It's been a while

Marki and NFL great - Mark Brunell













First Coast KYX U18 - Florida State Cup Final Four team













Marki - Ocean Rescue Lifeguard - Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park






It's been a while since I have posted anything on Marki...

Let's see what has occurred over the last several months. First off, Marki is doing really well - over all she has fully recovered and is back to all of her normal activities. She is still not back into the athletic shape she was in prior to discovery, but that is ok. Time is on her side.

So here is a brief run-down of the events she has participated in over the recent months...

She is back at doing "Ocean Rescue", this year recruiting a few more of her girl friends to join her so she is quite happy with that. She had to do a lot of work swimming to get back in swim shape to meet the minimum requirements for qualifications for Ocean rescue - and she made it - Yay! This was actually good as swimming helps with both the lungs and the heart.

Marki rejoined her club soccer team for Spring season where she had multiple goals. Her team also made the Florida State Cup Final Four where Marki scored scored two goals in the State Cup series allowing them to advance in each case.


Marki is also playing for a 'impromptu' soccer team for US Club Soccer Championships where they won the Region C (Southeast US) Championships (U17) and will be playing at the end of July for the National Championship in Virginia Beach

Tryouts for next years soccer were held in May, her previous team which she payed up a year, no longer exists as most the girls went off to college, so fortunately she was picked up by a fabulous team in which she played for about 4 years ago. They are a nationally ranked team and play the Southeast (US) Region III premier league. Which means even more travel - I pray this will be a good year for her.

She of course finished up her Junior year of high school... I can't say academically she fully recovered after the surgery... but she made it though. She also took her SATs and ACT - Let's just say her Junior year was not a good year for this event to occur. - But God knows what he is doing! Even if we do not. :)

Marki finished her track season right at at a 6:00 mile - She was learning how to push her body finally - but along the way kept getting 'scares'. Sometimes not sure if the symptoms were normal or with her heart. She is supposed to train over the summer for Cross-Country but that has been a hit or miss. It is now up to her to do what she is willing.

Marki also did a couple of Children Miracle Network events\fundraisers... a radio-thon and a Casino night with Golf and Tennis Club Pros... at this event she also got to meet a number of celebrities - One very special one - Mark Brunell - formerly the Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback - a man of integrity and a man of God.... and the man she grew up watching at the Jags games. One of the pics is of her and Mark.

One last thing, as most of you know, Marki's desire is to go to Univ. of Hawaii and study Marine Biology/sciences and Photo Journalism (hopefully tying the two together)... and she is still 'can we move today?'. EVERYDAY! Nothing has changed - she is still ready to miss her Senior year with her buddies' just to get to Hawaii. We have decided that we are taking a step as a family in that direction.. though God will have to get us there - because we have no means on our own.

It has been an exciting year... I can't wait to see what is in store for us!!!

Old Care Page Updates.. Dec 08 to March 09

All Heart... and then some
Posted Mar 25, 2009 10:55am

It's been a while, so I just wanted to shoot out an update on how Marki has been during her recovery and rehab.

She is currently 4+ months after surgery (Nov 12th), and 2.5 months after release to activities (Jan 7th).

Over all she has been doing very well... She has had her ups and downs, her good days and bad days... but every week gets better and better. Mentally she went through a tough time not that long ago. ...with thoughts that she should quit Running and Soccer because she was so bad at both. This was probably about a week or so before her first track meet. - Her thoughts were she 'was the worst person on the track team'... (Not that that should ever be a reason to quit)... And soccer she still struggled with speed and stamina and getting all her foot skills back. She had a scare a couple of weeks ago where she could not breath during a speed workout... but was fine once she stopped - so presumed to not be heart related. So Here we are today.

Running...
Track: As noted before, she felt as though she was the worst person on the team. During team training she struggled to complete 4 miles and within the last couple of weeks finally was able to keep up with the lead runners (albeit she was working harder than them to do it)... For meets, Marki historically ran in the 4x800m relay, the 800m and the 1600m events (at every meet), so far this year she is only doing the 1600m, though she is considering the 3200m IF she can get her 1600m back before the state comps begin (and the coaches let her).

