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Blog, Medical Updates July 11th, 2010
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I know it’s been a while since Mark’s last post and we wanted to keep everyone up to date on his status.
Mark was discharged from the hospital on July 2nd and we are all making adjustments to a new routine.
As Mark mentioned in one of his earlier posts, after a lot of thought and prayer, we made the decision to retain at-home hospice services. With the last MRI report revealing more new lesions and enhancement in such a short span of time, it made the decision to utilize hospice a little bit easier.
Mark’s stability has been a growing concern in that the use of a cane was not giving him enough support. He is now using a wheelchair to help him get around the home safely. We are fairly home-bound due to his mobility issues, along with the tumor progression and how that limits him. However, we have been enjoying friends and family visiting, helping and loving on us through this challenge. His parents, who spend their summers in Oregon, have been here the last several weeks and plan to stay on as they offer tremendous support to not just Mark, but to our entire family. In addition, Mark’s daughter Lauren, who lives in Southern California, was able to take a leave of absence from her job and has been staying with us, helping with Mark and the boys, running countless errands, doing lots of household chores and saying yes to every favor we ask of her!
While we wouldn’t have wished for this journey ourselves, the outpouring of support from loved ones, family, friends, and even people who barely know us have comforted us beyond words, providing critical reminders that we are not alone on this path. No, it isn’t what we would’ve chosen, but coming to a place of acceptance and the peace that brings with it is an immense blessing I couldn’t have foreseen.
We can’t thank all of you enough for your continuous love, support and prayers.
All our love,
Rachael (on behalf of Mark)
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Mark — Sending you and your family many warm thoughts and prayers, my friend — and a big New York hug.
Dearest Mark, I have followed your site for months and have learned so much about you, a wonderful, gifted, caring, strong man. Even though miles have seperated us, I have always had a special place set aside in my heart just for you. My heart overflows with pride for everything that you are! The other very personal posts have given me the strength to tell you that I have always cared for you very much. I have shared your life and my admiration for you with my mom for many years. Sadley though, I can no longer speak to her in body, but only in spirit for just 3 days ago she started her new journey in heaven. Your legacy will live forever on earth as you live forever in heaven!
God has blessed You!
Love, Michelle
Thanks for the update. It helps us to know better how to pray for your family.
Mark, my wife and I think of you daily, and have been faithful to pray (and it is a privilege to do so!). We know the same God Who has brought you this far will sustain you as you continue your journey.
I had the privilege today to conduct a private family dedication service for a 16 month old friend who has an incurable rhabdoid kidney tumor. When I think about him, and you, and our daughter… I just must kneel in faith before the sovereign God of the universe who numbers all our days.
You are in our thoughts!
Robin McGee
Mark and Rachael,
I continue to pray for you guys as you continue this journey. I know that we worship a sovereign God, but man do I ever have some questions for him.
Artie (The chick with the boy name and a brain tumor named “Gone”.)
RE: Blogging in B Minor
Me? Responding in B Sharp!
Dearest Mark,
It has been such a moving experience to read your blog knowing that each word will impact your boys with such great comfort because their father exhibited such strength, faith, and unconditional love for them. Just think, one may become a doctor, scientist or musician in honor of your journey or maybe even more importantly, live a life of wonder and deep kindness!
Geez, this experience has truly been “Like a Song” hasn’t it??
And so it is,
~Sandy
*May all of us who have been touched by Mark love deeper, forgive quicker and share a smile with a stranger.
R: I love you. :S
Mark and Rachael,
We are praying for you and your family continually. May God provide the peace that only He can give.
We love you both.
~ Mike and Sara
Dear Mark and Family,
I am so sorry to hear how much the tumors have advanced. You and your family have been such an Inspiration to me. When times got hard and I did not know how or what to do I would think..” Mark and his family are doing this or that and you can do the same!” And I did. I hunted and looked and found things to help my boyfriend. You all gave me strength when I needed it. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. It has been a great blessing to have be able to be part of your journey.
May the Peace of God be with you all for the rest of this journey.
Linda
Dear Mark,
Reading your website has helped us to understand you and the journey you are taking. You are a courageous young man
and I think if people read this they will not be afraid.
Your love of God is seen through all of your journey and we can only say now we pray for your journey and your family.
I have been a childhood friend of your mom and grandmother and
she is commended to have such a wonderful son.
love, Doris & Dennis Dorsey,
Hello Mark!
I’m sorry I missed the visit you had with Scott, Bob, and Huggy. I really like the pictures I have seen of all of you studs! My thoughts and prayers are always with you and your family.
I remember the good old days when we were playing soccer in street, basketball at your house, my house, or the Witchers. Golf in my back yard ( which was never a good idea when I was hitting the ball)! There were just too many great things we did as well as bad ones which I usually got caught at!
I love the attitude you have. If I could only be 1/2 as brave as you are, I know I will be OK. Jesus has plans for you, so hold on to that! God Bless you and your family!
Freinds forver,
Mark
Dear Mark,
So many of my friends have been touched by your story, you don’t know how far it has reached all ready. Just today my sister asked for your blog address so she could pass it on to a friend who’s sister is fighting the same fight. You are in our prayers every day.
Thank you for your music and your faithful witness as a man of God.
JoAnn Jones
Mark,
You don’t know me, but you’ve been kind enough to respond to several of my emails seeking answers for my mom- also a GBM survivor.
Your efforts in putting this blog together and rounding up resources from all over the world, is a huge tribute to your spirit of generosity and your will to fight this thing.
When I can’t sleep at night, I often visit the blog, search for new therapies, and read your latest posts. I’m not a religious girl, but I’m always (somehow) comforted by your unwavering belief that it’s all in God’s hands and that things are going to work out as they should be.
Thanks for being such a good guy. I wish you comfort, peace, love.
Kitty
Dear Mark, Rachael and boys,
I continue to pray for each of you…asking the Holy Spirit to pray for me as I don’t really know what your immediate needs are. I know that you are entering this part of life with much strength and determination to be faithful and see God working in all things. My family did the same with my husband and as hard as all this is…He will honor you and your faith. Hang onto Him with all you have. He is Sovereign and all things do work together…but it is so hard sometimes going through the working part. Thinking of you often from across the country.
Debbie Starr Louisville, Ky.
Dear Mark,
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and your family each passing day. You have been so brave throughout this ordeal and an inspiration to all of us lucky enough to know you and those who have come to know you through your blog. Through your strength of character, you have given great hope and comfort to so many people while having to deal with your own illness and have selflessly given of yourself so that others may have a better understanding and appreciation of their own journey through life. May God Bless and Comfort you and your loved ones during this difficult time.
Love,
Kim & Marti
Hey Mark!
I just closed my eyes and let my thoughts wander … back to the late 70’s … and what sufaced were wonderful, wonderful memories … memories we’ll both share forever … memories that cancer can never take away … tossing the nerf football around (even after it was soaked in the gutter!) … boogie boarding at Beach Boulevard … playing H-O-R-S-E in your driveway … riding skateboards … playing “snake-in-the-grass” on Campbell’s front yard … screaming “Anita!” … and getting into general mischief … yep, infinite memories that will last forever.
I love you my friend,
Scott
Dear Rachael and Mark,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, as is our tremendous respect and admiration for your grace, your strength, your faith. May God’s peace remain with you.
Love and prayers,
Jim and Margaret
I wanted to share this article that offers some hope regarding recent research into the genetic of cancer and how it is spread.
http://www.dailyrx.com/news-article/blocking-renegade-gene-could-stop-spread-cancer-11553.html
Condolences to your family for your brother. Hopefully with time and medical research a way can be found to beat cancer forever.