Friends and Family,
Mark had a good night - not a lot of rest with all the people in and out but this morning has been feeling very well!
They gave him an epidural that will be in for 4-5 days which keeps the pain very minimal - only problem is they did such a good job making sure the epidural was working it shot down into his left leg and he has no feeling at all in that leg. They have adjusted the medication so we are just waiting for the feeling to come back. We need for the feeling to come back so that he can start getting out of bed and walking the halls so he can get better. So please pray for the feeling to come back completely!
He looks great - Dr. Ellwood came by this morning and said he knew Mark would be up and ready to go - he told me out in the hall that Mark didn't even look to him like he had surgery yesterday - I said I know - he's amazing! God has been so good to allow Mark the strength and determination in his recovery. His attitude is amazing - right now he's on the phone talking to guys about a softball tournament this week-end!
Thanks for your continued prayers - we love you!
Mark and Lee
Psalm 150:1-6
Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Out of Surgery - Praise the Lord!
Friends and Family,
I'm sorry for the delay in posting after surgery - I have had technical difficulties with Mark's laptop and had to get Cameron to bring me his.
The surgery went very well and I am just praising the Lord!
They started the surgery at 1:45 and it lasted just over 3 hours - I spoke with Dr. Elwood around 5:15 and he had all good news! The tumor on the right lobe was removed successfully with plenty of margins and the tumor on the left lobe was in a very good location so they didn't have to cut out as much of his liver as they thought which was good news and the great news was that they didn't see any new cancer!
He was in recovery for about 2 and a half hours while we waited for them to assign him a room. We finally got up here around 7:45 - we are in the green tower at Kennestone room 512 - right across the hall from where we were before - we've already had a couple of the nursing staff remember us from before.
We are currently in our private room and he is resting very well. He is on a lot of pain medication and feeling very well. He told everyone around here that it's our 25th anniversary and that he wanted to take me away to a place with a private room and 24 hour room service! What more could we ask for!
We thank you all for your prayers and love and support - we feel it and we appreciate it more than you could know!
I will post tomorrow and let you know how he's doing.
With much love and gratefulness,
Mark and Lee
Psalm 34:1-4
I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in thee Lord the humble shall hear thereof and be glad.
Oh magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together.
I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears.
I'm sorry for the delay in posting after surgery - I have had technical difficulties with Mark's laptop and had to get Cameron to bring me his.
The surgery went very well and I am just praising the Lord!
They started the surgery at 1:45 and it lasted just over 3 hours - I spoke with Dr. Elwood around 5:15 and he had all good news! The tumor on the right lobe was removed successfully with plenty of margins and the tumor on the left lobe was in a very good location so they didn't have to cut out as much of his liver as they thought which was good news and the great news was that they didn't see any new cancer!
He was in recovery for about 2 and a half hours while we waited for them to assign him a room. We finally got up here around 7:45 - we are in the green tower at Kennestone room 512 - right across the hall from where we were before - we've already had a couple of the nursing staff remember us from before.
We are currently in our private room and he is resting very well. He is on a lot of pain medication and feeling very well. He told everyone around here that it's our 25th anniversary and that he wanted to take me away to a place with a private room and 24 hour room service! What more could we ask for!
We thank you all for your prayers and love and support - we feel it and we appreciate it more than you could know!
I will post tomorrow and let you know how he's doing.
With much love and gratefulness,
Mark and Lee
Psalm 34:1-4
I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in thee Lord the humble shall hear thereof and be glad.
Oh magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together.
I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Surgery Scheduled for July 6
Dear Friends and Family,
After getting the good results from the scan we weren't sure if we would still have to go the route of surgery or not.
We talked with our oncologist and found out that they still recommend that Mark have the liver resection to completely rid his body of the cancerous tumors and then continue with 8 more rounds of chemo to make sure any chemo seeds or hidden tumors are taken care of.
A liver resection is not the easiest surgery to recover from so we covet your prayers as Mark prepares for the surgery in two weeks.
We are very thankful for this past week-end as we spent time together in Charleston, SC to celebrate our 25th anniversary which just happens to be July 6th so we are happy to have been able to make the trip before our upcoming hospital stay!
Our prayer requests:
Complete healing for Mark
Endurance through this next surgery and recovery
Faith
Find opportunities to be a witness of God's grace in our life.
Our daughter Jessica as she is leaving for Italy for either 5 weeks or 2 months to be an au pair (nanny) for a family there. (leaving Friday, June 25)
Thank you so much for your continued love and prayers,
Mark and Lee
James 5:14-16
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
After getting the good results from the scan we weren't sure if we would still have to go the route of surgery or not.
We talked with our oncologist and found out that they still recommend that Mark have the liver resection to completely rid his body of the cancerous tumors and then continue with 8 more rounds of chemo to make sure any chemo seeds or hidden tumors are taken care of.
A liver resection is not the easiest surgery to recover from so we covet your prayers as Mark prepares for the surgery in two weeks.
