6.18.2008

Prayers Needed!



Some of you have inferred from my last post that I am worried about something and you would be right. Here's the story.

On Saturday, Mark noticed that the lymph nodes on the left side of his neck felt swollen. During the day, the swelling continued, and he started to notice hives appearing on his body. By Sunday night, there were an amazing amount of nasty looking hives [actually they really look like bad bee stings] that were itching and hurting, and the swelling of the lymph nodes had reached epic proportions. He was on the phone to his family doctor first thing Monday morning.

His doctor didn't know what was going on and sent him to see an ENT [ear, nose and throat specialist] on Tuesday. He too was baffled, but put Mark on an antibiotic in case it is a bacterial infection. He also scheduled a CT scan of the area of the lymph nodes so that they can see more of what's going on there.

By Tuesday night, he was literally covered with hives and we asked our Home Teachers to come and give him a blessing, which they did. This morning, there were more spots and he went back in to his family doctor, who sent him immediately to a dermatologist. The dermatologist checked him out, did a biopsy of one of the sores [each little hive seems to scab over and then the area looks like a nasty blood blister and then a big bruise begins to form - very weird] and potentially has a diagnosis. It has a name that Mark can't remember but it's a viral thing.

So now my poor sweetie is on prednisone, an anti-itch medication, the antibiotic [still just in case] and had the CT scan this afternoon. Once there are some results from the biopsy and CT scan, there may be more information.

For now, it looks like it could go on for 2-3 more weeks [ARGHHH!!] and the poor guy is miserable. I hate this for him. I can't begin to tell you how I hate it for him. The pictures really only show the very tip of the iceberg with the hives. It's sad. Very sad.

So, add him [and us] to your prayer list if you would. I know that when we put our needs in the hands of the One who can really do something, things happen. And once again, I am reminded that we can't do it alone.

**Edited note: Mark tells me that actually, on Sunday night and Monday morning, there were only a very few little hives, nothing much to be concerned about really -- but they have multiplied at an amazing rate.

20 comments:

Seth, Sarah and the kids said...

oh man....I am so sorry for you two. Poor Mark. there is nothing worse than itching...ugh! hopefully they will figure out what is wrong and he will get some relief.

You guys are definitely in our prayers! Love you two!

Unknown said...

ick! they do look yucky! and poor daddy. i'm hoping it all just goes away quickly!

Holly O. said...

You got it! At least they figured out what was wrong, right? That is a good thing.

hoLLy said...

oh no! thats horrible and it looks oh so uncomfortable. he will definitely be in our prayers. it looks like shingles, is that what it is? my aunt had that last year and it was no fun:( we'll be thinking about you and praying for your hubby. so sorry this is happening.

Maren said...

It's always good to know what's wrong! I'll definitely keep a prayer in my heart for you guys!

Emily John said...

Ugh, poor guy! I hope the meds clear it up soon, he is in our prayers for sure!

Marilee said...

We just got back from the temple. Darn. I should have checked my blogs before I left.

Hope it is just something that has to run it's course and then be finished.

tiburon said...

OH NO!! Poor Mark! He is in our prayers for sure. I hope he gets some relief soon. That is awful!!

Hayley said...

oh jan! i'm so sorry for mark! i hope he starts feeling some comfort soon. i do know one thing - he's got a great woman taking care of him!!!

Nat Lud said...

Oh, Jan! Sorry to hear you're having some not fun stuff going on. Hope you and Mark are both comforted by the fact that all of your blogging buddies will for sure be praying for ya!

Val said...

Poor Marcus! Those are pretty impressive looking hives! Aveeno baths are quite helpful for itchiness - Keith swears by the stuff. Hopefully this will be short lived!

Mel said...

How terrible! They look so miserable. I hope he gets better quickly. I will definitely keep you in my prayers.

Jori said...

I will definitely pray for Mark. How awful! Such strange things can happen wth our bodies. I hope he get's well soon.

Ashley said...

sorry to hear about all this! my prayers and thoughts are with you.

Cammie said...

Oh hell! That made me itch just lookig at them. I am so sorry, I will add you to my prayer list for sure. I hope they go away quickly.

Natalie Scott said...

You know we are praying for you guys, day and night.

Take care of your man for the time being. This too shall pass, right? Just never fast enough I suppose. Love you!

Chris and Tara Mason said...

Oh my - that looks painful! We love ya Marcus and will keep you in our prayers! We will also send positive thoughts your way!

Sandy said...

Poor Mark. That looks icky. I hope he is doing better now and will definitely keep you both in my prayers. Hope the news you get back from the Dr's is good news.

Mia said...

I hope that they have figures out what is wrong and that he is feeling better. My prayers are with you guys.

Hacking it up said...

Holy Cow!! Poor guy!! I am so sorry you guys are going through this!! I hate it when you can't just get a straight diagnosis with a straight fix-it plan...so frustrating!! You'll be in our prayers!!