Mark Sevillano Jr. has been through a lot during the last year. He and his wife got divorced and he was forced to continue raising his children on his own. On top of that, he was still at school, pursuing a degree, which added to the stress he’d been experiencing.
And then, at the end of 2024, he finally graduated from school, felt calmer, and things started falling into place for this 41-year-old California dad.
Mark could finally focus on his well-being, minding his diet and doing three gym sessions a week. He started feeling much better, became stronger, and lost some weight in the process.
However, there was one thing that began to creep in.
Mark noticed his swallowing felt awkward, but he brushed it off believing it was just acid reflux or a minor throat irritation. Drinking some water usually helped, so he didn’t pay much attention to it at first.
Within a couple of months, though, the discomfort intensified. Even gentle foods were hard to get down, and eating turned from pleasure to stress. That was when Mark sought medical help.
When he told his doctor what was going on, there wasn’t much urgency. Mark was young and healthy, so a swallowing test was put on the schedule but not rushed.
Still, something didn’t feel right.
A few days later, the pain flared so badly he ended up in the ER. That’s when doctors had found a mass and Mark was diagnosed with esophageal cancer.
The diagnosis was devastating, and Mark never thought that something like that could ever happen to him. While he believed his weight loss was a result of his diet and exercise, it turned out to be yet another symptom he overlooked before asking for help.
In October, he underwent a life-saving surgery during which doctors removed 15 centimeters of his esophagus and a strawberry-sized tumor, then used part of his intestine to rebuild the passage. Despite the complexity of the procedure, it was a successful one.
Mark also completed several rounds of chemotherapy and is now in remission. He’ll need regular checkups for the next five years, but his mindset has completely shifted.
He’s sharing his story in order to raise awareness and urge people not to overlook any symptoms that feel off because early detection can lead to a more successful treatment. He says you need to trust yourself, advocate for your health, and don’t assume you’re “too young” or “too healthy” for something to be wrong.
Please SHARE this article with your family and friends on Facebook.
Bored Daddy
Love and Peace
