We are on our way!!!!!!
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My First Blog
Hi Everyone,
My name is Mark Buenconsejo. I currently live in San Diego. I was raised in Hawaii and moved to San Diego in 1998 to be with my wife Hilary. I have 3 daughters. One lives in Vegas, one back in Hawaii and one here in SD. I have also been blessed with 2 grandchildren. My dad and mom, my brothers and one of my sisters lives in Hawaii. I also have a sister that lives In Texas. My real mother lives and supports me here in California.I have started this blog to chronicle my life living with a disease called Systemic Scleroderma, a terminal disease.
Prior to Scleroderma I was very active, surfing, playing golf and all around in good health.I was given my positive diagnosis in June of 2006. The term Scleroderma means hardening of the skin. Scleroderma, is a disorder accompanied by widespread vascular deterioration and tissue loss. The body attacks its own tissue, causing an overproduction of collagen, ultimately ending in pain and death. Some forms cause significant thickening, hardening, stiffness and swelling of the skin and joints, along with extreme fatigue and pain. It attacks the internal organs resulting in damage and failure of the heart, lungs, kidneys, esophagus, and intestinal tract. Currently there is no known cure for systemic Scleroderma. 70 percent of patients with Systemic Scleroderma die within 5 to 10 years. Over 300,000 people have Scleroderma, and out of this 10 to 15 percent have severe Scleroderma. I, unfortunately, have the severe type of the disease. It is currently in the tissue of my hands, arms, face, torso, legs and feet. It has also started moving through my internal organs, my lungs and my esophagus. I am currently unable to work due to the severe discomfort and crippling effect on my hands.
My doctors’, my wife and I have decided it is time to take charge of this disease. There is a study starting in Seattle, Washington that will use an allogeneic stem cell transplant. This is a bone marrow transplant taken from a donor. The hope is that if the doctors’ will bring my immunity down with chemotherapy and radiation, introduce stem cells from a donor’s marrow, that my immunity will come back stronger without the disease. The doctors are very hopeful and so are we. This is a lengthy process and not without risk. It will be very expensive for me and my family as we will have to relocate to Seattle for an undetermined amount of months while I am undergoing treatment. We are currently working with our insurance for approval of the procedure itself, which in most cases is the deal breaker because the cost is very prohibitive.
My family and friends will continue working on fundraisers for my wife and me for travel expenses, housing, unexpected medications and treatments, and day to day living. With me not working, it has become more and more difficult to survive in this economy. Not to mention to survive with Scleroderma.
Please keep checking back for more events for we will not stop until we have gotten the approval from the insurance and we are up in Seattle.
My wife and I would like to thank our family for there support and prayers. We would also like to thank all of our friends that have added us to their prayer lists and continue to help us during this time. Without you all we are not sure what we would do. Most of all we would like to thank the Lord for he is always looking after us and giving us the strength to get through this.
17 comments:
Love you Mark!
My Precious Brother~
I am so glad that you have this awesome blog so we can keep up with what's going on with you and your continuing battle. It's so frustrating for me to be way over here and not nearby to help out. Know that we lift you, Hil & Erica up to the Lord everyday and that you have many many Prayer Warriors here in Texas that you don't even know, praying for you.
"I will lift up mine eyes to the hills from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord!"
I love you Mark!!
Janine
p.s. Oh yeah,...eh, handsome picture of the Golden Boy!!! :-)
Brother,
I'm a classmate of Janine's from Kamehameha.
May God bless you on your journey of recovery. May the power of prayer lift you from this disease and give you and your family the courage and the spirit to endure.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 'But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.'
May your weakness be your strength in leading others to Jesus Christ. Your 'vessel' needs to be refreshed . Your spirit stand strong. Forever.
Bless you my brother and I will pray for God's grace and healing to come upon you.
In His Love,
Tim O'Leary
Hello Mark ~
I am a dear friend of your sister, Janine. She has opened up to her group of friends and ask that we pray for you and your family. I pray that you defeat this disease and hope that as you go through this it will help find a cure or in someway help with your pain. I find that in sharing your experience, your tribulations and your triumphs, one of the most courageous things a person can do.. Your sister has such a big heart as her friends here in Texas. Keep us updated on your progress - God bless you and help guide you in the way you need to go with this. Your friend in prayer in Him, Marsha Kirchmeier
Hi Mark,
It's Jules, Janine's best friend!!
Janine has been keeping us posted with the journey you have been on. You know that Russ, Jules and our boys have been lifting you up daily to the Lord. The Buenconsejo family is so loved and there are probably people all over the world praying for you. Your family is very important to my family and loved so much.