Then progression shows itself...
1600 meter (Marki's best in this is 5:24 - without focused training)
3/3 6:31 (1st meet) - Beating everyone but the other distance runners on her own team.
3/10 6:20

3/14 - Then a change up - Marki's 1st love for running is the Gate River Run 15K (9.3 miles - 15 thousand runners and the USA 15K Championship). Remember that struggle with running 4 miles? Because she struggled with just getting her body into running shape and never having a break between track and soccer (now doing both at the same time) she NEVER was able to fit in any additional training for this - her body was still struggling to keep up and recover from her daily track activities. BUT this was her love.. she couldn't not do it. The one event her HEART is focused on. Her record for this event is 1 hr 5 minutes (that's a 6:58 pace for 9.3 miles in case you are wondering - oh yeah...and once again never able to train due to fitting it in between soccer and track). Considering she was struggling with 4 miles - I was really concerned she would get injured... But she was determined. Fine, she would run and we would see where she was at. A good measuring stick. Her time... 1 hr 13 minutes (a 7:58 pace - most runners could only dream of this) I think she surprised herself - She was happy with her time - better than she thought she was capable of at this moment - but then saddened at the same time that it was so slow (for her). Once again we were having to remind her - just 4 months after surgery and only 2 months since she was released to activities - she was doing great.

Back to Track
3/17 - back to a 6:30 (her legs were still dead from the Gate River Run - the reason Track coaches don't want their kids running this - but normally not an issue for her)
3/24 - Whoo Hooo... 6:07!!!. She looked strong for the first two laps, began slowing on the third but just a little, and lost steam on the 4th... But still a great run. (She is finally learning how to work)

Marki needs a 5:30(35?) to be competitive for Conference (in two weeks) - With her current progression, I told her not to rule it out. Under normal circumstances I would say it is not doable.. but every week you can see the progression (30 seconds in 3 weeks, lets go for another 30 in the next two) - This may be asking for a Miracle - but then again... I believe in Miracles! (Marki has made All-Conference every year since her freshman year. Her Heart event impacted all three sports she competes in so this is her only shot to still make it) Please pray for her to accomplish this. (Not that the other girls on her team would want this :/ - I love them all and want everyone to do their best) We are so happy now that she is progressing so well - that not accomplishing this would be absolutely fine... but IF she could - That just wouldn't be the icing on the cake, it would be the chocolate and cherry on top!

Soccer:
You have some updates.. but I'll run them by you again.
Marki played soccer for her high school team 8 weeks to the day after her surgery.
1/7 - First Game, had 1 goal and 1 assist
1/9 - 2nd game, 1 assist
1/10 - Fletcher wins the Gateway Conference Championship.
1/23 - Fletcher wins Districts (High School State Playoffs)
1/29 - Fletcher wins Regional quarter-finals
2/3 - Fletcher loses in OT in the Regional semi-finals 2-1. Great Season!
2/14-16 - KYX U18 (her club team) wins the Gator Soccer Showcase Championship. (This was Marki's first games back with her club team. Boy could you see the difference in her game from when she started to now)
3/21-22 KYX - Florida State Cup - Round 1. They won all three games sending them automatically to the Sweet Sixteen. Marki scored 1 goal. For those of you unfamiliar with Soccer - this is the premier event for all soccer teams and only the best teams participate. This is the event that leads up to the National Championship. Their next round is April 18 (Sweet Sixteen) and April 19 (Elite 8). At this point, it becomes a win or go home situation. If they progress from here, Final four and State Championships will be held May 16th and 17th.

You can see Marki's progression, her stamina is steadily increasing. A couple of weeks ago she was able to play nearly a whole game. But was sucking wind by the end. Her speed is definitely better - but still has a ways to go to get back where she was. Her one-touch passes are usually very nice... and her touch is coming along.

