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!

There's a new baby at the Recker house!

Mark meets Moses for the first time.

Moses Adrian Recker was born at home on September 23 at 9:59 PM.  He was 9lb 6oz, 20.5" long. Moses is a beautiful, happy, healthy baby.  Becca, Keenan and baby are all doing well.  This baby has brought a sweet happiness to our family.  He is truly a blessing.  Just take a look. . .

In awe of this beautiful baby.

Becca, in the background, after a hard day's work.  She is an amazing young woman.

Medical Update

Dear Friends & Family,
We wanted to give you an update on Mark's current health and upcoming surgery. In mid-August Mark completed a series of 33 treatments of radiation and chemotherapy.  A follow-up MRI was scheduled for the week of September 2nd.  The week of August 26th, Mark developed some concerning symptoms (seizures and nausea/vomitting) and the oncologist, radiation oncologist and neurosurgeon were in agreement that an MRI should be performed as soon as possible to see if there were any new or significant changes that would explain the new onset of symptoms. 

The MRI showed significant swelling in the brain but also showed areas of necrosis (tissue death) in the tumor.  This was a good news/bad news situation.  The good news was that the radiation and chemotherapy had worked, at least in part, to have an effect on the tumor.  The doctors were concerned about the swelling however, and felt that something needed to be done to reduce the amount of edema and pressure in Mark's brain.  They recommended an increase in the amount of steroids and anti-seizure medication.  This had an immediate effect: the seizures stopped, the nausea and vomiting stopped, and Mark felt slightly more energy.

Despite these positive changes, Mark's oncologist wanted us to consult with the neurosurgeon about the possibility of surgery.  Dr. Soldevilla, the neurosurgeon, agreed that surgery would benefit Mark.  He believes that by taking out the dead tissue Mark will eventually feel better, will be able to decrease his use of steroids and will give the brain more room for swelling (an unfortunate side effect of having a brain tumor). 

So, Mark will be having surgery on October 2nd.  We anticipate he will be in the hospital for about a week.  We are confident that this is a step in the right direction.  We will keep you updated as he recovers.  For now, we are asking that you refrain from visiting Mark at the hospital.  It is essential that he get adequate rest and minimal outside stimulation.  Please text, email or call Kelley or Keenan if you'd like more information than this blog can provide.  We will be able to let you know when/if Mark is ready for visitors at the hospital.  Please feel free to post your words of encouragement here on this site as well.  We will be checking it frequently.  Your prayers for Mark's healing and comfort for our family are the best way to support us now. Thank you in advance for your love and care.

Mark and his boys: Tyler, Noah & Keenan

A tribute

I have had some dark days lately.  I firmly believe that the thoughts and prayers of many of you have been a help.  Thank-you.  I also am so blessed to have Kelley by my side.  She is doing so much more than feeding me and making sure I take my medicines.  She has been a true and understanding friend.  "Friend" really is an inadequate word.  I know that much of what I am experiencing is a normal part of this process/condition.  I know that in my head, but that doesn't mean I don't want to escape it!  The doctor says it's normal for a body going through trauma to want to just hunker down and rest, like a woof in a cave.  So I've been doing some hunkering, quite a bit actually.  It is so nice to not be alone in my hunkering, and Kelley has been right there with me the entire time with her soft, understanding words and compassion.  She reads me asleep either something inspiring or funny.  She listens to my sorrows and never tells me to just snap out of it, which is what I am telling myself.

It's been quite hard to not be back to school.  I am blessed to have Kelley during this time.  Please remember us both in your thoughts and prayers.  (By the way, Mark wrote this post!

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Day by Day

Friends & Family,

It's been a while since our last post, so here's an update.  We are learning to live day by day and trying to find the good things to be thankful for with each day.  Some days it is harder than others but we are putting one foot in front of the other.

Family-related news:  At the end of August we spent a night over in Bend, OR.  Noah wanted to see an MGMT concert (an alternative-rock band) so he, Keenan, Mark & I made a trip over the mountain.  It was a nice little get-away.  Mark & I were definitely among the oldest people in the crowd at the Les Schwab Amphitheater, but it was great to be able to share that with the boys.  Noah was thrilled!  Sunday morning we went to McMenamins at St. Francis School for brunch--this is the school I attended in the 4th-5th grade that has now been converted to a hotel, restaurant and theater.  It was fun to show the boys around and point out my old classrooms.  A bit of nostalgia.  A great weekend to share together.

Keenan, Noah, Mark & Kelley at the MGMT concert in Bend.

Becca & Keenan are expecting their baby this month--anytime!  They are having a home birth so we will be able to see the baby very shortly after he or she is born.  We are so excited about having a baby in the house and thrilled to be able to share in their lives as new parents.  

School-related news: Mark was able to attend the "opening ceremonies" at Pratum School and also Silver Crest Elementary.  Mark gave an inspiring message to the students, parents and teachers about kindness, thinking of others and striving to do your best.  He was welcomed by swarms of students and teachers giving big hugs and kind words.  Thanks to all of you who made him feel loved and appreciated. It was a good morning.


Medical-related news:  Over the past month Mark had some new symptoms that were a bit concerning.  In late August, he experienced a few days of severe nausea & vomiting, more headache pain than usual and had a few seizures.  After reporting these symptoms to his medical team of doctors, they decided he should have an MRI.  They also increased his steroid dose in an effort to decrease the symptoms.  The increase in steroids had an almost immediate effect and his symptoms improved--no more nausea, seizures or headaches.  Thank God for good medicine!

The results of the MRI are perplexing to the medical team. There is increased swelling in the brain. This is a normal process after radiation treatment.  There are also areas of necrosis (dead tissue), again a normal process, and a good sign that the radiation worked to some extent.  The doctors are just not sure if ALL of the increased swelling is due to the normal process of radiation treatment or related to new tumor growth.  The next step now is to have a repeat MRI in about 3 weeks.  This will give us a better picture of what's happening and we now have a recent MRI to compare new results with.

In the meantime, Mark is hanging in there.  He is very tired and sleeps a lot.  His doctor told him not to fight that--it is his body's way of telling him it needs repair and needs all the rest he can get.  This is frustrating to him; he wants to be able to wake up and feel rested, but the fatigue hangs on and it wears on him.  We are hoping that this is just a rough patch and he will regain some of that energy again soon. Please pray for energy and strength for Mark.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers.  We feel your love for us and are grateful for the kindness of friends and family.  Don't hesitate to send Mark and email of encouragement, a note in the mail or give him a call.  He has a new smart phone and may answer if you call, but you can always call our home phone or my cell and if he's up to it, I'm sure he'd love to hear news about your lives and families.