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Mark’s Story

Site created on August 27, 2023

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your concern and words of encouragement. It is helpful for us if friends and family comment on the journal entries with questions or well wishes instead of contacting us directly.

Many of you already know these details, but I'll post them for those who don't....In September of 2022, Mark got a message from his primary doctor that he should see an oncologist because some of his blood markers were below normal range. He saw an oncologist in November who told him to get tested quarterly and if his numbers kept going down, then after a year, he would have him get a bone marrow test. We weren't too concerned since the doctor didn't seem to be and since his blood markers weren't very far out of range. After all, a year is a long time, so it didn't sound alarming.

After that, life went on at its usual pleasant pace. In March of this year Mark strained his back. He has had back issues off and on since his 20's and has always recovered and gone back to being the same hardworking, awesome guy I was blessed to marry, so again, we didn't think much about it. Then in April, while helping a construction worker dispose of heavy bags of plaster, he again strained it, this time worse. While getting out of bed the next morning, he felt the worst pain he has ever had, almost made him faint. After getting some x rays they found he had a severe compression fracture and osteoporosis.

"Osteoporosis, what a bummer" we thought. Mark decided to get kyphoplasty, where they inject cement into the fracture to help support the spine. It has very low risk and a high success rate. He got that done at Cedars Sinai in July. The recovery was rough and when he got post op x rays, they discovered another compression fracture! We began working on getting his bones stronger (weights, nutrition, etc) and learned as much as we could about osteoporosis, Did you know that drinking too much coffee leaches calcium from your bones? That made sense, since Mark has always drank mucho, mucho cafe! Wanting relief from the new fracture, he opted for another kyphoplasty surgery. He got that done and to our discouragement, came out with more pain than when he went in! The post opt x ray told us why...more new fractures since this latest surgery! What?! We were baffled as to why he had such extremely brittle bones. The spine surgeon told us we should look for another underlying issue and he mentioned the word "myeloma". That's the first time we heard that word related to Marks issues.

We began researching myeloma and learning what the blood markers meant, to our dismay, we found much that suggested Mark may have it. After more scans and blood and urine tests, the oncologist concluded that he does have it! Myeloma is a type of blood cancer.

So here we are today. Mark is still in much pain. He can't stand up straight and can barely walk or use his arms. He can't sleep in a regular bed because getting himself out of it is too painful. We rented a hospital bed for a while but that one wasn't comfortable for him. Managing the pain meds has been a real challenge, with side effects etc. He is also supposed to get a bone marrow test, but would need to lie on his stomach without moving for about half an hr. He doesn't think he could handle that. The last scan he got resulted in more pain afterwards.

We are looking to God for guidance and strength to navigate this. We choose to still find joy in life and we do. Later I'll share some good movies and shows we've seen. We love seeing our kids and grandkids, enjoy crossword puzzles (at least when we can solve them lol) and we find wonder in learning more about the King. We still read a chapter of the Bible together every evening, a practice we've been doing for some time. We're also focusing a lot on nutrition. Right now we're eating a mostly plant based diet with lots of fresh and raw vegetables and taking a ridiculous amount of supplements.

Mark recently found a good site online called The Health Tree. It's a group that shares information about myeloma. There are many, many people on there who have it or have had a spouse with it. He's gotten much good info there. It's been encouraging.

Our prayer requests are:
1. Finding another oncologist. It bothers us that the one he has didn't inform us last November, about what his blood markers could mean. He is also difficult to communicate with.
2. Getting a comfortable sleeping arrangement. We're looking at Tempur pedic beds and also some fancy chairs you could sleep in.
3. That he could get his pain under control, safely.
4. That we would keep the right attitudes.
5. That we would find a good solution to getting the bone marrow biopsy.

Thanks! Hope you're all well. Love,
Rosa

Newest Update

Journal entry by Rosa Pederson — Sep 29, 2023

My dear friends and family,

Yesterday my beloved Mark passed from this earthly life into the arms of our Heavenly Father. I feel crushed not knowing when I will get to see my faithful, kind, wonderful Mark again. I'm still reeling from the shock of it. I am very happy for him now though; he's at rest from all the pain and suffering he endured.

He truly was a great man, friend, father and husband and I am blessed to have had him in my life.

I think these verses written by Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7,8 rightly apply to Mark also:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith; therefore there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day and not only me but also to all who love His appearing.

Thanks again so much for your support and prayers. Many seemingly "coincidences" occurred during his illness, things that helped lighten the difficult load we were under. They were so "coincidental" that I can only attribute them to your prayers.

Thanks also for caring enough to take the time to read the updates. You guys are awesome and I love you!

Rosa

Read More of the journal titled "September 29, 2023"

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