Mendal’s Story

Site created on January 15, 2021

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Newest Update

Journal entry by Mendal Mearkle

We received this news when we travelled yesterday to Rochester, MN, for consults.  Praise the Lord!

Describing and articulating to to you our quiet elation would be inadequate.  You have been with me on this unexpected prostate cancer journey since my first Caring Bridge post around the turn of this year.  I'm so very thankful, when I note you've visited this site, and occasionally comment, and / or leave wonderful message vibes.  Wow.  They are read often.  Believe me.  "The prayer of  righteous person is powerful and effective".  (James 5:16).

The reading on my prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood draw two days back was 0.1.  MD said that was the equivalent of undetectable.  Down from a high spot of @ 11.0 in the fall of 2020.  The 'undetectable' means former cancer cells are gone (killed by radiation, or faded away since they had minimal testosterone to feed on).

Doctor indicates as my cancer was a). overly aggressive, b.) had spread a little outside the capsule, and 3.) the translated Gleason Score (Mayo uses a different yardstick) was 9+ out of 10, I should continue hormone therapy.  For another 6 months.  So I received an  infusion yesterday which will emit into my system slowly for that duration.  I'm confident known side effects will continue to be manageable.  And the light but grinding fatigue from radiation will tail off.  Every six months I'll get a PSA check; if it rises to over a 2.5  or 3 count,.... well, not good .  Doctor projected that'd only be @ 5% likely.  Consequently, he stated I was cured.

I don't need to see my Mayo radiation oncologist for 3 years, otherwise.  THREE YEARS!  Maybe you heard me audibly exhale.  Now I turn to managing a few other elective physical issues that were pushed onto the back burner, simmering.

When my cancer diagnosis first was laid out, the news figuratively brought me to my knees.  But I didn't want to be a discredit to God. Therefore, my approach came to be positive, sharing periodically with a upbeat bent, and explaining to whom my absolute dependency belonged.

St. Peter mentions in his letter (1st Peter 5-9(b)) others of the faithful are going through suffering.  I'd like to lift you up to Jesus as you need, so please let me know.  Internet.  Email.  Phone.  V-mail.  Text.  We will be with Jesus throughout Eternity, although we may not be ahead at halftime.




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