Posted: 12/24/02

Fight against cancer makes Mark Robertson stronger

Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Seventy feet. Thatís the distance from Mark Robertsonís front door to the mailbox at the end of his driveway in Forest Lake.

Not a long distance, one might conclude. Just 10 days removed from major cancer surgery, it was a daunting first journey for Robertson.

But for the Forest Lake High School principal, the stacks and stacks of get well and encouragement cards that were chocked in the mailbox each day made that the 70-foot walk a rewarding journey.

At 50, Robertson never thought his life would take such a turn, not until this fall when he faced critical health decisions involving two unrelated diagnoses of cancer.

ìIt was stunning,î Robertson said, thinking back to the events of September and October that changed his life. ìHealth was something I never thought about.î

But it is now something keenly on the minds of Robertson, his wife Kathy, and their four sons, Eric, 22; Aaron, 21; Grant, 19; and Nathan, 14.

Double whammy

It was in September when Robertson sought a doctorís help when he found an unusual lump on his left clavicle. The diagnosis was non-Hodgkins lymphoma, a small cell form of cancer that would require constant monitoring but no immediate treatment.

The news was startling, Robertson said, but only half the shock. Doctors in the process of determining the form of Robertsonís lymphoma came across more bad news. A precautionary body scan revealed a tumor on one of his kidneys.

Doctors said the kidney cancer was totally unrelated to the lymphoma, Robertson said, but a cancer that needed immediate attention.

On Oct. 24 at United Hospital in St. Paul, Robertson underwent surgery. A softball-sized tumor was removed and about 25 percent of one kidney was taken out.

ìThey think they got the cancer,î Robertson said.

Robertson believes good has come from the ordeal. ìI had no symptoms,î he said of the cancer attacking his kidney.

The cancer was aggressive and without the detailed medical workup as part of the lymphoma evaluation, Robertson says the kidney problem might not have been found until it was too late.

Looking back on that October day, Robertson said he did not go through the anger and bitterness of wondering and questioning why this was happening to him.

ìThat lasted about two seconds,î he said. ìLetís make some good happen. I think that has happened.î

Internal growth

Robertson says the fall experience has left him with a stronger appreciation of faith, family and his work in education.

This Christmas season, and Thanksgiving last month, have been special times for the family of six. ìYou learn to live more day to day,î he said.

Robertson grew up on a farm near Worthington, the son of parents who never went beyond eighth grade in school.

Although not text book educated, Ervin and Lenora Robertson taught basic life philosophies to their son that were simple but effective. Robertson believes those strong life principles were important to him this fall and have carried over to his sons.

ìThey have learned to handle adversity with grace,î he says of his boys.

ìItís scary stuff,î Robertson said of his medical battles and the disease cancer. ìIt brought us closer together. Life sometimes gets mundane for us and we fall into ruts.î

Sharing their good fortune has long been a practice of the Robertsons who have given to special projects through their church, Eaglebrook Church in White Bear Lake.

This Thanksgiving and Christmas have been extra special for the family, he says. Markís parents now live in Cambridge and have been close by during difficult times but also for the holidays.

This year, Robertson says, the family has been more mindful and thoughtful of finding ways to reach out and help others in need.

ìItís reminded us that we need to be more sensitive to those around us who are in need,î he says. ìWe all have so much. It has shown us how fortunate we are.î

His fall experience has also developed a stronger sense of empathy for co-workers and students. When problems cross his desk, Robertson says he now has a better understanding as to why some things happen.

Better man today

Going through a fight with cancer has reinforced a belief that he has made a difference in his lifeís work and that he has been able to fight the good fight, he said.

When he was dealt the bad hand this fall, Robertson said he refused to whine and took on the fight with a positive attitude.

ìWhat can I learn?î he asked himself. ìI like to think Iím a much better person.î

ìLife is not about the last man standing,î he adds. ìItís what you do with life.î

Still, he says, there was that natural doubt lingering in the back of his mind. Has he really made a difference in the lives heís come in contact with over the years?

That 70-foot journey to the mailbox cast the doubts aside.

Robertson says he was overwhelmed by the notes and cards that flooded his mailbox during his home recovery.

Students and associates from 25 years ago have written and called, he says. ìI know that Iíve touched their lives and they want to give back.î

But there is more, he says.

ìIíve heard from people I donít even know,î he said. ìItís humbling. People are great.î

The stacks of mail that included thoughts and prayers left Robertson with a clear message that he has made a difference.

ìDoes anyone care? People do care. Thatís pretty cool.î

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