Marki is also trying to fit in swimming for life-guarding (Ocean Rescue - her summer job - They have distance and time requirements). It is a tough schedule to fit in so she is not consistent - But testing her a couple of weeks ago she had met the basic requirements. The swimming will actually help her lungs and take pressure off of her legs (giving them a rest - which they need) so if she can find the time to fit this in more often, it would do her good.

Thanks again to everyone for your support and prayers during this time. And for those of you who see her often.. and hear her worries - Thanks for giving her encouragement and reminding her what she just went through.

I told her a couple of weeks ago that her one weakness for running was that she never knew how to 'work'... Meaning everything she did was so easy for her and it came so naturally - she never did anything extra to progress. That was her issue with getting to the next level - She didn't know what it felt like to apply the effort, feel the pain, the lack of breath, the sore legs, etc. So, this has really been a blessing in disguise (beside keeping her alive that is). The blessing... she now is learning how to work - to feel what the rest of us feel every time we go out - so, as when she finally gets back to her 'norm' then she must apply this same effort she learned here to get herself to the next level. I see this as a positive...

Marki has a follow-up with her Dr. this coming Wednesday, April 1st. I also posted a couple of new pics.

Lot's of love to everyone...

..ml (mary)


Marki's interviewed by local news media
Posted Jan 31, 2009 9:03am

I can't seem to get this video to work properly on facebook or come up right through email - so figured I would try to embed it here.

*** OK - so the embed code is apparently having problems here also. - go to Firstcoastnews.com and look up videos. news videos and you can find it in there. It ran on 1/29 but was posted on 1/30** ****sorry!****

As you are aware, Marki returned to soccer 8 weeks to the day after surgery. Her High School Team, Fletcher Senators, have continued to win through the State Playoffs. First Bringing Home the Gateway Conference Championship, then the District 1-6A Championship and they are now in the playoff series for the Region. So in our quarterfinal game this week, much to our surprise, First Coast News showed up and did a nice little story on Marki - and Fletchers playoff status.

In case you missed it, here it is. I have also listed the story text as it is written on the First Coast News site. You can also go to firstcoastnews.com and find it in the news videos.

News Text...

NEPTUNE BEACH, FL -- Two short months after open-heart surgery, a Fletcher soccer player is back on the field.

Marki Lyon, 16, spent a lot of time with cardiologists before her problem was discovered. A condition was blocking blood from her heart.

That condition is normally found only in an autopsy.

Lyon had open-heart surgery to correct it, and she's back on the soccer field already.

She says her stamina isn't all the way back, but she sure is glad to be feeling better.

Click the video on the right to see her story.


RivalsHigh.com Article
Posted Jan 28, 2009 10:57am

Just wanted to let you know that RivalsHigh.com (part of Yahoo
Sports) is running an article on Marki regarding her surgery and
recovery. Just in case you would like to read - It is a really nice
article.

http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=905379

www.rivalshigh.com

Children's Miracle Network
Posted Jan 19, 2009 8:18pm

Just want to send the link to Marki's info on the Children's Miracle Network site (North Florida)

She is on the home page in one of the floating balloons - you can then click on it and it will bring you to her detailed page.

http://www.cmnjax.com/

..ml - mary


Video - Marki - 8 weeks after OHS she returns to Soccer
Posted Jan 12, 2009 5:38pm

Ok – Hope to not keep sending you updates regularly until Summer – or unless some other major milestone (maybe track????)
BUT… just wanted to share this short video I took during Marki’s first three soccer games this week during the Gateway Conference Championships. (BTW they Won conference)

It is a compilation of Marki’s play time during the games – She wants to make sure everyone realizes (though I’m sure you all do) – that she has done nothing for 4 months before this… had not touched a soccer ball (actually did have three limited practices after the 30th) and the most obvious -- recovering from Open Heart Surgery. That in itself says it all – but as she viewed the video.. the comments came flying – “ Man, I’m really slow”, “oh, that should have been so left foot”, “I look horrible”, “it’s embarrassing”, and the list goes on.

