It's never a good sign when the doctors come in, pull up chairs and sit on both sides of you. They were coming to bring my mom the results of Mark's CT scan of the chest. The cat scans show aggressive disease in Mark's lungs, including blood clots and one of the lesions they actually called huge. It was too big to actually determine it's size because it was bigger than the camera view.
The doctors gave my mom two options: Mark can go straight to hospice and stay comfortable or go to rehab and work on the therapy, knowing there is nothing that can be done for this aggressive cancer in his lungs. They said that some facilities could do both, but you have to decide if it's worth putting his body through the intensive therapy knowing the state of the cancer.
Mom isn't going to make any decisions until Dr. Kendra comes in to talk to her and Mark tomorrow, but it's looking like it has taken two diseases to win the battle against Mark. The cancer couldn't do it, but the stroke and cancer together might.
Mom and Mark have to make the decision tomorrow. Mom is still digesting the news and isn't ready to talk to anyone on the phone yet, so she wanted to make sure I let everyone know.
Thanks for all the prayers and support. I want you to know that I read all of your thoughts and wishes to Mark and I know that he was and always has been touched by all of the support he has received. He's a special man and that's why we all love him so much!
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12 comments:
Emily:
Laurie and I have been following all of this very closely and you are all in our prayers. Thank you for keeping us all informed during such a difficult time. Please give Martha and Mark our love. You are all in our thoughts.
Fondly,
Tom and Laurie
Emily and Family...
My heart goes out to you... and to Mark. I cannot imagine how difficult this has been on all of you. I never had the pleasure of knowing Mark, but I have followed his journey for quite awhile now, and he sounds like the most amazing man. Please know that I will be praying for all of you.
With Love-
Shannon Sidon and Family
Emily, please let Mark know how much we love him, even though we don't know him as well as some of your other friends know him. It didn't take much for us to know what a wonderful human being he is; he is a magnet--so many people are drawn to him. Our thoughts and prayers are with him, and all of you, as you deal with this information.
Much love,
Linda and Doug Wilson
Emily,
Thank you so much for keeping us all up to date through this stressful time. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I have known Mark and Martha for a very long time. And I also know that Mark has been a real trooper through all this. God Bless.
I've known the guy I've always called "Marky Mark" for quite some time now. I could always count on him to keep us company in the radio studio as long as we had free food in there!
It sounds like you have a very tough decision to make. No matter what happens, your family remains in our thoughts and prayers through this trying time. This has been a long, rough journey for him.
Mark, Martha, Emily and Family,
Mark has been an inspiration to so many with his strength and determination. His struggle has made so many people realize that our own personal situations pale in comparison. God love you and give you comfort and guidance at this time.
This is so sad and devastating to hear. My heart breaks for you all and especially for Mark. We miss him so much at work, he is such a joy to have around. We will continue to pray. Will you please give him a huge hug from all of us at WMFD. Love, Natalie Clark
Dear Mark, Martha and Emily,
It’s the worst battle you as a family are facing today. I have been thinking of Mark daily with a lot of prayers with prayers for each of you included. As a cancer survivor, I have resolved to accept that only God knows our destiny. I will say this, at the station, not a day goes by that one of Mark’s co-workers, myself included, doesn’t compliment him on his continued strength and courage and positive demeanor during the tough 5-6 years. What a soldier! He has always made everyone around him feel better about his private battle. It takes character and a special strength to be that selfless. Kindly, he agreed just last week to show me the ropes on a new digital SLR camera-he seemed so excited to work with me during his lunches...
I will agree with Tony Mitchell’s comment regarding Mark’s love of food...not a time went by that he didn’t swing by the FM studio to see what great goodies he could enjoy that our guests would bring in...makes me smile even now.
Stay strong and know that he continues to amaze each of us today...prayers and thoughts to all of you.
Chelley Kemper
My heart goes out to you and your family, and Mark. I can't imagine how hard this is to go through. I can only pray for you. And I will.
Emily and family,
I have never had the pleasure of meeting you, but I went to school with, and considered myself a friend of your mom and Mark. I am so sorry to hear of the coarse this has taken. Please pass along my love and let them know they are in my prayers. What a incredibly sad and difficult time! I pray comfort and strength for all of you as you help each other through this time. I truly believe we each have a purpose in life and Mark has shown such grace through out this long ordeal that I am sure one of his purposes has been to show all of us how to do this. Bless all of you and thank you for keeping us informed.
Love,
Betty Cyrus
Mark, Martha and Emily:
Such heartbreaking news - I can't believe it. How can the lung cancer have grown so large and not caused tremendous pain?? Mark, you worked forty hours last week. You are such a trooper.
Know that Tom and I are here to support all three of you. And know that there is a much better place for all of us to meet again and spend eternity together! I wonder if there is camping in heaven?
Love you and God Bless!
Margo
Mark, you have been an inspiration to me. You have fought this battle for 6 years. Your attitude is what kept you going.I've got two neurological diseases. Sometimes I get down and worry and then I think of you and your courage.Thank you for being a good example to me.Praying for you, Martha and your family.
With Love
Randy Smith
SHS '73
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