A Eulogy of Gratitude

Funeral Mass at St John the Apostle Catholic Church|  Lincoln, Nebraska | September 14, 2018.  Thank you all for coming to honor Mark. Our families are so grateful for your presence, your love for Mark and us and for this holy celebration that we can all share together for Mark. We will always cherish this special morning together.

One of my favorite aspects of the mass is when Father prays; “We do well always and everywhere to give you thanks, it is our duty and our salvation, Lord Holy Father, almighty and eternal God”. Yes, it is our duty but there’s also a saving element to gratitude, it is our salvation. Practicing gratitude despite the black cloud of Mark’s health challenges was a saving grace for us. There was always good happening, always beauty and blessings surrounding us if we looked through the lens of gratitude. 

I want to end our time together highlighting what I’m grateful for:

Many of you know that Mark was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy in 2006 at age 45. It was a terrible shock but I look back on that devastating blow as a great blessing because time became our most precious currency. All of a sudden, time was short, finite and fleeting. Overnight, we needed to do the things that mattered and fast. Mark found us a sailboat on Craigslist (that we later dumped on Peter and Lulu for a bigger one) and had glorious sailing adventures and overnights on Lake Waconia with our girls. We escaped the MN winters and whisked our girls away at every break they had from school. And we made relationships a priority – time with people we loved most, meaningful conversations and intentional gatherings.

I’m also incredibly grateful for the gift of life Mark received on January 30th , 2015 of a new heart. And I think of our donor’s family today with the grief we’re experiencing. The beautiful heart ushered in renewed health and energy for Mark and this incredible return to Lincoln for all 4 of us.

Mark’s favorite job was his role here at UNL – it was the pinnacle and culmination of his career. He loved his students and was a Young Life leader/professor – he did contact work attending their sporting events, he invited them to our home and gave them his very best to help them grow personally and academically. When the girls were young, Mark traveled extensively for his job with Gallup and I feel like those were my special years with Paige and Reilly. They took turns sleeping with me, we had fun dinners out after their activities and I savored their companionship while Mark was away. His special chapter with our girls has been these last 3 years they’ve spent at UNL together. Paige had him as a professor twice and both were student strengths coaches in his program. They would meet for coffee on campus regularly and shared many Husker experiences together. These last 3 years here were our best.

And lastly, I’m grateful for this summer with Mark.  Our faith in Christ and His daily bread sustained us as we learned that his cancer had returned in March after just 5 short months of remission. We found that we suffered less emotionally and spiritually in the acceptance of these circumstances versus railing against them.  Most days, we consented to what God was handing us and set about making every day count, being intentional with people and savoring the time we had left.

God was generous in giving us this summer after almost losing him in May to sepsis, kidney failure and dire complications from chemo.  Mark battled back, as he’d done countless times before, so determined to keep living but his medical options evolved quickly to hospice care at home.  

He received the most heartfelt letters from his students and colleagues encouraging him and letting him know of his impact – such a rare gift and he spent a lot of time reflecting on and rereading these letters.  He made the girls a ‘dad book’ of all the best pictures of them together over the years. He corralled Andrew and Justin for deep conversations on the deck with a desire to impart to these outstanding young men his best advice on pursuing meaningful work, parenting, marriage, morality and his deep faith in Christ.  And of course, he coached them around their strengths.

He recorded 2 conversations each with Paige and Reilly covering a wide range of topics important to them.  He reminisced and laughed with all of the dear friends who visited this summer. And when he was feeling well enough we took sunset rides in the mini with Rico, top down savoring the warm summer breezes.  And just a little over a month ago, we were able to take a miracle trip to Castaway, a Young Life Camp in MN. It is the place of many of our favorite days in our 25 years together. Seeing our girls as Young Life leaders there brought us both immense joy.  We celebrated his 57th birthday on August 5th with a meaningful gathering of dear friends and family.  And on August 6th he went down to campus for an energizing 4 hour meeting about how he could possibly contribute this fall.  

