Day 28: Stanford Hospital, A big surprise!

Well wonders never cease...

Day 28: Stanford Hospital

A big surprise! This a.m. when I called the hospital to check on Mark, the nurse told me, “Mark just woke up” from amnesia, they took him off of the drug ‘verset’ (?sp) which places the patient in a memory loss and pain free condition. Mark was trying to talk like crazy and guess the nurses are good to mouth readings. He wanted to know where he was, and were they checking his blood sugars, and please call my mom and dad for me. We just could not believe what they told us - so all these 27 days we thought Mark was looking at us and smiling some - we were just strangers to him.

So tonight, what a surprise to see him. I am no good at mouth reading so it was frustrating for him and glad the nurse could figure it out. Just a big change! They did not do the liver ultra-sound procedure today (?) but the orthopedic surgeon called and they will operate on both legs tomorrow morning.

I told him of Mark’s blood drive tomorrow and he said he would try to get over there also, how about that! So hopefully, hope and prayers are what we have all will go well from here on out.

Looking forward to tomorrow and for those who cannot make the ‘blood’ drive your there for Mark in spirit like always.

Take care all! The Alexanders

Blood Drive Tomorrow

The Friends of Mark Alexander Blood Drive is Tomorrow!
Time: 12:00 noon - 7:30 pm
Location: Stanford Blood Center, 3373 Hillview Avenue, Palo Alto, Ca 94304

Please schedule an appointment to make your donation process as smooth as possible. Call 888-723-7831.
http://bloodcenter.stanford.edu

Show your support to Mark and his family by donating a unit of blood. Bring your friends, carpool, just come and show your support.
Feel free to join us at the Donor Barbecue that day. We will enjoy grilled burgers, hot dogs and karaoke.

Blood donors must:

• Be at least 17 years of age
• Weigh at least 110 lbs
• Be free of cold and flu
• Eat before donating and drink plenty of fluids
• Bring photo ID

Contacts: Andrea Hamilton 510-590-6162; Kevin O'Neill, Stanford Blood Center 650-725-2540 kvoneill@stanford.edu

Life and Hope: It's in your blood.

Day 27: Stanford Hospital

Day 27: Stanford Hospital

Well, this evening's visit was good, Mark just had a shave from one of the nurses. This afternoon he had a massage from guest services at the hospital compliments of Mark's nephew Chris and wife Angela, and son Julian (our great grandson, Julian). It was amazing and we don't know how the masseuse managed with all the tubes, pins, plugs, etc. But Mark nodded his head he liked it and we think it made his day today better. The gallbladder, which was infected, is coming along o.k. as the infection is being withdrawn by a tube.

We spoke with a doctor this evening, they took an ultra-sound today of the kidney, pancreas and liver and they found an obstruction in the liver and will do the same procedure as they did for the gallbladder. The kidney is fine (wonderful) but the readings from the pancreas are still not complete. Lots of prayers that is not a problem.

They want to do more ops on both his legs this week sometime. With all of these other vital organ mishaps going on we shall see. Tomorrow is another day and each day is a little brighter and they are doing everything they can to help Mark get through this.

Hope everyone was a little cooler today and had a good day!

Our hugs to all – the Alexanders

Day 26: Stanford Hospital

Day 26: Stanford Hospital

This morning a doctor called to let us know that Mark had a gall bladder infection. He explained a procedure they wanted to do by ultra-sound as an operation was too risky right now. Anything they thought was the right thing to do was a blessing to perform ASAP.

Well, this evening we expected to see him asleep & out for the evening, butttttt he was watching a little portable TV and wide-awake. We were so shocked and he was trying to talk but can't with the trach in his throat. So hard for him and we tried not to talk about anything he needed to answer except to nod.

Well, he definitely is our humpty dumpty and Stanford is trying so hard to put him back together again. Kevin and myself are calling him that - I will wait until he is much better before I let him know what we are calling him. Hopefully, the gall bladder procedure will be successful and the white cell count and infections go away.

The surgeries on his legs so far are healing well. He just wants some water so bad and they try to tell him he is getting food and water thru his tube but yeah! Thanks alot!

I'm sure the doctors will all be around tomorrow to give him a thorough going over.

Let's hope it is all good!
Hugs, Tal & Donna