We are very thankful for this past week-end as we spent time together in Charleston, SC to celebrate our 25th anniversary which just happens to be July 6th so we are happy to have been able to make the trip before our upcoming hospital stay!
Our prayer requests:
Complete healing for Mark
Endurance through this next surgery and recovery
Faith
Find opportunities to be a witness of God's grace in our life.
Our daughter Jessica as she is leaving for Italy for either 5 weeks or 2 months to be an au pair (nanny) for a family there. (leaving Friday, June 25)
Thank you so much for your continued love and prayers,
Mark and Lee
James 5:14-16
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Good News!
Friends and Family,
Praise God! Praise God! Praise God! "No new spots and the spots that were there have decreased significantly" were the best, sweetest, most touching words I have heard in a while!
We are SO excited about these results and are just praising and giving thanks to God our Healer!
There's really not much else to say! Mark will have an appointment next week with his liver surgeon and find out where he wants to go from here.
I will let you know when we do.
Thank you for your prayers and please join us in thanking our Lord for this good news!
With thankfulness oozing out of us,
Mark and Lee
Psalm 30:11-12
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; Thou hast loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness; That [my] soul may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to Thee forever.
Psalm 100:4
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him, bless His name!
1 Thessalonians 5:18
in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Praise God! Praise God! Praise God! "No new spots and the spots that were there have decreased significantly" were the best, sweetest, most touching words I have heard in a while!
We are SO excited about these results and are just praising and giving thanks to God our Healer!
There's really not much else to say! Mark will have an appointment next week with his liver surgeon and find out where he wants to go from here.
I will let you know when we do.
Thank you for your prayers and please join us in thanking our Lord for this good news!
With thankfulness oozing out of us,
Mark and Lee
Psalm 30:11-12
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; Thou hast loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness; That [my] soul may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to Thee forever.
Psalm 100:4
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him, bless His name!
1 Thessalonians 5:18
in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Chemo - Round 4 - Scan this week!
Dear Friends and Family,
Last week Mark finished his 4th round of chemo. He was a bit sick but not terribly and is very thankful that it is now behind him.
I apologize for not blogging last week and have had some people ask me about it - the week got away from me so quickly!
This week-end went well - every Saturday we have softball games and since Mark has been sick he is the coach and doesn't play. I got to the game late to find my husband running from 1st to second in the middle of the game! What?? Yes, he played a game of softball! Should he have? Probably not. He was very exhausted afterward but I'm happy that he had fun and got to get out there with the guys!
Sunday was a huge blessing to me as I watched Mark sing on the praise team at church as they sang Chris Tomlin's "Our God" and we worshiped together singing "
Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!"
Tomorrow is a huge day for us! Mark goes in the morning for a CT scan. Someone ask me why they are doing the scan and what they are looking for. Very simply they are looking to see if:
1. The cancer is gone!
2. The cancer is shrinking
3. The cancer remains the same
4. The cancer has grown
5. The cancer has spread
Obviously our prayer request is for either number one or two - we know that "God is our Healer" and we know that God has a plan and tomorrow will tell us where we are and what to expect. Please join with us in prayer as we implore our heavenly Father for a great test result and we prayer that in all things God will get the glory.
God's faithfulness and goodness has been constant to us in all things through this time in our life. I can't begin to list all of the ways that God has blessed us and all of the people He has sent to us in our time of need to meet the very need at that very minute!
I will send a post after we know the results of the scans. We covet your prayers for complete healing in Mark's body and for our faith to be increased every day.
We feel the prayers and we love and appreciate you all,
Mark and Lee
"Great is Thy Faithfulness"
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Last week Mark finished his 4th round of chemo. He was a bit sick but not terribly and is very thankful that it is now behind him.
I apologize for not blogging last week and have had some people ask me about it - the week got away from me so quickly!
This week-end went well - every Saturday we have softball games and since Mark has been sick he is the coach and doesn't play. I got to the game late to find my husband running from 1st to second in the middle of the game! What?? Yes, he played a game of softball! Should he have? Probably not. He was very exhausted afterward but I'm happy that he had fun and got to get out there with the guys!
Sunday was a huge blessing to me as I watched Mark sing on the praise team at church as they sang Chris Tomlin's "Our God" and we worshiped together singing "
Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!"
Tomorrow is a huge day for us! Mark goes in the morning for a CT scan. Someone ask me why they are doing the scan and what they are looking for. Very simply they are looking to see if:
1. The cancer is gone!
2. The cancer is shrinking
3. The cancer remains the same
4. The cancer has grown
5. The cancer has spread
Obviously our prayer request is for either number one or two - we know that "God is our Healer" and we know that God has a plan and tomorrow will tell us where we are and what to expect. Please join with us in prayer as we implore our heavenly Father for a great test result and we prayer that in all things God will get the glory.
God's faithfulness and goodness has been constant to us in all things through this time in our life. I can't begin to list all of the ways that God has blessed us and all of the people He has sent to us in our time of need to meet the very need at that very minute!
