The day finally came! Mark went into the pre-op around 5:45 am. We were sitting in the waiting room with our donor, Tori, before he went in to surgery. Mark and I shared an emotional hug, and he was prepped for surgery. Once they had all the IV's hooked up and such, my mom and I were able to go back and see Mark. We were able to spend about another 45 minutes with Mark and Tori (who as in the same room) before they left for surgery for good. Tori left first, then Mark left 10 minutes later.
Wow, the emotions began to flow then! I was totally freaking out watching the board with his ID number. The surgery started around 7:30 am and after a long, long, 4 hours they called us up to talk to the doctor. The doctor said everything went well--the kidney turned pink and began to create urine right away. Mark had minimal bleeding and did not need a transfusion. There would be another 2 hour wait until we could see him. Miranda, my neighbor came by to help me through this and between her and my mother they kept me talking at lunch--trying to keep me from thinking about Mark. They did a fairly good job, cause by the time we were going up to the 2nd floor Mark already had a room.
We went up to his room and as I was entering the room Mark was being moved from the surgery table to the bed---let me tell you he was in such pain. I almost went in there and kicked all their butts, but decided to listen and go back into the waiting room until they were ready. Another long, agonizing 10-15 minutes went by and the time finally came!
Mark was in a lot of pain when I first saw him. Even the "every 6 minute shot of cocktail" wasn't seeming to ease his pain. I was so so scared and wanted to do everything I could to help him ease his pain. One thing Mark said though was that he was hungry--some things never change!
Well, by this evening his pain was a little better. Tomorrow he will get to eat "real food" and he will be getting up and walking.
Tori will be able to go home tomorrow. She is an amazing person!
Well, I am off for now. I will update more later. Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers---it helped us get through this today! I'll leave you with the words of Mark--within the first hour or two after he was recovering I asked him how he felt and he said "like a cherry pie exploding in his mouth!" For those of you that really know Mark, I think he is on the road to recovery!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
Big day tomorrow...
Tomorrow is the big day. For those of you that are followers of this blog, I will hopefully make updates on here if I can each evening. I will also be making updates via facebook, as many of our family and friends are on there.
Thank you for all the prayers everyone!
Thank you for all the prayers everyone!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Love and Support
I am surprisingly calm these days before Mark's surgery. Of course, when I think of all that has to be done once Mark is home (taking blood pressure, temperature, meds, taking him to appointments 3 times a week, etc.) I get a little scared and nervous. Even though that scares me a bit, it is a good scared nervousness--never thought I would say that. All the other times i take Mark to the doctor I cross all my fingers and toes hoping that they do not find something "bad" and now Mark will be on his road to recovery!
There is still a small chance that Mark's disease could come back into the donated kidney. Unfortunately doctors do not know the root cause so they do not have a cure for FSGS, but I know Mark is strong and will do his best to take care of this kidney and FSGS!!!!
On other happy news, I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family. Everytime I open up a card or read an email I know that so many people are praying for Mark and his health. A million thank you's would never be enough to show how much that means to Mark and I. I know that Mark will not be alone in the surgery room--with all the love and support we have recieved through all of this. Mark's family has been amazing as well, and will be there to support him as well. So much love!
Updates: After Mark's surgery, I will be making phone calls to my Dad and siblings. I will be asking them to relay the information on to everyone else. I will also be making daily updates on here in the evening to let everyone know how he is doing. The doctor is thinking Mark will be in the hospital for only 3 full days, so hopefully we will be home on the 29th or 30th of December if all goes as planned.
(Perfect timing to watch the Rose Bowl Game).
Hope everyone has safe travels and a wonderful holiday season! Love you all!
The Clarks
There is still a small chance that Mark's disease could come back into the donated kidney. Unfortunately doctors do not know the root cause so they do not have a cure for FSGS, but I know Mark is strong and will do his best to take care of this kidney and FSGS!!!!
On other happy news, I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family. Everytime I open up a card or read an email I know that so many people are praying for Mark and his health. A million thank you's would never be enough to show how much that means to Mark and I. I know that Mark will not be alone in the surgery room--with all the love and support we have recieved through all of this. Mark's family has been amazing as well, and will be there to support him as well. So much love!
Updates: After Mark's surgery, I will be making phone calls to my Dad and siblings. I will be asking them to relay the information on to everyone else. I will also be making daily updates on here in the evening to let everyone know how he is doing. The doctor is thinking Mark will be in the hospital for only 3 full days, so hopefully we will be home on the 29th or 30th of December if all goes as planned.
(Perfect timing to watch the Rose Bowl Game).
Hope everyone has safe travels and a wonderful holiday season! Love you all!
The Clarks
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Nephcure Walk
Today I participated in the 1st Nephcure Walk in Phoenix! I am so glad I participated (and thank all those who donated to the cause)!
The people I met today were amazing and inspirational. There were 3 young children who were running around playing, who also had FSGS. They have endured a lot of hospital stays and currently take predisone (which is a type of steriod) to keep the disease dormant. I truely hope this works and they can continue to enjoy their childhoon the way they should. I also met another woman (in the picture below), who had a husband who suffered from FSGS. Her and I bonded at once...it kind of crazy that it happened. Her and I both new what each other has gone through and we instantly felt that connection.
I was also able to meet Lynn and her husband. Lynn has worked in the non-profit for most of her lifetime and her husband of 7 years has become involved with Nephcure since then. They were so welcoming and were filled with positive energy. Her husband spoke with me for some time and I know that he is doing him part to fight for finding what causes FSGS and its cure.
At the end of the walk, everyone was so excited to start for the 2nd annual Nephcure Walk in Phoenix for next year. I know I would like to become more involved with the process and cannot wait for Mark to join in the walk next year. I think Mark and I have felt like we have been alone and do not have someone to talk to that have gone through what we have gone through. (Mark and I love our family for all the support they have given us, but knowing people who have been through the same thing as us is a bond and connection that is comforting).
A start to find the cause and cure for FSGS!
The people I met today were amazing and inspirational. There were 3 young children who were running around playing, who also had FSGS. They have endured a lot of hospital stays and currently take predisone (which is a type of steriod) to keep the disease dormant. I truely hope this works and they can continue to enjoy their childhoon the way they should. I also met another woman (in the picture below), who had a husband who suffered from FSGS. Her and I bonded at once...it kind of crazy that it happened. Her and I both new what each other has gone through and we instantly felt that connection.
At the end of the walk, everyone was so excited to start for the 2nd annual Nephcure Walk in Phoenix for next year. I know I would like to become more involved with the process and cannot wait for Mark to join in the walk next year. I think Mark and I have felt like we have been alone and do not have someone to talk to that have gone through what we have gone through. (Mark and I love our family for all the support they have given us, but knowing people who have been through the same thing as us is a bond and connection that is comforting).
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