The Blessings Continue!

We were recently contacted by a local charity group founded by a
family who lost their son to cancer last December.  We provided Mark’s
“story” and received a phone call asking for permission to use his
name in this article.

Examiner Article

Dave, Kate, and Mark will attend the tournament kick-off this Friday
where they will be introduced.

How inspiring!

fyi,

Krista

Final Update – Mark’s Day 66

All,

I apologize it has been such a long time since I last sent an update, but the old adage holds true…  ’No news is good news’.  ;)

Other than one post-transplant fever admit followed by a mysterious tiredness, Mark is doing great!  All blood parts have grafted and hair is sprouting again!  We have now begun rehab – going on walks, gym workouts, etc.  He should begin the 4 week immune suppression withdraw soon, and we are  preparing the paperwork for him to gradually return to school while being wary of a bad flu season, careful hand washing, etc.  Some months from now we expect a surgery to remove the hickman catheter.

His is a story of the power of prayer – a perfect donor match, no complications, and a good attitude.  We are forever indebted to you all.  I am happy to say a slot should be ‘freed up’ on your prayer list!  ;)  (I, however, will daily give thanks for each cancer-free day and hope I never forget to appreciate them…  ;)

‘Thank you’ is inadequate,

Krista McFerren (AKA Mark’s mom)

P.S.  Family updates will continue to be posted here at www.scottandkrista.net

Nick’s Gift

We are so Happy & Proud to share this with you all

(click to enlarge)

Nick's Gift

Let’s also get caught up to speed with “everything” else!  Many may know that Mark had a bout with a slight fever last weekend ending with an admit to Childrens Mercy Saturday Night.  Along with fever, a staff infection was found around his Hickman Port.  The good news is that it had not entered the blood stream.  Mark was able to come home on Tuesday.

Also Krista has started her new job.  She is really enjoying “the change” Call her sometime for details!  

as always, thanks for checking up on us!

scott

Nick’s Memorial Folder

The Turn out for Nicks Visitation and Memorial Service was so good for our “collective hearts”. We Also know many of you wanted to come, but were unable due to timing and many cases…distance. For Everyone, here is The Memorial Flyer (click on each image to enlarge)

Left to Right: Inside Flap-Back-Front

Inside Opened Up

Nick

Nick on His pinning Day with the Central Jackson Co Fire Dept.

Nicholas “Nick” A. McFerren 20, of Blue Springs, Mo. passed away early Sunday morning September 18, 2011 in an auto accident.

A memorial service celebrating Nick’s life will be held at 5:00 pm, Saturday, September 24, 2011 at the Blue Springs Christian Church, 7920 S 7 Hiway, Blue Springs, MO where guests will be invited to speak and share memories.  Visitation will be from 3-5:00 pm Saturday prior to the service.   Online condolences may be sent in memory of Nick to www.meyersfuneralchapel.com.

Nick was born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida on May 5, 1991, and lived a few years in Austin, TX.  He was a 2009 graduate of Blue Springs High School where he completed his Firefighting and EMT certifications at the Fort Osage Career Technology Center. During high school Nick worked in food service at Saint Mary’s Manor in Blue Springs where he developed a heart for helping the elderly.  Since graduation he has held various jobs, most recently as grounds keeper at Stone Canyon Golf Course, however his true passion and career aspirations were to become a full time firefighter with Central Jackson County Fire District where he was currently employed as a reservist.

Nick’s hobbies included spending time with his friends, many forms of skating, riding ATVs, and trap shooting.  In his younger years, he attended the former North Springs United Methodist Church.  He was preceded in death by his Paternal Grandfather Kenneth Rae McFerren, maternal Grandmother Kay Chapman, and friend Bo Hotmer.

Nick will be remembered for his eagerness to help, polite caretaking nature, and his ability to get along with others.  His personality, wit, and charm will be sorely missed; he lit up a room with his presence…  A testament to his generous nature, Nick was a registered organ and tissue donor.

Survivors include:  parents David and Krista McFerren, younger sister and brother Kate and Mark McFerren of Blue Springs; stepfather Scott Powell of Carrollton, Mo; paternal grandmother E. Joanne McFerren of Austin, Tx; maternal grandfather Wendell Chapman and maternal step-grandmother Sandra Powell of Evansville, IN; many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Thanks goes out to friends, family, Blue Springs Christian Church, and Church of the Resurrection Blue Springs for support during this time.

Cremation and arrangements entrusted to Meyers Funeral Chapel 1600 W. Main St. Blue Springs, Mo. 64015  816-229-3276.  In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the family in care of Meyers Funeral Chapel to help defray family expenses.

The Greatest Loss Imaginable…..

