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The Sunday Series (85), with Mark Brodinsky (#jennstrong2)

November 1, 2015 By markbrodinsky 3 Comments

Love. This one word means so many things to so many people, yet at its core — it nearly defies explanation. How is it humanly possible to wrap your head around an emotion which courses through your heart, mind, body and soul?

When on full display in words and actions it literally defines life’s most honest and pure moments. Strung together over minutes, days, weeks, months, years… this love builds a relationship which can stand the test of time…. or the even the challenge of a lifetime.

Everyone has a love story.

I am Mark Brodinsky and this is The Sunday Series.


The Sunday Series (85): With Love, Nestor

nestor kisses jen

Loving can hurt, loving can hurt sometimes,
But it’s the only thing that I know.
When it gets hard, you know it can get hard sometimes,
It is the only thing that makes us feel alive…

Alive. It’s all Nestor Aparicio wants for the love of his life to be alive…and well.  And he’s made the decision, the only decision a man in love can make — to support and to be there for Jennifer every step of the way.

You won’t soon meet two people more devoted to each other, or a man focused on seeing his wife through life’s greatest challenge, for the second time.

You see Jenn Aparicio has leukemia, again. The first time the battle she waged led to the blessing of finding a donor and an eventual bone marrow transplant in June of 2014. Cured, or so she thought.

The joy of the victory and the desire to help others going through the same journey (hell) prompted Jenn and Nestor to embark on a nationwide tour this past spring/summer to encourage others to join the bone marrow transplant registry, 30 ballparks in 30 days, the GiveASpit baseball tour.
#giveaspit  (https://hero.causenetwork.com/)

We keep this love in a photograph,
we make these memories for ourselves.
Where our eyes are never closing,
hearts are never broken,
times forever frozen still.

give a spit

Pictures of a couple relishing in the rebirth of life. A second chance. Nestor put the pain behind him and took Jenn on a whirlwind tour to celebrate her life and to help others hopefully save theirs.

But just like in baseball, the game is never over until the final out, you can never say never.

As this year’s playoffs got underway, 15 months from “being cured” Jenn learned the leukemia had returned.

“I was checking out at the grocery store when I got the news”, says Jenn. I started crying immediately, I drove back to work and called Nestor from the parking lot. The first couple of days was a roller coaster of emotions for sure. I would be fine, then the next minute balling my eyes out. But then I pulled it together and said let’s fix it” (again).

jenn with soup

It’s now been 27 days in the hospital, with a host of physical complications and consequences of the cancer returning and the treatment and strategies the doctors are implementing. But this blog post is not about the details of this most recent journey – you can read the latest update – so well told by Nestor himself on his blog: http://wnst.net/author/nestoraparicio/

No this post is about the love story.  One Jenn can explain in just a few sentences:
“Most of my family does not live around here so I have to rely on Nestor for everything. And he is unbelievable. Anything I want he tries to make it happen. He has more strength than I do. To come see me most of my family has to come in by plane, I rely almost solely on Nestor.”

There is little Nestor won’t do for Jenn, in fact maybe there is nothing Nestor won’t do for Jenn.

Nestor says, “my takeaway from all of this is Jenn was really healthy for 8 or 9 months, (after the first bone marrow transplant), and we took advantage of that time to live like we were dying. We did all we wanted to do and then it just stopped again. It’s amazing how quickly it can all be taken away from you.”

Speak to Nestor about Jenn for even a few seconds and you can hear the love, passionate devotion and dedication he has for the love of his life in every word he says. The couple has been married for a dozen years now – and Nestor is doing all he can to try to make every day a gift for his bride and be there to see her hopefully come back again… and be around for dozens of years to come.  He also carries with him great perspective on all the couple has endured.

“There are a lot of people with a lot worse circumstances who live with a chronic, terminal condition and are simply going to die. That’s not where we are today. There is a hope by Valentine’s Day Jenn will have a cute pixie haircut and feel like a million bucks. We try to think in terms of what’s the fastest way for her to get perfect, a lot of people don’t have that chance. That’s about the most optimistic long view I can make.”

Loving can heal,
loving can mend your soul,
and it’s the only thing that I know.
I swear it will get easier
remember that with every piece of you,
it’s the only thing we take with us when we die.

It’s the second time around. It’s once again a fight for life. But what has never ceased, never stopped, never experienced even a second of doubt or fear, is the love Nestor has for Jenn and the incredible support he brings to her side every moment of every day. Jenn says, “Nestor has more strength than I do.” He stops whatever he is doing to be there for Jenn at a moment’s notice. Just a few weeks back Nestor was returning from taking his 96-year-old mother to the eye doctor when he got a text from his wife. The text said two words: “I’m struggling.”  Nestor says he was literally at a red light when he saw those words and he dropped everything he had planned for the day, including doing his WNST radio show, to be by her side.

jen and nestor with masks

Despite the love and devotion, being a constant caretaker can take its toll. Jenn pushed for Nestor to take a few days to himself recently, supporting him going on the road with his radio show to see the Ravens play the Cardinals in Arizona. Nestor’s radio show is his respite, his outlet, his sanity, so he can continue to go above and beyond to be there for Jenn as she struggles with the consequences of this latest dance with devil, this latest page in the book of the journey to fight her disease. (#jennstrong2)

And if you hurt me,
that’s okay baby only words bleed.
Inside these pages you just hold me,
and I won’t ever let you go
Wait for me to come home.

