Thank you to Matt Gerten, DO ('17) for the idea and for taking the lead in setting up a GoFundMe for Mark's cancer care. It means the world to us that so many former students still feel connected to us and that you want to help.

I will tell you that the last two months have been head-spinning, to say the least. Mark had complained of kidney pain for several weeks, and he finally agreed to go to the ER because he thought perhaps he had a kidney stone. A CT w/o contrast did not show kidney stones, but a 6cm mass was identified on the pancreas, along with enlarged lymph nodes and other worrisome markers. After additional bloodwork, a biopsy from the peritoneal cavity, and a CT w/contrast, he was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer on July 31. He had not yet had an MRI or a bone scan. Those were scheduled for Aug 1 and 2, respectively. Now that the MRI and bone scan results are back, we are told that he has stage IV esophageal cancer - not pancreatic cancer. He begins chemo on Aug. 14.

For now, we are staying in Athens and getting care through OhioHealth. However, we are likely going to transfer his care to Ohio State in the coming weeks. The oncologist we've been working with has not been as communicative as we would have expected.

Mark has been impressively calm and optimistic from the beginning of this ordeal. I have not always been so composed; however, we believe that a positive attitude and the ability to laugh and keep things as normal as possible will help improve his chances of beating the odds. So, that is what we are going to do.

I will continue to keep you updated on his progress. Thank you for your well wishes and healing thoughts and for being with Mark and me on this journey.

I'm also posting a photo from a back-stage, pre-pandemic performance from the HCOM house band, School of Doc. Hoping this takes you back to great Talent Follies memories in good 'ol Irvine Hall. :)

-Jill via GoFundMe

The Diagnosis

Chemo I