Every little bit counts!

The past two days they have taken Mark down stairs to do his therapy in the gym. Afterwards he sleeps the rest of the day because it wears him out. He seems to be improving everyday. On Sunday he was able to move his finger more than I have seen in the past. Every little bit counts!
- Joann Spencer
(Mark's Wife)

Mark is doing well!

Mark is doing well! Speech therapist says when they let down cuff Mark's voice is strong, a person who has been on a trach voice is weak! Therapists are aggressive. He would rather sleep and we were told that he would feel like throwing some punches because of what they make him do! Resp therapist was on same mission with Mark and they worked together. When Mark was an AP he was a zone leader.

- Martha Spencer
(Mark's Mother)

Ruff day.

Ruff day. Mark has been in a lot of pain. He said if 1 was no pain and 10 was a lot of pain he was a 20. I wish there was something I could do to take away the pain that he is going through. I guess all any of us can do is pray for him and have faith that the Lord will hear our prayers and will comfort Mark in a way we cannot.

- Joann Spencer
(Mark's Wife)

Mark had a big day today!

Mark had a big day today! The therapist blocked his trach so Joann was able to hear him speak! If you're interesting go to Joann Scarlet Spencer to see the video or go under Mark Spencer Prayer Circle! We are so thankful for how he is coming around!

- Martha Spencer
(Mark's Mother)

Special treat.

Today we had a special treat. The nurses let Marks cluff down so he could talk. It was so great to be able to hear him. - Joann Spencer (Mark's Wife)

Mark had a better day today.

Mark had a better day today. He was able to get a new trach, which he will soon be able to eat. We'll all be grateful for him to talk a lot more. Thank you for all of your prayers and thought. I'll be reading your comments to him tomorrow. He loves to hear from you all. It brightens his day!

- Joann Spencer
(Mark's Wife)

Mark was transfered to a rehab center on Sat.

Mark was transferred to a rehab center on Sat. He was very excited to get out of the ICU. The weekends are pretty quiet there so Monday will be a big day to see what it will really be like in his new home. Lately he has been able to move his arms and legs a little more then he has in the past. Every little bit counts!

- Joann Spencer
(Mark's Wife)

Never mind.

Never mind. Mark was having trouble with his breathing yesterday, then last night he had a temp. of 102. He slept most of the day today. We have to have him healthy before we can move him. Which I don't know when that will be. Thank you guys for all of your love and support. Mark loves it when I read him your comments.... I still don't think he really knows how many people are cheering him on and praying for his good health.

-Joann Spencer
(Mark's Wife)

Mark had a setback yesterday

Update on Mark! Mark had a setback yesterday just when we thought he could be moved to a Rehab Ctr. He had difficulty breathing yesterday morning, placed on oxygen, last night had a fever of 102 and placed on ice packs! Being treated for mild pneumonia! We had such hopes of getting out of ICU but it doesn't look like it will happen for a few more days!
- Martha Spencer
(Mark's Mother)

We are planning on moving Mark tomorrow to the rehab center.

We are planning on moving Mark tomorrow to the rehab center. I hope that this will change it up a little for him. Being in the same room for almost two weeks can get old I would think. He slept a lot today, but that good. I keep hearing of all the people that know and don't know us, praying and fasting in our behalf. ...Thank you. We feel that we have been so blessed. Thanks Jennifer for the quote. I'll have to put it up by my other saying on my bathroom mirror. Here is my thought for the day. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." Proverbs 3:5

- Joann Spencer
(Mark's Wife)

We are excited about his new home at Utah Valley Specialty Hospital!

We are excited about his new home at Utah Valley Specialty Hospital! They have a record of getting trach patients back on their feet faster than anywhere else! You can google this hospital to see how beautiful this hospital is, bran new! Joann and Gabe will be very comfortable in his new room! He misses his kids & they will be able to come visit as well!
- Martha Spencer
(Mark's Mother)

Mark is ready to bust the walls of ICU at Jordan Valley!

Mark is ready to bust the walls of ICU at Jordan Valley! Hopefully will be transported to Utah Valley Specialty Hospital in Orem. Told Joann yesterday to get him out of his bed! Wanted to sit in the recliner in his room! Also, said "Take me home, I can breathe on my own!" Also, made same request of his bishopric when they came to visit!
-Martha Spencer
(Mark's Mother)

Mark had a good day today.

Mark had a good day today. He was able to take a couple of good naps. They had him practice breathing on his own with a mask over his trach. Which was scary for me to watch. But his oxygen was good and how many times he breathed in a minute. But after about 15 minutes he said that he wanted to be done and go back onto ...the machine. He said that it hurt his chest and he felt like he couldn’t take a deep breathe. He asked if he could be sat up for a short time. Which he seemed to enjoy. So I’d say today was a good day! I love that guy and just want him to get better so he can come home!
- Joann Spencer
(Mark's Wife)

Quote

This quote has really helped me keep my mind clear on what I should be focus on. "Some thing's I can not predicted or control, but I can become what I need to be." Cecil O. Samuelson BYU Devotional: September 08, 2009
- Joann Spencer
(Mark's Wife)

Mark has had some ruff days.

