March 1st 2011

Mark came home from the hospital today!! He was ready to be back home with his family. He is looking forward to a visit from his Daughter, Son in law and grand kids today. Mark is doing as good as can be expected and is keeping the fight going! He appreciates all the thoughts, prayers, cards, and visits he received while at the hospital. We will keep you updated on his status as we receive more information. As always please keep Mark and Carol in your prayers!

Feb 28th 2011

 I was at the hospital yesterday visiting Mark, he was in good spirits and watching war movies! He has been feeling a little better the last two days, and has been leaving his room to go on some walks. He is getting some more fluid removed today and was also told that the blood clot in his leg is breaking apart and getting smaller. He had a protein level that was low and they are working on getting that back up so that he can come home! We are hoping that he gets to come home this week, but as we all know the hospital never likes to tell you when you might get to leave. We would appreciate prayers for him to get back home and out of the hospital! I will keep you all updated and as I've said before if you have any questions please e-mail me at brandynieder@clear.net

Feb 21st 2011

 As some of you may already know, Mark is in the hospital and has been since Wednesday. He went in because he was in a lot of pain and had a fever. In the last week he has had around 7 liters of fluid removed from his abdomen. He is getting his stents replaced today as they could be a source of infection. He was in good spirits when we went to visit yesterday, he was saying that he was less then impressed with the food, but the pain shots made up for it! You have to love a man who keeps his sense of humor through it all! We are hoping that he will be coming home soon, however at this time we don't know exactly what day it will be. Please keep the prayers coming! I will keep everyone updated as news comes in. I also wanted to let everyone know that the Kindle is really coming in handy right now so thanks again to everyone who pitched in to get that for Mark. It makes these trips to the hospital a little less horrible!!!

Feb 2nd 2011

I know it has been a while since I put up a post. We didn't really have anything new to post. Mark is doing the best he can and keeping his spirits up as much as possible. The last few weeks have been a little rough. He missed chemo a couple of times do to blood counts, and then they found a blood clot in his leg. Carol now gives him a shot every night to help that go away, and prevent anymore from coming for a visit. Monday Mark had an appointment and we recieved good news! The tumor is actually taking up less of the liver then it was and he will continue with treatment! He is feeling tired and weak, but those are from the chemo not the tumor. Right now his daughter and grandchildren are in town to visit! We had a wonderful dinner with them last night! Mark is looking forward to continuing his fight against this nasty tumor and hoping for warm weather soon as the cold is hard for him! Please as always continue your prayers for him and take care of yourselves as well. If ever any of you have a question feel free to contact me at brandynieder@clear.net. I will try to get to all of you!

November 10th 2010

Mark had his temporary stints replaced yesterday, the procedure went fine. Late yesterday afternoon Mark had a reaction to the Chemo/Stint replacement causing a fever so he had to stay overnight in the hospital. Due to his blood counts being so low he is getting a blood transfusion today. He needs two pints of blood to help his counts come up so that he is no longer anemic. He wants me to assure all of you that he is doing fine just a few minor glitches in the road to recovery. He will do Chemo tomorrow and Friday. He wants to thank everyone for the cards, letters, and e-mails. Please keep us in your prayers and we will keep you updated as to how the blood transfusion goes and how he is feeling after his Chemo.

October 27th 2010

First I want to thank everyone for all of your thoughts and prayers, sometimes it is just what we need to hear to make it through a tough day!
  Mark had a port put in yesterday, so that every time he gets chemo they don't have to keep using the veins in his arms. He said he was a little sore, but it was better then getting poked with needles every time he goes in for Chemo! Mark is doing his first Chemo treatment of the week today and will do another one tomorrow. He seems to be taking everything in stride, he said he is tired and really doesn't feel like eating much after his Chemo treatments. He is also still going to do acupuncture and drinking his special tea! Will update you all soon with new info!!

October 22nd 2010

Mark and Carol have returned home from their trip to the Mayo Clinic. We were hoping for a miracle of course, but Mayo said the doctors here are right on the money! They said that Mark's blood counts and response to the chemo is amazing! Though we did not get a miracle cure, we received piece of mind, which is priceless. We now know for sure that Mark is getting the very best treatment option right here at home. We will continue to post updates as we get them. Mark is glad to be back home and will have a few days to rest up until his regular chemo treatments on Thursday and Friday of next week. Please keep him in your prayers, as that is the most positive healing there is!