Mark report 8:15 PM Sunday

[scarlettina]

Just got home from the hospital. Mark's color is better than it's been in a while. He's still looking swollen--it's all that extra fluid in him. Though his temperature has improved, when I hold his hand it seems very warm to the touch. The nurse monitoring him says that he continues good "output," relieving stress on his body. Even I could tell that his blood pressure had improved by the time I left tonight.

I read him all the messages I received today and provided brief reports on the weather and current events. I also read him an article from Discover magazine about dark matter, and a beautiful story from jaylake. e_bourne, her brother, Joyce and I played a mean game of Scrabble. Elizabeth seems to be in better spirits--not great, but she's not falling apart either. She's managing very well. I think Austin and her brother's presence helps. All seems to be going pretty well. It's just all going really slowly.

The word is that they won't attempt to close Mark up until Tuesday. They want him to rid himself of all that extra fluid before they do it. It will also help ensure he gets and remains stable. The idea of him being open (though packed up good and tight) and sedated all this time, I find a little scary. At the same time, I know there's a reason behind it.

I'll be back to the office tomorrow and won't get to the hospital until the evening. Keep an eye on e_bourne's LJ in the meanwhile. More news as I have it.

Comments

[oldmangrumpus.livejournal.com]

If it makes you feel any better (and I doubt it will), I heard recently that field surgery has advanced to the point where wounded solders are routinely "kept open" from Iraq to Germany and sometimes all the way to the US.

Look at it this way - at least he's not going anywhere.

[the-celestia.livejournal.com]

You don't know me at all, but, if it makes you feel any better, my Dad had a very similar surgery with similar complications two years ago and he spent a week 'packed but open' and he's doing just fine today, even after having had a second open chest surgery last year to repair something completely different. So it can work fine, and I will keep your friend in my thoughts.

[csinman.livejournal.com]

I'm really glad to hear everything is going well, even if slowly. Hang in there, everyone!

[irrationalrobot.livejournal.com]

My oldest son his a bicuspid valve as well, I'm pulling for your friend.

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

Really? MiniBot? Son of a gun. This isn't exactly the sort of preparation I would have wished on you, Chris, really. I've been really wanting to catch up with you the last couple of weeks and--obviously--failing miserably. Are you available for lunch some day this week? Maybe meet downtown?

[farmgirl1146.livejournal.com]

Thank you for you posts. They are very appreciated. I have prayed for you all. I am glad that you are reading to Mark. It does help, I have been told so many times.

Good night, and take care of yourself.

[singingnettle.livejournal.com]

That would scare the pants off me, too...but it sounds like he's heading in the right direction.

[jaylake.livejournal.com]

May he prosper. He is lucky in his friends. (I know the feeling...)