Day 73 update on Mark

I am trying to incorporate my updates on Mark into my blog, so for now I am duplicate posting until I get everyone who wants an update on Mark to read my blog!  

 

An overdue (and kinda long), day 73 update:

 

 Prayer is powerful! Although Mark is still in ICU and still technically critical because of the brain swelling, etc, he is relatively stable and already starting to amaze the doctors and nurses. Mark will now open his eyes on command most of the time. Although VERY weak, he can wiggle his right thumb and give light sqeezes with his right hand. He can also wiggle the toes on his right foot. The doctors anticipated that Mark would be completely paralyzed on the left side; HOWEVER, he has started to have some twitching on the left side and earlier was able to move his left thumb slightly and wiggle his left toes slightly! I cannot even begin to express how miraculous these things are! Although he can do these slight movements, he is not able to move his arms or legs at this point or really even hold his head up, but hopefully he will be able to regain some strength there. His trach was placed on ...Friday and although he is tolerating it pretty well. He cannot speak with it right now and we have a feeling he would definitely be trying to say something periodically, so needless to say that aspect is a bit frustrating for him! I cannot imagine starting to wake up from such a traumatic brain injury (meaning the injury done to the brain by the bleeding), three brain surgeries, a trach, and then not being able to move or talk - it is understandably VERY stressful to him and very frightening for him, not to mention he was able to let us know by blinking that he IS in pain! :(

Tomorrow Mark is having a g-tube placed in his stomach for nutrition. This, compared to what he has been through, is actually a pretty minor surgery and he should tolerate it well.

The doctors have started "challenging" one of the drains in Mark's brain that drains off the extra spinal fluid. This means that his body is going to start having to reabsorb it's own extra spinal fluid. If this challenge is not successful over the next day or two then Mark might have to have a shunt placed in his brain to help with this. So far though, this looks like it might actually be ok.

Please continue to pray. Mark is SO FAR from out of the woods and does have other health concerns that make things a bit more difficult and precarious, but the testimony of what God has already brought Mark through and what he is doing now through Mark is honestly amazing. It is humbling that God trusts me enough to stand beside Mark during everything he has gone through. It is an honor to stand by his side as a wife, friend, caregiver, support, and encourager. What a testimony of strength and determination Mark has!

Thanks to everyone for the continued love, prayers, and support.


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For all who have asked, there is a fund set up to help with Mark's medical bills, rehab, and the things he will need as he recovers.  The link is
http://www.gofundme.com/humphreysmedicalfund,   Donations can also be made via paypal under the email address of msh1236@gmail.com.  Thanks!