Post-Chemo Day 14 Update

Yesterday was the first frustrating day I've had since I was diagnosed with Leukemia. 

I was planning on going to New York tomorrow for lunch but late last night I was told I shouldn't travel. Not because anything was wrong, but because I should be cautious. When you have Chemotherapy, the goal is to destroy all the bad white cells (as in the ones with cancer) and then have good ones come back to replace them. At this point, my white blood cell count is pretty much at it's low. Your white count affects your ability to fight infection.

Hopefully I can go to New York next week. I was planning on going by the Clinton Foundation and Campaign Headquarters. I think the thing that is so tough is having worked with a lot of friends over the years was not being able to see them in person since Hillary won.  But the good news is we awill all be celebrating soon. 

All the best Mark

Post-Chemo Day 13 Update

Yesterday I received an early Father's Day present. 

Currently I'm trying three protocols to defeat my Leukemia . The third protocol is the most experimental of the three. There are only two places in the United States that can give me the treatment. I was not supposed to start treatment for five weeks, but there's a good chance I can actually start this week. 

So far, in the last three weeks, everything has broke my way. If I start this new treatment this week, we'll know within five or six weeks if its working. Keep your fingers crossed. This has a real chance of helping me. 

I spent today, Father's Day, with my son Steven, daughter Zoe, adoptive daughter Stephanie and Zoe's boyfriend James. Steven made a wonderful photo album for me and my daughter wrote me a beautiful book. It was one of those days that you hoped would never end.

Post-Chemo Day 11 Update

It's great to have a day off, though I do wish I could go right back and start my next treatment. My plans for the next twenty days are to sit by the pool with my children, keep calling people to get them lined up to help with a Hillary fundraiser as soon as we get a date, and get some sun. 

My blood counts have still been really good and I think my Doctor might let me go to New York for a day next week. Every day so far has been a really good day. The first thing I do when I wake up is turn on the television and smile because finally Hillary is getting fair honest treatment from the media. People can now see what we have all known for over forty years: How talented Hillary is. I can't wait to live with my family in a country and a world where Hillary Clinton is President. It's exciting to think of what Hillary could accomplish.

​After I check the news, I check​

 my emails and phone messages. This is one of the best parts of the day. Hearing from friends is really uplifting. Having health issues over the years has taught me how good and decent people are. My friend Steve Bing is amazing. Every

​ ​

day he calls me to check in and see how I'm feeling and if I need anything . Steve is everything a friend should be.

 So fa

​

r things are great

​,​

 but there's a long way to go before I get to the finish line

​.

Keep the positive messages coming — they really do help! 

Chemo Day 10 Update

The last day of my first cycle. I can't believe how quickly it went by. 

When I had Cancer ten years ago and had treatment in Houston, it was completely different. I went to a private cancer clinic, which meant that they didn't take health Insurance and I had to pay personally, then submit to my health provider for reimbursement. The provider would then pay a fraction of the bill. I had a private room with a television and a VCR. I would receive Chemo on a 15 day cycle. On day's 4-15 I would come in for maintenance chemicals so I never felt bad. I would go out to lunch or dinner with my doctor and his family at least once or twice a week. There wasn't any doubt that I'd survive. I always knew I had a 1 out of 3 chance to get Leukemia after my non-Hodgkins Lymphoma — It was just a question of when, not if, so this wasn't a surprise.

This time it's is a totally different experience. Last time, I had a very curable cancer. I always knew I'd survive. This time I have a form of cancer that has never been cured . I'm trying three out-of-the-box treatment's that have never been tried before. The goal of these treatments is not to cure me, but to put me into remission. While I’m in remission, they hope that they can find a cure. 

Over the last several years my friend's Gilbert Chagoury and his wife Rosie have included me in a number of events for St Jude’s, and I have visited the hospital twice. If you ever get the dance, try to go to this wonderful children's Hospil and see the hundreds of young children fighting to stay alive. When you see that, it's impossible to feel bad for yourself. All of us with cancer are on the battlefield trying to find a cure. Every day they make new strides in the fight to cure Cancer. They've come a long way but there still is long way to go.

Chemo Day 9 Update

Today is the second to the last day for my first cycle of chemotherapy.

I'm amazed at all the friends who have been calling me from around the world. Getting calls, emails and letters from friends offering support and encouragement is an important part of beating my Cancer. Every day, I feel like my friends are with me and that we are fighting this battle together.  

While I was on my way to Dana Farber this morning, my friend Max Weinberg called me from Amsterdam. Max, who is known as "Mighty Max," is Bruce Springsteen's drummer for the E Street Band. Max and his wife Becky have been friends of mine for almost 40 years.

