Posted by Mark Justin Seifert on August 3, 2012 at 9:01am

All, Mark Seifert here.  To everyone who has been trying to get hold of me – I’m back.  I’ve been spending the last six-weeks getting my head on straight and things worked out around home.  I will answer my phone, emails, MMF Forum messages etc.  Thanks for not losing faith in me!

My operation to get a below-the-knee amputation to get rid of the damaged portion of my left leg is set to GO –  This upcoming Tuesday, 7 Aug. at the Minneapolis/St Paul VA Medical Center.

I’m not entirely sure of the timing, but this is what I know: I report to Inpatient surgery on the morning of the 7th.  I will have my operation performed by the Chief of Orthopedics (or another senior Surgeon).  The actual procedure will take 1.5 – 2 hours.  I will then be an in-patient at the VAMC for a minimum of 3 and up to 7-10 days, depending on my healing and recovery.  I will then go home for anywhere from 7-12 weeks before my fittings for my “final” prosthetic.  Whenever I am fitted, I will have to stay at the VAMC again for about a week as I am taught how to use the new hardware.  After that, I’m on my own-ish to start running, climbing, jumping etc.

I want to say that I have missed you all terribly this summer.  The support, camaraderie, and love from FOCUS and all you Marines has been something I’ve been constantly drawing from as I’ve attempted to get my head around the challenges that I know are coming.  I’m scared, nervous, and excited.  I’m scared about the coming surgical pain and discomfort as well as the inherent risk to myself and my family.  I’m nervous how I’ll be a good father and husband while I’m recovering and focused on my own needs of rehabilitation and training.  I’m also fearful of the inherent unknowns of life without a limb I (in my head) know I’ve taken for granted.  I’m terribly excited for all the opportunities I know await as I move toward this next mission in my life of recovery, more involvement in my own life, and setting a higher level of example for what I – and ‘we’ – as a Marine can uniquely achieve if we simply put our esprit de corps into living our lives to our God-given ability.

I’ll be documenting my post-surgical rehabilitation, training, and amputee-life here on the forum.  I considered starting a full-on blog about it, but it’s just too personal for me right now.  The only people I want to share this path & journey I’m on right now are those I have already started to bring along – you Marines.  You all mean the world to me, and I will be thinking of you in the coming days.

Lastly, but not least — My wife, Sarah, is 12+ weeks pregnant, and doing great.  She’s been feeling much better over the last couple of weeks.  I felt my youngest child ‘kick’ last night for the very first time!  It was very special and a moment I’m glad to share here.  Thank you all VERY much for your thoughts and prayers these last weeks.  I know, in my heart and soul, that it made a world of difference for Sarah, Sophie (my oldest), #2, and myself as well.  Thank you all so very much for your generosity of Spirit and consideration.  In the coming weeks and months, my Sarah will be facing even more challenges that me.  She will have to adapt, as a working  pregnant mother, and wife of a stubborn ill-tempered cranky Marine, to a shift in roles as a pillar of support in our home.  I pray for her strength and fortitude of Spirit, Mind, and Body.

Semper Fi!