Tuesday 20 th January 09 My frist day back to see Mark and Frist meeting with hospital staff after Mark has been dischared

I cant wait to see my brother Mark, everyone has been telling me Mark has been improving. When I got home I first seen Mark, at the hospital. I got off the elevator and Mark was in the waiting room with Rhonnie. I went down to give Mark A kiss. I could see Mark was not to happy with me. I ask Mark what was wrong, Mark look at me and said, you have been gone a long time, haven't you. I told him I have only been gone a week. Mark then said "sure you have" I then, "said ok" Mark I have been gone two weeks. I had to explain why I was gone at all. Mark got a little more understanding after he heard me out.

I had to leave because, we had a meeting with all Marks Doctors and his physical therapist. Every one of then had nothing but good things to say about Mark. Mark has really improved in the three weeks that he has been home. Marks physician said "that the only thing that Mark would eventually have to deal with is his Myaiclonic jerks and Mark would tier more easily then before". I believe God is going to take Mark all the way. The doctor also said "Mark was doing wonderful and it could take about two years for Mark to get to himself". Mark has not had one set back yet. I see a big difference in Mark in the short amount of time that I was gone. Mark's short term memory has gotten alittle better it still is not a 100% but their has been sum improvement.

Mark's  memory is improving on the short term things. I have seen sum big changes.

Lord I can't help but praise you for your goodness! You deserve all my praise! You are far more then what can ever be expressed in words! I am grateful for you!

I was able to see my brother walk in his therapy to day! I did not know what to expect because my husband Hank had went up to see Mark around Christmas. Hank just happen to come to the hospital when Mark was in his walking therapy with Ryan. Hank called me from the hospital he was so upset. Hank told me he could not bear to see Mark. Hank said" Mark had a very had time doing the things that the physical therapist Ryan ask him to do". Mark was shaking and bouncing up and down really bad, while trying to walk. My husband left in tears he could not watch it was to painful for him to see his dear friend suffer!

I was able for the first time to see Mark walk today. Mark got himself out of the wheelchair all by himself. I was amazed and excited at the same time. Then Mark walked all the way to the end of the therapy room and around a table and Mark started walking right back where he started, Mark's therapist Ryan had to walk in front of Mark with his hands around Marks waist just in case Mark were to fall. I can't tell you the joy I felt when I seen Mark take his first few steps I could not control the tears from my eyes, they kept flowing down my face they would not stop. My emotions were so over whelming I could not have kept from crying if I wanted to. I felt nothing but thankfulness and sheer joy. My brother was walking with out a walker and he was walking well.

Mark had to sit down in his wheelchair after his walk, to rest. After Mark was rested Ryan ask Mark if he was up for some more Mark said" lets get to it'' Ryan had Mark walk up some stairs in the therapy room. The stairs have rails on both side so you can hold on to them, and they are about six steps up. I watch Mark walk up these stairs by holding on to the rails. Ryan instructed  Mark to put his left foot on the first step then Ryan told Mark to put his right foot next to his left foot Mark did this two times then Mark step up the stairs like he should.

Mom and I also got to go to Marks recreational therapy. Mark was going to get to go to shopko, we got to wacth Mark shop for things he might need. Mark look at fishing reels first, he recognized Zebco reels, and many other fishing equipment. Mark had to find weights. Mark pick up a two pound weight and said it was heavy as he pushed it above his head. Then Mark had to find another weight that would even be harder for him to left. Mark found a five pound weight Kelly the recacial therapist told Mark to lift it above Marks head. Mark did lift it, but it was with great difficulty, my brothers face strained as if he might not be able to lift the five pound weight above his head, when he was done "he said" the two pound weight would do. Kelly said " I think you should get the five pound one too so you can start getting a little stronger". Mark said "OK," then Mark had to find some other things that he might need he look for a mirror for his shower so he could shave while showering. Then Mark had to check out, and pay for everything that he had chosen to buy. Mark was told by the cashier the total and Mark counted out what was due and paid her and she gave Mark his change.

