All Heart... and then somePosted 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 mediaPosted 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 ArticlePosted 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 NetworkPosted 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 SoccerPosted 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 forPosted 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 publishedPosted 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
Posts
