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Hi Ted -
Tell Mark, I have been thinking of him and glad he's doing well. Look forward to seeing him in Vegas.
Ted is there an address of the hospital that we could send cards or flowers? It might of been some where in here and might of missed it but let me know.
Thanks to you as well for being there for him!
eddie
Good luck to both of you. Mark is very fortunate to have you by his side, and it’s that kind of support that will help to insure his quick and complete recovery.
My thoughts are with you. We’re right here in Colorado; so if you need anything locally just let me know.
wow, what a trooper he is! Thanks Ted for stopping in to let us know what's going on and how he's handling all of this. If there is a way we can send cards or such, let us know. Continuing to send healing vibes his way ...
WOW! That just made me cry!! I am sending you all my positive energy!!
Buck
the address is
Barrow Neurological Institute
St. Joseph's Hospital
350 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85013
He is in room 7B04. There is 2 Erickson's here so make sure you put his full name Mark B Erickson.
He is doing well, I will post another update after his surgery on Monday.
Thanks,
Ted
I am just now today seeing this thread about Mark's surgery...
Ted be sure to tell him Bell has got him on her prayer list...
(and you too...)
Hoping for the best... and a speedy recovery...
Mark and I were able to spend some time together in Florida
in August.... I really like him... it's a good thing I don't
live in Phoenix... I'd be all over him like a motherhen
taking care of both of you...
If you need anything that I am able to provide - I am just
and eMail, ICQ or phone call away...
eMail: evelyn937 (at) lycos.com
ICQ: 119-325-350
phone (937) 254-6649 (leave a message and I'll call you back)
hang in there Ted... he will get better... he's a tough cookie...
hugs from Bell...
Chad, Rainey and I went to see Mark on Sunday. He looks great. We also got to meet Ted (Mark's husband) and Brian (Mark's friend) in person for the first time. Mark is lucky to have both of these guys in his life. They are as nice and cool as Mark. The hospital is awesome in that everyone treats Mark well and they let him bring his dog to his room!
BTW, Mark is going in for the third sergury today. He's on a roll.
Awesome new, Patrick! I got a similar thumbs up from Rainey after her visit too. Thanks so much for keeping us posted and send our best back to Mark!
Thats awesome news any word on how the surgery went?
Regards,
Lee
Hello everyone this is Ted again,
Well, it's been a LONG couple days. Mark didn't get out of surgery until about 8 last night and we didn't get to see him till after 11.
His surgery went very well. The doctor was able to remove the entire malformation (the main one). As one of the surgeons described, the AVM is very "dispersed", meaning his AVM is particularly complex and there may be smaller areas that still exist but as of right now, those don't pose any problems. The important thing is, they were able to remove the one area that has given him problems since he was a little boy. WOO-HOO!!!
Mark will have another angiogram tomorrow and hopefully we'll get a better understanding of exactly what they did and some before and after pictures. We haven't been able to talk to the surgeons as much as we would like yet, so there's still some details we would like explained.
Right now, Mark is feeling good - no headaches or back pain (yet) so he's pretty comfortable. His right leg however has become much weaker. Very early this morning, the doctor had him move his legs and were surprised at the loss of strength and immediately gave him steroids. Apparently, this can be a normal thing and can be caused by swelling in the back (the steroids work to reduce the swelling). We will not know his prognosis for quite some time and after some rehab. As you can imagine, we're all very anxious to see how this impacts Mark's strength and with any luck, he'll be able to get out of his wheelchair!
Also, we found out why Mark was getting migraines. Because of the spinal trauma the surgery causes, there is a loss of spinal fluid - this is what causes the headaches. After the spinal fluid returns to normal levels, the headaches should go away.
And finally, we STILL do not have a permanent room for Mark. He is currently in their "Stroke Center" - although we are not quite sure why. It's one step up from ICU but not a normal room. They said tomorrow if he is completely stable they should be able to move him. Where he is now, they don't even allow flowers so nothing could be sent to him right now. Oh yeah, and the people on this floor are much more critical than we've seen. The lady across from Mark's old room was constantly moaning as if she was a ghost - it was quite spooky actually.
It's been quite a week so far... I can't believe how well Mark seems to be doing after having 3 surgeries. Although this is probably just the beginning - Mark will have to do a lot of rehab and physical therapy but I'm sure he won't be complaining about that. :)
Again, I'll let you all know Mark's room when he gets one. It's been a little frustrating for everyone - Mark has been seemingly playing musical beds and it would be nice to have him in one place!!
Take care everyone and please let me know if you have any questions.
Ted
PS
We did get the flowers from Bec - thank you soooo much!! And thank you everyone for the support! :)
You know something. going through all this and still being in good sprits, and a trooper really says something about a person. :angel:
Keep going mark! Looking forward to seeing you walking about, and cutting a rug in Vegas!
sounds like good news so far...
I know this all must be quite tiring
for you too Ted... Mark is so so so
lucky to have you...
is Mark able to eat regular food ??
you're both on my prayer list...
it's nice to get your updates...
~Bell
I am assuming that there is someone handling the site while Mark is away...
so here goes...
have any gay traffic
here's Mark's Program:
http://www.intensecash.com/wmreg/index.php
sites:
http://www.intensecash.com/html/websites.html
I just learnt something NEW....
