Mark Miller

UPDATED June 13, 2008

On Sunday June 1, 2008, Mark began having severe abdominal pains, and severely bloated. He was admitted into the hospital. As of today, Wednesday June 11, 2008, doctors still have no diagnosis for what is wrong. They have taken numerous x-rays and cat scans, but all they can say is they see an area where the small and large intestines meet that is highly inflamed. They had scheduled him to have a colonoscopy done today, but cancelled due to the fact that they say he still has some other meds that was taken a few days ago for a cat scan still lodged in his intestine. Due to this they are unable to conduct the colonoscopy. They have once again rescheduled it for tomorrow. Since he has been in the hospital, he as been off all food substance. They do have him on an iv nutrition. Please keep him in your prayers as this has drastically brought down his health overall.

Sincerely,

Christine Miller
Henderson Congregation

UPDATED February 1, 2007

I recently began to experience additional pain with the ankle. It had a small red spot, warmth, and very sore. Since that can indicate a return of infection, the family physician immediately sent me to the orthopedic surgeon. He suggested it may not be infection, sent me home, and said to wear a laced brace again for a few weeks. However, suddenly the redness left and is back to improving.

Because of severe chest pains, I was sent to a cardiologist. It was determined the heart is in excellent condition with all heart muscles pumping at full volume.
The problem is musculoskeletal. The shape of my back in conjunction with the chest causes pressures on chest muscles. Instead of the proper front and back curvature, the spine is mostly straight causing the pressure. In general that is how the physician described it. Right to left, it is severely zigzagged and with areas of scoliosis. Front to back used to be extremely zigzagged.

The day before going to the cardiologist, I had a colonoscopy. The surgeon found one polyp. Test showed no cancer. However, the family physician explained there are differences in polyps and this one is the type that usually develops into cancer if not caught early. He said they probably just saved my life.

Yet one more trial: I may need to have an operation to remove hemorrhoids. Recently they burst for the third time. It they were thrombosed, I would have been in the ER. The physician said they are bad and I need to see a specialist.

My wife Christine and I still ask for your continued prayers. We again want to thank everyone for their continued thoughts, cards, and prayers. We have indeed, been very much blessed.

Wonderful news! I am able to finally start attending services! My wife Christine and I were able to start back October 28. We are so happy to be with "family".

Last doctor visit revealed that two of the steel screws in my leg are broken. There are two stainless steel plates, one rod, and several screws. The doctor wants to wait and see if it causes problems, if so, may need to be removed. Pain still exists when walking, but is no where near as bad as it was! I am able to wear a shoe now, ( right shoe has to be wide since the ankle will probably be always much larger than the left, but that's ok ) and must wear a special sock to stop some of the swelling. The doctor said that return of infection is always still possible.

Christine and I convey to everyone our heartfelt thanks for the prayers, cards, thoughts, and outgoing concern! We ask for your continued prayers since we are still suffering from all this. In essence, if it was not for our Eternal Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, along with you--our true family, Christine and I could not survive. Things have been that bad.

But on the bright side: Trials can make us stronger and is proof we are growing closer to God.

The healing is progressing, very slowly, but still progressing positively. Sometimes a slow progress is better because it results in a more uniform heal. The Staph infection did slow the process very much.

I am still growing new bone. Many times to repair ankle breaks, doctors use bone grafts. Since mine was powered so badly, surgeons used coral in place of the bone in addition to metal plates, rods, and screws.

While the coral replaces the space, it allows new bone to grow from the foot to the leg.

The surgeon told me to wear the "boot" again for a few more weeks to alleviate some pain and for proper bone growth. It reduces the amount of weight placed on the ankle by about 40 percent. The "boot" uses velcro straps and is almost as high as the knee.

I have recently noticed swollen lymph nodes, or something, in the top of the leg. I have a doctors appointment concerning that. We are asking for your prayers for it also.

We also ask for your prayers concerning my wife Christine. Her left knee and hip is very painful at times. The knee is a result of a previous injury years ago. The doctor spoke of the cartilage in the hip: If it is degenerating, he told of therpy to ease pain and while doing so, that the cartilage can grow back. He said that joints are "sealed' not allowing anything in or out. The exception is when a joint is broken or receives an operation. therefore; "breaking the seal."

I am not a physician, however; the above is how physicians described the conditions to us.

We wish to convey our heartfelt thanks to everyone for all the cards and many prayers!

In October 2005, I fell 12 feet straight down from a ladder and totally crushed my right ankle and part of the lower end of the leg. Hardly no bone fragments existed. They were like powder. After the reconstruction operation, all seemed to be going well.

It was actually cellulitis, a spreading infection of the skin. By definition involves the skin's deeper layers, the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. However; it manafests symtoms at the surface of the skin. Different infections can be the cause, but in my case it was Staphylococcus; refered to as Staph infection. But that was not the start of my problem. Here is what happened from the beginning:

However; in March 2006 I had an operation again because of the Staph infection. The infection had spread to the bloodstream and onto a bone. It was so severe I was close to death. A team of doctors worked "against the clock" trying to find the type of infection while keeping me in ice packs to keep the fever down. I was on the antibioitic vancomycin by I.V. everyday for over a month. That is harsh on the viens. Vancomycin is so strong and harsh, it is to infection as chemo is to cancer. All seemed to go well.

However; now there appears to be the possibility of a very serious bone infection. Unlike earlier when it was on a small portion of bone and the doctor scraped the bone to remove it, this may be deeper into the bone. I had tests involving a nuclear radioactive substance that attatches to the white blood cells allowing the doctors to see what is happening using special xray pictures and computer. We are awaiting a call from the doctor.

My wife and I are really going through some trials, therefore; we ask for your continual prayers. I faced death a few times in the past and our Almighty Heavenly Father healed me then. I understand He could have chosen to do so differently. I also ask for His blessing in this instance in the way He chooses.

I tell myself we must let our trials draw us closer to our heavenly Father and remember that Christ went through so very much more! That gives me strength.

Mark Miller of the Evansville, Indiana area was hospitalized in St. Mary's hospital with an infection connected with cellulites in his ankle. The infection went into his bloodstream and he required surgery because the situation became serious. He is still in the hospital. He grew up in the Church and is just starting to return in Evansville. He is 43 years old. I knew him as a teenager in the Paducah, Kentucky church that I had been pastor of between 1974-1981.