Home from the Hospital!

Just 72 hours after surgery, Mark was released from the hospital! He has been anxious to get home because he feels so well. The nurses had orders to keep him in bed or in his chair,but Mark kept getting up when he wanted to change places or go to the bathroom. He is strong and has no pain. And he is so glad to be home. He has very few restrictions.
After his brain heals, at his post-operative visit with his oncologist in about 4 weeks, it is expected that he will resume chemo to destroy any remaining cancer cells. On the schedule he had for the past 3 years, he took high doses of chemo pills for 5 days every 9th week. Soon he will begin a regimen of daily, low-dose chemo pills. He has always tolerated his chemo very well. We pray that he will continue to. We are optimistic about his prognosis.

Nan

Day after Surgery

The surgeon, interns and nurses who have Mark under their care are all very pleased with Mark's recovery from the surgery. He was moved from ICU to a regular room on the neurology floor which is thankfully, much quieter. The view from his oversized room with large windows on two corners overlooks the city. The afternoon sun is toasty warm, a nice change from cold AC elsewhere.
With the monitors removed, there are only a few medicines, including minimal pain medication. Mark enjoyed 3 regular meals today. I left the hospital tonight after he was settled in a recliner, watching the All Star baseball game. (Do you think he noticed that I was gone?)
We'll soon learn when he will come home. With this quick initial recovery, I am reminded of the verse in Ephesians 3:20, "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His poower that is at work within us, to him be glory for ever and ever!"

Nan

Successful Surgery!

Mark has successfully come through his surgery with flying colors. The surgery was three hours to remove the small tumor. The surgeon met with us afterwards and said the new tumor was successfully removed.

We visited with him after his surgery, and he was very lucid. He seemed much better than the previous surgery - the difference was amazing! Nan plans to stay here overnight.

Although Kris was not here, she had the next best thing. Jeff was able to keep her constantly updated with email and even sent a video of Mark saying hi after the surgery.

Thank you all so much for your prayers.

Jeff, Sara, & Nan

An R & R Trip, July 8-9

Today Mark did the pre-admission round of tests and paperwork for his surgery next Monday. We will be leaving the area for 2 days on a short trip with our good friends, Vernon & Blanche Althouse. Wednesday and Thursday we'll be away. Mark feels great and it looks like the weather will continue to be beautiful. That's a bonus!

New Tumor, July 1, 2009

I've reactivated Mark's Blog to bring you up-to-date on what's been happening recently. We have rejoiced in God's merciful care over Mark for three years. He has enjoyed a good quality of life, and has responded well to his on-going treatments to prevent a recurrence of a malignancy. However, at his regular check-up on June 19, an abnormal area showed up on his MRI. A second MRI a few days later confirmed that a small tumor has grown, near the site of the old one. The team of various specialists at HUP (Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania) reviewed the images. Jeff, Mark & I visited the surgeon yesterday and were shown those images. The surgical method and possible risks were discussed. We have been in communication with Kris in Thailand and have decided to move forward with surgery with the same doctor who did the first successful surgery.
Dr Kevin Judy's plan is to reopen the 3 small titanium plates which he screwed in Mark's head after the first surgery, since the new tumor is in the same general area. He says that this will make it less invasive. Mark will have another MRI and lab work on Tuesday, July 7 in preparation for surgery on Monday, July 13. (He is so good about these tests!) I will not know the time of his surgery until a day or two before. We appreciate your prayer support during this new phase.
Nan (and Mark, Jeff, Kris and Family)


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Two Years Later . . .

