reMARKable Miracle Cancer Journey
Donation protected
Hello, I’m Lisa Durbin. My wonderful husband Mark Durbin was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Ocular Melanoma of the liver in June 2020. Ocular Melanoma is a very rare cancer; only 5-6 people per million are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Mark’s cancer story has spanned almost a decade with numerous ups and downs.
In 2011, Mark went to a routine eye exam in our hometown of West Linn, Oregon. The optometrist found what looked like a mass in his left eye. Our worst fears were confirmed; Mark had Ocular Melanoma. He quickly began plaque radiation treatment after his diagnosis and like most other patients and caregivers, we watched and waited (mostly waited) for his large eye tumor to shrink slowly over time. Over the next several years, the cancer in Mark’s eye had remained stable. It hadn’t grown in size and remained dormant for almost 8 years. Eventually, routine scans determined that his body was cancer-free and we collectively let out a sigh of relief. We finally felt a sense of security for his future and his health.
Fast-forward to this spring, during the craziness of COVID-19, Mark observed some subtle symptoms that seemed unusual. After a few scans and a liver biopsy, it was confirmed that his once dormant Ocular Melanoma had spread to his liver. June 18, 2020. A day that would change our lives forever. The oncologist gave us a survival timeline of 3-6 months. We immediately sought secondary opinions from specialists across the country to see what options we had. Rare cancers possess scarce treatment options, with most patients experiencing a short life expectancy. Instead of letting the circumstances get the better of us, we decided to rally around Mark and fight with everything we had.
We began to go into full blown research mode. We needed to learn as much about Mark’s cancer as we could. Anything we could do to stack the deck in our favor. We quickly discovered that resources were limited in the Portland area. There are only a handful of specialists in the world that have expertise in metastatic ocular melanoma. Within a few days, we were in contact with people that had similar diagnoses all across the globe. Dr. Takami Sato at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia was recommended to us to best treat Mark’s cancer. With 37 years experience with metastatic ocular melanoma and a career dedicated to OM patients and research, we knew this was our best chance to prolong Mark’s life.
Mark is currently under Dr. Sato’s care at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center and has already undergone two liver directed treatments called Immunoembolization. This is one of the only institutions in the U.S. that does this specific procedure. It is our hope that if you know of anyone dealing with metastatic ocular (or uveal) melanoma that they reach out to us for more information or seek out Dr. Sato’s team in Philadelphia. Link for more info on the procedure.
I’ve always felt that Mark is a special man but I didn’t realize how special until now. It was up to this point that Mark’s cancer story seemed to be a success story. But we have no intentions of letting this cancer get us down. It’s fairly easy to give you all of the details and technical information regarding Mark’s cancer diagnosis. But when it comes to talking about the cold hard truth of our situation, my heart begins to sink. Putting my thoughts into words has been one of the most challenging tasks I’ve had to endure. To be honest, it still doesn’t feel real.
Mark and I never expected this to be our life, but after a lot of tears we both realized how blessed we are. Our love for one another and our family is so great that lying down and giving in would never be an option. We aren’t ready to give up our life together.
Through it all, Mark has stayed remarkably positive. He continues to crack jokes and make us all laugh. That’s the type of person he is. Even in the face of adversity, he’s always going to persevere with a smile on his face.
As a father, you couldn’t ask for a better one. Our goal is to keep Mark healthy for as many of life’s blessings as possible. Life is going to be different than we envisioned, but we will take it one day at a time with so much gratitude. We’ve enjoyed 21 great years together, four beautiful kids and lots and lots of incredible memories together. We hold on to hope each day.
“When you are told you have terminal cancer, the range of emotions and range of irrationality can overwhelm you. I am here to say, take a deep breath, believe, you’ve got this and then carry on because there is always HOPE “
~Joe Tippens
Understandably, times are strained for people right now with COVID-19, wildfires, economic stresses, and other world-shifting events. We understand that everyone is going through their own difficult days. Just know that your contributions and support mean the world to us. All financial contributions will go to Mark’s medical treatments, insurances, co-pays, medications, supplements, and travel costs.
Thanks to all the people who have already been on this journey with us. Please share our story to help inspire others in a similar situation. In trying times like these, we all need to stay together. There is strength in numbers.
