Update 11/5/2021

Hi all, Mark has been having problems with blood pressure dropping on sitting up, which makes him light-headed and limits his ability to do therapy on many days. He also is encountering shortness of breath and loss of appetite. There is no change in loss of sensation and movement below the injury level at T12. Still, they had planned to release him home, but the doctor intervened. However, he may not stay at Encompass for long. We know that we need to purchase a hospital bed, rent a mechanical (Hoyer) lift for transferring out of bed, pay for home healthcare, and hopefully purchase better insurance coverage for next year. Mark's parents came down to visit for a couple of days when we thought he was coming home, and Matt Wheeler is staying with Valerie until he comes home. There is a lot of uncertainty and we are trying to find the right resources. Please share this fundraiser, as I may not have had the public setting on before, and make a donation if you feel moved to do so. Thank you so much for your attention, prayers and support. May your generosity and kindness return to you and fill your spirit. 




Update 10/5/21

Mark posted an update on his story. There’s a big improvement in pain level and he has been able to focus on other things. It’s encouraging that he feels heaviness and tingling in the legs , perhaps nerves waking up. Nice to get out in the sunshine! We’re still waiting on news of a rehab placement. 

 

I can’t repeat enough how much your donations, words of encouragement, sharing, and prayers help. Truly thank you so much. Mark and Valerie are strong in their faith and you have evidenced a sincere love and support. So much gratitude is flowing from our hearts. Thank you. 

 

I will update when we know where Mark’s rehab will be. 

Update 9/30/21

The good news for Mark’s birthday is that he is ready to be transferred to Texas! The placement isn’t definite yet, but hopefully will be very soon.  Please continue to pray for him. There are continuing challenges with pain management and digestion. The therapy team has worked with him on sitting edge of bed and got him protective boots. We have so much gratitude for the professionals at Washington Regional who have been working with him. Also thank you to everyone who has been providing support here and in each and every little way. Your generosity and concern are appreciated. May the kindness and love that you give come back to you. Thank you for sharing this as well. 

 

 

 

update 9/28/21

 

Friends, yesterday Mark was transferred out of the ICU to a regular room at Washington Regional Medical Center because of improvements in medical stability.  The therapy team used a mechanical  lift to move him to sitting in a chair with his brace on for an hour and a half. He is doing well and his faith in God is sustaining his spirit. All of your support has been amazing. 

 

While he has some sense of sensation below the injury level, this has not been verified by the medical team. What this means is that he cannot feel or move anything below the lower abdomen, including legs and feet. There is a possibility that as time goes on and healing occurs that this could come back. This happens for a small percentage of people with this level of SCI.  

 

The rehabilitation process will involve learning  to use upper body strength to transfer from bed to wheelchair, wheelchair to car, etc. to navigate care for bladder and bowel needs, positioning for skin integrity and so many other things. Of course if innervation returns it would involve learning to walk again. 

It would be a miracle to get Mark into TIRR in Houston. It is one of the best SCI rehabs in the country thirty minutes from their home. Right now the obstacle is insurance coverage. This would be beyond amazing. If I knew how to make a fundraiser go viral so that tons of people could donate very small amounts and raise the money needed, I would do it. My social media knowledge is limited. So if anyone has some skills in that area, message me. 

Your generosity is humbling and thank you so much for the shares, the donations, and the encouragement. Sincerely may you be blessed. Much love, Melanie

 

Also Mark’s birthday is on the 30th of September 

 

 

 

 

Update 9/22/21

Friends, this afternoon Mark’s O2 levels began to drop and the cause was unknown so they did  a CT scan. He doesn’t have a pulmonary embolism but does have some fluid in his lungs due to immobility, not breathing deeply due to rib fractures, and the stomach problem may have contributed. So they put on a BIPAP- a mask over his face providing continuous airflow. He is tolerating this well and has the sensation that it helps him breathe deeply. He’s a trooper. They are giving antibiotics in case of  pneumonia. The bipap seems to be working which is good news because if not they will need to intubate him for a while. The wonderful staff here are trying to get him medically stable to be able to transfer and start working on sitting up, etc. He was alert for a whole hour while on a break from the bipap. He asked about all the kids. He is clear minded and oriented. 

 

 

 

Hello friends, this is Melanie, Mark's sister-in-law. On September 18th Mark, was involved in a motorcycle accident wherein the motorcycle landed on him and he was pinned under it. He sustained broken ribs, fractured vertebrae, and a spinal cord injury at T12 rated ASIA scale A. He had surgery the same day. It is early now, and there is some hope of recovering sensation and motor control below the injury, but there will be intensive rehabilitation involved and he will need durable medical equipment and care that is expensive. As he was on a road trip out of state, there are urgent and unexpected travel expenses as Valerie is traveling to be at his side and I am traveling to support them. We would like to ensure that he gets into the best rehabilitation facility available. All funds will go into dedicated account for Valerie and Mark for travel, home modification, and medical costs associated with this. Your assistance, even a small amount, would be a true blessing. Please offer prayers for his recovery and thank you with all my heart.