Mark woke up Thursday morning (May 20th) feeling dizzy and he had an upset stomach. Throughout the day, he had been resting and taking it easy. Around 2pm he started to throw up profusely. It lasted on and off until he went to bed around 8pm. The vomiting caused his dizziness to progressively get worse. He was in bed for about 15 minutes until Angelique had heard some odd noises coming from the bedroom. She went in to check on him and found him unresponsive, and he appeared to be seizing. She immediately dialed 911. Paramedics arrived to find him still seizing and gave him multiple doses of medications to stop it. They then had gotten him into the ambulance, where they intubated him immediately due to how worrisome his breathing was. He was then rushed to Mercy hospital. In the ER he never regained consciousness. They determined that his sodium level was critically low and started to correct his sodium levels. He also had a CT scan that thankfully came back clear. He was then transported by ambulance to Unity Hospital in Fridley because there were no ICU beds left at Mercy. At one point they told Angelique that he would have to be helicoptered to the St. Cloud Hospital but luckily they were able to find a bed at Unity Hospital. Friday was spent trying to correctly correct his sodium. Unfortunately early in the day his sodium rose too quickly (which can cause brain damage), so the doctors spent the rest of the day lowering it slightly to allow for a more gradual increase in his sodium back to a more normal level (135-145). He also had a fever and was started on antibiotics for a presumed pneumonia (lung infection). Mark likely aspirated when he was seizing which caused bacteria to get in his lungs. At this point Mark was being sedated in a coma so that he could be relaxed and not fighting the ventilator (machine helping him to breath).
Over the weekend, the doctors were slowly increasing his sodium, but at a very slow rate to help to protect his brain. Mark was taken off his sedation medications on Saturday morning, however he was still in a coma state. He was taken to get an MRI, since he still hadn't woken up as expected. The MRI showed two very small, mild strokes. The Neurologist said they were so small that they didn't think it would affect Mark. Sunday morning came and Mark still hadn't woken up, however he was starting to breath on his own. He passed two separate breathing tests and was able to be extubated (taken off the ventilator). He was breathing on his own but still not awake and unresponsive. At this point, Maddy and Nick were able to sneak in to see Mark. He started to show some small signs that he was with us. He seemed to recognize Maddy and made very small movements to try to hold Maddy's hand.
Monday came like most and wasn't the best. Mark was showing more signs of responsiveness, however he was agitated. This is very normal to be agitated when coming out of a coma and not being familiar with his surroundings and what was happening. He did require a single dose of a medication to help calm him down, but the hospital staff was able to keep him calm the rest of the day.
Today, Nicholas spent the day at the hospital with him. He was showing more signs of being himself and was starting to be purposeful in his movements. Mark was able to start answering yes and no questions and start talking in very small words. It may have taken a while to get there, however he did seem to be able to communicate more. He was also seen by a speech specialist, who cleared him to start a diet with soft foods (such as applesauce and pudding). He truly seemed to show signs of clarity, however he did still have times when he was very confused and not himself. He still isn't moving his legs very much. He is moving his arms, however in very small and slow motions.
We are very thankful for all the love, support, and prayers everyone has been sending us. Unfortunately due to COVID, the hospital only allows one visitor PER DAY. Please allow us (Angelique, Nick, and Maddy) to be that one visitor to see him daily.
Just a quick note this morning to let everyone know Mark is doing well. Each day he gets a little stronger. His sodium has been staying stable. We go and get it checked every 2 months now. His kidney levels have been a little off still but so much better! We are very busy with therapy and doctors visits. Thank you for all the prayers and kind words!
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