Mark's journey to wellness

06/23/2023

So apparently I have created two pages so tomorrow Sarah will help.me fix this problem. I'm not sure how this will impact the posts on this page but if you see another invite please know it's because I'm technically challenged .

06/23/2023

So today was the day! We saw the oncologist who we will work with throughout Mark's treatment and are very daisies with him. He was very informative and concurred Mark had Stage IV prostate cancer which has metastasize/spread to his lymph nodes, bone marrow, his spine both upper arm bone and both thigh bones. Dr Rajguru,great name!, has established a treatment plan that consists on an IV chemo drug, docetaxel, once every 3 weeks for 6 times/rounds. He will get a medication to lower his testosterone since that is what is feeding the cancer, lupron. This will be given as a shot every 3 months. Starting tomorrow Mark will start casodex which is to help with pain especially when he starts the lupron. Later in the treatment he will take a different hormone drug, abiraterone, again to decrease test testosterone.

Prognosis: the doctor told us this is NOT curable but we can strive for remission. He could not be specific as to length of life but he was optimistic it would be years.

We are all breathing a little easier but know this is where diligence begins as side effects can occur which could create a set back. In the meantime we celebrate and thank God for the miracles he has given us. Prayers continue to be of great importance.

06/21/2023

Today is the day for Mark's PET scan which should tell us if there are any other areas that are "hot" Tomorrow afternoon is the appt with the Oncologist so we should have more definitive answers and a game plan

06/19/2023

We received the results of the biopsy today ao there's good news and not such good news. The good news is that Mark doesn't have lymphoma like we were anticipating however the biopsy shows prostate cancer. What that means, we're not sure but we still have the appointment with oncology this week that will give us new answers. Thank you everyone for the prayers as they have helped so far.

06/19/2023

Well the weekend brought another visit to the ER for blood in his urine however cause was not found so an antibiotic was ordered to be on the safe side. His pain continues to be managed so he decided to go to work today. The week is starting on a positive note.

Updates on Mark's journey

06/15/2023

We learned today that Mark will have his appointment with oncology on June 22 at 3pm. Things are moving along

06/15/2023

Mark came home last night from the hospital with oxycodone and ibuprofen...hopefully this will hold his pain. He sees his primary doctor again on Friday. His biopsy was done yesterday. We anticipate getting results in 3-5 business days. UW oncology and hematology have been notified of the biopsy being done so hopefully we will get an appointment soon.
The doctor in the hospital did not agree with the ER doctor who was the one who told us Mark has lymphoma because the results of the biopsy was not back. So in his eyes Mark does not formally have a cancer diagnosis. Again the importance of having this biopsy done! How frustrating...Well that is the newest chapter in this book of life

06/13/2023

So the management of the pain on an outpatient basis was not successful so Mark was admitted to Beaver Dam hospital yesterday to get his pain under control. We are hoping they will be able to a biopsy while he is there. Will update more as we get more news.

06/11/2023

Pain management has beem the theme this weekend. ER yesterday because pain was 10/10 but with a shot of hydromorphone and vicodin he was able to return home with Norco. As long as he takes the pain meds every 3 to 4 hours, his pain is tolerable. Monday will cont to be a day.of.phone calls. More updates will be posted when we get them.0

Updates on Mark's journey