And then he took a turn and was unable to bounce back.  It was my great privilege to care for him in our home until his last day.  He died peacefully without pain or struggle and we are grateful that his long-suffering is finished. Of course we all wanted more time with him, but we can all be grateful for the fantastic, hilarious, challenging, intellectually stimulating loving times we shared with him.  Thank you for loving him and for being here to celebrate his life with us today.

Maybe Your Happiest Birthday, Mark!

First of all, thank you for fighting to stay alive!  Everyday we have is a celebration but this birthday gives cause to blow it out the top!  On your last birthday, you had the LVAD - the vital ball and chain you wore that kept you alive. Now look at you, with your new heart, better than ever, Mark 2.0!  I have to pause on this special day to reflect back to you what I learned about the depth of your character and God-given essence during this most incredible year.

Grit - 'courage of resolve, strength of character'.  You are the bravest person I will ever know.  I will never forget the girls and I arriving at Tampa General from the airport the day we got the call. You were pumped, 'let's do this' and celebratory even as you faced another open heart surgery. Is there a more extreme medical procedure than a heart transplant? No fear - bring it on.  Then our first sight of you after - all hooked up and tubes everywhere - you gave us a thumbs up through the window.  So many moments that you truly inspired us.    

Persistence: You never gave up, so rarely complained, obeyed every order from your docs and stayed the course.   Even amidst the many emotional and physical setbacks, you bounced back so quickly and renewed your resolve. I'll never forget our trip to Disney with the girls at Thanksgiving, LVAD and all the required equipment in tow.  You had to get your INR/blood levels checked on our way up to Orlando and you tried numerous sketchy, strip mall labs to get it done.  We finally just swung by Tampa General.  How many pokes, gallons of blood taken, handfuls of pills, 'vampires' visiting you at 5 am for blood have you endured - your body so invaded.  You persisted through a long, dark tunnel of suffering. You kept your eyes and heart fixed on the goal of getting a heart and the hope of living fully again.  It is a thrill to see you running again and ready for a 5k soon!

Humility:  You never lingered in 'why me' but with humility accepted 'why not me'.  You leaned in to this difficult stretch of your life's journey.  You made the most of each day, no matter how dark. You entrusted your body and health to the expertise of others with gratitude and awe of their talents and skills. The Ash Wednesdays were extremely significant - 2014 the day before you were admitted at Abbott, heart failing rapidly.  And 2015 at Sacred Heart parish downtown Tampa a month after receiving 'the beautiful heart'. You had lived in view of 'from dust to dust' and contemplated life and death, humbly trusting God with whatever you had left.  This was a powerful testimony to the girls and I and it spurred our faith.

Strengths: Your strengths sustained you as you battled, aiding you in navigating and enduring such uncertainty and fragility.  It seemed that they were operating at a basic level, pure in their form but mostly in the moment as futuristic visions and plans were not an option.  Fighting to stay alive leaves little room for much else.  The strengths I saw you operating out of most during the darkest times were Activator, Command and Self-Assurance - you did everything within your power to live, endure and persevere.  You took charge of your situation and were proactive.  You never gave up or fell into despair.  It was a thrill and relief to see your Ideation and Intellection return in the form of your sense of humor, facial expressions, funny imitations -   oh how we missed these!  And then the sheer novelty of being able to plan, dream and ponder possibilities again!

So, on this most special birthday, the girls and I send our love to you in Lincoln, on the doorstep of this amazing new adventure! I'm happy to journey with you through sickness and health any day! Whenever we need a reset, we remember 'we got a heart' and all returns to well in the next moment - you have given us this and so much more!   Happy Birthday!!!

Mark Shares - A Beautiful Heart

1 hour ago

A Beautiful Heart

Friday, January 30, 2015, at noon I celebrated a second birthday. I was also given a number, 1189… my Tampa General transplant number. I’ve received the gift of life on top of an already great life. I’m so grateful for both . Gifts don’t get any bigger than that. Typically, big gifts come from people we know, people we have a relationship with that give context to the gift. I’ll spend the rest of my life searching for the answer “why” attached to this gift. The most significant life altering gift I’ll ever receive came from a complete stranger with no expectations and no instructions. Despite that I have a deep sense of responsibility towards this gift of life I know I can never deserve. I’m having my Private Ryan moment receiving the instructions to “earn it”. God help me “earn it”, give me increasing clarity on how I’m to honor this gift.