At a time that we are Celebrating a life saved with Mark’s Transplant taking a successful path…It is with great sadness that I  share the news of the loss of Krista’s oldest son Nick.

Early Sunday morning Nick was involved in a head on motorcycle/car accident.  As strong  a young man that he was, he was unable to survive the accident and we lost him at the scene.  (details)

Arrangements are pending with Meyers Funeral Chapel of Blue Springs.  Final arrangements  will be decided later this evening or Tuesday morning.  I will let you all know as soon as we know.

I ask that through this difficult time, you continue to pray for Nick, his father Dave, Mark & Kate.  Also for his loving mother Krista.  And a Heartfelt thank you to everyone that has already visited our family

Our Love to You All

scott

 

 

Mark Update – Day 27 – HOME!

For those of you who may not know, Mark came home Tuesday (5 weeks to the day)!!!  His was a “text book case” – he did soooo well, and we all know why don’t we?  :)  He even WALKED out of the hospital, and if you visited you know what a hike that is!  Thanks to Scott for helping me frantically paint the basement in time and to Marla for helping me clean.

Mark's Bone Marrow Transplant Bucks

After the ice cream party and breaking even on his ‘bone marrow bucks store’, Mark was ready to head out.  It took me a bit longer to pack up, including my computer.  It’s an adjustment being home…  I am now thrust out of the cocoon-like environment of the hospital and am performing the nursing duties.  Luckily Mark is still a GREAT patient!  His eating has increased everyday, but he is still getting IV fed at home 17 hours/day.  With clinic visits 2x/week, I am hoping he will be taken off of it soon (or at least down to fluids only)!  There are even more medication preventatives to administer and fever watching while avoiding crowds, mold, fungus, etc.  So many precautions, however tempered with trying to ‘get back to normal’.  School won’t be a possibility until Day 90 – 100 (mid to late Nov).  We need to get on a schedule conducive to mom going to work and Mark getting some homework done!

Again, our prayers for this day have been answered.  We are so thankful, blessed, and ‘lucky’ to have such wonderful friends, family, and a God who loves us…  We continue down the unknown road before us – not knowing the path but certain of our destination….  Rejoicing in THIS day that the Lord has made!

Humbled in so many ways,

Krista

Mark’s Recovery – DAY 22 Glorious Graft Day Declaration!

Mark’s white cells have registered at a success level for 3 consecutive days now!  So Graft Day is declared 9/7/1,1 defining a successful transplant!  The drs have begun weaning him off the IV (pain meds, food, etc) to switch to oral drugs for his home care.  We are ‘shooting for’ a discharge date of this coming Tuesday!  (not sure I’m ready to be THE nurse

His eating progress has been slow, so he may continue IV feeds or a feeding tube at home.  He has not walked much nor made homework progress – but all these things we can do at HOME.

Please join us in giving thanks to God for his mercy during transplant.  Mark has a way to go for full recovery and isn’t expected to return to school ’til mid Nov or so… but we are WELL on our way!

Also:  Please remember the oncology nurses; they are such special people!  In their own words, they experience “such loss”…  (A 17 yr old girl on our floor from Bolivar, diagnosed w/tumors in April, passed away last week.  I spent sometime with her mom during ‘the wait’, asking for a miracle…  Knowing of these other outcomes, I struggle with the “Why”…)

Thanks everyone!

Krista

Mark’s Recovery-Day 18

Today makes 4 weeks in the hospital, and Mark continues to make great progress!  His skin has healed, weight has remained, fevers are lower and less frequent, and organ functions continue to be normal.  The important white blood cell counts surfaced at Day 16; so he is slowly getting an immune system back!  Currently at 220, a value of 500 for three consecutive days will define “Graft Day” and a successful transplant.  Slower to graft, he continues to get reds and platelets as needed.

We are so thankful for how far we have come with little ill effects and continue to ask for endurance on this next stretch, with potential ‘graft vs host’ issues.  Now that there are ‘new kids in town’ they may try to cause some trouble.  ;/

It was great to see friends and family this weekend!

Lifted by your prayers

Krista

Mark’s Recovery – Day 11

Wrapping up our third week in the hospital and Mark is still doing great!  There is an abundance of evidence that an immune system is sprouting: skin healing, throat pain lessening, mouth improving.  His lips have worsened and are being treated and cultured for the cold sore virus; post nasal bleeding has increased – although getting platelets yesterday AND today should help.  He is still able to take some oral medications, but is being fed via his IV.  (Gave up on the ‘tube up the nose’ thing.)

Again, all symptoms are very “normal”.  Most importantly in my mind – his liver and kidney functions are back to pretreatment levels!

Everyone expects ‘Graft Day’ SOON…

Much praise and thanks,

Krista