Today we are celebrating the second anniversary of Mark's medical journey. Just think . . . it's been two years of uncomplicated recovery! As I shared in church this morning, we are SO grateful to God for his mercies, grace and answered prayer every day. Mark stays involved on two boards: Messiah College and Phildadelphia Mennonite High School. We recently attended meetings/events at both. Regularly he shares his testimony with others, especially those who also suffer from brain tumors. What an encourager he is! Yesterday he helped me put our summer plants in the flower beds.
The excitement in our lives comes with learning to know little Tess, our four month old granddaughter in Philadelphia. Also, on April 16 we welcomed our daughter, Kris, home from Thailand for six months. She livens our household with her comings and goings. She is adapting to living with us in a 55 Plus Community!
We will be resurrecting an old tradition: Kris, Mark and I and our two grandchildren, Wesley (15) and Viola (13), will go to our condo in Florida in July for about eight days. Even though it will be very hot and humid, the Gulf water and pool will cool us off. For Kris, that weather is what she has been used to for four years.
Other events that we look forward to include picnics and reunions. We will drive to western New York next month for a get-together with the Haun side of the family (Nan's brothers and families). Kris will continue on to Canada. She is putting on a lot of miles . . . California, North Carolina, Wisconsin and places in between. Her sharing is always interesting.
I'll try to write again in the fall.
Nan

Reflecting on a Year of Blessings

We celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas with an increased enjoyment of family, friends and the presence of our loving Lord. As we enter the New Year, we've reflected back on a year of spiritual growth through trusting God with the unknown. We are thankful, beyond ability to express that depth, to God who has enabled Mark to sail through his chemo and injections with very minimal side effects. Now, over 19months since his malignant brain tumor, Mark has returned to activities which had somewhat decreased. He is the number one driver when we go anywhere. We've driven to western New York to visit Nan's family, and also to our condo in Florida.

Currently we are retreating from the cold northern winter by being "snow-birds" in Florida. We had left our car down here in November so that we would fly back to Pennsylvania for the holidays & then return by airplane to Sarasota on January 3. We thought that we would miss the birth of a new grandchild later in January, but unknown to us at the time, God had the oncologist change the routine appointment from January 3 to January 2. So when Sara, our daughter-in-law, went into labor 2 1/2 weeks prematurely, we were able to be there immediately after little Tess's birth on January 3. She arrived at 6:15 a.m.; we got off our train in Philadelphia on the way to the airport & were able to squeeze in an hour to visit Sara and Jeff and hold newborn Tess! Then Jeff took us from the hospital in time to catch the flight we had. PTL for God's best timing! We are so often amazed at the blessings we continue to receive!

Nan & Mark

Starting Cycle # 7

Mark had another "clear" MRI yesterday at his usual appointment for that. He also gets blood tests and meets with his oncologist. She surprised us by encouraging us to go to Florida, even adjusting her schedule, at her sugggestion, so that we can leave a day earlier than our November 1 target date. The whole day went perfectly well. Appointments on time in the 3 different areas of the hospital, going to the pharmacy for the chemo pills & discovering that there was no line; also no line at the lab! PTL. (That never happened before). We had squeezed in a 10 minute stop for a sandwich at the cafeteria. Last of all, we caught a bus to take us to the train station, knowing it was very close timing & really expecting that we would need to wait 80 minutes for the next train home. We dashed through the station, up the stairs to the platform and discovered that we had 1 minute to spare! Still, it was a 7 hour trip. But my heart was singing the whole way home! At home we relaxed and watched the Phillies beat the Nationals. Three games to go yet . . . .

Good Health and New Ministry

There continue to be the regular MRIs and check-ins with Marks' doctors at HUP, and all remains very good. We always look forward to the visits with the surgeon who shows us Mark's MRI on the computer, comparing the latest pictures with previous ones. With his neuro-oncologist 4 weeks ago, we discussed the latest 9 week cycle which will soon wrap up a whole year of his cycles of 5 days of chemo/7 weeks of POLY ICLC injections/one week of rest (no meds). Because he is doing well with this therapy and has minimal side effects, the decision was made that he will do this indefinitely.

Friends have referred men with GBM tumors to Mark and he has met others at a Brain Tumor Support Group. Mark is happy to encourage them, share his story of God's grace to him, give them literature and Bible selections and pray for their healing. We call this his new ministry.

We enjoy Skype, a computer web cam program that allows phoning to have "live visits" with Kris. There's not a time when we disconnect without Mark saying "I feel like I was just in Thailand with her!" It really is fun to see her, and for her to see us on our screens as we talk. The sound and the picture are very clear for us.

Again we thank you for your continued interest and sustaining prayers.

