At Peace
My Story, Support July 19th, 2010
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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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My dear family,
There are no words that will adequately express my sorrow and heartfelt sadness for you and your family. Even though we never met, the bond we have in Jesus will transcend time. Oh how sorry I am for you…I will be on my knees asking our loving Father for strength beyond what you can understand now and in the many months ahead. Sending loving thoughts and many prayers, Debbie Starr Louisville, Ky. (debbiestarr.com)
To All Mark’s Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Jo’s sorority sisters are all in shock at what’s happened but we know God has a plan for all of us. At this time Eula has not been told.
God Bless You.
Connie
I am deeply sorry. I will be lifting you and your family up in many prayers.
There are no words that are adequate to express the heartache we feel for you.
Please know that our prayers, love and hearts are with you.
With love,
Amber Ferry
Mark became, for so many of us… a teacher, an example, a mentor, a prayer partner, a cheerleader, a hero, a pioneer and a human being to be admired and emulated. I, like so many, was shocked to learn of his quick decline, and the news about his Mother is almost too much to believe. My family has prayed for yours for a long time. We promise to continue. May “the peace that passes understanding” keep your family safe and at peace during the challenge of these days.
Robin McGee
Rachel and family,
I am so saddened to hear the news about Mark and his mother. I have checked his blog daily for almost 2 years now. He was the first person who gave me info that helped me thru some really rough days with my husband, Marc, who is going thru this same journey. He educated me (us) on his illness and gave me so much insight. I have prayed for ya’ll. I think I am his #1 fan. My condolences to you and the boys. I have 2 small children too. May the boys always remember how wonderful, smart, talented and caring their father was. He touched many lives. I feel honored to have crossed his path.
Your friend, Stacey – Baton Rouge, LA
Rachel and Family,
Having lost my own Dad to GBM in January, I can relate to what you are feeling at the moment- there is sadness at your loss, anger that this had to happen and a quite relief that the struggle is over. Know that there are so many people out there who are praying for your comfort. Stick by each other and most important TALK about it. The anger, the sadness, the frustration, the good, the bad and the ugly. Let it all out. My most healing conversations were the ones that were not planned but just happened. It’s not going to be easy but you have 2 angels in heaven helping you out.
This blog has been a God send for many people. I found it about a year after my Dad was diagnosed and thought to myself- “Thank God some who is going thru this is writing this blog”. We went through the same things DCVax, Avastin, Temodar, radiation and 2 surgeries. I hope that one day what our loved ones went through will help other families get this diagnosis followed by the words “we can cure this”.
im very sorry for ur husbands passing away. i also lost my brother joseph (from Australia) on the 12th of june this year. i understand the pain and sorrow that you and ur family went through. but the pain we went thru was nothing compared to the pain ur husband and my brother endured. i have been reading mark’s blog for the past 2.5 years, and used it as a tool of encouragement to pass on to my brother. like mark, my brother joe’s health rapidly declined 1 month before his passing away on 12/6/10. noone is as courageous and as strong hearted as the people themselves who r suffering thru this deadly and ugly disease.may mark and his mother rest in peace and once again i offer along with my family our condolences.
Dear Rachel, Aidan and Keegan, and Mark’s family,
Our deepest sympathy, and love to you, on reading the news of Mark’s passing, and incredibly, the passing of Mark’s mother within a few hrs. May God bless you and carry you during this very difficult time.
Lovingly,
Margaret and Jim Reilly
I am so sorry to hear about Mark’s passing. He’s an old friend of mine from OC and I actually just requested him as a friend moments ago on Facebook.
Please accept my sincere condolences. I am truly saddened to hear of his passing. May God bless you and your family at this troubling time. Mark was a lovely and wonderful person and I know he loved his family more than words can express.
I will pray for you and his children.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Norman
Dear Rachel, boys, Mel, and the rest of Mark’s family,
You’ve been in our prayers for so long. You will continue to be in our prayers. My children’s school has prayed during opening praises and prayer requests for all of you for many months, too.
