It's been a minute since the last update. I will try to keep this as short and sweet and to the point as I can but before I start the update, Mark and I would like to express our love, appreciation, gratitude, and hope all of your support has provided. Thank you.

Starting back in December Mark switched to the Avastin immunotherapy infusions, every other week, to control the growth of the recurrent tumor. In February we were told there was another small spot deeper in the brain, in the same region as the other (left temporal), and it was not growing. Both tumors were responding to the treatment. We were so happy and we were given the A-Okay to head off on a vacation to our favorite place, Jost Van Dyke.  We made more beautiful memories, made new friends, connected with old friends, and had a lot of joyful moments with my sister and brother-in-law. Precious time when you have precious time.

In April Mark had another follow up MRI which showed that the recurrent tumor was stable and the new one showed a tiny bit of increased blood flow but the oncologist was not concerned. Another hopeful appointment. Continued treatment. We opened our camper and have tried to spend as much time there as possible. It's harder for Mark but he's such a strong, inspiring, courageous, beautiful man and makes the most of it! 

Over the last few weeks, or so, there's been a shift and we both could tell things were changing a bit. Nothing dramatic but all the meds, surgery, radiation treatments, chemo, seizures, etc. take a toll but again, he continues on, we continue on.

This past Thursday Mark went into a seizure. It's what is called a focal seizure. I got him some of his rescue medication but it really didn't do much and from past experiences, a focal seizure can turn into a full-on, grand-mal seizure real quick. I called 911 and he was transported to Abbott in Minneapolis. Mark had several seizures starting around 2pm on Thursday and were finally under control (after A LOT of medications) at 130 in the early Friday.  Side note- Mark was likely having absent seizures earlier on Thursday....maybe for a few days. 

Mark is still hooked up and being monitored by EEG. His brain has been still showing abnormal activity. While it's not seizure activity, it's called spikes. Every 1-2 seconds there's a spike which can turn into a seizure if they become more rapid, frequent. The amazing neurology team is switching up some meds and his medication regime in hopes to decrease the spikes so he doesn't have another seizure. Every seizure takes a little more of him away from me, you, us.  

An MRI was done late on Friday and yesterday the news we received was not great. The recurrent tumor shows mild progression and the one that is deeper in his brain has significant more blood flow. It has not gotten bigger, but more blood flow is not a good thing. 

The plan? We really don't know, yet. On Monday we will meet with his oncology team and see if there is anything else that can be done. Surgery is not on the table, Avastin was kind of the last option but hey, you never know. I will be sure to put up a quick update when we know something more. You don't know what you don't know, so for now we are not putting the cart too far in front of the darn horse.

Mark is struggling with speech, comprehension, mobility, fatigue but like the rockstar he is, he's doing his best. All the therapies are working with him daily. He is improving but it's slow going and how fun is it to try to get through the day with wires attached to your head? Huh? 

If you wish to reach out to him (or me) texting, Facebook messages, and phone calls are fine but please know that a lot of questions and detailed conversations are difficult for Mark at this time and can cause some anxiety and a bit of frustration. I'm not trying to scare you, be dramatic, or sway you to not reach out, I am just keeping it real.

I would like to give a big shout out to the paramedics, ED doctors, nurses, specialists, nursing assistants, and the staff at Muddy Paws. They have all been beyond amazing! Thank you.

To finish this long post, I want to tell you a quick story.  At the end of my visit on Friday I was talking with Mark as we snuggled in his not-so-made-for-two hospital bed. I kissed him and told him I love you and he returned the sentiment. And then he said to me "You're my favorite".  Oh, my heart. Of course, I cried because I just love him so much. Mark Allen, you are my favorite. In fact, I know you are many people's "favorite".  You always will be, today and forever. I love you.

1 Corinthians 13:13 - And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

PS. If you donate on the caring bridge site it supports caring bridge. I am not suggesting you donate to us but there has been some confusion in the past where someone donates on this site thinking it goes to Mark. Thank you.