Here’s the fun part. I was at the Florida DMV on Thursday getting my FL drivers license. I actually hung up on TGH twice then I realized that second call meant this was significant. I immediately received a call from Jami saying TGH had a heart for me. Here’s the cool part. While the calls were coming in I was explaining to the DMV why it was so important for me to be a organ donor. …sidenote, be an organ donor.

Within 20 minutes I was headed to TGH with my dad. Jami was working hard on her end booking a ticket for her and the girls at 2:30, on the plane at 3:20, and landing in Tampa at 8pm. I was waiting impatiently to get through admitting.

Admitting

At this point a lot could still happen. Horror stories include having your number called only to find out that the heart had defects that could only be discerned by the surgeon inspecting the organ… one guy was called and prepped three different times before it was the “right” heart. I kept asking “are they close” to knowing if this was the heart for me. I found out later that they wouldn’t find out until I had a chest tube in me and they were ready to harvest the organ. The word harvest bugs me. It somehow removes the humanity, but it’s the word they use, and it includes a physical inspection with the surgeon running his/her hands along the organ to make sure there isn’t any disease that didn’t show up in all the other tests.

Around 6am on Friday I was wheeled into the OR… don’t remember anything else until I realized I was in the ICU with a new heart and lot of smiling faces around me. Dr. Hooker described it as a “beautiful heart”, and a perfect size even though it was the size of my fist and replacing a heart the size of a softball…room to roam.  All we know is that the  heart came from a female less than two hours away.  The less time on ice the better.  Have I mentioned how grateful I am to everyone that participated in my heart journey? From notes, calls prayers and Facebook posts to the medical staff here at TGH, my surgeon, Dr. Hooker, my cardiologist Dr. Arroyo, my parents, Jami and the girls, and of course the donor I’m so thankful for all the acts of love and talent that have been extended to me.

Post Surgery

Post surgery there’s a lot of pain. I’m thankful that I’m recuperating as fast as I am. I’m feeling less pain now and everyday I slough off the vestiges of the last several years. First a heart that got over the finish line with a stainless steel pump attached to it and various controller tubes and wires attached to the controller and batteries outside my body, next the defibrillator, last came the chest drainage tubes, and a temporary defibrillator. All that’s left is a new heart, and a lot of holes (11 at last count), a sternum strapped together with wires… and a lot to think about.

I look a little high in the next pic, really grateful for drugs at this point too. :)

My Surgery was a week ago Friday. Today I’m up walking and looking at a Monday discharge. I get a lot of jaw dropping when they hear how short the time has been since implant.  I love that.  I had a sweet celebration on the phone today with Dr. Sharkey who took care of me since my diagnosis in 2006. He’s been the best example of brilliant and caring.  He always gave me faith that we’d have a positive outcome.  We have at least a month here in Tampa with rejection biopsies, a lot of education on medication, and healing. It’s not a bad place to wait.

Tampa out my TGH window.

Jami and Rico will be here. I’ll be Facetiming the girls everyday and looking at life from my new birthday.

On the List at Tampa General

What we’ve been working towards since I landed in Florida happened on Thursday.  I was formally presented to the transplant board at Tampa General and unanimously accepted! Yay!  It took longer than I would have hoped, but we ran into the holidays and the board meets on Thursdays, precluding me being considered until now.  It felt a little anticlimactic because I’d been quizzing every nurse and coordinator regarding my status and the word was I had nothing to worry about… I did anyway because I can’t help myself.  Still, two emotions surfaced with the fantastic news. 