In reality, under the circumstances – she looked great. Those with a soccer eye will see everything was not so pretty. – But she was there, she was playing-hard, she had some excellent moments, and some not so pretty – But when we were told she would be released to play this soon – there was definitely some doubt. Marki proves once again – that playing with her heart – far surpasses what you should be capable of doing physically.

Oh and one more thing – remember I obviously am NOT a videographer! – so hope you don’t get sick on the replay.

Much Love, Mary

GOOOOAAAAALLLLL!
Posted Jan 7, 2009 7:20pm

Wow, what an exciting evening. Marki got to play - and a lot more than I expected. She came in the 1st half about 15-20 left to play and then much to my surprise, she started the 2nd half. The game ended on a fantastic note. Marki scored the final GOAL shutting down the game with 26 minutes remaining in the 2nd half (due to the mercy rule) with Fletcher winning 8-0. The team progresses to the quarter-finals Friday night and if they win there then the championship game will be played on Saturday morning. - These are the Gateway conference Championship games.

She had several opportunities to score - and they were just missed or caught by the goalie. We won't harass her too bad as she hasn't touched a ball in four months. She said she felt well. Was a bit tired by the time the game ended but managed to pull it out. I could see this but fortunately the coach let her stay in to finish up the game and score the goal. She has a bit to go to get her stamina and speed back - but its amazing. Exactly 8 weeks from surgery and she is on the field playing and scoring goals (not to mention the assist she also had).

Can you tell I'm the proud momma?

Oh yeah - she is now soaking in a nice warm Epsom-salt bath. I'm sure she will feel it tonight.

Thanks again for everything - I will continue to give periodic updates as she continues to progress.

..mary


Runners take you mark... And she's off...
Posted Jan 6, 2009 7:39pm

So good news - I think. Marki got the results from her Holter monitor test today and based on the results, she has been released to full activities. The Dr's did note that Marki does still have an occasional extra heart beat (Premature Atrial Contraction - from the top chamber). Noting she is having them periodically at no specific time or with or without activity. This provided enough information for them to say they believe everything is ok and she can proceed with full activities. It is also possible this is still a healing process from the surgery - so could correct itself over time. We will see.

So, with any luck, Marki will be participating in her first Soccer game tomorrow night (That's Weds 1/7 depending on when you are reading this). This week starts her high-school conference playoffs - so we'll see if the coach puts her in - Let's just say ... Marki is planning on playing! She has been training since Friday and said she has been feeling and doing well. For the first time in her life (I think) she noted that her legs were sore - welcome to how the the mortal folks feel.

Also, just to mention again - Marki will be participating with the Children's Miracle Network radiothon with our local station Gator Country 99 on Saturday, Jan 24th at 9:00 am hour. I understand they will be posting Marki's video on their website also.

Please pray for Marki's heartbeats to be corrected - even though they say it is fine - I know I will feel better it they were not irregular.

Thanks again for all of your prayers.

..ml mary


Not the “Halter Top” she was looking for
Posted Dec 30, 2008 7:09pm

Marki’s visit with the Dr. went pretty well today – tough not exactly as we had hoped for. They said her Echo and EKG looked normal. When she did her stress test – she looked normal for the most part there, however they noted on occasion she would have an extra heartbeat – then in recovery from the stress test – she had some additional extra heartbeats as well. The Dr’s do not believe this is related to ischemia (restricted blood flow to the heart – which can cause damage) but need to make sure. So they sent her home with a portable EKG – Called ‘Holtor monitoring’ – I heard Halter top :) - But is also called continuous ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring. It is a continuous monitoring and recording of heart rate and rhythm during her usual daily activities for 24 hours. She has to log everything she is doing during this time from, sitting, eating, walking, shopping, etc. so that it can be tied back to all the heart activity.

