his own sake. It is very cold today here in Kennesaw and we can hear the wind outside - thankful to be in a warm hospital rom.

Our next step is to get the pathology report back - we probably won't hear anything until Tuesday. After that we will get the recommendations of how they would like for us to proceed. This will be a matter of prayer for us as we decide what next steps to take.

The texts and emails have been very encouraging for Mark as I sit here and read them to him. The days are going by very quickly so far - he is up walking the halls every couple of hours - and with visitors in between it makes the days go by quick which is good.

Thanks for all the encouragement and the prayers - we love you all!

Lee


Colossians 3:12-17

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

February 9 - doing well and looking good

So here we are on day 1 toward recovery in room 116 at the purple tower of Kennestone in "short stay" - wish that meant that we wouldn't be here long but what that really means is they were out of beds and had to put us here! The doctor said we are still looking at a week's stay.

He has had some side effects from the epidural block so he hasn't been up yet - his leg is numb so they changed the meds and we are waiting to see if it works so we can get him up and walking.

He looks really good, not like someone who had major surgery yesterday! He still cannot drink or even have ice chips but he's in great spirits and has been enjoying me reading him emails, texts and posts from Facebook.

Thank you for all the love and support - we definitely feel it!

We don't have good cell coverage in our room so if you call or text and do not get a timely response that is why.

Praising the Lord,

Mark and Lee

Psalm 37:3-7

Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
delight yourself also in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart
Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass.
He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.

Surgery Over - All Went Well - Praise the Lord

Friends and Family,

THANK YOU so much for your prayers - we just spoke with the doctor and everything went very well! He got all the cancer out with good margins and was able to reattach the colon - he said everything else looked good - now we are just waiting to go back to recovery to see him.

I am so thankful that he didn't have to have a colostomy - he will be so relieved!

I will update more tomorrow and post how he is doing.

Thanks again for all the messages and prayers - we are truly blessed with good friends and with many many prayer warriors -

I've been told it is hard to leave a message on this blog - if you want to send Mark a message you can email leetidwell7@gmail.com and I will read it to him. You can also text me at 678-778-7254.

With Much Gratitude to our Lord,

Lee

"It is good to give thanks unto the Lord"!