Mark ’s Story

Site created on July 5, 2022

This is such a difficult post to share. In fact, we put off doing a CaringBridge for quite a while but we feel like it’s time to update our family and friends regarding dad’s health. 

For the better part of half the year, dad was experiencing some “sort of” unexplained weight loss. His doctor believed it was a side effect of a
medication he was on and wasn’t terribly worried. About 4 weeks ago, dad started experiencing pain in his lower right abdomen. A CT was scheduled without urgency but the pain became too much to bear and we thought it best he go to the emergency room. He was able to get a CT on the spot and it was discovered that he had spots on his pancreas, liver, lungs and lymph nodes. We were sent to Regions in St Paul where it was confirmed to be Stage 4 Metastatic Pancreatic cancer.

Dad started chemo last week (June 30th) and will continue once a week for four weeks and then rest/reevaluate. 

To know my dad is to love him. He is the sweetest, most kind man. He loves his friends and his family and we love him so much it hurts.

At this time we ask for space to navigate this difficult journey. We may not be quick to respond to a text or call but we will try to keep this page as updated as we can. We want everyone who loves dad to be able to spend time with him but right now, we are soaking in as much family time as possible. 


Thank you all for your love and support.

Jamie (Mark’s Daughter)

Newest Update

Journal entry by Jamie Nelson

Now that we’ve had a couple days to process the journey the last 48 hours has provided, I wanted to share one final update on this platform for our dear friends and army of supporters. 


It has only been two days but we miss dad so much it feels like the pain will forever be unbearable. As more people are learning of dad’s passing, we relive the moments that were so intimate yet so grueling that it’s like it’s happening over and over again. But at the same time, we know that everyone who knew dad is hurting with us and we must be open to sharing our sorrow and leaning on our village for support. We appreciate all of the condolences shared and cherish all of the memories that are being sent our way - some stories new and some classics we could listen to over and over. Please keep sharing your memories - I hope that never ends because it will keep him alive in our hearts forever.


We spent the last few days playing with Brooks, crying, laughing, crying some more, and laughing even more. Dad’s life is one that should be celebrated and though our chests are still tight, our appetites diminished and sleep a rarity, we intend to celebrate him to the fullest. Please click the link below for information regarding dad’s services. We don’t expect anyone to go out of their way to be there but we would love to celebrate with any and all of you who can make it. 


I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to be so vulnerable and share this experience with everyone via this site and I will always treasure the messages we received and the contributions provided through both GoFundMe and directly. It has relieved us of a burden we never expected to carry and we will always be thankful and continue to pay it forward. 


I am so lucky to have been Mark Nelson’s daughter - he is and always will be my best guy and my love and gratitude for him will never fade.


From the bottom of my broken heart,


Jamie Nelson 



https://www.grandstrandfh.com/obituaries/Mark-A-Nelson?obId=25410589#/obituaryInfo


**obituary to follow soon

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