Update....Mark is recovering. The surgery itself went well, but it has been slow going for recovery. He almost died two days later when his heart stopped as the medical team prepared to take him off the breathing tube. He had to be on it longer than expected because he was not getting enough oxygen in his blood, but the tube is out now and he is much better.
Mark still cannot eat or drink because he has swelling in his throat around the vocal chords, so they will check him tomorrow to make sure that he can swallow and not send anything into his airway before allowing him to eat and drink. He is being fed now through a tube down his nose to his stomach. This is frustrating to him but at least he is alive.
He is very strong-willed even though he is tired and weak, and he continues to pray like we all are doing. Thank you, forum members, for your prayers as well. God hears us.