When we met, I was working at The White House. My title (I think) was "Aid to the President's Appointment Secretary." In the real world, that meant I was a gopher. In fact, if there was a "Gopher Hall of Fame," I would have been the Chairman . I wasn't really a Springsteen fan back then, but my friend Tom Donilon was. 

Tom and l have also been friends for 40+ years. We graduated together from La Salle Academy in Providence, Rhode Island in 1973, and he wrote in my yearbook "I hope someday if I need a job that I can call you." Just to put this into perspective: Tom went on to become President Obama's National Security advisor and one of the best lawyers in the world. I'm still selling buttons and bumper stickers. I should have asked Tom for a job. Talk about the wrong decision.

But back to how I met Max. 

To surprise Tom, I invited Springsteen and the band to come to the Whitehouse for a private tour. Bruce didn't come, but most of the band — including Max — did. 

Since then, I've been to Max and Becky's wedding and they came to Susan and my wedding.They had Bruce playing at theirs, and I think I had a DJ, but the four of us have had a lot of fun over the years. 

Max and Becky are two of the most decent, socially responsible people I have ever met. They 

Today, Max called me from Amsterdam, where he is on tour, to check in. I got really emotional when he told me that every time he beats his drum, he thinks about beating cancer for me. How lucky am I to have friends like that? 

Mark

Donate Blood!!!

Zoe Here!

They gave me a sticker that said 'Be nice to me! I donated blood today!'

As a part of my dad's treatment, he'll be receiving two transfusions a week to make sure his white blood cell count stays stable. As a result of both the Leukemia and the chemotherapy he's receiving to fight the Leukemia, there's a risk that his counts will plummet and he won't be able to fight infection. So, in effect, these bi-weekly transfusions are keeping him alive by keeping his immune system strong.

Considering today is National Blood Donation Day, I want to take a moment to urge you all to consider becoming donors. I went today for the first time (you can read about the details of the experience on my personal blog) and was absolutely shocked at how easy and painless the experience was. I was in and out the door in less than an hour — I went to the Rhode Island Blood Center in Warwick — and didn't feel a thing. I watched a half of an episode of "Days of Our Lives," drank three bottles of water, ate a cookie and was on my merry way. I didn't feel weird or faint or anything afterward, and when I took the bandages off four hours later there wasn't even a mark (no pun intended!).

For just one hour of your time, you can help save someone's life — someone like Mark Weiner. Become a blood donor today!

Chemo Day 8 Update

2 days to go and I'll be finished with my first chemotherapy cycle. 

Susan, Little Zo Zo and I at her Columbia School of Journalism 
graduation. She graduated with honors in magazine writing.

The last three weeks have been some of the best I've ever had in my whole life. I got to spend a lot of time with my wife, all of my children and best of all I was able to spend a lot of time with my new grandson Bennett Harrison Bunnin. Just when I thought things couldn't get any better, my daughter graduated from Columbia School of Jounalism at the top of her class. 

Today was a great day. I had a 4-hour nuclear stress test, which meant they took a lot of pictures of my heart and then had me walk on a treadmill. I had my doubts that I could do it, but I did. Tomorrow, I have a blood test, then my chemotherapy infusion and then a meeting with Dr. Steensma to see how my body is responding to treatment so far. Even though it's early it will be great to see what my numbers look like.

Every day I wake up and feel like at I'm at war- like every day I go into battle and it's me against Cancer. I love the fight and know I will win it. All of your messages of encouragement make me stronger, so keep them coming. 

Mark

Chemo Day 7 Update

Here is a photo of Susan and I at our 20th wedding
anniversary. She is more beautiful every day.

This morning I headed to Boston for a 10:30 infusion with Susan. It was really an easy day because it was Sunday they only had the ninth floor open and very few people waiting for treatment. This is the third time I've had Cancer. It's much harder for the spouse then for the person who has Cancer. My wife Susan is the most amazing person I have ever met. We've been married for 27 years. I find her more beautiful and love her more then the day we were married. The first time I saw her it was like I was hit by a lightening bolt. 

Over the last ten years I've have had

1) Cancer three times

2) A Spine Fusion

3) L2 and L3 worked on

4) Massive Heart Attack 

5) Coma

6) Stroke

7) Silent Heart Attack

8) 12 Broken Ribs

9) 2 Vocal Cord Operation's

B10) kidney Issues 

11) Lung Issues 

12) Several Broken Bones

13) Broken Leg

14 ) 99 Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments

15) Gambling Rehab- it's been six years in October since I've been in a Casino and made a bet.d

16) Several Car Accident's

....and believe it or not a number of other issues

Three years ago I was involved in a very serious car accident. I was transported by air to the Hospatal. They gave me no chance at all to survive. I was in a Coma for over two months. Susan sat by my bed everyday, all day talking to me and brought me out of my Coma. I couldn't walk or get out of bed for months. I thought I'd never walk again. I wanted to leave and go to The Mayo Clinic. Susan said no. 

