Happy New Year Dear Ones! 

I spoke with the Radiologist yesterday. He wants me to come back in 4 weeks for one day of "mapping" via CT and MRI. Then, return a week later for 5 days of True Beam radiation treatment. The good news is there is supposedly little side effects. God willing this will take care of the residual tumor for good. 

As of today, my vision is much much better. I still am not driving, but soon. My weight limit is still a paltry 5 lbs, but that will increase quickly. 

Overall I feel much better and I'm so thankful for all the tremendous support. God bless you all for all of your support! 

Love in Christ, Fr. Mark & family

We saw the doctor today and he is impressed with how well he's doing and his lack of pain. Vision is back and he can walk steadily again. The tumor was low grade and a benign meningioma. Phew! We will have to come back down here in late January for a few days to meet with the radiation oncologist and have mapping for treatment. Then we'll come back again for about a week for the radiation in mid-late February. The hope is to treat the remaining tumorous tissue to prevent recurrence. Fr. is in good spirits and sends his love.  

Father's surgery went well on 12/13/24. He was able to leave the hospital sooner than expected on 12/15/24. Thank God his vision is much improved and he has had minimal pain even though he looks like he went a round with Rocky ;-D 

The two tumors were connected after all. The doctor tried to remove all of them, but was unable to safely do so because of their locations. Unfortunately, that means that we will need to return to CA in about 6 weeks for targeted radiation treatment using True Beam. The doctor is not comfortable having this completed by another MD or organization due to the high risk for blindness if the radiated area is even minutely off and since the residual amount of tumor is not really visible on imaging. The tentative plan is to do radiation over one week, but it may need to be spaced out. We see the doctor tomorrow for his post-op visit and will get a definitive plan once the pathology is reviewed. We hope to go home on 12/28. Thank you for the love and prayers! XO

Father Mark is continuing to recover; there are no signs of complications but they continue to monitor him. Thank God, his vision is good, and his walking is fine. 

Father and Pres Joanna are completely amazed and humbled by the generosity of all you wonderful people. They asked me to express their gratitude, and said that you all are in their prayers. 

Of course, let’s all continue to pray for them!  I will post another update when I have one. 

~ Mka Marie

Father Mark came out of surgery a little before noon today. The doctor got most of the tumor off the nerve but not all. Same with the pituitary. He’s experiencing moderate pain but they are attentive and trying to reduce it. Thank God, his vision seems to be preserved if not better. However, he’ll need True Beam radiation to get the rest of the tumors in about 6 weeks. 

Thank you for your prayers! Please continue to pray. 

Father's surgery is planned to begin between 6:30 and 7:00 am on Friday, Dec 13.  It will likely last six hours.  The surgeon will go after the tumor in the optic canal first, and will remove the other tumor if he can safely reach it.  Please pray that there won't be any complications, ie: blindness, hemorrhage, or infection.