Back from his trip last week it was back to more waiting and wondering when the next step might take place to try to get Jenn back to good health – or at least free from the burden of this beast (blood cancer). “She needs to survive”, says Nestor “and there are ways to make that happen so that maybe she may never, ever experience this again. We want to get her fixed forever. Our best scenario is that someone save her life, (the same bone marrow donor as before), and that she be young and strong and by next spring live a full life, a normal life.”

We keep this love in a photograph
we make these memories for ourselves.
Where our eyes are never closing
hearts are never broken
and time’s forever frozen still.

Right now time and patience are two of the most important pieces of this crazy puzzle to put the Aparicio’s lives together again. The other is the one thing everyone needs and no one can ever get enough of: love. The world’s greatest medicine, its finest, purest miracle of healing.

If there is a miracle to be had, if there is a positive force in the universe to bring Jenn back to good health – you should know there’s one man who is praying for that miracle to happen. Every action he takes, every word he speaks, every blog post he writes, everything he does right now for Jenn should be followed by a heart-felt signature:

From Nestor, with Love

Until next time, thanks for taking the time.
Mark

(Song lyrics courtesy: Ed Sheeran, Photograph)

Mark Brodinsky, Author, Blogger, Podcaster, Speaker, SpeechWriter, Emmy Winner, USHEALTH Advisors
(http://www.prweb.com/releases/markbrodinsky/072015/prweb12862708.htm)

Author: The #1 Amazon Best Seller: It Takes 2. Surviving Breast Cancer: A Spouse’s Story
(http://www.amazon.com/Mark-Brodinsky/e/B00FI6R3U6)

The Podcast: (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sunday-series-courage-inspiration/id1028611459)

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Comments

  1. smalltimoreAnne says

    November 2, 2015 at 9:57 am

    A beautiful love story. Love them both.

    Reply
  2. Carol Kilar says

    November 2, 2015 at 11:55 am

    Thanks for being a part of Jenn and Nestor’s life and battle. Your words were beautiful and indeed show how precious love really can be. Carol Kilar

    Reply
    • markbrodinsky says

      November 2, 2015 at 11:58 am

      Thanks for reaching out Carol!!!

      Reply

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Love seeing new blogs hit the ground running like this one (by a dad no less), but I also urge anyone vaguely interested in blogging to stay tuned, I am. Good luck on your journey – glad that I am along for the ride.

Rachel Blaufeld

Great blog Mark! I always appreciate reading what you have to say. You are very gifted and talented and hopefully someday you’ll not just blog, but write a book.

 Stephen Koncurat

I’m definitely along for the ride. We’ve all seen how much damage the written word can inflict. More positive writers are needed. And I love how you are using your personal experiences – those with your wife and children – and your gift of writing to open eyes and to inspire others.

Victoria Endicott

Absolutely beautifully written! The girls in your life must be very proud of you. Thanks for sharing Mark, I look forward to reading more!

Gina Glick Jolson

Very shortly this site will be famous amid all blogging and site-building users, due to it’s pleasant posts.

Leila Galloway

Absolutely beautiful! Are you at all thinking of penning a book? You’ve got a fan base out there that really thinks you should Mark. You write so eloquently. Glad that I got onto this site.

Marilyn Lefkowitz

Mark, You are truly a gifted writer and obviously, a special father and husband . Always a delight to read your words.

I’m speechless…beautiful words flow from your heart just like a gentle waterfall into a tranquil stream… thank you so much for the friend request I was blessed the day I clicked confirm.

Lynne Turner Dorsey

From your first writing in 4th grade entitled “People” which was published in the school newspaper, you have always been able to write. Never more so than when you started “Caringbridge” and now your blog, everyone who reads says what a wonderful writer you are. Our DREAM for you is to become an author and encourage people every day. You are by the far the best and we hope and pray you reach your dream.

Bonnie Brodinsky

I know you always thank us for reading but I would like to say thanks for writing.

Stuart Abell

Great piece. You are an inspiration!

Rob Commodari

Mark I just wanted to let you know that you are succeeding in your “ultimate goal”. I have gained so much from your blogs. I look forward to reading them for the special lift that they give me. Thank you.

Amy F.

I love waking up and starting my day with my coffee and your blog! It a great way to start my day with positive uplifting thoughts!! It puts me in a positive frame of mind throughout the day and allows me to reflect on my personal life, make changes, and grow !!!

Gayle Blank

You are quite talented Mark. Thanks for sharing!

Cynthia

I always look forward to your Blog Mark. Thanks for sharing and as you always do, make it a great / remarkable Day!