Mark has had some ruff days. Please pray for his spirits to be lifted. I can't image how hard it would be to be in bed for a week and a half, be in pain, not be able to really tell people what you're feeling, how they can help you or to stop because there are not helping you. I think he is to the point he wants to be... done. I know he will come to this point many more times while he is getting better.But it's still hard to watch and know that he has to figure it out by himself. And all we really can do is pray and be there for him. So many people that have visited him have said, and I have felt the same way too, I wish I had some special way to make him all better or make it not hurt anymore. To bad it doesn't work that way. So right now if you want to help our family and Mark out, please pray for him to be able to keep that fighting spirit that we all know he has! Thank you for all of you support! We feel so loved and blessed to have all of you in our lives!

- Joann Spencer
(Mark's Wife)

Mark seems to progress a little each day.

Mark seems to progress a little each day. He has very loving visitors. ICU has said he is their poster child! He was taken off the breathing machine for a few seconds today, but has respitory weakness, so had to be hooked right back up. His spirits are low today. He is doing good at conversing with us through the alphabet. He will be going to reahb next week.

-Martha Spencer
(Mark's Mother)

Luke's Birthday

It is Luke's b-day today, at the hospital I told Mark about our morning of give Luke breakfast in bed. About the presents that we gave him. Then Mark told me ( now when I say that he told me it means that we spend 10 minutes play 50 questions to know what he wanted to say) that he had a present for Luke. So then he told ...me that is was in the hospital room. Someone had helped him get a stuffed animal for Luke. And if you know Luke he LOVES stuffed animals! So whoever you are? THANK YOU! Mark was going to get a feeding tube put into his stomach today. But when they went to do it there was still some food in his stomach, so they will do that tomorrow. When the physical therapists came by, Mark showed off by moving his chest and stomach area. Which was very exciting. Later I asked him to do it again and he said no because it hurt to do it. Later in the day they came by and did some test on his nerve ending. It was a good day. I hope that they just keep getting better!

- Joann Spencer

(Marks Wife)

Last night we were able to go visit Mark

Last night we were able to go visit Mark again! He looked so much better! He was opening his eyes, and trying to talk to us! Joann taught him some signs to use when he wants something, and that helped a ton. He had a lot of friends visit yesterday, and he said he liked that! It was so nice to see him be a little m...ore "with" it, and to be able to talk to him, and have him respond. They say it's supposed to get worse before it gets better, but yesterday was the best I've seen him...hopefully that's a trend that will keep on going!! He seems a TON more comfortable with the trach instead of the tube in his mouth. We were able to understand a few words he said, and we were so excited to hear him ask for things!! He seems very anxious to get out of ICU so he can see the kids...we got a big nod YES when we asked him that! It was a good night!
Jennifer Spencer
(Marks Sister in law)

I had a great time at the hospital today.

I had a great time at the hospital today. Mark is so much happier with the breathing tube not in his mouth. So while I was there, he was a wake and wanted me to wash his face, move his arms and legs, give him water, ..... It was so fun to see him moving a little ,asking for stuff and wanting to not just sleep. So I would say that today in my book was a great day!
- Joann Spencer
(Mark's Wife)

ICU

After the reception we came to the hospital where Mark had just been admitted seriously ill. I am here in his room in ICU & can't believe my wonderful strong son lies so still with a ventilator on him. He is a fighter & will conquer this disease! Not sure exactly why this had to happen but know it will bring our family closer together than ever! Thanks to all of you who are offering prayers for him!
- Martha Spencer
(Mark's Mother)

Tuesday night Mark began to feel under the weather

Tuesday night Mark began to feel under the weather. So he went home and took ibuprofen and took a few showers to relax his muscles. Thinking that perhaps he might have the Bird Flu. The next day he didn't even go to work. Which is a big deal because in the past when he's been sick he might vomit but he takes off and goes to work and works a full day. He never lets anything slow him down. But he was in and out of bed up until Friday night until he went to the hospital. He has been diagnosed with Guillian-Barre' and is bed ridden his whole body is in a state of paralyzation from his neck down. He will regain strength and will survive but will be under the care of physician, therapists and doctors for up to a period of 6 months. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.
- Chris Spencer
(Mark's Brother)

Mark is at the hospital

Mark is at the hospital and is being treated for Guillain-barre. He is in ICU right now, on a breathing tube. Please keep him in you prayers. When it rains it pours. But then there will be flowers! Right!!!!
- Joann Spencer
(Mark's Wife)