The good news however is that they did release her back to doing most everything she wants – like driving, picking things up … and they also said she could participate in soccer practice and do jogging (just no speed work yet) really just not anything that puts heavy and continuous stress on the heart. She has had no ‘ischemia’ symptoms since surgery and had none today when doing the stress test – so she will be allowed to go and do – but obviously will stop immediately IF she were to sense something that was abnormal. The Dr. will try to get the results back from the Holter test ASAP so that she can be released to play in her high school conference playoffs which begin on the Jan 7th.

Also – forgot to mention this on the last update. We were contacted by Children’s Miracle Network (you know the Balloon signs you see at Wal-mart – fast food stores and other places asking for donations) for Marki to become one of the ‘Miracle Children” for the North Florida/South Georgia area. We of course said yes – so her story will now be available for others to see. She was also asked to participate in a radio-athon which will be done by Gator County in late January. – They are also planning on posting her video on their website. Not sure where else this will lead – but as you all know – one of my goals is to make others aware – so this is a step in the right direction.

I posted a few more pics – Hope everyone has a Happy New Year!

Lots of Love…Mary


Dr. Appt on the 30th (it got moved up!)
Posted Dec 28, 2008 7:56am

Marki has been doing really good - and we have to keep reminding her that she is still under Dr's orders to not pick-up anything or do anything that stresses her sternum. She still gets tired on occasion but over-all is doing great. Her scar is almost invisible - it is amazing what they can do these days.

Marki has a Dr. appt. this coming Tuesday, Jan 30th (the Dr. moved it up - Yeah!). The expectation is that she should be released to full activity. She will do a stress test and they will coordinate it with with an echo-cardiogram to see how everything is working when her heart is under stress. The Dr. said something about looking at her 'wall' or 'lining' before she could return to athletic activities - so this I believe is one of the things they are looking for (but I don't really know what that means). So please pray for a good out-come - a healthy, fully and properly- functioning heart - even under stress. And a cleanly healed sternum.

Once released, Marki plans to head straight back into all of her sports activities. She will immediately join her High School soccer team for Conference playoffs (week of Jan 5th). Though after almost four months off - not sure how her ball-touch or conditioning will be. But she is chomping at the bit to play. She will also be training with her club soccer team as they are heading back in their spring season.

Immediately, Marki will also begin running to be prepared for the upcoming track season (Feb) - and for the Gate River Run (15k - 9.3 miles) which will be held in March - her goal is to still compete for placement. - It will be a lot of work. We'll see if she is up for it.

I will send another update after her appointment - hopefully with good news.

Oh yeah - One new pic

Thanks again for all of your support! ...ml


Be True to your School!
Posted Dec 5, 2008 2:09pm

Marki is still doing great. We met with the Dr. earlier this week and noted all is going well. She still has a bit of fluid behind her heart but it is decreasing. She now has a rash around her incision - but not an infection - so we are watching it to make sure everything remains good. The big announcement is that the Dr. released her to return to school this coming week. She was not going to return until after the holidays - but our hospital homebound program has been non-existent and in her junior year, she cannot afford to miss out on what she is still required to know. The school will be working with her to adjust hours (for fatigue) and ensure she gets to and from class without bumps, etc on her way down the hall. - Well see how it goes next week.

Maranda also saw the Dr. to make sure there was nothing going on with her. It is good to report - No issues!

Marki is now attending all the High School soccer games – anxiously awaiting her opportunity to get back on the field (and so is her coach). Her return appt with the Dr. is later that we were originally told – so she is a bit disappointed because she now has to wait another two weeks beyond what she was expecting before she gets released. But better safe than sorry.

