Mark’s journey with Stage 4 Metastatic Testicular Cancer

It Takes a Big Family—Mark’s Journey with Stage 4 High Risk Metastatic Testicular Cancer

Hi, this is Mark’s twin sister, Bridgette, on behalf of the entire Broughman clan we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the outpouring of support and constant flow of prayers and healing energy sent his way. Our hearts are full, and we are forever grateful. A special thank you from Mark’s big brother Mike too. They are not just brothers, but best friends who laugh through it all and rely on each other through thick and thin.

The last several days have been quite an emotional whirlwind for Mark and our family. I am here to tell his story and ask for your continued support and financial assistance on his unexpected journey with Stage 4 High Risk Metastatic Testicular cancer. Although incredibly scary and overwhelming, my family put our trust in God’s plan, surrendered to what is and wrapped Mark in our complete love.

He has already faced significant hurdles. First, major brain surgery to remove a golf ball sized mass from the back left side of his brain. It is rare for testicular cancer to travel to the brain, and it is no exaggeration to say that we were preparing for an end-of-life situation. My family was devastated. Mark has two incredibly sweet and beautiful children, Adeline age 8 and Michael (Mikey) age 6 as well as a cute chubby cat named Tina Bean who need him and are his whole world. We required a miracle and a chance……and got one! MRI results showed the mass was operable. On top of it, Mark was blessed again with a highly skilled and experienced neurosurgeon, Dr. Caron MD who would complete a successful removal and find a distinctive place in my mom’s heart forever. A very special thank you to our dear friend Fr. Bob Pienta for being with my family during those long hours, for your many prayers and blessings. We love you brother Bobby!

After surgery, Mark was sent to ICU and had to remain fully sedated for several hours with hourly neuro response checks. During this time an intense heavy rainstorm with hail and 70mph winds whipped through the area. It was over in minutes. The sky cleared, the sun shined, and a rainbow appeared. Later that night, the nurses came in to wake Mark up and remove his ventilator. He woke up so bright eyed and excited with a big smile on his face. The nurses giggled. First thing he said was, “where are my babies.” Followed by asking about our parents, and then asking about the Detroit Lions. I teased him about it later and he said, “well, priorities.” That’s my twin!

A few days later he underwent a procedure to remove his right testes and surrounding tissue. Another big success! My brother’s healthy vitals, positive attitude and sense of humor has all the doctors and nurses laughing, smiling and completely amazed.

Yet the journey is far from over. In my brother’s own words, “we’re on offense now.” In the weeks ahead he will face four rounds of chemotherapy, radiation and rehabilitation with many tests and follow ups thereafter. The best news is though, it is “highly curable.” What a blessing! What a miracle!

Mark has always been my mom’s miracle baby. When I was born, my parents and doctors were unaware that he was there. My dad says his eyes popped out of his head when he heard the doctor say, “there’s another baby in there!” On top of it, we were two months premature. Mark’s lungs were under-developed and he had to be airlifted to a bigger hospital for emergency care. My dad went to see him every day, to take milk and to touch him. He wasn’t supposed to be a healthy kid, but there he was the bright, precocious funny social butterfly with a tender heart.

And now, here he is still with us. The miracle man ready to fight. Still funny and still with the big tender heart. Mark had an intense experience when he was under anesthesia where significant life events flashed before him. He said he felt immense love and everything was so vivid. He said,”You’re in God’s arms. You have all the nourishment you need. It’s everlasting love. I love my kids so much but this is different you can’t comprehend. It’s awe inspiring. That’s why I get so emotional talking about it.” He said you don’t want to leave because it’s so blissful but a presence told him it wasn’t his time and he needed to go back for his babies. He had more to do.

Let’s help him do it! Let’s help him be there for his two precious children. It takes a BIG family. NO AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL. Mark’s battle will unfortunately be incredibly costly. But money is not the point. LOVE IS THE POINT. Help my family by helping my brother focus on healing by relieving some of the financial burden he will face from medical debt.

Please continue the prayers and healing energy. It is my brother’s time to receive. Trust that the Broughmans will be praying for ALL of you, his sweet supportive lake community and especially the incredible doctors and medical teams at Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital (they are all so wonderful!!!), for the rest of our lives.

One big family. One pride. Go Lions!