Mark & Nan

One Year Later

Yesterday was the "anniversary" of the day that Mark had his accident/seizure, leading to the brain tumor diagnosis and treatment. It has been quite an adventure in the past year! He has done amazingly well . . . thanks to God hearing the prayers of many of our supporters as well as His leading us to a very competent team of doctors at HUP.
On this Memorial Day weekend, we trekked back down to Philadelphia for another MRI, extensive lab tests & a consult with his oncologist. The report was again a VERY GOOD one! So we continue with the same rounds of 9- week treatment, reporting back to the neuro-oncologist every 4-5 weeks. What would have been "foreign" to us a year ago is now a very familiar & comfortable routine. With no changes, I hadn't updated his blog for 2 months . . . thanks for checking in! We love you!
Nan & Mark

Celebrating Life . . .

Mark's 70th birthday party was truly a Grand Slam event! We enjoyed circulating among the almost 200 guests who turned out on Sunday afternoon to celebrate with us. This was March 25 . . . exactly 10 months since his auto accident that signaled a medical problem resulting in the diagnosis of Glioblastoma brain tumor. Mark said that he enjoyed this celebration more than both of his retirements together. : )
A week ago Mark was given clearance to resume driving. He is delighted to be the pilot again. His MRI on Friday, March 23 was very good. So he continues in the same round of treatment as previously prescribed. He tolerates his chemo (one week out of nine) very well and the seven weeks of injections of an Interferon type drug which always follow that. We are happy to be able to be involved in most of our normal activities.
"To God be the glory!"

Come to a Phillies Birthday Party for Mark!

Wow! What a pile of cards in our mailbox here in Florida. Mark has received over 120 cards . . . for which we thank all of you who mailed him your wishes for his 70th birthday!
We will return to our Souderton home soon where we will host a Surprise Birthday Party at an Open House on Sunday, March 25, 4-6 p.m. at Souderton Brethren in Christ Church. You are ALL invited. If you know of anyone else who would like to come, please do invite them. The church address is: 494 Cherry Road. It's just south of Frederick's Flowers, off Bethlehem Pike. Theme: Baseball. It's certain to be a Grand Slam affair, so don your Phillies shirts, caps, etc. & join us for ballpark refreshments as we surprise Mark.
You can RSVP to Jeff (JSGaris@aol.com) or by cell phone: 215-694-4783.

Mark's 70th Birthday!

We are enjoying our little condo in Sarasota. Although it is a much cooler winter in Florida, it sure beats the cold weather back in Pennsylvania. Mark continues to do well. FYI: Mark will turn 70 on March 6. Our family thinks it would be fun for him to receive cards from his friends and relatives. If you can, please send him a card at:

Mark Garis
Unit 409
845 Ben Franklin Drive
Sarasota, Florida 34236

Thanks!

Off to Sarasota!

On January 19 we made another trek to Philly for an evaluation and new MRI. The results were called "very good!" Mark's oncologist spent a lot of time with us, evaluating him with various tasks, including an extra half hour in discussion about university funding and Mark's comments about Messiah and U of P. Of course, she is always checking his status in conversation too. She wished us well on our trip to Sarasota (this Wednesday for 4 weeks) and will see us on February 22. We came home with his new supply of chemo (for the next 5 days) and then 7 more weeks of injections of the clinical trial drug. This will be his third cycle.
We'll have our laptop with us in Florida and are available by cell or our Florida phone.

A Happy New Year

We had a very nice Christmas with family and enjoyed many of the traditional church and social events of the season. It was good to see and hear Mark singing in the choir at Christmastime. We got our Christmas cards out, barely before December 25. It was inspiring to read all the cards and letters we received.
Last week we had routine check-ups with the radiologist and oncologist. Both were pleased and pronounced Mark "stable."
On January 19 there will be more lab tests and another MRI. We were so encouraged by this last medical visit that we made plans to go to Sarasota for 4 weeks, beginning January 24. We look forward to warmer weather there and reconnecting with our Florida friends!

