August 28, 2024
Hi!
Tomorrow will be 5 weeks since Mark’s transplant surgery. Things are continuing to move in a positive direction and Mark is feeling good most of the time. We had a good visit at Mark’s clinic appointment in Salt Lake last week, and the PA said his labs were looking great and his incision is healing up the way it should. She also said they were releasing him from post-transplant clinic appointments – so we drove back to Idaho over the weekend. (Yay!)
So, we came home. We are so grateful to be back in Sun Valley and reunited with our big brown dog Titan. We are also thankful that Jen’s mom Jackie could help us out by taking care of Titan while we were away. He’s an old dog with selective hearing, so he definitely kept her busy!
Mark will continue to follow up with his transplant team with appointments at their outreach clinic in the Boise area. He also gets weekly labs and communicates regularly with his transplant team over the phone.
This week, we are enjoying being back home and settling into our new routine here. It’s surreal to be back and reflect on all that has happened since we left. I know we’ve said it a lot – but SO GRATEFUL for everything that has happened to help Mark get to where he is at now. And for ALL the people we have encountered along our journey thus far – healthcare workers, friends, family, friends of friends, colleagues, and strangers who have sent prayers, good thoughts, words of encouragement, financial support, etc. All of it has been meaningful and helpful to us.
Thanks again for all of your support, love, texts – all of it. We know that we’re still in the beginning stages of this journey, but it sure feels good to be home!
Love,
Mark & Jen
August 22, 2024
Hi!
Mark is improving every day – tomorrow will be 4 weeks since his transplant surgery. His incision is healing up, but it certainly hasn’t gotten any smaller and it will take awhile for the intersection of the three lines to fully heal. It’s looking good though! He has more stamina and is able to walk a mile in the nearby park (as long as it’s not 90+ degrees). We’ve been enjoying morning walks in Murray Park (see the most recent photo we posted) and doing some shopping for Mark as we didn’t have many clothes for him here – and he's a smaller size now!
We celebrated Mark’s birthday over the weekend (no, he’s not 50 yet…youngster). Thanks to everyone who sent him messages, it really means a lot to him. My brother came for a short visit, which was nice, and it was great to catch up. We’ve been in Utah now for over a month. Seems crazy that it’s been that long, but also amazing that so many things have happened and the incredible amount of change that has occurred in such a short amount of time.
This week, we are enjoying having our friend Shelley here help us – she’s a chef, personal shopper, morale booster and great companion for both of us. We’re not sure what we’ll do when she leaves. :)
Thanks again for all of your support – it’s been a sometimes bumpy, winding road but we are feeling pretty good about where things are for now. We know there are many challenges that lie ahead but are grateful to be on the path to recovery. We’re looking forward to heading home (hopefully soon) – as we left Ketchum in a big hurry at the end of May.
Love,
Mark & Jen
August 16, 2024
Hello!
Mark continues to do well and is now three weeks post transplant as of yesterday. They removed his staples from the Mercedes incision (all 55+ of them!). He still has some discomfort from the incision (which is to be expected) but it’s looking good and someday maybe he’ll feel like showing off his impressive scar. Mark is able to walk much further and is feeling stronger every day.
We are still going to the transplant clinic for labs and appointments twice a week, and Mark has been getting good reports from his team, and his liver and kidney function looked great via his lab results from Thursday. We will likely be here in Salt Lake for another couple of weeks, and eventually Mark will be able to follow up with the transplant team at their outreach office in the Boise area. It’s amazing that Dr. Gilroy’s team has an office in Idaho and they’ve told us that they do a large number of liver transplants for Idaho patients.
We’ve had a busy week! Mark’s parents visited for a couple of days, which was nice for everyone to spend time together at our rental house (and for Bob & Penny to see him outside of the hospital setting). Andy and Kris were just here as well – so it was great to see them. Check out the picture of Mark & Andy – you can hardly tell they are brothers (ha ha).
We also celebrated our anniversary – 14 years! So thankful for that and ALL the people (family, friends, doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, and many others) who have been supporting us along the way to get to this milestone.
That’s all for now! It’s Friday, so it’s time to fill Mark’s pill box for the entire week. Thanks again for all of the support and love that you are sending us – it keeps us going, especially when things get tough. We’re doing well and hope to see you all soon when we get back home.
Love,
Mark & Jen
August 9, 2024
Hi!
Mark’s recovery is going well – he was discharged from the hospital on Saturday. We are staying in the Salt Lake area for the next 4-6 weeks for follow-up appointments with his team at the Transplant Clinic. We go to clinic appointments twice a week, where he has labs drawn early in the morning and then he meets with his team for an exam and consultation. He has received good reports for both of his recent appointments. (yay!) His liver numbers are improving, and his incision is healing up nicely. It’s called a Mercedes incision, because it’s the shape of the Mercedes logo. They are making a few adjustments to his anti-rejection medications; these are meds he will take for the rest of his life. He is also keeping busy with physical therapy and occupational therapy appointments as well. Mark was pretty weak when we first left the hospital, but he is making great improvements with his ability to walk longer distances and moving around in general.
His team is pleased with the progress he is making and it’s amazing to see how much he has improved in just the last 4-5 days. Mark is feeling well enough to help with meal prep and made some delicious (gluten-free) blueberry pancakes the other morning!
Mark’s number one job is to take care of the amazing gift of his new liver. This is something he will do for the rest of his life. We take his vitals (blood pressure & temperature) twice a day, every day – and he weighs himself every morning. He also takes (several) medications AM and PM at the same time every day to protect his new liver.
Mark finally (!) got a haircut – he said it was the best haircut he’s ever received and we will be visiting that barber shop again soon for Jen as well! We are enjoying our time here for the most part and are thankful to be staying in a nice Airbnb near the hospital and clinic.
We know it’s a long road ahead, but Mark is grateful for this life-changing opportunity. Thanks again for all your love and support for both of us as we navigate this new life Mark has been given.
Love,
Mark & Jen
August 3, 2024
August 2, 2024
Prior to his surgery, Mark was very sick. Fortunately, he had a great team of doctors at St. Luke’s early in his journey and an amazing, super awesome, very caring team when we arrived at Intermountain in Salt Lake a few weeks ago.
Mark’s recovery is going well, and he is working hard with his PTs, OTs, nurses – and especially his transplant team (surgeons, hepatologists, surgical PAs, dieticians, pharmacists and social workers).
His team is pleased with the progress he is making daily, and it is rewarding for both Mark and Jen to see how he is getting better day by day. He is up and walking around, taking in some sunshine on the patio downstairs, and getting ready to leave the hospital soon. It’s amazing how much things can change in such a short amount of time.
We know it’s a long road ahead, but Mark is looking forward to working closely with his team at the liver clinic for the next 6 weeks here in Utah for the next part of his journey. Eventually, we will head home to Idaho, but we aren’t in any rush to leave this comfortable and caring environment. We are so grateful for all the healthcare workers we’ve encountered during our time here. And there are a few things that we know Mark will take with him on this long journey - he is committed to taking care of this amazing gift and the life-long daily regimen of medications, diet, exercise, close monitoring and no booze.
We look forward to seeing you all when we get back home, and can’t wait for you to meet Rice 2.0! Thanks for all of your love and support.
Mark & Jen