Faithful FL Companion - Rico

One was relief.  We’d rolled the dice that TGH was my best option and we had to wait a long time to have that confirmed.  Another big reason was the anxiousness of the possibility that I’d get a call from Minneapolis Heart Institute/Abbott alerting me that they had a heart match for me 1600 miles away.  The week before Christmas, I got that call.  I was sitting in the condo on a Saturday evening when a transplant coordinator called to confirm that I was still in Florida.  I knew immediately what was going on.  I don’t think I’m over-exaggerating when I say this was possibly the lowest moment I’d had since this ordeal started last January.  Up until this point, I was simply responding to the cards I’d been dealt.  I hadn’t caused my heart failure.  As sad as I was to be facing a long battle for my survival and without really knowing what the outcome could be, I still was pretty upbeat and hopeful.  I was also grateful that I had a reasonable chance of surviving and perhaps even regaining some aspects of my life following transplant that I’d had to give up, namely running. But from my perspective, I wasn’t to blame for my situation.  Sitting in the dark with the fresh news that I had missed out on a heart back home hit me like a train.  I was responsible for this event.  I’d chosen to move to Florida.  I’d made the decision to leave behind Minneapolis Heart… and I’d chosen wrong.  It was my fault.  I brought this on myself. Then I called Jami and dumped all my sadness and anger and self-loathing on her.  She was headed with the girls to a Christmas concert.  The girls overheard what was going on.  Now I heard them crying over the phone.  I still tear up thinking about the reality of the situation, the isolation, and the aloneness.  And now the burden of having unloaded that on the three people that I care most about.  I did think for a brief moment that everyone would be a lot better off if I wasn’t there bringing pain and sadness to their lives.  Yes, it was a dark moment. 

So, you can understand the relief I experienced on Thursday with the news that I am now officially on the list at TGH and would not receive any more soul-crippling calls from Minneapolis Heart.  The footnote is that I received a follow up call from the transplant coordinator at MH. I wouldn’t not have received the heart.  I was again third on the list and the first candidate was transplanted.  All that anguish for nothing.  

And the other emotion… gratefulness.  There are so many things I’m thankful for and all those came rushing to the surface with this great news.  I was on the list.  I’m a great candidate with an excellent chance to thrive after transplant. In fact, a nurse shared with me that in presenting me to the board my cardiologist described me as the “perfect candidate”.  I’ve never been perfect at anything! So I’ve got that going for me!  I had the most amazing 2-week visit from my girls.  We had perfect weather and meaningful family time that I cherish.  I’m grateful for our little spot in Punta Gorda with a view of the water that I get to enjoy everyday.  I’m thankful for lots of family, friends and co-workers that call, email and visit, supporting me and praying for me.  Would it be a stretch to say I’m lucky?  I guess it’s a bit ironic, but that’s what I feel.  

One last Job moment (the biblical Job), and then I’ll sign off.  I found out that with all the testing they’ve done they discovered I have…drum roll… Celiac Disease.  So now I get to add a gluten free diet to everything else I need to manage.  It’s almost comical.  Almost.  

My prayer is that I won’t have enough events to merit another post before I get the call that a heart is waiting.  Until then I’ll be grateful to enjoy each day as it comes.

Mark

Mark's Update from FL - Waiting for a Heart Transplant

1 hour ago

Florida

I’ve been waiting to update with the hope that I could deliver some good news about my status with Tampa General.  It’s going to take a little longer to get that update.  I’ve been in Florida since November 16.  I had my first appointment on the 17th (thanks to Jami’s Uncle Ralph for being my Florida Family and spending the whole day at TGH).  And the appointments keep coming.  I have to admit a little frustration in the inability of the system to get me to the place that I can be considered for transplant with TGH more quickly.  I continue to be positive about my decision.  I’m more sure now that my chances are better to be transplanted faster here than in Minnesota, but not without a cost.  I really miss my family.  Thank God for FaceTime and a much needed family visit over Christmas break!  The way the days fall it looks like I won’t be able to presented to the review board until after New Year’s .  Pray there are no roadblocks.  Once accepted I’ll shift my time on the list to TGH.  So thankful I’m not starting over!

