47 and counting...

And so here it is: At 3 PM EDT today (that's 11 AM PDT), I'll officially be 47 years old. As juliabata, also a July 10 baby, points out, I share my birthday with Nikola Tesla, Marcel Proust, David Brinkley, Fred Gwynne, Arthur Ashe, Ron Glass, and Arlo Guthrie among others. Plus also markbourne, my twin brother of another mother (you know, my blond-haired, blue-eyed twin brother) and Spanky who is 15 years old today. Looks like it's going to be a beautiful day here in the great Pacific Northwest: sunshine, 80-degree temps.

Lots else going on today: Mark's surgery and matociquala's Clarion West party, to name a couple. In theory, I'll be attending both. Well, I won't actually be attending Mark's surgery, but I will be at the hospital for e_bourne's moral support. I think of today's as Mark's double birthday: new year, new heart valve. Here's hoping it's the start of many good, new things.

As previously mentioned, my dad died at 47 in 1973. I was 11. It didn't occur to me until just recently that I've been approaching this birthday with a certain amount of trepidation. I guess I feel like if I get through this coming year, I'm clear until at least 56, which was the age my mom was when she died. I've been saying all my life that I hope longevity skips generations; naturally, I still feel that way.

I'm hoping the coming year will hold some goodness; 46 certainly did. It's the first time in a long time that I have very little idea what's coming up for me. Work is fluid, I have no nailed-down travel plans (though there's been some discussion of my attending my 30th high school reunion, on which more anon), writing has been difficult lately as has been jeweling (if it's not a word, it is one now!). So it's a year of mystery for me.

At least I'm still here and that, undeniably, is a goodness.

Checking in from the hospital

kateyule, davidlevine and I are at Swedish Hospital, Cherry Hill, keeping e_bourne company while markbourne is in surgery. (Explanation can be found here, complete with Star Trek videos.) Latest report is that he's on the heart/lung machine and they're excising the old valve nowish.

The waiting area is very civilized: a Starbuck's, wifi, music, and comfortable furniture for waiting. The atmosphere is open and airy, part of the lobby, with a door out to a sunny patio area. It doesn't feel like the hospital waiting rooms I remember: bare and grim with a TV mounted from the ceiling and 6-month-old magazines. We brought home-baked chocolate chip cookies and strawberries for munching. We had lunch at the hospital cafeteria that was actually quite good. E and D are now playing cribbage while I do my internet run. And so it goes.

Will report more as we hear it. Please feel free to point anyone who may have an interest here to my journal for updates.

Mark Update

The anaesthesiologist just called Elizabeth. He tells us that they've nearly finished installing the new valve. They have another ~90 minutes or so before completion. Things are going well; no problems so far. Keep your fingers crossed!

Mark Update

Valve is in. He's off the heart/lung machine and breathing on his own. They're closing him up now. We're told it'll take another half hour or so before he's out of the OR and into ICU. At that point, we'll be moved to a private waiting room. More as I get it...

Mark report

Still in OR. We're concerned.

Mark report: 9:30 PM

We're still in the ICU waiting room. As far as we know, Mark's still in the ER. We haven't heard anything in quite some time now. Basically, the surgery went fine, Mark's heart was beating just fine, they took him off the heart/lung machine, and then suddenly it wasn't fine after all. They went back in to figure out what was going on. They came to give us that update, and it's the last we've heard.

Elizabeth's doing about as well as one might expect--not so good. I'm doing about as well as one might expect--better than her but not especially well. We're just holding vigil.

If you believe in prayer, a prayer or two would be good right now. If you don't believe in prayer, keep a good thought for Mark. I'll update hourly as I can.

Marks condition: Improved!

It was touch and go there for a while, and Mark ended up having a little more surgery than we thought he would need. Apparently one of the veins to his heart was compromised, which made everything a tougher. He ended up having a sternotomy and a bypass along with his new heart valve. He's not out of the woods yet--they're keeping him in OR for a while to monitor him and be sure everything's all right--but things are looking much better than they were earlier tonight.

I'd suggest staying off the phone to Elizabeth for a while--she could use some sleep and some time with the doctors--but by Saturday afternoon, I expect she'll be ready for some company.

As I get more information, I'll pass it along.

I'm outta here!

The news is good with regard to Mark. Elizabeth's in much better shape and has other friends to stay with her. It's my birthday, too, and while there's still time left, I want to celebrate so I'll be heading out shortly to the Clarion West party.

Thanks, everyone, for sending your good vibes and prayers. As I said earlier, Mark's not out of the woods yet, but the doctor said things are much better. Keeps those prayers and good thoughts coming, just in case.

And thanks, everyone, for the birthday wishes. It's been the weirdest-ass birthday I've ever had, but I've got something to celebrate--my friend will be okay--and that's all I need.