…ml


Video published
Posted Nov 30, 2008 7:55pm

I have completed Marki's video. As there was limited information on her specific heart defect and limited information on a teenager and athlete going through the Open Heart Surgery process - I have made this somewhat educational... Just to allow others whom may have to go this have a better of understanding... and hopefully some hope. Note: there are a few slides that are CLEAN... but are of her actual heart... but this is limited - just close your eyes and count to 15 and you should be good...but they really are not bad at all.

Feel free to share these as you see fit.

You can go to my facebook site (join and become my friend - Mary L. Moore Lyon (user email lyon13@att.net - if not..it may be an old one or not me) - and view it from my video tab. This is really the better and more clear one also.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1016096935063

The one posted on youtube is NOT the one I really like - but will do - I had to decrease it's length and change my song choice.
You can view it below or the link is here....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGMj4wa6wto

Here is the video that I created for Marki. It is the one I prefer and is not the one located on Youtube.. nor the one located in my video section on the right.

You can see it in a larger format on my facebook site.

2 weeks and 2 miles

Posted Nov 26, 2008 12:59pm

Marki is doing great. We saw the Dr. again this morning to check on the fluid behind her heart. It is still there - but the amount has not increased. At this point they do not believe they need to do anything to relieve it. She will be checked again next week - this is also when Maranda will be going in to do a standard check on her heart to ensure she has no issues. - Though Marki's anomaly is not known to be genetic, they suggested we have her checked just to make sure.

As far as energy, she is doing good here also. Because she is short on blood and will take another month or two to totally build it back up, they expected that she would remain pretty tired most of the time. But... As far as we can see - this is really at a minimum. We were out all morning at the Drs., went to a store or two and then lunch - so she came straight in a went to bed - it was a pretty long morning for her. But out side of times like this - she is ready to go.

We resumed her walking the day after 'the event' - and it has being going great. The next day we walked about 1 mile at a slow 32 min pace - she said it was easy (but boring). The following day - just wanting to do about a mile then also - but we ended up doing about 1.75 miles - started on the beach and then decided to walk to a friends a couple of blocks away - the first mile pace was 24 and then the 2nd was around 22 min/mile. Still she felt fine. She walked the next day with her boyfriend 2 miles on the beach and then back to the house. She said felt a little tired at the end of this one. I was really only expecting her to be doing about a mile at this point in time - but she was doing so good - she just kept going. We will now increase the long walks to several times a day. Right now she has only been adding these in with shorter walks. The Dr. also told her today she can also add in stairs - or a stair stepper. - This will help build her heart and lungs again. ( Besides building for just standard heart surgery rehabilitation - she is also wanting to get her heart and lungs ready so that when she is released - she can easily move right back into her soccer (just as playoff are starting... and running - just as track is starting)

We prayed for a great attitude - and for her to want to do things - be careful what you ask for - The Dr. had to tell her again this morning she was not indestructible - and just because she felt good didn't mean she could do it all so quickly. She would not be a good poster child for 'the suffering and hard recuperation struggles of heart surgery." - At least not at this point in time. - God has truly answered our prayers. Her exact quote "Everyone said this was a really big deal - but it doesn't seem like it to me". Someone quickly quipped - "that's because everything went ok."

We are going out-of-town to Thanksgiving (family reunion) so this will be nice for her to get away and hang outside in the fresh air for a couple of days - we will be in the middle of the woods - and will be taking the camper.

I am working on a video that I should publish in the next week or so and will also post her pics on my photo site (but this may take longer). As soon as I have this done I will let you know.

Thanks again to everyone for your support and prayers.

...Mary ..Mark, Marki and Maranda

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One week down...

Posted Nov 21, 2008 11:59am

One week down and Marki has been doing very well. She is steadily getting stronger - walking and moving around a bit more. She had a group of friends over earlier this week and we were laughing because if you weren't watching them - and noting Marki was not moving her upper body - you would never had known she had just head heart surgery. - All the giggles and silliness were echoing from the adjoining room.