What keeps me positive and hopeful:   

All my friends and family that have reached out to me just to check in or arrange a visit. Thanks Tim and Katie for making me a side trip on your visits to the sunshine state. Thanks Tom for consistently checking in on me and being ready to jump on a plane if I need a visit. Thanks Father Rolf for your check-ins and prayers!  Thanks Mom and Dad for your faithfulness and encouragement.  Thanks to my girls for making me a part of everyday.  

Rico has been a blessing.  Don’t know what I’d do without my little buddy for companionship.

Florida!  I could be waiting in Cleveland or worse… how much worse does it get than Cleveland?  I see the sun almost everyday.  I enjoy walks by the water.  

My Health!  I feel great.  The VAD continues to do the job.  I know I feel so much better than last year at this time.  I was on borrowed time.  

…And if I ever need live entertainment I can drop by the Wal-mart late in the evening for a snapshot of life that can only be described as surreal.  

I covet your prayers.  I know that’s a daily habit for many of you, I pray for you too!  Keep in touch!

Mark

The Transformational Power of Gratitude

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  On this celebratory day off we make traditional food and gather with people who are important to us.  We reflect on what we are grateful for, what has brought the most meaning to our lives, what makes us happy.  Today, our definition of love and who makes our lives full, rich and purposeful are called to mind.

This Thanksgiving, our family is reflecting back on our most challenging year as Mark awaits a heart transplant.  His fragile heart is sustained by an impeller pump that takes on the infinite duty of distributing his blood around to his vessels and organs.  He has no heart beat but the whirl of a machine instead keeping him alive as we wait and desperately hope.  Life had never been so fleeting and precious.

What we celebrate today on Thanksgiving has transformed a dark, difficult time into a season of great blessing. At every Mass as part of the liturgy, said everyday of the year, our Priests remind us that 'we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks'.  We've heard it countless times but this year, as Mark has fought to remain with us, giving thanks has become a lifeline.  Deeply impacted by the research of Dr. Robert Emmons and his book Gratitude Works, we set out on a journey to be intentional about capturing the good in each day, despite enduring the precariousness of Mark's health in this marathon journey.  Our gratitude practice became the shield that protected us daily from anxiety and despair.  It was the sword that beat back fear and kept my mind in today rather than thoughts of a black, shadowy future where I'm a widow and single mom.  Gratitude brought me back to the reality of Mark still here - what a relief to steer my mind back to the present.  Pausing, taking in the now, wanting more of what is right here, right now - that is gratitude...lifesaving, life-giving gratitude.

Desperate for fresh air and the inspiration of nature, I'll never forget a winter walk I took last March as Mark was running out of time waiting for a heart, living in ICU indefinitely.  The sky matched the colorless gray of the snow-covered ground.  The trees were devoid of all color except for the craggy, dreary brown of the bark.  Brown and gray matched my floundering heart. Suddenly, a brilliant male cardinal flew across the trail, the red flash capturing my full attention popping against the dull, winter backdrop.   My anxious thoughts couldn't help but be averted, my mood immediately lightened just by seeing this bright, beautiful creature.  A few moments later, as if on cue, the female mate, more muted in color but still revelatory, flew across the trail.  Together, 20 years into this journey - in sickness and in health - color pops against the gray, light is present amidst the darkest times.  An intentional gratitude practice - chronicling the positive moments present in each day - has helped me be watchful, expectant, hopeful rather than despondent.  This is the transformational power of gratitude - it makes me want more of what I already have.  The now is good enough, wonderful, in fact, and I want to savor it, encircle it and be present to capture it.   Gratitude keeps the uncertainty of the future at bay.

With deep gratitude, we want to thank all of you who have encouraged us this year, reached out to us with expressions of love, checked in on our status.  For those who braved the roads to visit us in the depths of winter in Minnesota.  For meals, cards of encouragement, Facebook messages and comments, calls, gifts sent in the mail.  Prayers - so many offered up on our behalf and we believe will be answered in some mysterious way.  We are humbled and thankful for you standing with us. Our gratefulness for you has fueled our faith, courage, resilience and hope.  Gratitude has the power to transform our lives - may everyday be Thanksgiving!

