strength, courage & t-shirts

Last week we posted on Facebook the link to order your #MarksArmy t-shirts.  If you have not seen the FB post, I have included the link below.  Please know that the online store will close on March 20th and they cannot be ordered after that date.  It is really inspiring for him to see you all wearing the shirts in support of him.  If you text or post a picture wearing his shirt we will make sure that he sees it.  

https://mark-sarmy-spring2024.itemorder.com/shop/home/?fbclid=IwAR2pxUkoHrZ1gDmtzDTk9uncurecKtHFrKVUMf_z_QhNG-4vDmdhc965QiM

Yesterday marked the half-way point of Mark's radiation treatments. A milestone for sure but definitely starting to take its toll on his little body.  We are back in the hospital again right now. Mark has been extremely lethargic and unable to walk on his own for the last few days. They did a CT scan on Monday to make sure the shunt had not failed.  His symptoms are reminiscent of what was going on right before the shunt was put in.  Everything is okay with the drainage that the shunt is providing.  They did a number of blood tests to rule out any sort of infection and we are awaiting the results of those.  As I type this we are waiting for them to come get him to do an MRI.  They want a clear picture to see if these symptoms are a result of tumor inflammation (from the radiation) or tumor progression. We pray that it is the former.

These posts have become less frequent because there is not a lot to report on a day-to-day basis.  Ali and Mark are making the drive to Houston every day, Monday - Friday for his radiation treatments.  They have settled into a nice routine, leaving the house typically between 7:30-8 and getting back around 1pm.  Mark takes a good nap when they get back and rests for the rest of the day.  If I am being honest, I underestimated just how much of a toll this has taken on his body. He approaches his treatments with courage.  He is not scared and knows that this is necessary to try and get better.  If we could all be so brave.  Poor kid has been poked and prodded so many times that the needles don't even faze him anymore.  Yesterday when they did the IV he just laid there and let them do their thing.  No distractions or anything.  He is so strong. 

Our lives are not all needles, naps and long trips in the car.  We have managed to have some fun over the last couple of weeks as well. Mark's Army shared Mark's story with the Texas A&M Yell Leaders and a couple of Saturdays ago we spent about an hour meeting and visiting with them on campus.  These fantastic young men took time out of their day and took a real interest in Mark and his journey.  It really lifted Mark's spirits to spend time visiting with them and sharing his story and getting to know them.  Texas A&M and everything it stands for means a lot to our family and to know that these guys are part of Mark's Army means the world to Mark and to us.  Thank you for making this happen.

A few days later one of Mark's good friends (and his parents) helped arrange a meeting with his cousin who is a pilot in USAF.  They had heard about Mark and wanted to do something special for him. We met out at Easterwood airport and they presented him with is very own fighter pilot helmet.  The real deal.  He also spent time showing us his plane and answering all of our questions. The Top Gun lover in all of us thought this was so cool. 

To kick off Spring Break we had tickets to Houston Rodeo to see Luke Bryan.  We got to watch the whole rodeo and a little bit of the concert before heading back to the hotel for the night.  The next morning we woke up, went to radiation and then headed down to Galveston for a relaxing weekend. We were joined by Ali's sister, Branda and her kids.  While we were there we ate some good seafood and just enjoyed a quiet weekend together.  We had some lifelong friends come and visit for the day and they definitely brought the laughs along with them.  Thank you J & A for your home and your generosity.  The day of the rodeo was when we really started noticing Mark's lethargy and his imbalance.  It continued to progress throughout the weekend.  Unfortunately he wasn't able to make it down to the beach but for a few minutes.  He just enjoyed being around everyone (and the seafood).

We continue to be amazed at how many have been touched by this event in our lives.  I say 'our lives' not as an in Mark's, Ali's, Jameson's and my lives but anyone that is reading this.  You are all a part of this journey and we feel your support, your prayers and your presence every single day. Thank you for your love and support.  We are all united in the common goal of getting Mark better.  This is the hardest thing we have ever done.  It takes everything we have emotionally and spiritually.  

There are sleepless nights, nights where we cry ourselves to sleep, days that just seem to bleed into one another.  There is anger and then appreciation. There is sadness and moments of laughter.  There is hope and then hopelessness.  There  is appreciation and angst.  At the end of the day the one thing that matters is this strong, courageous little guy fighting as hard as he can for a return to a normal life.

Please pray that this radiation, while taking his energy and his balance is working to destroy this tumor.  Please continue to pray for our clarity in decisions that need to made regarding Mark's next steps in his treatment.  Please say a prayer of thanks for all of the family, friends and support that keep us going.  Please pray that Mark continues to be a strong warrior and can get through the second half of his treatment.  ​