Mark Wessling

General Discussion
1

Mark Wessling needs our prayers and best wishes. He’s a remarkable man and has been a member of the Swaylocks community (aka manowar) for over five years with many posts.

The following is from Mark’s brother Scott:

Mark Wessling, aka Man O’ War, a few weeks ago developed a sore throat, chest congestion and fatigue that seemed unusually resistant. Upon seeing the doctor, the blood test was quick and decisive: Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Mark was immediately hospitalized and his full-on chemotherapy begins tomorrow, as well as a bone marrow transplant planned shortly thereafter (now accomplished with stem cells grown from a matched sibling blood sample!). His hospitalization is estimated at one month.

Being a pastor for about 30 years, Mark has worked closely with others battling cancer; now he is himself is called onto that same battlefield. I spoke with him this afternoon and his attitude is very positive beginning his treatment. He knows he is in God’s hands, working through and beyond a capable Miami medical staff, and he covets your prayers. As his brother, I, too, am so appreciative for those prayers. He also has the strong support of his wife, Ruth, and his three adult children.

But we all want to see him back to full health, restored to his family and flock, and ripping once again on his beloved flex spoon!

http://www.ksusa.org/Forum/album_showpage.php?pic_id=8878&mode=prev#TopPic

If you’d like a glimpse of him in his “other life” in ministry to others, including a short introductory video by Mark himself (scroll down); you might enjoy this.

http://faithlutheranhialeah.org/index_church.php

An article about Mark by John Hughes, President of The Cocoa Beach Surf Museum:

http://www.cocoabeachsurfmuseum.org/pdf1/newsletter/WaveLengthsSpring09.pdf

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Prayers have been sent, Mark.  Good luck and I look forward to your return. Mike

3

Hi Mark -

It was really great meeting with you and the gang in Santa Cruz the year of the mat/spoon rider gathering. 

Hope you are feeling better.  Sounds like a tough road ahead.  Hang in there buddy!

 

4

Update from Mark Wessling’s brother Scott on Wed. May 5, 2010:

Mark Wessling (MOW) is now through the chemo, which was not TOO hideous and experience actually (compared to all the horror stories that one typically hears about it). Then came the waiting for a week to see if the bone marrow–which was completely destroyed in the chemo–will grow back producing healthy, cancer-free white blood cells. Finally, two days ago it was finally time for the docs to conduct the biopsy of Mark’s bone and send it off to the lab. Meanwhile he waited for the results. The doc met with him this morning. Mark initially left me a voicemail of the consult. Here is pretty much his word-for-word on my phone (the “we” is referring to his wife, Ruth, and him:

There is also the real option of having a bone marrow transplant regardless, even if the new marrow is cancer free. This is “just to be safe” and not risk a vicious resurgence of the cancer in about a year.

So, we are very thankful to God for this positive preliminary report, and grateful to you for all your prayers and expressions of support.

We’ll keep you posted…

http://www.ksusa.org/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=5153&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30

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From Mark Wessling, Wed. May 12, 2010:

KSUSA Krew, I’ve been waiting for a month to say thank you. I’m finally online and don’t have the words. Thanks from the heart to each and every one, especially my brother-to-the-bone Scott. I’m filled not only with gratitude but with a healthy shame that I haven’t been more active on here.

Doctor says it’s time to go home and wax up. After four bone marrow biopsies in the backside, with me dutifully “turning the other cheek” each time, I’m happy about that. There will be some follow-up but things are looking positive.

Thanks again, all you unsung heroes!

http://www.ksusa.org/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=5153&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=45