The next day I got out of bed and walked.

Through all of these accidents my wife and children were by my side and never gave up on me. I know and my family know's that I'm going to beat this. No one in my family has ever given up on me and I've never given up on myself. It's clear that I have a guardian angel watching out for me. I refuse to let myself or family down. I hope Hillary saves me a dance at The Inauguration.

Mark

Chemo Day 6 Update

Four days to go and had a great day with my new grandson, Bennett.

A lot of people have asked me where I am and what chemotherapy is like. I'm at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston as an outpatient. Dana Farber is one of the top five Cancer Centers in America. I'm coming for a number of chemotherapy treatments. Ten days in a row on, twenty days off, then you start all over again. They put me in a room with a recliner or in a room with a bed. The whole process takes about two hours. It's completely painless. You read, watch TV or work on the telephone. I have five doctors that are working on my case and two advisors. 

What could be better? Me and my new grandson,
Bennett. Look at the amazing new blanket my
daughter Cathy made me with her face on it!
So cool!

All of my doctors are considered to be World Class cancer specialists. David Steensma from Dana Farber, Tom Haberman from the Mayo Clinic, Azra Raza and Slddhartha Mukherjee from Columbia and Patrick Soon Shiong from UCLA. I've also been fortunate that Tom Donilon arranged for me to speak with Gregg Simon the Director of Vice President Biden's Cancer Initiative. Plus, I have been fortunate to use a few other doctors around the country for advice and guidance. One of the best teams of cancer doctors ever assembled. I'm really excited. I've had cancer three times. The kind of leukemia I have has never been cured. Until now. 


To start with, I'm trying three new protocols. I know I'm going to be the first person to beat this. I have no doubt whatsoever. When I do it will be a tremendous feeling to potentially help thousands of people successfully survive this form of cancer.

Mark

Chemo Day 5 Update

Halfway home on the first cycle of chemotherapy. Five more days and I'm done with my first cycle and have 20 days off. 

Joe Paolino very graciously is letting my family and I use his beautiful four bedroom house in Newport on the ocean for the summer. Joe and I have been like brothers for almost 50 years. A person could not have a better friend. Today was a great day- all my numbers were better than the doctors expected. My white blood cell count is holding steady which is great and my DNA study came back without any surprises. I couldn't ask to be in better position after five days. I have a really good feeling that I'm going to be ok and that the protocol I'm using is going to help a lot of people in the future. Being in a position to potentially help a lot of people and help find a cure for a form of cancer is a great feeling. I've been very fortunate my whole life. 

Good things always happen to me. I don't expect this to be any different.

Mark

Chemo Day 4 Update

Zoe here!

Look good feel good!

My dad is feeling great, despite the fact that it took the two of us 2.5 hours to drive up to Boston (he was asleep for most of it, so that's probably why he's so chipper...)

Every time the nurses ask for his name, he answers "Brad Pitt," so either he hasn't lost his sense of humor or he's gone completely delusional. He's in his signature red, white and blue track suit and has a steady flow of diet gingerale coming his way, so he is very happy. A lovely hospital volunteer named Susan just came by and offered him a hand massage — things couldn't be better!

Cathy is in town with new baby Bennett, who was VERY excited to meet his Zadie for the first time. He is 8 weeks old and DEFINITELY has a Weiner face. After we leave the hospital we are going to spend the day in Newport as a family — Bennett can't wait to try the clam chowder at the Black Pearl. 

After four days of chemo, my dad feels stronger than ever. He says he really likes his two main doctors — Dr. Steensma at Dana Farber and Dr. Raza at Columbia. Both of them have been incredibly positive about the likelihood of him pulling through this, which is exactly what we all love to hear! Dr. Mukherjee and Dr. Soon-Shiong have been incredible too. 

Here is a photo of the two of us from a few weeks ago at my dad's favorite place on earth: the beach. Right before he started chemo, my brother Richard and I went down to visit our him in Florida for Memorial Day. I can't wait until my dad's better so the two of us can go in the ocean together again (we don't always wear matching bathing suits, I promise!)

Chemo Day 3 Update

What a day. 

My phone has not stopped ringing today. People calling to offer congratulations, offering to volunteer or raise money for Hillary. 

Joe Paolino and I are ready help hold the largest event in the history of Rhode Island for Hillary. What an unbelievable Job Huma and Robby did. Anyone who's worked with Dennis over the last few years should call an congratulate him for leading the best fundraising effort in the history of Democratic Presidential Campaign's. (No surprise to anyone who's worked with Dennis since 2007) I also want to congratulate Mike Halle and Brynne Craig who were two of the first staff members on the 2016 campaign. 

