Most of us know Mark Aycock as a competitive fighter back in the late 70's through the mid 90's. His competitive career ended abruptly when he was diagnosed with a severe inner ear disorder called Ménière's disease, incapacitating Mark at times. Brain surgery was the only way to get him back to some sort of function, severing one of the two balance nerves. In fact, he lost his hearing in the right ear. Mark's physician strongly encouraged him to seek a less stressful 9-5 job. Mark, knowing it would be difficult to work for someone else with his health condition, decided to slowly rebuild his coaching & consulting business.
Through the years, he's had to cancel sessions at times due to vertigo caused by Ménière's.
In 2017, Mark began to have more frequent episodes of vertigo, causing him to miss work. He reduced his work load to part time.
Fast forward to 2020, COVID 19 recommendations led to Mark working less frequently and with fewer of his clients. More vertigo episodes arose mid-November, causing more missed work. Then on December 3rd, Mark was scheduled for a hernia surgery. All lab work was drawn on the 1st. On December 2nd, he received a call. Surgery had to be cancelled due to something wrong with his blood work. Next thing Mark was at his family physician’s office. More tests led to an appointment with an oncologist December 7th.
The diagnosis, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, CLL. Mark asked his oncologist if he could reschedule the hernia surgery, the physician agreed. Mark had this surgery on December 11th.
Against all odds, Mark faced his Ménière's head on, and has managed to operate his own independent business as both a health & martial arts consultant. Now he has a new challenge, CLL. Mark knows his fights in competition ended years ago, but he continues to fight, the arena is what has changed.
Both Mark and his wife Michelle are self-employed. Their health insurance has a high deductible and has not been met for 2020. This past month has mounted medical bills with more to come, plus their insurance re-sets at the first of the year.
Through the years, he's had to cancel sessions at times due to vertigo caused by Ménière's.
In 2017, Mark began to have more frequent episodes of vertigo, causing him to miss work. He reduced his work load to part time.
Fast forward to 2020, COVID 19 recommendations led to Mark working less frequently and with fewer of his clients. More vertigo episodes arose mid-November, causing more missed work. Then on December 3rd, Mark was scheduled for a hernia surgery. All lab work was drawn on the 1st. On December 2nd, he received a call. Surgery had to be cancelled due to something wrong with his blood work. Next thing Mark was at his family physician’s office. More tests led to an appointment with an oncologist December 7th.
The diagnosis, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, CLL. Mark asked his oncologist if he could reschedule the hernia surgery, the physician agreed. Mark had this surgery on December 11th.
Against all odds, Mark faced his Ménière's head on, and has managed to operate his own independent business as both a health & martial arts consultant. Now he has a new challenge, CLL. Mark knows his fights in competition ended years ago, but he continues to fight, the arena is what has changed.
Both Mark and his wife Michelle are self-employed. Their health insurance has a high deductible and has not been met for 2020. This past month has mounted medical bills with more to come, plus their insurance re-sets at the first of the year.
Organizer and beneficiary
Mark Aycock
Beneficiary