Scheduling Updates

Since Mark isn't having any more Interleukin-2, he can have the Covid-19 vaccination. He had the first one last Thursday and will have the 2nd on June 3rd. Yea!!

Finally, all of the imminent procedures have been scheduled: 

• Monday, May 17th - 1st Keytruda Infusion 
• Friday, May 21st - T-cell Harvesting 
• Monday, May 24th - Needle Biopsy of the tumor in the liver
• Thursday, May 27 - Appointment with a radiologist to discuss radiation therapy
• Wednesday, June 9th - MRI of the brain and 2nd Keytruda Infusion
• Wednesday, June 30th - 3rd Keytruda Infusion and every 21 days from here on -- as long as it keeps the tumors from growing. 

Mark is eager to get going. The tumors are growing, and his pain has continued to increase to the point that over-the-counter meds do very little. Stronger meds have been prescribed--he just doesn't like how they make him feel, but when the pain gets bad enough, he is grateful to have them. Mark keeps doing all he possibly can and does his best to act like he is fine. Sometimes it's hard to hear that he looks so good because he doesn't feel very good. Of course, some days are better than others. 

While many share healing stories from alternative therapies, none have felt suitable for us at this point in time. Early on, we focused on foods, juicing, essential oils, and several other regiments, but none of them seemed to make a major difference in reducing the tumors. The targeted and immunotherapy treatments were excellent and worked incredibly fast. The last few have not been as successful, but we realize that cancer typically gets more aggressive in finding ways around any therapy. We're not giving up hope, and we will shoulder on. Do we sometimes get tired of it all?  Yep, it is emotionally exhausting, and for Mark, it is also physically draining. We are in good spirits most of the time, but please forgive us if you catch us on a not-so-good day. I've pondered why we are sometimes so sad and discouraged when we've been told that we don't need to fear. I believe that we need to feel all these emotions deeply. Otherwise, we couldn't have sincere empathy for others. 

We are well aware that many are going through tremendous challenges, and we want to serve and support them however we can. We don't want to draw attention to ourselves and only write this for those who want to know what is happening. It is humbling to know that many are praying for us and have been for years--no doubt, that's part of the reason Mark is still here, and we are so grateful! We don't know what the future holds, but we are trying to increase our faith and trust that we are in good hands. Thanks again for your loving support.