thanks patrick, let me know when he's up for visitors.
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thanks patrick, let me know when he's up for visitors.
Great news, Patrick! Thanks
Patrick, thanks for the update, but geez, another surgery? How many can one person handle at one time?
My best to Mark!
Tony
I will be saying a prayer for you Mark. You are truly one of the nicest people in the business and it is always a pleasure to see you.
Can't wait to hang out in Vegas!
I would say 2....?
Quote:
Originally posted by Hotpopporn
Patrick, thanks for the update, but geez, another surgery? How many can one person handle at one time?
My best to Mark!
Tony
Hey everyone,
This is Ted Mark's boyfriend. This a letter I am sending to everyone to keep everyone up to date on Mark. I have heard alot about all you guys and I am sorry I did not get to meet you in florida because I had to finish up my job in Colorado.
Mark had the embolization surgery on Wednesday. This is where they go through a small incision in the groan and feed a tube up in the spinal chord where the malformation is located. Unfortunately, the only arteries and veins left that were feeding the malformation blood were too risky to embolize (i.e. "glue"), so they did not do anything. As you can imagine, this was pretty disappointing, especially to Mark. At the time, they were unsure if they could even do the second surgery.
If they opted not to do the open-back surgery, there would only be one option left - radiation treatment. The doctor said that such a treatment wouldn't even start to show benefits until at least 2 years, and radiation is obviously hard on the body.
Fortunately, the doctor decided that performing the open back surgery should be done and at least attempted. They weren't sure if they would be able to remove the malformation or not but regardless of how many MRIs and angiograms Mark has had, there's nothing like seeing the actual problem right there, under a microscope and not through some 2D images.
We met Mark this morning about 6 as they prepped him for the open back surgery. We were told that the incision would be 8-10 inches long and that the surgery would last approximately 4-5 hours.
If there is one thing that could be said about Mark, it's that he is easily the strongest person I have ever met. Not once did he ever show a hint of nervousness or doubt. Of course, as some of you know, that wasn't exactly the case with me. Heck, I passed out on Tuesday when talking to the doctor's about just how risky everything was going to be! It's really hard to hear things like how there is a possibility your loved one might die or fall into a coma.
So yeah, after 4 or so hours we go back to the hospital and into the waiting room (our hotel is just a couple blocks from the hospital). About 20 minutes later the doctor shows up and explains that the surgery went very very well.
They chose not to remove the malformation - at least right now. There were a couple of things that they were able to find out about it that wasn't known until then... by the angiograms it had appeared that the malformation was actually inside a part of Mark's spinal column... a very complicated and risky area obviously. Luckily, after getting a direct look at it, it was located right OUTSIDE the spinal column. But the doctor's saw a great opportunity that had really never presented itself before.
Even though the malformation is fed by a group of small veins, there is one very large artery that supplies the vast majority of blood to it. There never was a possibility of gluing this artery because doing so would mean Mark would loose all motor function. Essentially, this artery has branches of veins coming out from it and into the spinal column and those veins are what give him his motor functions. Gluing this artery would seal it off completely and those branches would not be able to get blood.
But the doctor's were able to put a titanium clamp on the artery right BEFORE the malformation but AFTER all those branches - those important veins would still get the blood. This should shrink the malformation considerably. Mark will have an angiogram tomorrow that will show just how much it has shrunk.
Monday they will go in and try to remove the avm malformation once again. They said it will be less risky though because they were able to clamp off most the blood flow to the avm malformation on Thursday.
I must say, the hospital here and the doctors/nurses are some of the most amazing people I have ever met. He truly is in good hands here and is such an amazing contrast to how people where in NY. Thank you to everyone for your support and please continue to think of Mark and pray for him - he's still not out of the woods but things are looking amazingly good so far.
Ted
Ted thanks for the update :)
Please pass on our best wishes to Mark and thanks to the doctors and nurses for taking care of him in what only seems to be a magnificent manner.
Regards,
Lee
Ted,
Thank you for the update. Although I kringed more than once while reading it. I hope that it turns out to be a complete success and he's back on his feet soon. He's definitely in my thoughts.
Tony
Hey Ted,
Thanks for the update! Be sure to give the brave lad a big kiss from us all!
Ted thank you so much for taking the time to update us.
(((HUGE HUGS))) for you and Mark. Send our love to Mark, he's been in our thoughts everyday!
MY best,
Gary-Alan
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