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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...
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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.
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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!
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Thats awesome news any word on how the surgery went?
Regards,
Lee
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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! :)
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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!
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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
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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
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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
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Mark-
What great news! I hope the P.T. isn't too bad and that you have a full & speedy recovery.
Tony
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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
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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
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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
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How Awsome! That is such great news! :angel:
