It's been a long few weeks but I think (fingers crossed) that I am on the other side of this nightmare. There is no way that I get through this without all of you! I cannot thank you all enough for all of the meals, cards, text messages, phone calls and emails. I'm sure I failed to respond to some of you and I apologize for that, as you can imagine I was pretty heavily sedated so my memory was and is still not the best. 

 

As many of you know, I was not a smoker and I did not have any symptoms of lung cancer. I had a sinus infection that became a chest cold which led to me getting a chest x-ray. Had I not had a cold, I would still have cancer and it would have grown significantly before I would have shown any symptoms and my situation would have been much more dire. I encourage all of you to get a chest x-ray and get checked for lung cancer. They call it a silent killer because you just don't have symptoms until it is possibly too late. 

 

I am at a point where I can return to work for a couple of hours a day but I will not begin teaching for a few more weeks. I am still pretty weak with no stamina and I still get short of breath. Over time that will improve and life will return to normal. Please be patient with me as I return to work, I'm sure I will have some good days and some bad days too which may require me to go home and rest. I plan to return to work on Monday, April 4th. 

 

From my family and me, once again thank you so very much for all of the love you have given us. I am forever grateful for each and every one of you.

 

Respectfully,

Coach Mark

P.S. Please know that our hope is that this will be our last Caring Bridge post.