Mark's Story

The first face I recognized as I was wheeled out of the recovery room following my brain surgery was that of my good friend, Mark Yorkovich. Mark was recently diagnosed with cancer. This is Mark‘s story.-Michael

My Journey Begins

Week of March 5, 2007:  Feeling sick, stomach pains, not eating.

March 9, 2007:  Trip to emergency room. Tests reveal that I have a tumor obstructing my colon. Forty-two lymph nodes are checked. Cancerous cells have traveled through only one of them to my liver. Just a small section of my liver is affected thus far. Diagnosis - colon cancer and secondary liver cancer.

March 10, 2007:  Surgery to remove the tumor.

Next three weeks:  Infection (e-coli) sets into my wound extending my hospital stay to three weeks.

April:  Came home from the hospital. My wound is still open and has to heal from the inside out. This takes nearly a month. Once the wound is almost closed, I return to the hospital for surgery to install a Port-a-cath. This catheter is used to administer chemotherapy. It is placed in my shoulder.

May:  I have been told that I will go through twelve chemo treatments, once every two weeks. I have been told that I have a 20% chance to survive five years. However, I know that with the right attitude, diet, exercise regime, and most importantly, faith in God, it is possible to overcome. I have decided that I am not going to give up without trying to beat this disease. 

When I start treatments (which consist of seven different chemicals being put into my body), I begin a walking routine as well. I walk thirty-three laps around the Cancer Treatment Center. Thirty-three laps equal one mile. I will walk every time I go for treatment. I do not know if it will help, but I know that exercise is healthy and it feels good to know that I am giving everything I have in me to beat this.

Before I underwent surgery, my CEA (tumor marker level) was 116. The CEA is one of the main indicators of how the treatments are working. Normal acceptable range for a CEA count is 3.8. After the tumor was removed, my CEA dropped to sixty-six.

One third of the way through chemo treatments:  CEA count is 44. Still high, but showing positive signs that the treatment is working.

Half way through treatments:  I was very nervous today because the doctor told me they would take another CEA count and do an Cat Scan & MRI. After these tests were run, however, I was relieved to find out that no new cancerous cells have formed in my colon, no new lymph nodes have become infected, and the spot on my liver has shrunk to less than half of what it had been. Even better news was that my CEA count had lowered to 2.3! With 3.8 being the “acceptable range, this was a positive sign that the treatments were working.

Today, October 14, 2007:  I have only two more chemo treatments left. My CEA count as of last week was staying down at 2.3. This is VERY positive. It shows that treatment is working and my count is staying within the acceptable ranges. I hope this positive trend will continue. I was told that the spot on my liver was very small. If any “bad” cells remain after my chemo is complete, surgery will remove them. If this happens, I will be so grateful to God. Have been told by my Oncologist that surgery will happen after the first of the year. This is partially my decision, as I do not want another surgery to interfere with the holiday season. This may sound selfish, that is not my goal. I have a beautiful wife and son and they have put up with me all year. All vacations were cancelled because of this disease and I want to enjoy the holidays with my family!

We have all used the phrase “you are such an angel.” Sometimes, however, this simple phrase means so much more. I want to thank the angels that God has blessed us with in our time of need.

The Angels In My Life: The person that I love the most in this world and the number one angel in my life is my wife, Gina. We have been married for less than two years. My diagnosis is a tough thing; it would be tough for anyone. Nevertheless, I have the additional feelings of guilt that I am putting Gina through this so soon after we were married. There is no way I can ever show her how grateful and thankful I am that she is in my life and for all she has done for me. Thanks “P” Love ya “C”!

The next angel in my life is my 10-year-old son Blake, he has helped to carry me through this journey in more ways than he will ever know. Thanks, little man.

There are many more angels in my life and I would like to thank them all, but there are just too many. From everyone at church and at work, to the soccer teams, baseball teams, basketball teams, to all my friends and family. God bless you all and thank you so much for your prayers and support.

I want to extend a Special Thanks to Jim and Mary Lou. You both are so special and the prayers, support and everything you have done will never be forgotten - We love you both!

To John T., thank you for your advice, your honesty, your help and support as I have battled this disease – you are a remarkable man and you have shown me goodness in people that I had not seen before and we will never forget the things you have done for us. Gina, Blake, and I thank you.

I consider myself to be Godly person, but this journey has shown me a side of faith that I had never known. My eyes have been opened. Thank you, Lord, for showing me what is truly important.

Things are looking very good for me and I am thankful. I know that anything can happen and that no matter what has happened to me in the past, and no matter what lies ahead for me, God has a plan. I may not understand all that he allows, but I have faith in Him. He has his reasons and I am learning to trust them. It took me awhile to understand this.