Mark Fessenden is a man no one forgets. His bright smile, huge heart, and inviting personality means no one is a stranger to Mark. But now he needs our help. Mark went in for a heart valve replacement and quadruple bypass surgery on October 27, only months after beating colon cancer. We knew his heart had been struggling, but we had no idea what was really going on. During the surgery, dad went into cardiac arrest twice. The surgery itself was successful, but because his heart had been enduring so much stress trying to make up for a bad valve  (which doctors have told us should have been replaced 10 years ago) it was too weak to function on its own. They hooked him up to a machine called an ECMO, which takes over for the heart and pumps the blood. The first day following the surgery, he was in very poor shape, and the doctors (who have been amazing) really weren't sure if he could pull through. He was "the sickest person in the hospital." However, our stubborn Mark pushed through the odds.

The doctors felt that with time, dad's heart could possibly regain strength, it just needed rest. So we had him transported to IU Med Center in Indianapolis, where they have an entire team of people specialized in this ECMO device.  What we are praying for at this point is that he regains enough strength so that the doctors here agree to implant a portable ventricular device. Lots of things must be in line, like his circulation, his kidneys, his lungs, his electrolytes, etc. We are not there yet, but he is making baby steps towards that goal. This will continue to be a long road, because he needs constant monitoring and constant care. Once the implant is done, he will still need to stay in the hospital for monitoring, and when he can return to Elkhart, he will need significant rehab. We have not been able to hear his voice or look in his eyes, but he is in there. His neuroogical tests are all good. They just have him under constant sedation so he isn't thrashing and in pain.

We have had an outpouring of love and support since this journey began. We have tried to maintain contact with everyone, and provide updates. So many people have offered up so much, and it is beyond appreciated. Right now, all we are asking of people is their prayers. We believe our dad's faith in God and all of the prayers we have received have played a significant part in the fact that he is still with us. So please, please don't stop the prayers. God is almightly and can work amazing miracles. He already has.

I have set up this page as another way for people to show support. No one wants to think about finances in times like these, but the reality is, this is one burden we know we will have to face. Dad will have extended hospital stays, procedures, etc, and of course all those things cost money. So my sister and I want to lighten that burden on my mother as much as possible. We want to be able to focus on getting him well, no matter how long that takes. Our hearts are telling us that dad's time isn't up. He has more to do, more to teach, more to show us. His legacy will live forever, that is no doubt - it just isn't time for that yet.

We love each and every one of you. There has never been a question about what an amazing man our father is. But the outpouring of love we have experienced through this solidifies that he has reached many more than I realized. So join us in this fight - we are in it for the long haul.