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Jan 14th.

I waited ALL DAY LONG to hear from or about Mark. I called in the morning after texting and calling Mark with no answers and the nurses desk told me they took him to surgery already. I was told 365 minutes

I got a call from the doctor about 1pm that he was done and it went well. Compression was released and every thing went as planned. It was really hard to hear him. He talked fast and it sounded like he was in a tunnel. I told him I couldn’t hear him well and he repeated alot of it but it reminded me of the teacher in Charlie Brown. I feel like I got most of the information. Then I just waited.

I took the kids to the Newaygo basketball game so they could watch Jaxi and Josiah, something Mark would have loved to be able to attend. I saw so many people wearing their Mark shirt and that was really nice but I kind of stayed in the corner so I wouldn’t have to repeat the same story which really did not have alot of details. I was told the nurse on his floor would call me back and I never heard back. About 7:15pm Mark called. He sounded hoarse, groggy and in alot of pain. Like an immense amount of pain. He asked me to pray for him…(I’m just not a good prayer) and he was pleading with God, “why have you forgotten me”, and pleading to take the pain away. I didn’t even know what to say and I can’t hold his hand or make sure he had water and good etc. He was told to eat but who is ordering his food? Or did you tell the drug induced patient to call room service? I have no idea but if that is the case, it may not get ordered. Mark said he couldn’t get comfortable. He couldn’t lay on his back, he couldn’t lay on his side..ther was no relief. He told me he couldn’t do this. I couldn’t stay at the game so I headed home and called to hospital back only to find out he had been moved. This is maddening to me. I was connected to his new floor and told, again, the nurse would call me back.

I sit here and think…getting angry will do me no good. Plead with the Lord for some relief and plead with him that I can get in there. When the nurse calls back I will ask again.

This morning I dropped hatcher off to school and turned on AFR and heard a pretty incredible story about Duane Miller and a miracle that happened to him right in front of thousands. I want this so badly for Mark as many of you do but as Mr Miller said, God does not gaurantee miracles just because you ask but…. He is capable. I just don’t want any of you to be disspointed in God, if he doesn’t. Especially those of you that have become more drawn to the Lord recently and are not sure where you stand. God is still good.

I know alot of you wanted an update but thats the best I can do. I’m just crushed I can’t be there. Mark hates to be alone. When given the opportunity to be home by myself I always take it…but Mark…when he comes home he wants people there. He doesnt’ want to be alone. He is alone right now. I know he is pleading with God and God is alwasy there, but that can still feel bery lonely.

Recovery begins. Thank you everyone for praying.