It is with profound sadness that I’m writing this post. Mark lost his battle with brain cancer Saturday night around midnight. He died peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by family. We will all remember Mark in our way, as he reached so many people in so many areas of his life. He was a father, son, husband, brother, musician, and friend. Many of us don’t know how we will go on without him, but our comfort is that we know where he is and who he is with.
His ultimate decline was quite rapid. A little over a month ago he had several emergency room visits that were seemingly unrelated, from flu-like symptoms to severe swelling in his hand. An MRI revealed that several new tumors had grown in less than two weeks. He was walking with a cane a little over two weeks ago, and then he was in a wheel chair. These last several days he was confined to his bed. We made the decision about three weeks ago to stop aggressive treatment and utilize hospice with comfort care. He was able to be at home with family and friends in that time without having to worry about hospital visits.
Mark’s first symptom was numbness in his left side over Christmas 2006. We initially thought it was a stroke. It was later revealed to be a Grade 3 brain tumor near his motor strip. In October 2008, it degenerated to a Grade 4 glioblastoma. Since the initial diagnosis Mark had two surgeries, a full course of radiation therapy, two radiosurgery treatments with GammaKnife, multiple courses of Temodar and Avastin, and the brain tumor vaccine DCVax.
Tragically, Mark’s mother Jo passed away on Sunday. His parents had been in town for several weeks to spend time with and care for Mark. His mother had been in good health, and this was incredibly unexpected. Just as Mark was leaving us, Jo hugged her son, paid her final respects, and within minutes she was rushed to the hospital for what appeared to be stroke-like symptoms. The CT scan revealed she suffered a massive brain bleed and lost consciousness in a matter of minutes. It became apparent to the neurosurgeon, along with the neuro-radiologist that the bleed was inoperable and untreatable. Jo passed away at 1:00 in the afternoon just thirteen hours after Mark lost his battle with cancer.
It is impossible to make any sense of this tragedy. Mark was just 42 and left behind two young children. Keegan just turned 3 and Aidan will be 8 in a month. It is natural to wonder for all of us where God is in these events. How can God allow a man to be taken with a wife and two children, and take his mother the very next day? I’m not sure there is an answer, but where I saw God the most was in Mark himself. Mark’s faith had been profoundly transformed over these last three and a half years, and he had become a man convinced of God’s love and grace, even more so than before he was diagnosed with a fatal brain tumor. And though he left us far too soon, when Mark’s time came, his faith brought him Home. In the middle of these seemingly senseless losses, we can only take comfort in knowing that Mark and Jo are in heaven together, surrounded by God’s immeasurable glory, grace, and love.
I want to thank all of you who have loved and supported Mark and myself through this difficult time. I know he reached so many of you through this blog, and you all meant so much to him. He was posting just one week ago, typing with one hand on his iPhone when he could barely move. He wanted to share every bit of his experience with all of you. You have all become like his extended family, and it brought Mark tremendous comfort and joy that he was able to learn from and help so many of you. You will not be forgotten.
Goodbye Mark and Jo. We love you and miss you.
Mark’s Memorial Service will be:
Friday, July 23, 2010 @ 10:30 am.
Bayside Community Church (High School Building)
8171 Sierra College Blvd., Granite Bay, CA 95746
In lieu of flowers, an education fund for Aidan and Keegan is being created. Details to follow.
Blessings,
Rachael
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