THANKS-giving

We've just returned from HUP (Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania) where Mark had his every-nine-week MRI. In meeting with his oncologist, she gave him a very favorable report. Nothing has changed on the MRI and his blood cells and platelets have returned to normal. We are very encouraged! This will be such a special Thanksgiving for our family. "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."(Psalm 126:3) We wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Great Vacation

Mark and I had a wonderful time in Sarasota! The weather was beautiful! We enjoyed reconnecting with good friends there. Because of his hearty appetite, we enjoyed restaurant meals almost every evening. He was tapered off of his Megace (medication to increase his appetite) and now continues to eat well and need no meds for that. Praise God! He has regained about 7 of the 30 lost pounds. (Soon I'll be putting him on a diet . . .just kidding.) This return to good eating has also given him new energy.
The only glitch he had was that we got a phone call from HUP that his previous blood test had shown a decrease in white blood cell count and platelets. So we made 4 trips in 2 weeks to a Quest Lab in Sarasota and had the results faxed to HUP. The counts have come back up, so that he did not need those tests when we got home to PA.

We had a planned appointment on Monday, November 13, with the oncologist who needed to see him at the end of his 7 weeks of the experimental injection study. Also, next Monday, November 20, there will be another MRI to determine if there is any new tumor growth. If not, he will resume 5 days of oral chemo; and 7 weeks of the injections (at home). We want to continue with this program, if the Lord wills it.

Messiah College and Sarasota, Florida

At his visit with the neuro-oncologist last Monday, Mark was removed from his weekly blood labs and referred for monthly testing. His appetite has returned with some resulting weight gain and, happily, an enjoyment of eating! We drove out to Messiah College mid-week for his two days of Trustee board meetings. On Thursday he was one of three alumni who were recipients of Messiah College Alumni Achievement awards. Our family: Jeff & Sara, Verna, and Dick and Dottie took the day off to be at chapel, a reception and a luncheon in his honor. Although Mark had been reluctant before these events, it turned out to be a day of celebration and enjoyment. We had opportunities to meet many friends during the two days there. Since he is not having any appointments soon, and with his doctor's blessing, we've made airline plans to go to our condo in Sarasota for two weeks, October 24-November 7. Florida sunshine and reconnecting with friends down there will be good for us now. We praise God for his goodness to us and for your prayers.

Appetite Stimulant

We've addressed Mark's extreme lack of appetite and resulting loss of energy. He is now taking medication (megace) to increase his appetite. After just 4 days, he is able to eat with a modest amount of satisfaction. This should stop his weight loss and restore some energy. I am so grateful to Shelly (Maxwell) Book, a nutritionist and dear friend, for her helpful knowledge and advice. We are in the third week of Poly ICLC injections which are part of a trial in which interferon may increase the body's natural immunity. Mark chose me . . . the reluctant needle pusher for these 3-day weekly injections.

Another visit to HUP today (Oct 10) for a review of the MRI from September, this time with the surgeon. He showed us the actual pictures, describing what we were looking at in each photo. He was pleased with the results of his surgery and quite chatty. We have the next appointment with him in 3 months. We're living one day at a time with God's faithful help and the support of friends and neighbors.

Nan

Another Round of Tests & Doctors

After a long day of shuttling between four departments in the hospital, the results are:
- all blood tests continue to be excellent
- MRI shows no changes
- weight loss due to poor appetite will be monitored

Since this kind of tumor usually has leftover tumor cells, the standard treatment is to take 5 days of higher dose chemo in pill form. That will begin this coming week.
Then, the experimental phase of an immunity booster (interferon), "Poly ICLC", will follow for 7 weeks. Mark will learn to give himself these injections every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Subsequent blood tests and MRIs will be repeated before each continuing cycle of chemo/Poly ICLC thereafter. We are very impressed with the specialists on the Tumor Team at HUP.
We cannot thank you enough for your prayers, e-mails, cards, phone calls, visits and other demonstrations of love and support. May God bless you in a special way!
Love, Mark & Nan

Upcoming appointment

On Friday, September 15, Mark will have a routine MRI and appointments with his radiologist and neuro-oncologist at HUP (Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania), where he recently completed radiation in combination with chemo pills. As this will be his first feedback after those therapies, he is feeling rather anxious about this appointment. We would ask you to join us in prayer again . . . for peace and healing. Thanks! We plan to add an update to this blog after that appointment.