I had no idea that Intense Cash also had straight sites...
36 different straight sites....
and another 12 gay sites...
(I knew Intense Cash had gay sites.... but I never knew there were also straight sites - and so many to choose from)
Programs:
http://www.intensecash.com/html/programs.html
and of course at the top of their
banners in the Resource section
is our favorite gay webmaster boards:
http://www.intensecash.com/html/resource.html
so....
who has some STRAIGHT TRAFFIC ??
send it to Mark's program
sign up here:
http://www.intensecash.com/wmreg/index.php
they even have a Webmaster Referral
program at 15% (that's GREAT)
- - - I have NOT put my aff. ref code
anywhere in this post...
just go sign up - outright and
start sending some traffic his way...
love from
~Bell
Thank you everyone for all your support, kind words, cards, flowers and everything. I really appreciate it! I am doing well and eating normal. It feels great to have this avm malformation gone now but also feels strange being able to remove this disease that has affected everyday of my life since I was 12. I am going to bust my ass in lots of physical therapy and next time you see me I will be getting around alot better. My right leg has been harder to move because of swelling in my back but I will get it going again. I will keep everyone up to date and thank you again so so much for everything, you guys are awesome :)
Mark
godd stuff bro ;)
Mark-
What great news! I hope the P.T. isn't too bad and that you have a full & speedy recovery.
Tony
Mark!!!! I'm so happy to hear all is going well! It is amazing (and wonderful) that something that has been with you most of your life can be dealt with in a few VERY brave days.
We area all with you, doll! You are an inspiration to all of us. And I want to take a moment to tell you how lucky you are to have such a wonderful man by your side. Ted is one helluva guy!
Lots of love,
Gary-Alan
You are a real trooper, Mark!
Keep up the awesome attitude and effort and results will be there for you to enjoy the rest of life, Bud!
Harlan
Hello everyone - Ted here again,
Well, the surgeon came in to Mark's room yesterday and confirmed based on Mark's new angiogram that the AVM is gone. GREAT news. In fact, they may discharge him today or tomorrow.
Mark will be doing extensive rehab and physical therapy. Where at isn't known yet - the social worker here is trying to get him into Craig Hospital in Denver but they initially denied the request because they usually handle more severe cases. They are now trying to get him in on an outpatient basis.
Right now Mark is working with a physical therapist - he is having to learn a lot of new things until his back completely heals, which will be at least 6 weeks. His right leg is still very weak but again, that's something that might improve with the PT.
Well - the surgeon just came him giving him the ok to be released. Looks like we'll be heading home soon!!
Ted
How Awsome! That is such great news! :angel:
Wow, Ted, that is incredible news. I hope Mark get into the rehab center you want. Thanks for keeping us up to date.
Tony
Hey everyone,
Well I was released from the hospital yesterday and took a flight home this morning. My boyfriend Ted and friend Brian drove home and got back a couple hours ago. I was not able to get into Craig Hospital because they usually take more severe cases like people that are paralyzed or something of that nature so Monday I will be going to an outpatient clinic near my house for rehab. I get my stitches taken out in 2 weeks and I am on some heavy medication for pain. I wanted to say thank you again to everyone and for all the cards, flowers, support, visiting me and kind words. Even though this week was quite a bit to go through it was so worth it. I am quite a bit of weakness still in my right side but I am going to work my ass off to get that back to way stronger than before. It should be alot easier to gain strength now with the avm malformation gone and it will definetly will help not having any more surgeries. The doctors in Phoenix were awesome and people there were very nice. Next time I see you guys I am sure I will be doing alot better than when I saw you guys in Florida. Thank you again everyone. :)
Mark
It's great to hear that you're home and that those surgeries went so well! I know you'll work hard on the rehab and you'll be cuttin the rug in no time!
Mark, Congratulations! It must be great to be in your own home. I hope the rehab goes well. Take care of yourself. I look forward to meeting you in Las Vegas.
Tony
Mark.... already home... WOW...
that is such EXCITING news...
I know you have alot of hard therapy work ahead of you - but I also know that you WANT it so bad that it will happen for you...
if I can help you online with something - I volunteer to do that - just contact me and let me know what I might be able to do to help out... I'm serious... if you need help with something I know how to do - let me know - I VOLUNTEER to give it my best effort... I have a little bit of time available over the next 10 - 14 days...
here's my eMail address: evelyn937 (at) lycos.com
or my ICQ: 119-325-350
or my phone number (business line - leave a message and I will call you back 937-254-6649
I am excited for the successes you have had with the surgery so far...
~Bell
Hey Mark,
Buddy, you are one of nature's gentleman and a true genuine good bloke in my books.
Gospeed for a fully positive outcome and a speedy recovery...
And I KNOW you want it baby..
Because otherwise I'll sit in your goddman lap again in Vegas !!
Take care my friend and look forward to you getting up and around.
All my thoughts are with you.
The big, bald ugly Aussie
Lindsay
:biker:
great news, mark! glad to hear your back safe and sound. I'm keeping good thoughts for you in your recovery.
Keep us updated.
=)