Roller Coaster Ride Waiting for a Heart - 1A Time Expires

Its been a whirlwind month as Mark has been on the 1A top priority heart transplant list with Abbott Northwestern/Minneapolis Heart Institute.  Thankfully, life was busy and full to keep our minds and hearts occupied while we waited for the phone to ring.  Our teenage daughters were in the throws of their tennis season, our work needed tending to and a glorious autumn in MN allowed us to sail often.

Chanhassen Girls Tennis - A Great Distraction

As the days ticked by with no call, an alternative plan took root thanks to several chance meetings with fellow heart transplant patients who chose to move to other cities in order to better their chances. We also had several dear friends with medical expertise who spoke into this decision with us and provided valuable wisdom and guidance - so grateful to Sue Strobel, Dr. Kathy Waller and Tom Rath. A plan began to develop for Mark to move down to our condo in Florida and associate with Tampa General Hospital if his 1A time here in MN was unsuccessful.

Come to FL - Visitors Welcome! 

With only 4 days left on 1A, we received THE call last Monday that we'd yearned and longed for everyday....a heart was available and Mark was in the running to receive it.  For me, a volcano of emotions erupted with long-suppressed hope finally having a reason to emerge.  I'd spent so much emotional effort trying to stay in the moment and savor each day. We haven't had the ability to plan or think about the future these last 9 months because of the uncertainty and futility of it - better to make today count. The thought of him being restored through this life-giving rescue of a new heart opened the floodgates of hope for the future.  I couldn't hold it back even though we were told there were 2 other people ahead of Mark on the list.  He packed his bag, we waited for the call to head down (or not) and prayed that this would be his perfect match.

So determined and brave!  

It was a strange few hours - a middle place like nothing we'd experienced in this time of waiting.  I couldn't help but think of the donor and their family, their grief and sadness, wondering what happened.  Brave enough to press forward in donating their loved one's organs in the midst of their overwhelming loss. A stark contrast with my own building excitement and ultimate hope, tasting a bit of the gratitude and relief we'd all feel if this was it.  We were also mindful of the other 2 candidates and their families feeling our same inner pleading as we all waited to know who was to be selected. My mind and heart left the station thinking of all this could ultimately mean for our lives...possibilities opening up again, dreams pursued, freedom to travel again, health, relief, fears subsiding, walking the girls down the aisle, growing old together.  I didn't hold it back and when the call came that the heart went to one of the others, it was a long, hard fall back to reality.  It stung and I'm struggling to claw my way back to equilibrium.

In my disappointment and sadness, it has helped to pray for the person who did receive the heart a week ago today.  I think of him/her everyday, letting my feelings of happiness, relief and joy for them do battle against my despair.  Though anonymously, we join their ranks of support and love offered up for recovery, restoration, no rejection and the 2nd chance at life.  Please let this be us someday!

Mark's resilience and resolve truly set the pace for our family - enough crying already!  Onward!

http://jmarkpogue.tumblr.com/post/99339938501/plan-b

He booked a one-way ticket today for FL and he and Rico will head down on November 4th.  If you need a winter getaway, go down and hang out as he waits - free lodging and the beach!  Thank you to all who have been on this journey with us - your love and encouragement sure helps! As my best friend moves away, I'd love time with you!

Everyday is Father's Day

Happy Father's Day!  We are especially celebratory on this Father's Day since Mark has been granted more time and remains with us.  We almost lost him this winter so won't let this day, or any other day for that matter, slip by without soaking up our life in his presence.  I've heard stories from many people who've engaged with me or intersected my path on this journey who have already crossed over to the grief and loss side of a similar fight.  I come away from these conversations more determined than ever to make the most of our time, whatever it looks like, amidst great challenges.  This is an especially glorious Father's Day!  Despite Mark's battle to survive congestive heart failure, endure life with an LVAD and hopefully receive a new heart eventually, we are grateful that he's still here with us and will make it count.