Nan

Radiation Treatments Ended

Mark Garis

When six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy ended today, Mark danced (okay, he strode and smiled) his way out of the hospital Oncology Department! What a relief! Thanks fo God's mercy, he experienced no side effects except recent loss of appetite. The doctor told him to keep his weight up by eating high protein and high fat foods in small amounts, frequently. Peanut butter, eggs, full-cream ice cream and fruited milkshakes were some of the specifics. Mark chuckled and commented that it's the first time in his life that he's been told to eat like that!

There will be a four-week "no treatment" break before he begins the next phase in mid-September. At that point he will receive one week of chemo pills followed by seven weeks of immune-boosting injections (a clinical trial drug, Poly ICLC). Bi-monthly MRIs will determine continuing treatments after that. Thanks for hanging in there with us!

Nan

Halfway through radiation!

Today's treatments marked the halfway point in radiation/chemo combination therapy for Mark. Fifteen out of thirty. And amazingly, he continues to still avoid expected side effects! Because of his strength and positive outlook, we have been able to enjoy social events, church and visiting his sister, Verna (who is making good progress also at Rockhill Mennonite Community).

A verse from Isaiah 41:10 that inspires Mark daily says: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Gratefully,
Nan (and Mark)

July 15,2006

Mark has completed 10 days of his initial 6 week treatment plan. The daily trips to Philadelphia are a comfortable routine for us. We had a post-operative visit on Wednesday with his surgeon, Dr. Kevin Judy, at HUP. All is going very well. In fact, Mark has a very positive attitude and a renewed energy level, in spite of the treatments! He believes that the prayers of his friends are a strong factor in his well-being. We have a new concern for his sister, Verna, who was hospitalized a week ago for heart, pneumonia and blood disorders. She will enter nursing rehab locally at Rockhill Mennonite Community the beginning of this coming week.

July 5, 2006

We returned from our Miami Church Conference feeling uplifted by the many conversations and acts of encouragement from other delegates! The sessions, worship/prayer times and socializing were very encouraging to Mark. Admittedly we're physically tired, yet we feel energized in our spirits for what lies ahead. Today was a trial run in radiology; tomorrow the real thing begins at noon, preceeded by the oral chemo pill (and other pills) before we leave from Lansdale by train for Philly. This will be a very intense six weeks.
We have spoken with Kris several times since her return to Thailand. She is back to her rigorous teaching schedule. We like to stay connected with our son Jeff's family. This summer is different however, in that we will not have our grandchildren, Wesley and Viola, at our home very often. They will soon be off for a week of camp.
Again we all want to thank you for your sustaining prayers that keep us going!
Nan

Mark had all of his pre-radiation & chemotherapy tests and set-ups today. He will begin both on Thursday, July 6. This initial round of treatments will last 6 weeks at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. We will communte daily. Mark is doing well. We even went out to dinner tonight with Kris, as she will be heading back to Thailand early tomorrow morning. Mark and I will leave Friday morning to fly to Miami for our denomination's General Conference meeting which we had planned to attend. We will return on July 4.
Your encouragement has meant a lot to all of us.
Nan

Once again, thanks for your prayers. We had another good day meeting with the doctors at HUP, both the radiation specialist and the neuro-oncologist. My dad really feels that God has led us to the right doctors.

Next Tuesday, June 27, my dad will go back to get everything set up for his radiation and chemotherapy (MRI, CAT-scan, lab work). Treatments will then begin on Wednesday, July 5. He will go to HUP 5 days a week for 6 weeks to receive radiation. At the same time, he will be taking oral chemo at home. After the 6 weeks of treatment followed by a 4 week rest period, he will begin a series of oral chemo and a clinical trial drug, spread out over a year.