I will send a post after we know the results of the scans. We covet your prayers for complete healing in Mark's body and for our faith to be increased every day.
We feel the prayers and we love and appreciate you all,
Mark and Lee
"Great is Thy Faithfulness"
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Chemo - Round 3
Friends and Family,
Mark is though round 3 of chemo. After round 2 he felt bad for quite a while on and off but if you saw him you wouldn't know it - he always has a positive attitude and keeps going no matter what! He had an allergic reaction which caused some breaking out on his face but Benadryl took care of that and by this past week-end looked and felt great!
Please continue to pray for complete healing, for faith and for a great result when he gets his next pet scan which will be in about 3-4 weeks we think. Also, pray that he will feel good and that the nausea will dissipate.
We are thankful this week for the help of my mom and sister from WV who have been a tremendous help around the house!! I look at where God has put us and marvel that every time we have a need that God sends someone to meet that for us. It is amazing how the support of family and friends has helped us in this journey from the smallest of things to the largest and we praise Him for the blessings He has sent us!
With much love,
Mark and Lee
Psalm 8:3-4
When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the st ars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
Psalm 36: 7,10
How excellent is Thy lovingkindness, O God! O continue Thy lovingkindness unto them that know Thee.
John 10:10
I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Matthew 11:28
come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Isaiah 26:3
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.
I Chronicles 5:20
They cried to God...and He was entreated of them; because they put their trust in Him.
Mark is though round 3 of chemo. After round 2 he felt bad for quite a while on and off but if you saw him you wouldn't know it - he always has a positive attitude and keeps going no matter what! He had an allergic reaction which caused some breaking out on his face but Benadryl took care of that and by this past week-end looked and felt great!
Please continue to pray for complete healing, for faith and for a great result when he gets his next pet scan which will be in about 3-4 weeks we think. Also, pray that he will feel good and that the nausea will dissipate.
We are thankful this week for the help of my mom and sister from WV who have been a tremendous help around the house!! I look at where God has put us and marvel that every time we have a need that God sends someone to meet that for us. It is amazing how the support of family and friends has helped us in this journey from the smallest of things to the largest and we praise Him for the blessings He has sent us!
With much love,
Mark and Lee
Psalm 8:3-4
When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the st ars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
Psalm 36: 7,10
How excellent is Thy lovingkindness, O God! O continue Thy lovingkindness unto them that know Thee.
John 10:10
I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Matthew 11:28
come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Isaiah 26:3
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.
I Chronicles 5:20
They cried to God...and He was entreated of them; because they put their trust in Him.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Chemo - Round 2
Friends and Family,
We are happy to say that Mark is through round 2 of chemo. He did feel nauseated some but overall did pretty well for which we are thankful!
Wearing the pump for 48 hours hasn't slowed him down much - I took him to a couple meetings on Wednesday and listened as he sat there and talked about FCA and such as I heard the pump every now and then making its noise as it disperses the chemo. I am very proud of the fact that he is going forward and not letting this hinder his ministry.
Our continued prayer requests is for complete healing and for minimal to no side effects from the chemo.
He has two more rounds of chemo before they will scan him again and then they plan to do another liver resection, give him time to recover and then start back on the chemo. We pray that the doctors will be befuddled when they scan him and that our Lord has chosen to heal him and has taken the cancer away! Wouldn't it be wonderful to not have to go through another liver surgery??
Thanks to the Lord for His mercies are new every day and His faithfulness is greater than anything Mark and I have ever experienced before!
We are constantly thankful for your prayers and support and love!
Mark and Lee
Psalm 103:1-2
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits>
II Chronicles 30:9
For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away His face from you, if ye return unto Him.
Colossians 2:7
Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Psalm 121:1
I will left up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
Psalm 35:28
My tongue shall speak of Thy righteousness and of Thy praise all the day long.
We are happy to say that Mark is through round 2 of chemo. He did feel nauseated some but overall did pretty well for which we are thankful!
Wearing the pump for 48 hours hasn't slowed him down much - I took him to a couple meetings on Wednesday and listened as he sat there and talked about FCA and such as I heard the pump every now and then making its noise as it disperses the chemo. I am very proud of the fact that he is going forward and not letting this hinder his ministry.
Our continued prayer requests is for complete healing and for minimal to no side effects from the chemo.
He has two more rounds of chemo before they will scan him again and then they plan to do another liver resection, give him time to recover and then start back on the chemo. We pray that the doctors will be befuddled when they scan him and that our Lord has chosen to heal him and has taken the cancer away! Wouldn't it be wonderful to not have to go through another liver surgery??
Thanks to the Lord for His mercies are new every day and His faithfulness is greater than anything Mark and I have ever experienced before!
We are constantly thankful for your prayers and support and love!
Mark and Lee
Psalm 103:1-2
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits>
II Chronicles 30:9
For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away His face from you, if ye return unto Him.
Colossians 2:7
Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Psalm 121:1
I will left up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
Psalm 35:28
My tongue shall speak of Thy righteousness and of Thy praise all the day long.
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