Treatment Schedule

Today was the appointment for the Kyphosplasty ("cement" treatment of vertebral fractures). The Neurosurgeon determined that it's better to NOT do the Kyphosplasty at this time due to Mark's size and because the tumor on his T5 has not shrunk down off of his spinal cord yet. According to the doctor, it's too dangerous to get to that area and avoid an over-fill which could send the cement into his spinal cord and cause paralysis. The doctor decided it would be better to put it off for a year or more.

Mark's treatment schedule is as follows:

Jan. 2nd: Central line placement. Also, Mark and Dianna will move into the Chase Hotel and Suites in SLC on January 2nd as Mark will need to be within 15 minutes of the hospital at all times during the next several weeks of treatment.

Jan. 6th: First day of chemo. Will last for four days.

Jan. 10th: Disconnect chemo pump.

Jan. 11th: Neulasta shot (white blood cell booster).

Jan. 12th: REST!!!!

Jan. 13th-17th: Labs at the BMT (Blood & Marrow Transplant Unit).

Jan. 18th: Neulasta shot.

Jan. 19th: Stem cell collection (could last through the 23rd if needed).

Another Biopsy

Today Mark had another biopsy on his lower spine as an MRI showed two suspicious spots on his L2 and L3. Won't have the results until around January 5th. More waiting!

Aredia I.V.

Here Mark is receiving an IV with a bone hardener (Aredia) that helps stop lesions.

Family & Friends

On December 16th, several of Mark's family members and his best friend, Billy, went with Mark and Dianna to the Huntsman Cancer Institute for a briefing with Dr. Zangari, an MM cancer specialist. Even though it was a tough day, it was a nice way for Mark's family to provide love and support to both him and Dianna.

The following link will take you to an article about the Myeloma Program at HCI: New Program At Huntsman Cancer Institute Can Offer More Years To Patients Afflicted With Myeloma

Bad News

Just after the muzzelloader hunt in 2008, Mark jumped off of a trailers and felt a pop in his back. He couldn't get any air and knew that something was wrong. He went to the doctor around the 8th of October and was treated for a pulled muscle.

Since the pain wasn't subsiding, he made a second visit to the doctor. X-ray's showed nothing so he began physical therapy. The second round of therapy was really tough and Mark ended up making a trip to the ER. He was finally sent in for an MRI which showed a crushed vertebra (T5). A CAT scan later confirmed that a tumor was pressing on the outside of his spinal cord. Test after test, two biopsies and radiation ... then the bad news. Mark has a form of cancer called Multiple Myeloma. MM is a cancer of the plasma cell, an important part of the immune system that produces antibodies to help fight infection and disease.

At first we all took it pretty hard. Now Mark is trying to look at it as if they just need to change his oil and he'll be good for another 10 years or more. We're all hoping and praying for just that.