1 Week later

We have been home just over a week now. Mark is a little frustrated that he has not bounced back quite like he is used to. I have been a little worried also as he has definitely not been himself. The good news is that he is sleeping better at nighttime. In fact, he feels as if he is sleeping all the time. His energy level has dropped off considerably since coming home. We did repeat his labwork yesterday, and everything appears to be back to pre-surgery status there. That made me feel a little better to know, so now I feel more comfortable telling him he is going to have to commit to getting extra rest for as long as it takes. (Not the advice he wants to hear!)

He lacks an appetite, but has been forcing himself to eat. (with a little encouraging) We have talked about trying to come up with the perfect menu, knowing how important that is to his health. I must say that is challenging to say the least. There are a great number of "cancer" menus as well as "j-pouch" meal plans, but I haven't quite come up with what the heck to do for the combined issues. And, throw in the latest gastrojejunostomy and it becomes totally beyond me! How food will affect him is so unpredictable, and foods that are best for cancer patients aren't always the best for j-pouch patients. The only guidelines we have so far are stay away from sugar (which happens to be a favorite!) and eat lots of asparagus (which he seems to be okay with). Any nutritionists out there who want to take on a project???!!!!

Mark did get to go to Munday this week for Austin's game and a family visit. On Friday, he made it through 3 quarters of the football game. Sorry all you Mundayites but GO TROJANS! On Saturday, he watched Landon play baseball and of course through the weekend sufferd through the world series! He also got a surprise visit from some high school classmates on Sunday. Thanks to Kregg and Kelly. He really enjoyed seeing you and reminiscing.

Looking forward, Mark has an appointment in Dallas on November 10th.The oncologist has given us a preliminary plan of maintenance chemotherapy that he will alternate with aggressive treatment if there is change based on subsequent scans. I am sure we will fine tune all of that when we see him. We have also been given a multitude of alternatives to look into. We are so thankful to have so many people who care and offer suggestions. I have begun trying to research numerous possibilities, but mostly I feel like the answer is going to come through lots of prayer. I said once before that I don't think God intends for us to go to the end of the world, or to spend all of our time and energy and money finding the "cure" for Mark. (Especially since many incredibly smart people haven't found it yet!) I believe that if we do our part, He is going to bring the answers to us. Our part, right now, is to lean on Him when we are weary and don't know what in the world to do next. We absolutely have to leave it in His hands because we are only human and our mortal existence will only carry us a short distance.

You can't imagine the love we have for you all. We are so grateful for each of you and all you do for us. Missy