Dear family, friends and colleagues from our past,

If you don't know me, my name is Norma and I am 25 years in with my husband, Mark!

Last week, our lives took an unexpected turn when Mark suffered a severe heart attack as a result of atrial fibrillation, which he didn't know he had. He would feel twonges of pressure for short periods at a time then it would go away! Today is the day he will undergo lifesaving open-heart surgery for a "quintuple bypass". We know that so many others have gone through this as well so we know he isn't alone, but it is still incredibly scary.

For those who want to know more anout the procedure a quintuple bypass is a major procedure performed when all five of the main arteries that supply blood to the heart are severely blocked. In Mark's case they are all 60-90% blocked! During the surgery, a surgeon takes healthy blood vessels from another part of the body—typically the leg, arm, or chest—and uses them to create new routes for blood to flow around the blockages. This "bypassing" restores critical blood flow and oxygen to the heart muscle. For a clear explanation of how this procedure is managed here in Canada, you can view the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s guide on coronary artery bypass surgery.

Mark also lives with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS), and today we were surprised to find out that this surgery may further exacerbate his condition. While it was yet another blow, we are choosing to see the silver lining: Mark is alive and kicking, and he has already declared May 12th as his "new birthday"—his second chance at life.

https://mscanada.ca/progressive-multiple-sclerosis

The intersection of cardiac surgery and MS adds a layer of complexity to his recovery. Major procedures can trigger what is known as a "pseudo-exacerbation," where existing MS symptoms temporarily worsen due to the body's inflammatory response, physical stress, or even slight changes in core body temperature during and after surgery. While these flare-ups are often temporary, they can make the immediate post-operative period more taxing as the body works to find its balance again. For more detailed information on how surgery impacts MS, you can visit the National MS Society's resources on surgery and anesthesia.

The last few years have been a bit of a strain for many, and we are no exception. Since I lost my full-time companion position of 3 1/2 years inn early January 2025 and then my work-from-home role was eliminated due to operational changes, things have been very stressful. I recently tried working in a seniors' assisted living facility, but it proved to be very taxing on my body, especially since I haven't done that kind of physical work in years! My brain says "Yes, you can!" but my body says "What were you thinking!" I am also navigating some physical challenges of my own, as I was diagnosed with autoimmune disorders mamy years ago—specifically Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia.

These diagnoses haven't kept me down, and I am grateful that I can still manage pet sitting and lead paint classes once a month. However, these positions do not support us on a regular basis and given the current state of our lives we need more support over the next few months. Even though we feel incredibly vulnerable and almost naked to the public eye, we realize we need some short-term support. My primary focus now is finding a stable, remote, work-from-home position so I can stay close to Mark during his recovery.

Mark and I prefer to focus on the progress rather than the struggle. The silver lining here is that I’ve been able to dedicate my full attention to Mark during these first critical days of his "second life," and for that, we are very thankful. We know everyone is struggling in their own ways right now, and we expect it will take a many months to get back into a solid routine.

We realize that some people feel good about helping others in different ways. While not everyone is in a position to help financially, support in other forms would mean the world to us:

Texts and phone calls to check in

Rides to and from the hospital

Meal preparation

Walking the dog

Helping with lawn maintenance

Whatever you are able to do to help us through these next few months, please know that we appreciate it all. We are officially opening our hearts to receiving support now.

Asking for help is a challenge many of us struggle to overcome, particularly when we have spent our lives being the ones others rely on. For those of us who have enjoyed more abundant times in the past, it can feel especially humbling to admit that the path forward has become difficult to walk alone. We have always valued our independence and the ability to provide for our family and community, which makes this moment of vulnerability a profound realization of our own humanity.

Thank you in advance for your kindness and for being part of Mark’s "second life."

With love and gratitude,

Norma & Mark