Thank you for your ongoing prayers. We are dependent upon them.
Blessings,
Kris

Hello everyone. Thank you for your ongoing prayers, especially for your prayers today as we met with the neuro-oncologist at HUP. Our whole family (Mark, Nan, Jeff, Kris) was able to be at the meeting, and all of us felt very comfortable with the doctor. We believe that, once again, God has led us to the right person for this next leg of the journey.

We talked with the doctor about the plan for treatments, and tomorrow we will go back to HUP to meet with the radiation specialist and another meeting with the neuro-oncologist to set up the start date for treatments.

My dad will have 6 weeks (5 days per week) of radiation (at HUP) in combination with oral chemotherapy. After that is completed, he will begin receiving a clinical trial drug in combination with bi-monthly oral chemo for a year.

We are glad for a concrete plan of treatments. Pray with us as we go back tomorrow to meet with the doctors again.

This was a day that we felt could have been discouraging, but we all came out of it feeling encouraged. Your prayers are making a difference.
Thanks,
Kris

Happy 45th Wedding Anniversary!

Hello everyone and thanks for your ongoing love, concern and prayers for my dad and our family. We appreciate them so much.

Today I invite you to thank God with us for blessing my parents with 45 years of marriage. In this age, this is a remarkable accomplishment, and we are all thankful for the testimony of their lives and marriage. They will celebrate by going *out* for dinner ... my dad got permission from the home nurse for this special occasion, so this is his first time out!

My dad continues his remarkable recovery from the surgery. He had the staples removed on Wednesday, and you can hardly see the incision scar because his hair covers it (for those of you who don't know, they cut very little hair for the surgery). He enjoys going for 1-2 walks each day, and his stamina is good. A few cat naps a day help. He receives great encouargament from the many cards, phone calls and visitors he receives.

For those who want to visit, please continue to call first before coming (215-721-2695), as some days he gets many visitors and we need to spread them out a bit. If you come, the best thing to do is to be yourself and have normal conversations (i.e. talk about your life and your family, how terrible the Phillies are playing, etc.) rather than asking my dad (or us) to go back and relate all of the events that have happened in the past 3 weeks (this can get a bit tiring ... and these events are listed on this page). Certainly you can ask him how he is doing, how he is feeling ... and marvel with us at how God has been working in amazing ways these past 3 weeks. God is good, and he "is able to do immeasuarably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Eph. 3:20-21) We have seen many miraculous things happen in these past 3 weeks, and we anticipate seeing more!

Please be praying for my dad and our family as we meet with the oncologist at HUP (Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania) this Monday at 1 pm. Pray that we will have a good meeting and feel comfortable with the doctor, that we will receive helpful information, and that we will be able to get answers to the questions we have to help us in the decision-making process. At this meeting, we anticipate finding out the plan and schedule for treatments (chemotherapy and radiation). This meeting should also be helpful in processing the appropriate time for my return to Thailand. (What a blessing it is to be able to be here to celebrate my parents' anniversary and Father's Day.)

Thanks again for all of your support and prayers. My dad is overwhelmed by your expressions of love, and he says, "I don't deserve all of this love." We keep reminding him that he *does*.

May God bless each of you as you have been a blessing to our family.
Kris

This is a repost of the update from Thursday, June 8. For some reason, the posting disappeared. Also, many people have had difficulty getting on the page in the past several days. Kris

Hello everyone,

Grace and Peace. I wanted to update you on the report from the medical team after Mark's surgery. The results of the pathology report are that Mark's tumor was malignant. They have decided to proceed with agressive chemotherapy and radiation therapy in order to prevent the tumor from re-forming.

Mark will be going back to the University of Pennsylvania hospital on Monday, June 19th to meet with the oncologist there. Treatments should begin in three or four weeks, after the incision from his surgery has healed.

As you probably realize, this was not the news that the Garises anticipated, especially after the successful surgery and Mark's remarkable recovery. When I met with Mark today, he said that since the doctors are moving ahead with aggressive treatment, it's time for us to enter aggressively into prayer. I want to thank you for all of your prayers and loving expression of concern and support.

Now, I'd like to invite you to continue in a season of bold, persevering, intercessory prayer for Mark, Nan and the whole family.

God's Peace,
Pastor Tom Delk