First, I'm praying for your physical healing, totally and completely. I'm praying that the Lord would use your testimony to bring many to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. I'm praying that all of the financial requirments will be met, fully. I look forward to the blessings upon blessings you will recieve as He pours out His Spirit on you,Hillary and Erica, and reveals Himself as He meets your needs. I thank God that you are willing to let your sweet life be used for His glory. I pray that His angels will be close to you as He shows Himself to you and through you.
Much, much love we send to y'all!!
Russ and Jules McElreath
Devin, Blair and Alec
Frisco, Texas
Hello Mark. I know your sister Janine from when we went to Prestonwood. Our prayers are with you as you walk with the Lord with this disease. We have a close friend here in Allen, Texas that has Scleroderma and is doing very well. We have known this family for at least 15 years and he has weathered this disease like a champ. Just always remember people are praying for you and the God has a plan for you.
Todd Kelly
Allen,Texas
Dad,
Don't forget, it's only halftime! (xoxoxoxo)
We love you so...
Hello Brother,
I dont know if you remember me, but, we were introduced by your wife. I was just a southern boy from "Alabama" that enjoyed golf. I have never forgotten the kindness and friendship that you, Hil and Erica provided us. It has been difficult to not be able to contact you and at least talk. I will pray for a cure.
I will see you soon!
Andrew.
Hi Mark,
I'm one of Janine's many friends here in Plano, Texas. We walk together several days most weeks. I've been praying for you for a while now as you & your family have faced this disease together. So many Scriptures come to mind, but one that stands out is Isaish 43: 1-2.."But now says the LORD, your Creator..and He who formed you...Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!..When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. For I am the Lord, your God..."
Keep abiding in HIM....for HE is your Peace, Comfort, Refuge, Hope, Healer, Sustainer, Strength for all things.
We're continuing to lift you up to our Heavenly Father.
Robyn & Randy Patrick
Plano, Texas
Hello big brother!
I am so glad you and Hil decided to start this blog. We feel so helpless being an ocean away. I wish there was more we could do to help you. You, Hil and Erica are always in our prayers. We love and miss you guys!!!
Hi Cuz Mark,
This is Ana, your cuz here in LA. I was shocked to hear of your health challenge. My husband and I will not be able to attend your fund raiser, however we will gladly mail you a donation for this great cause and help you with this battle. Always remember that God is with you in the time of need, and so is your family. Our love and prayers are with you.
Love and Aloha,
Cousin Ana (Alvarez-Albert)
Aloha Mark!
Praying for a miracle as God being the Almighty Physician. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Please keep Psalm 91 close to heart. The whole chapter and claim His promises for your life.
Also, not sure if you heard of the hyperbaric (sp?) chambers? That renews and repairs damaged cells internal and outter. Just a thought.
God bless you and be with you, May He bless your fundraiser and multiply it 100 fold.
In His Name,
The Lodge Family (Jolie & Bobby's friends)
Hi Mark!
It's your cousin Shawn in Hawaii. I can't even imagine how difficult life has been for you lately. Know that our family is keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Your ohana back home misses you dearly and remember that we love and support you 100%!
Love, Shawn
p.s. Agree with your sistah...you are one handsome dude!
Hi Mark, God bless you and your fam! I don't know you, but hope that I will be able to help in some way. One question for you. Have you heard of Center for Advanced Medicine in Encinitas? I have gone there and know that these doctors specialize in difficult cases, esp. auto-immune issues. I think Dr. Drucker and Dr. Nelson would be able to help you. They love the Lord and also have a method called NAET, which can diagnose and get to the root cause of many diseases. It only takes a couple of hours and is worth the 4 or 500 dollar cost. This technique is beginning to be very popular as it can pinpoint specific problems. Please pray about this before you leave for Washington. If you were healthy and active before, there is a reason why things have changed. Have you worked with chemicals in the past? Anyway, the doctors will also answer people's questions over the air each Sat. morning on the radio from 9-10 on KPRZ 1210 A.M. It is fairly easy to get your questions asked if you call at the beginning of the program. You can contact them by going online to get their info. at www.camhealthtalk.com. May God Bless you as you seek His will for your life. You are in my prayers and hope to meet you at some point. Jennifer Hontucan. hontucans@sbcglobal.net
Hello Mark,
You don't know me but I am one of Perry Stiltz's grandsons. My grandfather and Jean regularly keep me informed on how your doing. You are on their hearts and in their prayers all of the time. If has been real encouraging hearing about your perspective through this trial. I am praying that you will make it through this. I know our Lord Jesus is good!
The prayers of myself, my wife Jennifer, and 5 year old daughter Aubry will be with you.
May God Bless.
Ryan
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