This day was full of so many emotion tears of joys, happiness to see my brother improving, and yet heart wrenching seeing the many struggles that Mark still has to face. I know that all this will be behind Mark and his family and each and everyone of us will all give God the Glory that he deserves for what he has done for Mark. God has not only saved Mark but he has saved us all!

Gods in control

I look at life and I see things all round me . I see things a lot differently since so many things have happened to our family. I know my God loves me and he is in control and I will continue to trust him. 5/1/10 I write things, and I think why don't i not stay grounded in you. How come I always seem to go back to my same old failures and new ones as well. Help me Lord, Me Melynda your child the one that keeps making mistakes and is loved by you regardless.

Friday January 30 th. 2009

Tomorrow is my moms birthday and all my mom thinks about is my brother Mark. My brother went to therapy on Friday as usual but he remembered Moms birthday when he was ask what day it was today he said "it is January 30th. and my Moms birthday is tomorrow January 31" first this brought a very big smile to our Mom and he said "we need to get mom a present". Mark also was ask to wright a check for Rebeca Marks speech therapist. Mark was given a blank check and a piece of paper that asked Mark to write a check out to Idaho Power for the sum of $149.47. Mark had to fill in the check as his therapy. Mark said aloud Idaho Power as he was writhing the check he said several times ( Idaho Power Idaho Power very slowly) Then Mark looked at the check and said 149.47 and he started to write the amount on the check. Mark got stumped when writing the change part of the check he forgot how to draw the line at the end of the check and finish the cents. Rebeca reminded him by telling him to draw a line and Mark remembered how to finished it. Mark had forgotten his signature at the bottom Rebeca ask him if their was anything eles that he had forgot, Mark look at his check and he said "yes my signature" Mark then singed the check all this took a long time for Mark to do but his memory is coming back.

My brother went on to his physical therapy witch would have to do with walking with Ryan. the first thing Mark would have to do is walk around the room were he does his therapy Ronnie, Mom and I followed Mark and Ryan as Mark walked from one end of the room to the other. Mark had to walk around a table and this was hard for him to do because moving around things is harder for him to do than a straight line Mark has been showing in provement and it is nice to see!

Thank you lord for Mark

Wednesday December 31 frist 2008 Mark gets to go home. Thank you Lord fro your goodness!

Mark has been in the Hospital for over three months now. We have all been waiting for this day! I am thankful my brother gets to go home today! I am sad on the other hand that I am not there to see it. We are going as a family to see our girl Melynda in Phoenix AZ. while their is winter break for are kids that are still in school. I have missed her, I am not use to her being gone. I look forward to seeing her and spending some time with her and her husband Sammy!

Well back to Mark. All Marks family Ronnie and his girls, Dad and Mom, Nellie, Charles, Lilly, and Sunnie are all their to see Mark Get discharged. I cant imagine all the thankful feelings are hole family is feeling right now! I can just picture all the excitement that everyone is feeling. I have played this day out in my mind more then once, it truly is a glorious day. I can see all the faces of all the people that have helped Mark though all of Mark therapy's. They are all so happy with how well Mark is doing. Mark is a miracle! We all know that. Their is something special about seeing what God has done!

Mark's arrival Home. My Mom and Sunnie got to go home with Mark and his Family. My Dad thought that it would be less stimulating for Mark if their would not be to many people around Mark when he arrived home. My Mom called me up after she left Mark's house and told me how Mark reacted to being home. Mom said" Mark Look at a painting on the hall wall and ask Roinne where did you get that. Ronnie told Mark that you got that for me Mark. Mark just said, "oh "then he ask about another painting Ronnie told Mark the same thing again that you got that for me. Mark did not remember getting that for Ronnie. Mom said, that Mark did not seem that excited about being home. Mom said, that at the time she did not think that Mark really remember his home. This was a little disconcerting for my Mom because she thought Mark would have been a little more familiar with his home and he would have been happier to be home. Mom also realized that Mark did not remember his home. We don't know how much of Mark's memory has actually has been lost. We do know that he remembers all of us and we are very thankful for that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saterday December 27th. Telling Mark I would be out of town

