Friday, August 21, 2009

...And The Bottom Drops From Under Us

The clicking stopped. You know that moment when you lose your stomach? You throw your hands in the air, squeeze your eyes shut, and scream? That's what we're doing now.

Clark's white and red blood cells and his platelet count have been low and have continued to drop over the past couple days. This raised caution flags to the doctors who immediately searched for a cause. Clark has a sever virus that is very rare and difficult as difficult can be. Whatever virus attacked his liver, is now causing his immune system to mistake his bone marrow cells for something foreign and is attacking them. The labs have not come back to secure which virus he has and it remains a mystery as to what caused all this in the first place. It will continue to attack Clark's body if they don't stop it now. They are changing some medications and will treat it as aggressively as they can. They are giving him immunosuppression in order to help his bone marrow come through this. It's a good sign that his white blood cell count is responding to this new medication which they started about three days ago. There is a risk that Clark's body won't start to produce the cells that he needs and that he would need a bone marrow transplant. We are all hoping that it won't come to this but they are getting the necessary people involved as a precaution. Dr. Susman described a transplant as plan F. He also said that "Clark's case is as bad as it gets but I feel confident we are going to make it through this." The liver is still functioning very well. They do not expect his liver to be affected again, but they continue to keep a close eye on it. The doctors warned us that even though Clark looks good, he is very sick and it's possible that he could get sicker before he gets better. They won't know until the end of next week if he will need a bone marrow transplant or not. Until then, we pray!

On the plus side, Clark was extubated tonight (the tube removed) so he can talk. Due to the changes in his medication for immunosuppression, he was put on Dolotin, a pain med, that he pumps with a button as needed. He will go back to the OR next week to be closed a little bit more. His attitude and spirits are still high. Tonight he said, "I don't care what happens, as long as I'm still alive!"

13 comments:

Cher said...

Clark,
You are the best. Still fighting and still positive after all you've been through. Keep smiling. We all love you. Prayers continue for you and your family.
Love, Cher

Bart said...

Hey Clark your super powers have gotten you through so much and it will continue to get you through what ever is thrown at you. Keep fighting back my thoughts and prayers are with you 24/7. Keep up the good fight Clark. Love ya buddy Bart

Ryan said...

Good morning Clark. Its a beautiful day here in MN. Today is M's B-day. Beck and I are going to go put carpet in a new youth gym started bt the alumni wrestlers from the U of M. Then having a party for M. Everyday I have clients and co workers asking how you are doing. Many of them follow the blog too. There was a blood drive rt down the street last week put on by PCL Construction and many people were asking how donate in your name. Even people I didn't know there! That made me feel so good! I want you to know that with all of the people following your battle we will move mountains to help you get better. Hang in there and be strong bro. I think of you non stop! If you have any request from me or anything i can do for you let me know! Kinda like that bucket list we talked about. Thank you mom for being such a big support I love you too! Hope you have a good day and keep those thumbs up!!
Yode

Janeanne said...

Winston Churchill said: "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat......"What is our aim?" ..... "Victory!" Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival."

Churchill also said: "Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all others."

Clark, your courage and drive to win will see you through. Stay strong and committed. We love you.

Unknown said...

Clark, you amaze me! All of this and your attitude is still so wonderful! :) I continue to pray for you and I am also going to work on getting a fundraiser going. You just hang in there and keep up the fight, because what doesnt kill you only makes you stronger and by now you must be some sort of superman :) Miss you and I hope you start feeling a lot better so i can come visit! *hug*

Anonymous said...

Clark,
You are such an inspiration! I hope you know that. All you have been through so far and you keep a positive attitude. Keep it up hun! It will get you through.

Tanizha Lauseng

Yode said...

Good morning clark! Didn't get the cpt laid, ran out of glue! Talked to mom last night and sounds like they are going to move you around a little. This might be where the pain kicks in and your many owyies really start to hurt! Good thing you got a bunch of em so you don't know which one to think about! If they all get to bad and you get down just bite one of your fingers and magically, that will distract all that pain to that one spot! Now that only works a couple times till your brain figures it out!hehe! I type this on my phone so excuse the errors and run-on sentences! Hope you have a good day. Love you clark! Think we might go for a boat ride and try to catch a few sunny's today! Text or call if you want!

Linda said...

RHONDA, I read the log this morning and it hard to believe things are not going better. I praytoday is better news. Clark keep fighting you are young and GOD will see you though this. Love Linda

Anonymous said...

Stay strong Clark! Thinking and praying for you!
Kelsey Likness

Janeanne said...

Two men look out through the same bars;
One sees the mud, the other the stars. Frederick Landbridge

Been thinking and praying for you all day. Sleep well.

Anonymous said...

"My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith."

Thomas S. Monson
April Conference 2009

Janeanne said...

Good Morning, Clark and family.

Emily Dickinson said:
We'd never know how high we are till we are called to rise; and then, if we are true to plan, our statures touch the sky.

We're looking up to you. Hope this is a bright and sunny day!

Timberly (Boettcher) Lunde said...

All I can say is WOW! We continue to pray for you each day. Keep smiling Clark!

Timberly & Marc Lunde