We went on her first long walk yesterday - it was a beautiful day and decided to go walk on the beach. When I asked Marki how far she thought she could walk she said 'All Day' - I grinned inside thinking she had no idea. - But she said she was feeling good so we figured we would go as far as she felt she could. - we were about 11-12 minutes in (a slow quarter mile) when she said - "Oh my chest is hurting' - not her incision - I then begin feeling her pulse to get her heart rate. It was beating fast and I was concerned her heart was being damaged. She said she felt fine - but then "I" went into my adrenaline rush - needing to sit and rest - I had been strong the whole time, but then the thought of something happening to her right in front of my eyes - I apparently couldn't handle it. I finally got my legs under me again and all was fine. It is a bit funny now - but was not at the time. - The Dr. said Marki would have to determine the type of pain to determine if this was heart related - but believed it to likely be a twinge with scar tissue. ( I was giggling as I wrote this - Marki kept asking what I was laughing at)

We saw the Dr. this morning for her check-up - everything looked good and thought she was doing well - however they did note that she does have some fluid around the back of the heart. They don't' seem to be too concerned at this point in time. - But did schedule a new appt. for next week to check the fluid and make sure it is not getting larger. If this is the case, they will put on her some things to try and eliminate it. - So please pray that this resolves on it own.

Thanks again to every one for everything you have done for us. All the prayers, cards, food, etc. We really do appreciate them.

Mark, Mary, Marki and Maranda.

Home at Last

Posted Nov 16, 2008 2:09pm

Marki is home. Yeah! I can't believe how quickly they release everyone these days. But I'm sure she will feel more relaxed at home. She had a good morning this morning. Waking up early - taking a small loop around the floor - then a couple of hours later took 2 laps - one large and one small. - So Very Good. Her breathing is still not as deep as it should be - but because she is walking they felt she should be good to go. So pray she gets her breathing worked out - We do not want to see her back in the hospital with pneumonia. She needs to be breathing deeply.

She was not feeling too well on the way home - but that was likely due to the long sitting and all the movement. - She is now resting in bed.

Feel free to drop by the house to see her. She is still expecting to see everyone.

I just want to say again. - THANK YOU for all of your thoughts and PRAYERS. There is no doubt in my mind that things would not have gone so well without them. I know our Father in heaven is looking out after her. He gave her the symptoms to save her life. He will continue to watch over her. She had a wonderful attitude through all of this. - Her nurses were all very impressed. The next 6 weeks will still be challenging - so please keep the whole family in your prayers as she continues to heal.. and as we will have to continue to do everything for her - so this will be a whole new event that all of us will have to learn to deal with.

Love,

Mark and Mary

Looking Good

Posted Nov 15, 2008 2:36pm

So far so good. Mark stayed with Marki last night so that I could go home, get some sleep - I had an 18 miler training run this morning for the 26.2 with Donna - The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer." Needless to say, she was not thrilled that I was leaving her. But I let her know that she was doing great, stable, and that her Daddy was going to be with her. I couldn't afford to miss this run - But after 3 days with little sleep, spending alot of time on my feet, not really running much this week, and not eating properly - The run went surprisingly well. I'll throw my plug in here... my theme for this years run is "Running in the Gap". I came up with this one day while running and thought - I'll run for Marki while she cannot. Each year while training and running for those impacted by breast cancer, I also raise funds to support those in need. - Please consider a donation. - Here is the address to my fund raising site - if you are interested.
www.active.com/donate/2009DonnaMarathon/MLyon43

FYI...MaryKay - saw your note below, I was running on the River Walk this morning also.

But...back to Marki. Mark said she did good this morning - took a lap around the hall way. When I got back from my run, she had a room full of friends and they were watching a movie - You know, "A Slumber Party" without the stay over. I came in once and she had the pillow to her chest - from laughing.

She is resting now - So praying the rest of the day and night go well. As of now, they are saying that she may be released tomorrow. (but not yet confirmed) - Wow, I can't believe they let her go so fast.

Please continue to pray for a speedy and safe recovery.

Love, Mark and Mary