COMMENTARY
The Loreen family prior to the emergence of mysterious symptoms that often left Jacqueline bedridden. In more recent years, all four sons have also suffered from similar symptoms.
When a longtime friend recently sent me a message on Facebook inviting me to see him compete in a triathlon, I didn’t hesitate to accept. The Finish Strong Triathlon would unfold the following morning, but the short notice was offset by sheer convenience. The race in Monroe, Washington would take place just 20-minutes from my home.
At first, I thought this would not only be an excellent opportunity to see my buddy, but it would also afford me the fun challenge of using my new camera, a Canon 7D.
The video turned out nicely for just my second outing with a DSLR. My friend, Mark Loreen, provided an even more polished result. He placed first in his age group and fourth overall in the triathlon’s Olympic Distance event.
I edited the video of that triathlon and titled it, Transition, because it speaks to me in that way on several levels. Firstly, there’s the obvious: Much of the video is shot in the transition area where the athletes change their attire for each stage of the triathlon.
But the race, itself, required a transition of sorts. The 7am start time was delayed due to a thick fog clinging to Lake Tye. Before the race could begin, the athletes would need to be able to see the four orange buoys they’d later navigate around during the 1500 meter swim.
Many years ago, Mark’s lovely wife Jacqueline (“Jackie”) began to suffer from periodic bouts of flu-like symptoms. As the years passed, periods of extreme fatigue enveloped Jackie. There would be many days spent in bed. Up to 20-hours a day. Despite numerous visits to doctors over the years, the waves of poor health affecting Jackie remained a mystery.
At last, a diagnosis: a tick borne illness called Lyme Disease. Jackie and Mark thought hard, then recalled a backwoods outing with their dog about a decade earlier. When they’d returned home from that long-ago trip to the forest, they had discovered ticks on their pet. They now recall how they had patiently combed-out their dog, carefully removing the ticks.
That had been so many years earlier. Before the Loreens had even started a family. Today, they have four handsome boys.
And then, it started happening. One by one, each son started getting sick. These outgoing, bright and athletic boys have come to know the same ailments that have long-plagued their mother.
The disease had been passed on to each son during Jackie’s pregnancies. Long before Jackie had been diagnosed. And before the onset of the mysterious symptoms.
Mark had grown to become much like a caretaker, at times, for Jackie. And, then, for all four sons.
Heartbreaking? The word hardly seems describe the scope of what’s transpired.
Physical, mental and emotional tolls. Medical costs.
Young boys should be laughing, playing and experiencing the thrills of childhood. Not bedridden and hooked-up to IVs.
The Loreens live in Bellingham, Washington. For treatment, they regularly visit a leading expert on Lyme Disease, a doctor in San Francisco.
Such circumstances are simply difficult to fathom.
As a husband, I think of Mark and the desire to be strong when your heart is breaking for your wife and son…and son….and son….and son.
From whatever source Mark Loreen draws his strength, it has surely fueled his determination and hope. I believe he is a man of faith.
While I’ve known him since middle school and days spent running cross-country and track at Everett’s Cascade High School, Mark and I haven’t spoken much of our faith. In fact, any type of conversation has been relatively sparse these past two decades. No doubt, my chasing a career in other parts of the country resulted in a bit of our drifting apart.
But on those occasions when I do see Mark Loreen, it’s as if we’ve never missed a step. The smiles. The stories. They come forth, naturally, with ease. And we now share the same touch of gray on our temples, too.
Shortly after crossing the finish line at the Finish Strong Triathlon, Mark told me he had something he wanted to say to his family on-camera. When I pressed the record button, he spoke a few heartfelt words; telling his wife and boys that he often thinks of them while competing in these endurance races…and noting that no tribulation in the water, ordeal on a bike or obstacle while running can possibly approach the grueling grind his loved ones regularly endure with no finish line seemingly in sight.
There’s yet another triathlon just around the corner for Mark. For the third consecutive year, he’s qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships.
I have no doubt he’ll finish strong. Because in my book, Mark Loreen is the ultimate Iron Man.
Here is that brief video clip wherein Mark addresses his family:
The blog is also an excellent resource for anyone seeking information about Lyme Disease. Remember, ticks know no boundaries. We can all benefit from understanding how to prevent, recognize and best treat Lyme Disease. Time is absolutely critical.
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