I went to go see Mark and tell him I was going out of town for a few weeks. My brother got very aggravated at me! Mark told me fine then I won't see you for a year! I had to explain to him that I was going to see our girl Melynda while we had Christmas's vacation. Well Mark still was not the happiest with me but he did start to understand a little. Mark finally said, I could go. I did not want to leave with him mad. I felt bad enough as it was. Here I was leaving when I knew Mark would be getting discharged from the hospital on December 31 2008. I wanted to see my brother go home. We all have had mix feelings about Mark going home. Mark has had the best of care at Idaho Elks Retaliation Hospital! If the insurance would continue to pay for Marks care he would be able to stay, but they have denied any more funds for his approval. The staff at the hospital has expressed that they did not know if Mark would have a set back when Mark went home. Because of the changes and what type of toll it would take on, Mark going back and fourth to therapy. Mark is in therapy five days a week now and when he goes home he will be in therapy three days a week because going to therapy will be hard on him. The staff said that three days a week would probably all Mark could handle for now. Just the ride alone to and from the hospital could take a toll on Mark. The staff has said, that Mark could regress or he could improve they just don't no.

We are praying that when Mark gets home that he will start to remember more and he will improve more because he will be around his familiar surroundings'. I am sure the Ronnie will be glad to be back in their home with Mark and there girls. Ronnie has been sleeping beside mark on the hospital bed because Mark wants her next to him. I got to sleep with Mark one night and their is not allot of room in Marks bed, he has a standard hospital bed, and Mark likes to cuddle When Mark gets home him and Roinne will be able to sleep in their king sized bed with a nice soft mattress. I know Mark will enjoy being home because he keeps telling Roinnie he wants to go home. This is great because Mark thought for a long time he was home at the hospital, then mark thought he was in a hotel room every once in awhile mark would say how do you like my room. We would tell him it was nice he always wanted us to stay the night. Mark has offered me his bed several times. Mark has always love company.

Mark has not lack in any motivation, he has tried hard every day, any thing the staff ask Mark to do he will try to do for them, he has not given up.

Christmas 2008 Thank you God for all you have done for each and everyone of us!

We have been given a wonderful gift, Your Son . I awoke to so many different feelings this morning! I have so many things to be thankful for! Lord you step down off your throne and became man so that we could know you! So we could have a relationship with you! You gave us the gift of eternal life thought the sacrifice of your life. You gave us the greatest gift of all your Love incarnated Jesus! Our debit has been paid by you, and you alone. Thank you for loving us! Thank you for caring about us!

We are going to celebrate Christmas as a complete family. A family that knows you as our Savior Messiah and Lord! I am going to celebrate all the things you have done for all of us!

God you truly are a awesome God! You have given us the greatness treasure of all your Son! How could I truly comprehend this gift of love. Why would you do this for me? How could you love me enough to give your son for me? I have done nothing to deserve the life of your precious son! I have done nothing to deserve this gift of forgiveness! Yet you gave!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We as a family all went to the Elks Rehabilitation Hospital For our Christmas dinner. Our family was all there except for my girl Melynda and her husband Sammy. Our Mom and Dad has not got to spend Christmas with the hole family in quit a long time. This Christmas celibate together could not be any more special than it is. Christmas is one of Marks favorite holidays Mark loves giving and he loves receiving presents, so being with someone like Mark that truly finds the joy in giving and receiving is allot of fun. Christmas dinner was wonderful, we all were able to enjoy each other, this Christmas defiantly is a very special one!

Mark, Rhonnie and his girls all got to open all of there presents together Christmas morning how wonderful for them to be able to celibate Christmas together. The joy they must be feeling as the rest of us are, knowing that we could of lost Mark. We thank you Lord for the gift you have given all of us. the girls loved their crosses. Everyone is so happy and thankful!

Friday December 12 th.2008 Christmas shopping

Mark got to go Christmas shopping for one of his therapies. We all knew that he was going to go Christmas shopping but we wondered what he would pick out for his girls. Mark pick out three crosses one for each one of his girls. . When Rhonnie showed us the crosses we were so happy to see what he found for each one of them. Each one a had different design and Mark knew which one he wanted to give to each one of his girls.

The Spirit of the Lord is definitely is present with Mark and he is very thankful for what the lord has done for him! Thank you for you goodness!!!!!!!!!!