Practical ways to help

. . . and there are many more leaves yet to fall.

I know that many of you feel like you'd like to help, but aren't sure what you can do.  Here are a few ideas:
1. Yard work: We are drowning in leaves!  We could use some help raking leaves, trimming bushes, etc.
2. Winterizing (sp?): Doing whatever needs to be done to get the house ready for winter.  Mark has always done this and I've never paid much attention, but I imagine putting covers over outside faucets was included.
3.  Taking bottles/cans back to store.  Maybe there are some teenagers out there who might like a few extra bucks? We'd love to have you take those off our hands.

Please email Kelley at mnkrecker@gmail.com if you'd like to help.  Thank-you!

Family Photos

The family all wearing Recker's Runners t-shirts; even baby Moses--his shirt says "Future Recker Runner" :)

Noah holding baby Moses for the first time.  What a cool uncle he's going to be!

Becca made a beautiful birthday cake for Kelley's birthday.  Sooooo good!

Just a few pictures of the events we've shared over the past few weeks.  We are enjoying spending time together, as always, but every gathering has an added element of making the most of being together--more hugs, more pictures, more sweets! 

Christmas Tree Run

 About 7 years ago, Mark came up with an idea for what would soon become the annual "Christmas Tree Run".  He invited all the k-8 schools in the Silver Falls School District to come up to Silver Crest Elementary (one of his 2 schools).  The kids were encouraged to run a cross-country course that took them through a Christmas Tree Farm adjacent to the school.  All kids were rewarded with a participation ribbon.  Kids are not pushed to "win" but to complete the course, at their pace.  Over the years, attendance has grown.  I believe I heard someone say that this year there were about 700 runners.  The kids wore shirts this year that said "Recker's Runners" all pledging to run in his honor.  Wow, what a testament to the positive, healthy influence Mark has had on the kids of the Silverton community.  I'm feeling a lot of love for my husband today. . .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BixwMz93L_Y

Rest and Recovery

Dear Friends & Family,

We've been home nearly a week now.  Mark is getting stronger every day.  Today we walked across town to the post office. . . our longest walk yet since before the surgery!  We have been trying to ease back into "normal" life.  We've had some visitors this week and it's been nice to connect with friends and family. 

We will check in with the surgeon next week. Decreasing the steroids will be the next step and will hopefully address Mark's ongoing depression and fatigue.  We would appreciate your prayers as Mark continues to recover and as we work together to create a new normal.  We are confident that God has good things in store for us. 

Going home!

We got the orders from the Dr. that we can go home. Just waiting now for discharge instructions from Mark's nurse. Woo hoo! It is a sunny day!

Friday update

We are waiting to see the Dr. this morning and hoping that he will write orders for Mark to go home today. Mark's goals for the day: 1) to go home and 2) to have a positive emotional day!

Mark slept well last night. . . probably a good 8 hours.  He needed that! He is sleeping now. We anticipate he will need lots of rest once we get home. We have plans to hunker down, watch some football and enjoy some time with our kids and baby Moses.

Thanks for your prayers, texts, emails and facebook messages. We are so fortunate to have a wide circle of friends and family who are behind us. Mark is loved!

Evening Post-op Day 2

Mark has had an eventful day. He started this morning in the ICU but was moved to the medical floor around 10:30am.  Shortly after arriving to his new room, he was taken downstairs for an MRI. By the time he got back, he was exhausted. We asked that he be given some time to rest and the nursing staff closed the door and let him sleep. Yay! He woke up feeling like he had enough energy to go for a walk down a short hallway. He felt even better after getting out of bed.. He will likely go home tomorrow (Friday).  He is looking forward to sleeping in his own bed and getting more than 2 hours of sleep in a row. He can relate to Keenan & Becca. . . they are all a bit sleep deprived these days.

Thanks again for your love & concern.

Post-op Day 2

Mark did really well over night according his Brian, RN in ICU. Brian gave excellent care. . .Mark could not have been in better hands. Thank you Brian. 

Dr. Soldevilla just checked in with Mark this morning. He is writing orders for Mark to be transferred to the Medical floor sometime today. Yay! This is progress! Mark is in relatively little pain from the incision. He just wants to sleep. I will be with Mark today. We are asking that Mark not have visitors today; it will be a busy day and he needs his rest.

We are about to have a shift change. Leslie, RN, will be taking over Mark's care this morning. Leslie was one of my students when I was the CNA program director at Clackamas Community College. She was one of the best students. . . I remember her well. Mark is in good hands; we are so grateful. Thank you everyone for your continued love & support for Mark. We are off to a good start today.

Surgery day

The day is finally here. Mark is getting his pre-op MRI now (8:20am). He is in good spirits this morning. We have spent some time praying and reading and looking through encouraging cards, emails and texts from many of you. Mark knows he is loved. We feel your support and love for our family. Keep the prayers coming!  We are hopeful for a successful day.
Kelley

12:30  Mark's surgeon gave us the report following surgery.  Good news: at first glance there is no evidence of "live" tumor in the mass that he removed (per pathologist).   Mark's surgeon was very encouraged by this!  We will get a final pathology report in about a week or two. They will do a repeat MRI within the next week or so.  Mark is still in recovery.  We are anxious to see him and talk with him about this good news.  Thanks for your prayers!

3:15pm: Mark is resting in ICU.  His vital signs are stable, he's had some orange jello and water with his medications.  He is tired and complains of a headache--all to be expected after this surgery.  Continue to pray for quick healing and recovery.  Thank you!