I know of Mark through being friends with Mel and Jo. My heart is so joyful that Mark and Jo are together in the arms of Jesus. My heart breaks because of our loss down here. I’m stunned by the news of Jo. She was such a sweet, loving, special friend. Our family loves her and Mel. Your whole family has been a blessing to us through this blog and through our friendship with Mark’s parents. Thank you. I pray for God’s indescribable peace, and that God will continue to be glorified through Mark and Jo’s legacies.
God bless you,
Lori Mathisen (in Arizona)
Dear Rachel, Keegan, Aidan and family:
If angels exist, Mark was one of them that are here to teach us what is most important in life. May all that is good guide him through the next journey & guide you to peace and tranquility. May Mark’s music be heard through the heavens for eternity.
I only knew Mark through work and primarily through the web since I work off-site in SoCA for the CalChamber. He was the best and I truly wish I had known him better. However, he has been a major inspiration to me. This tragedy is extremely difficult and I cannot even imagine the pain you all must be going through. However, there is goodness in the Universe and right now that goodness is holding both Mark and his mom as they begin their next journey. I pray that that same goodness and calm will carry you and your family through the rest of your lives.
I cannot attend the service but I will be praying for you that day and I will make it a point to listen to Mark’s music and remember.
Words cannot express the sadness that I feel for our loss here, but if there is one thing I’m sure of in this life it is that both Mark and his mother are truly home now. Those of us in Christ will laugh and be joyful with them again one day. Prayers for you, your boys and Lauren, the four most important people in his life and for the rest of Mark’s family and so many many friends he touched in person and over the web. I love you, Mark.
I’m am in awe of the faith, courage and strength you have shown for your boys over this terribly difficult time. My heart is breaking for you and your family. This is one of those times that goes down in the ‘I can’t wait to ask God, why???’ category. I am so deeply sorry. You will be in our prayers.
Having known Mark from his days in the Southland, I blogged a bit about him recently:
http://c23.ronkays.com/?p=297
Heb 1:6
Dear Rachel, Keegan, and Aidan,
My deepest sympathies on reading Mark’s passing today. I stumbled across Mark’s website a couple of years ago and it provided such encouragement and comfort, knowing that we were not alone in these battles of ours. Mark was a man of faith and it deeply saddens me to hear of his passing.
I am an old friend from Huntington Beach and unfortunately lost touch with mark much like I have with most of my old friends from the LeBard and Sowers days. I felt compelled to send my most heartfelt condolences to the Miller family in this time of grieving. He was a great friend and one heck of a Soccer player on my fathers team. (Go Pumas!) The one thing I do remember after all these years is that he always had a joke and a smile. I remember it like it was yesterday. It sounds like he really made a great life for himself and unfortunately it ended way too soon…I am honored to have been just a very small part of it. Sincerely with a heavy heart, John Cohrone
I am so thankful to have known Mark even though it has only been through his music and his blog. It was Jo who was our friend and who shared her love and concern for her son and his precious family. Their faith in a true and living Saviour will be their legacy and lesson for us all.
Thank you Mark and Jo,
I will miss you Jo but I will see you again!
JoAnn (The other JoAnn)
When I was diangosed in November 2009, the first thought that went through my mind was my two young boys. The doctors start talking to you about seting up surgery, chemo, etc. in the next week. Meanwhile, you’re trying to find out more about this thing that you knew almost nothing about. Mark’s help, knowledge, and explanations were invaluable, and I don’t know how I would have got by without them. He would explain things in a way, that I would get a better understanding of my MRIs, than when I reviewed with the docs. Advice, such as telling me what tests should be run, and what questions to ask the docs, was invaluable. I often revisted certain blog posts to keep motivated. Having worked with Mark, I know what a techinical visionary he was, and we still reap the benefits of decisions he made years ago.
The deepest sympathy of my family goes out you at this time.
Steve Dormann
Dear Rachael,
I don’t know exactly what to say that hasn’t already been said, but I do know that I do have to write to you. First, what a beautiful, well written tribute by you to Mark. I read it last night, and just felt so sad that I did nothing else but look at all your photos and listened to Mark’s music.
My wife Charlotte is fighting Mark’s battle, and that is how I found your wonderful website. Mark did a big service to us all with his comprehensive blog. I mentioned you and Mark on our website http://www.themitchellstudio.com. Hopefully we are helping others. I know you and Mark helped us. Thank you.
Brent and Charlotte Mitchell