Chuck Connolly

Thanks for your Blog Mark. It is fun, encouraging and a nice break from a day full of ups and downs.

Jackie Hetrick

With my busy schedule, there is (sadly) little time for reading. But I have two must-reads every time I come across them, the sports section and your blogs. Keep inspiring and following your dream!

Ed Nemec

Mark, you are a truly remarkable individual. You do speak from your heart, I can’t wait to read your book. You are an incredible writer.

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Mark, I am glad I clicked on your post this morning, which lead me to your writing, your goal.
Would like to connect. This speaks to me.

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I can’t wait to read the book. I have followed all the blogs and feel so good that I know u guys. You make me cry but you make me laugh too. All the very best to you!

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WOW!!! It Takes 2 is a must read for anyone who has known someone diagnosed with cancer or other life threatening disease. This is the real story of a family lead by an incredible woman, Debbie Brodinsky, who took radical steps to beat the breast cancer beast. The story is told by her husband, Mark Brodinsky, through journal entries he kept starting with diagnosis through one year cancer free. This author's unique ability to pour his heart out onto the page draws you in from the beginning and holds you until the very end.

Thanks to Mark and Debbie Brodinsky for this gift...I have a new perspective on what it means to be a breast cancer survivor. You are a hero, Debbie Brodinsky!

TeeBThree
September 25, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

This book gives a heartfelt, in depth description of what it is like to go through breast cancer with the one you love. It is beautifully written and I felt as though I was living it with them! I highly recommend this book!

Jgs17
September 24, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

In It Takes 2, Mark Brodinsky windows us into his world where his wife, the cancer patient, is not the only victim. Part journal, part roadmap, It Takes 2 goes to the real humanity of facing the mortality of one's better half. Mark's candid perspective, love, and fierce intention resonate with hope in a story which is about much more than cancer. Mark himself is perhaps the most heroic character for the way he appreciates this life and so many of us in it...as he says, "thanks for caring."

Réné Pallace
September 24, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

It Takes Two: A Spouse's Story by Mark Brodinsky should be read by every person who is experiencing serious illness or injury or by a loved one of someone who is experiencing either of those situations. The book is an eloquent testament to the power of love and the healing energy derived from the belief that things will get better. There is not one word of "poor me" from the author or his wife who suffered breast cancer and the radical surgery she elected to have to beat the cancer. Rather, the book is a celebration of the courage displayed by them both in seeing it through.

The book also encourages readers to speak and write down their true feelings and be validated in them. John Mackovic writing in the Palm Springs, CA Desert Sun on November 2, 2013 quoted author and artist Doe Zantamata who said, " To be happy, you don't have to do anything new. You just have to remember how to believe again...Believe everything good is possible. Believe in your dreams. Believe in people. Believe in love. But most of all...believe in yourself." The author, his wife, their family and extended family and friends never stopped believing in his wife's recovery, and I think, in themselves. Read this book and believe.

Paul A. Riecks
November 4, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

This book is a must read for anyone with a family member with breast cancer. It takes you through the spouse's perspective from diagnosis to recovery. Mark journaled his wife's journey and put all of his emotions out there. It is beautifully written and inspiring to anyone going through breast cancer. Thank you, Mark for sharing Debbie's story.

Jmu1109
October 23, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

A friend recommended this book. This was a great perspective of a man standing beside his partner and passing along to the reader fear, hope, useful information and a broader story than his own. I loved Vinnie the tattoo artist. This is a great book. Thanks for sharing, Mark and "thanks for caring"

Blahsan

ittakes2_reviews_2

This book is a must read. What sets this book apart from other books about surviving breast cancer is that it is told by the husband and his point of view, not from the survivor. At times sad, at times poignant but even through the worst of it you can always feel the love he has for his wife, her strength and the strength of their extended family and friends. The posts that are included from their friends and family lets you really into the heart and strength of the family. I would recommend this book to anyone who is currently going through this, whether you are the person or the caregiver. I also recommend this book to anyone who has a friend that has been or is currently going through their fight now. It was an eye opener for me.

L. Bogash
Seven Valleys, PA

ittakes2_reviews_2

There isn't a shortage of books about breast cancer, but most are written from the perspective of the person who has battled cancer or a physician or other expert. What an enlightening experience to read about breast cancer from a husband and caregiver's perspective! Not only does the author give us insight into his wife's experience and emotions, but he openly shares and reveals his love, compassion, support, and, yes, sometimes anger at the disease as he stands by his wife's side during their journey to beat the beast. Your story may not be the same, but I guarantee if you have a loved one battling cancer, you won't go wrong reading It Takes 2.

 PattiM
September 25, 2013

 

ittakes2_reviews_2

From the moment I opened this book I never stopped reading. Mark invites the reader to come along on this journey that his family went through. I cried, laughed and learned so much. This book will give comfort and knowledge to those going through similar situations. Most importantly, Mark and his family never give up. They get knocked down and get right back up. They fought cancer together and with their strength, determination and will to prevail... They do!

 Jenny Schloss 

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