Skip to main content

Quick Update

 But first, some Blog maintenance issues. I warned you I’m new at this!

Previously, I mentioned that only Google users were able to post comments.  Well, I discovered that was a setting I could control.  So, I changed the commenting to Public.  One tip however…when you open the comment window it defaults to “Anonymous.”  You’ll notice a tiny drop down button next to the word Anonymous.  Just click on that button and it will provide a space for you to enter your name.  If not, you can always type your name in the body of your message so that I know who it’s from.  We love your words of encouragement and it’s nice to know who it’s coming from.

Now today’s update: 

Last night my blood glucose was very high.  For those who aren’t aware, I’ve been a type 2 diabetic for about 18 years.  I’ve always had excellent control of my numbers through modern medicine, healthy eating, and regular exercise.  I can honestly say I don’t know what a diabetic episode is like (high sugar or low).  However, last night I’ve never seen it go that high (432).  My dear friend and pickleball pal Dr. Chris in Alaska happened to text me at the exact moment we were deciding to call some nurse hotline.  He put me at ease and confirmed it’s caused by the steroids I started taking twice a day prior to Chemotherapy (on the day before, the day of, and day after). Thank you Chris!  And, God for arranging that call!

The only other hiccup last night was….well, hiccups!  I haven’t had hiccups for many, many years so I wondered if it had to do with the days medicine.  Probably not!

Today we woke up and I felt fine.  So, when I feel fine I plan to have a normal day so we went and played a few games of pickleball. Just enough for normalcy.

Comments

  1. Mark is is great to hear that you are doing so well after your 1st treatment. But I’m not surprised with all the people who are praying for you, plus the fact that you wore your Superman shirt.
    You keep fighting and we’ll keep praying Captain Mark! 🙏❤️🙏

    ReplyDelete
  2. We appreciate the updates and have you and Diane in our thoughts and prayers♥️

    ReplyDelete
  3. Life throws a curveball once in a while. I’m sure you will hit this one out of the park! I find myself thinking often about this journey you and Diane are on. My prayers are with you. You are Alaska’s Poker Daddy and pickleball promoter. Keep the Faith, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  4. So glad that the God who formed you in the womb still has you in His hands and that you’re holding His. Intimacy with God is never more precious than in the valley of trials. Prayers for so many things He is and will continue to orchestrate on your behalf, like the new physician group. There are no coincidences!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you for sharing! So thankful there was only one down day and you were able to get outside for some pickleball! You and Diane are definitely missed at the Midnight Sun tournament this weekend! We miss you both too! Hugs and prayers.... and, YAY Dr. Chris!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mark, Doug had hiccups from his chemo as well. One night for 8 hours straight. The Doctor prescribed a muscle relaxant called Baclofen 10 mg. He took one every 8 hours for six days after each chemo treatment. No more hiccups!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Let’s Get Back On The Horse

That has never be more true in our family. People frequently ask me how my sister, Melissa is doing.  Well, thank you for asking.  She is literally “back on the horse!”   My Superstar sister has navigated her Off Script experience in life changing ways.  Her near death episode put Garn Walker Stables on a brief hold while Garn and Melissa cautiously nursed Melissa back to good health.  They work so hard together to show their client’s horses around the country.   Melissa was very diligent at following her doctor’s post surgery recovery instructions.  All the while planning to return to her world-class riding form.  Once the doctor cleared her for driving cars and riding horses she had very little time to prep and train for their recent show. Here’s all you need to know: June 30th: She went from this.  Yes, that is the actual drill they used to relieve the pressure on her brain! August 30th : To this!  The Jubilee Morgan Regionals Champi...

Off Script

An Angel in the dugout? “Mark, do you read books?”  This question caught me off guard last month between softball games at the Southwest Championship tournament in Las Vegas.   “To be honest, not very often,” I replied to Cathy, our Sidewinder’s team scorekeeper.  When I asked why, she told me she had been thinking about my situation and brought me a book I might like to read.  I felt a little unrefined and recovered by saying, “Diane likes to read, what’s it about?”  She told me a little about the book when she handed it to me and I thanked her and stashed it in my softball bag. That was April 9th, the first day of our three day tournament.  We had a few more games later that day and on my way to the parking lot after the last game I got a phone call from Diane.  Our son-in-law Joel had been in a terrible accident.  She only had limited information at that time.   We soon found out that Joel had been on his way from Denver via Texas and on t...

The Battle Begins

I’ve never tried to create a blog, in fact I’ve never even looked at someone else’s blog.  So, this project may start off a little slow.  My plan is to post frequently about what’s currently happening.  But, people also want to know when this started, what were my symptoms, and why did it take so long to get this diagnosis.  So I will, from time to time, create posts that will be labeled “Prologue”. That story will begin on November 19th, 2021 and I’ll add stories until I reach today’s date.  April 18th, 2022 Today I finally have a comprehensive diagnosis.  It’s not what we were hoping for but at least we can now proceed with the attack. I have Peritoneal Mesothelioma.  Most people think of Mesothelioma as a lung disease but of the 3000+ yearly cases of mesothelioma only10-15% occur in the abdomen.  The primary cause of mesothelioma is from exposure to asbestos.  Later, I will tell you the story of my time working around raw asbestos.   ...