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So here's the story:
Saturday, Dec 10, Mark was transported to Aurora Hospital in Green Bay with severe right leg pain. He was diagnosed with a broken right femur. The cause of the spontaneous break was from weakened bone due to metastatic bone cancer and radiation effect.
On Thursday, Dec 15, they stabilized the break while under anesthesia, with a splint on the back side of the leg. It is wrapped with a big ace bandage and packed with ice. They were not able to securely splint it laterally because of fear of ulceration due to the significant lymphedema present in the leg.
His pain has come down from a 10/10 to 2/10 with the stabilization and IV Dilaudid. The pain increases when he tries to move the leg laterally. Sunday Dec. 18 they initiated a Physical Therapy plan for his upper body as he cheered the Packers on to another victory. The next day he received a blood transfusion, which significantly improved his energy level.
His medical team has been in discussion about future management. Needless to say, it is complicated. They would like the break to heal spontaneously with rest, but recognize the complications that duration of bed rest would cause. Surgery to pin the break is not feasible because of the cancer in the area. We are arranging a second orthopaedic opinion soon.
Carolyn has been in GB with Mark, while Mary travels back and forth from Fort Atkinson to GB as her work schedule permits, and Matthew at UWM joins in as his school schedule permits.
The immediate plan is to get Mark off the IV pain meds and onto something orally so he can be transferred to the hospital rehab ward. Criteria for transfer are no IV meds requiring nursing care, and ability to do 3 hours of PT a day.
It looks like he will be in the hospital through Christmas and hopefully to the rehab ward by New Years.
It will be a long haul. The battle began five years ago May 2, 2011 when Mark was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
https://www.gofundme.com/mark-silverberg-and-mary-ehlinger 