 If this isn't too personal, I would ask for the wisdom, insight and guidance from those who have suffered the loss of their dad....what would you do today if your dad was still here?  How would you celebrate and mark the day?  Help us make more of this day, and everyday, as we contemplate the alternative, knowing each interaction is an opportunity to be present and savor time that is fleeting with these loved ones.  Teach us to treat everyday as Father's Day - we would do so in honor of the one you lost.  Thank you all for your continued prayers, friendship, and encouragement; for being on this long road with us!  

Mark Shares His Thoughts: "Thankful to Be Here"

It’s been six weeks since my surgery to implant the VAD (ventricular assist device).  From Jami’s last blog post you can get a sense of the urgency associated with the surgery.  I’m just so thankful that there was a plan B when my heart decided it was not going to hold out until donor heart became available.  I’ve heard that almost 50% of heart transplants are a transition from a VAD to a new heart.
I was out of the hospital and back home in 7 days… really fast for a surgery this invasive.
The surgery was on March 21.  Since then I’ve had two unscheduled stays in the hospital as we try to get my coumadin (blood thinner) dosage right.  The pump can clog if the blood is too thick… that would be bad.  I’m told that the unscheduled short stays happen to everyone…   Jami can attest that being readmitted are some of my saddest times.  I’d say I’m most focused on one goal right now… staying out of the hospital as I recuperate.  I believe I’ll be picking up my activity bit by bit as I gain strength and have less pain (the pump is not a welcome guest in my chest and some nerves inside my ribcage really take issue with the unwanted visitor bumping around in there).
Bright spots include celebrating Paige’s prom last week.  I got be the official photographer for a pre-prom event at Jami’s parent’s house.


…and today I had the privilege of celebrating with Reilly as she passed her driver test on her 16th birthday!!!


I’m so thankful to be getting back my stamina and feeling healthy.  My appetite is returning and I’m slowing gaining back weight which I desperately need to prepare for the heart transplant.  I’ve got some time.  It’s typically 6 months to heal from the surgery then I’ll go back on the list and wait. Having my mobility and being able to wait at home is a blessing but it will take time for a new heart to become available.  I’ve heard all kinds of estimates, conservatively I’m looking at 9-18 months.
But life is sweet and I’m thankful for every day!

On the Road to Recovery - LVAD Working!

9 IV Meds before surgery

Dr. Louis B Louis IV

Waves of relief continue to build and wash over us!  Unable to wait until Tuesday, Mark had the Heartware LVAD surgically implanted last Friday.  The LVAD, Dr. Louis Louis and his team and the Lord saved his life!  He is no longer dying...he's living again!

His recovery has begun in true Mark fashion!  Already up walking, no more IV's, tubes removed and he's requesting Famous Dave's for his first real meal post-surgery!  His sheer determination, resilience and drive kicked in immediately and he is attacking getting well like he's pursued other challenging opportunities throughout his life.

We are very proud of him - his calm resolve going into surgery carried the girls and I through a very difficult morning as he was wheeled away.  Your prayers and ours were answered in these moments as the Holy Spirit was present.... comforting, strengthening and protecting us beyond what our humanness could handle.  Mark's nurse, Tammy, during those critical days leading up to his surgery, ministered to all of us beyond any nursing training or expertise.  Dr. Peter Zimbwa circled up my sobbing daughters as Mark was wheeled away and in the most simple, kind way, infusing humor even, he calmed and comforted them...then made the sign of the cross.  Everyday heroes that stand in the gap for families and save the lives of their patients.

Mark has a long recovery ahead but thankfully so - please keep praying for him! We will continue to live one day at a time. We'll also be looking for opportunities to live differently as a result of this ordeal - seizing wonderful, ordinary days and making them extraordinary.  We feel compelled to pay all this forward that we've received from you!  I will advocate for organ donation and am thinking about becoming a living kidney donor once we get through this.  Mark will go back on the 1B heart transplant list once he recovers from open heart surgery in 6 months.  Our adventure continues...not an easy journey but we have our Lord to 'give us this day, our daily bread'.  Your love and prayers inspire and sustain us!