So it's another great day. We went to dinner last night to celebrate my daughter Zoe's 25th birthday. Today my daughter Cathy is coming to visit!

Now we all just need to work as hard as we can to help make Hillary a winner.

Here is a photo from last night at Al Forno with Stephanie, Susan and Zoe.
The five cheese baked pasta was extra crispy, so we were all very happy.

Keep me in your thoughts,

Mark

Chemo Day 2 Update

It was another great day. 

A lot of really good things happened today. The best was that today, Hillary Clinton became our nominee!

I'm so proud to be a Hillary supporter. The press tried for a year to knock her down. But she looked them right in in the eye and stood tall like the campion we all know she is. 

Chemo only took an hour today. It was a piece of cake. One episode of Law and Order and Susan and I were on our way home. 

My big news today is that Patrick Soon Shiong agreed to personally handle my case. Patrick is probably the most sort after Cancer Doctor in the world. He's the number one Dr in the World on Cancer Immunology Therapy. I'm very lucky to have him as part of my treatment team. The drug he'll be giving me is Keytruda witch is particularly effective with the type of Cancer I have. My Doctor from Columbia in New York, Dr Azra Razawho's great met with Dr Shiong Sunday in Chicago and he agreed to join the team. 

It's a beautiful day in Rhode Island. It's my daughter Zoe's 25th birthday and we're taking her to dinner. Who's luckier then me? Thing's don't get any better then this.

Here is one of my favorite old pictures of my little Zo Zo and I. I can't
believe she is 25.

Thank You for all the encouragement 

Mark

Chemo Day 1 Update

This is why I love Bill and Hillary Clinton. The last time
I had cancer (this is an old photo!) they came to visit me
in Texas. I know I can beat this again so I can see Hillary
Clinton lead our country

It was a great weekend. I went to Florida with Susan. Spent time with friends, swam and got plenty of sun. I know I'm going to beat this. I have no doubt about it at all. I'm trying a new protocol that has never been tried before. In addition to getting better I have a real chance to help people.

I'm lucky that I'm in a position to have access to the best medical care in the world hopefully some day everyone in America will have the same opportunity. I was really proud last week when one of my Doctors told me that because of President Clinton, people on Medicare were able to participate in medical trials. I spent most of my time on the phone today calling friends in California and New Jersy urging them to vote tomorrow. 

I'm so excited about the California and New Jersey primaries tomorrow. I am so proud to be a Hillary supporter. I can't wait to live in America and the World where Hillary Clinton is President. We can only dream of what a difference she will make.

Please stay in touch

Mark

Everything You Need To Know About Mark's Cancer

Mark has Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) which is an aggressive type of Leukemia that effects the blood and bone marrow. 

Luckily, we have assembled a team of some of the best doctors in the world to help him kick this cancer's ass — or as we like to call them, the "dream team." 

We are working with Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, Dr. Azra Raza, Dr. Siddhartha Mukhrjee (who Zoe and Susan both love because he was profiled in Vogue last month) and Dr. David Steensma. They all have very lengthy Wikipedia pages, so we know they're legit.

Mark is doing his treatment at Dana Farber in Boston, where his primary oncologist is Dr. Steensma, who is amazing. 

With the help of this all-star squad of doctors, Mark is trying three forms of experimental treatment, including  the very-hot-right-now-in-the-medical world "immunotherapy." None of these treatments have ever been tried on someone with his type of cancer, so he is most excited about the fact that his willingness to participate in these trials could really, really help people with this disease in the future. 

As of now, the process involves 10 days of chemotherapy, followed by 3 weeks off, then another round, etc. etc. until he is in remission. The drug he is presently taking is called Dicitabine, and has had a strong success rate when it's been used in trials with other kinds of cancer. 

As anyone who knows Mark knows he's a fighter. He has beaten cancer two times before this (Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2007 and Polycythemiavera), has survived 15+ car accidents (one of which put him in a three month coma), two heart attacks, a spine fusion, an emergency plane landing, two vocal cord operations and an almost toe amputation. Every doctor we've met with so far has agreed that they have NEVER seen a medical history quite like his, and are all optimistic that he is going to come out the other side of this one, too. 

He has beat impossible odds before, and we all have NO DOUBT that he will beat them again. The Weiner family will be keeping everyone updated on the day to day changes via this blog (though you will still probably receive the daily text message updates from Mark himself), and would love all of your words of encouragement and support to Mark and the Weiners in the comments section. We all appreciate everyone's messages of positivity, and ask that you to send us good vibes and keep the big guy in your thoughts and prayers.