With love,
Lisa
Ocular Melanoma Resources:
Ocular Melanoma Mets Group
Metastatic Ocular Melanoma
Dr Takami Sato at Jefferson University Hospital
Ocular Melanoma Foundation
In 2011, Mark went to a routine eye exam in our hometown of West Linn, Oregon. The optometrist found what looked like a mass in his left eye. Our worst fears were confirmed; Mark had Ocular Melanoma. He quickly began plaque radiation treatment after his diagnosis and like most other patients and caregivers, we watched and waited (mostly waited) for his large eye tumor to shrink slowly over time. Over the next several years, the cancer in Mark’s eye had remained stable. It hadn’t grown in size and remained dormant for almost 8 years. Eventually, routine scans determined that his body was cancer-free and we collectively let out a sigh of relief. We finally felt a sense of security for his future and his health.
Fast-forward to this spring, during the craziness of COVID-19, Mark observed some subtle symptoms that seemed unusual. After a few scans and a liver biopsy, it was confirmed that his once dormant Ocular Melanoma had spread to his liver. June 18, 2020. A day that would change our lives forever. The oncologist gave us a survival timeline of 3-6 months. We immediately sought secondary opinions from specialists across the country to see what options we had. Rare cancers possess scarce treatment options, with most patients experiencing a short life expectancy. Instead of letting the circumstances get the better of us, we decided to rally around Mark and fight with everything we had.
We began to go into full blown research mode. We needed to learn as much about Mark’s cancer as we could. Anything we could do to stack the deck in our favor. We quickly discovered that resources were limited in the Portland area. There are only a handful of specialists in the world that have expertise in metastatic ocular melanoma. Within a few days, we were in contact with people that had similar diagnoses all across the globe. Dr. Takami Sato at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia was recommended to us to best treat Mark’s cancer. With 37 years experience with metastatic ocular melanoma and a career dedicated to OM patients and research, we knew this was our best chance to prolong Mark’s life.
Mark is currently under Dr. Sato’s care at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center and has already undergone two liver directed treatments called Immunoembolization. This is one of the only institutions in the U.S. that does this specific procedure. It is our hope that if you know of anyone dealing with metastatic ocular (or uveal) melanoma that they reach out to us for more information or seek out Dr. Sato’s team in Philadelphia. Link for more info on the procedure.
I’ve always felt that Mark is a special man but I didn’t realize how special until now. It was up to this point that Mark’s cancer story seemed to be a success story. But we have no intentions of letting this cancer get us down. It’s fairly easy to give you all of the details and technical information regarding Mark’s cancer diagnosis. But when it comes to talking about the cold hard truth of our situation, my heart begins to sink. Putting my thoughts into words has been one of the most challenging tasks I’ve had to endure. To be honest, it still doesn’t feel real.
Mark and I never expected this to be our life, but after a lot of tears we both realized how blessed we are. Our love for one another and our family is so great that lying down and giving in would never be an option. We aren’t ready to give up our life together.
Through it all, Mark has stayed remarkably positive. He continues to crack jokes and make us all laugh. That’s the type of person he is. Even in the face of adversity, he’s always going to persevere with a smile on his face.
As a father, you couldn’t ask for a better one. Our goal is to keep Mark healthy for as many of life’s blessings as possible. Life is going to be different than we envisioned, but we will take it one day at a time with so much gratitude. We’ve enjoyed 21 great years together, four beautiful kids and lots and lots of incredible memories together. We hold on to hope each day.
“When you are told you have terminal cancer, the range of emotions and range of irrationality can overwhelm you. I am here to say, take a deep breath, believe, you’ve got this and then carry on because there is always HOPE “
~Joe Tippens
Understandably, times are strained for people right now with COVID-19, wildfires, economic stresses, and other world-shifting events. We understand that everyone is going through their own difficult days. Just know that your contributions and support mean the world to us. All financial contributions will go to Mark’s medical treatments, insurances, co-pays, medications, supplements, and travel costs.
Thanks to all the people who have already been on this journey with us. Please share our story to help inspire others in a similar situation. In trying times like these, we all need to stay together. There is strength in numbers.
With love,
Lisa
Ocular Melanoma Resources:
Ocular Melanoma Mets Group
Metastatic Ocular Melanoma
Dr Takami Sato at Jefferson University Hospital
Ocular Melanoma Foundation
Organizer
Lisa Durbin
Organizer
West Linn, OR