Happy new year

As 2012 comes to an end, we find ourselves being thankful for so many things. The love,support, and prayers of our family and friends are at the very top of that list. We are thankful for access to great medical care, health insurance, and the hope for a bright tomorrow ,

As of tonight the plan is to do some blood work in the morning and if all is well we will go home tomorrow afternoon. We will be home a week and then come back in on the 9th of Jan for surgery on the 10th. The thought of home has never felt so good! Twelve days in a progressive care unit over Christmas and New Years has been an enlightening experience and a humbling one as well. To realize the number of people who sacrifice spending the holiday with their family so they can care for you- well it is just humbling.

Happy new year to each of you! Hopefully the next blog update will come from home!

Debbie

Sunday, December 30

Well, we are still in the hospital - now the "guess" discharge day is Tuesday. It seems there are new minor setbacks everyday but also positive steps forward. Tom has been off his oxygen all day today, no breathing treatments required today, and he is waking the halls well. The main issue today was nosebleeds-about six of them in 8 hours- when one is on blood thinners, nosebleeds can be quite an experience. But things have quieted down now, so hopefully that is behind us.

Tom's dad, sister Shirley, and brother in law Jack came to see him today from Illinois. It was very good to spend some time with them. Brad (our son-in-law) stayed all night with Tom last night and took wonderful care of him. Cindi is staying tonight, so I will have gotten sleep two nights in row!

Hope yo all had a good Sunday! Tom and I spent some time worshipping here in the hospital room. It is so awesome to feel God 's presence even in a hospital room!

Debbie

Friday, December 28

Well, we did not get to go home today. Although we were disappointed, we were also somewhat relieved because Tom is still not to a point where I am comfortable with him not hooked up to a monitor.

Tom is being a real trooper - he is walking the halls like requested even though it takes a lot of effort. The nurses and doctors repeatedly comment about his lack of complaining and his sense of humor in the midst of a very difficult situation. Thirteen days to surgery and I am counting down every moment!

Jeannie Short drove over from Cincinnati today and took down all our Christmas decorations, several friends have made freezer meals for our return home - and many other acts of kindness have been done on our behalf. Thank you God for friends and family.

Today is our daughter Cindi and her husband Brad's 10th anniversary. We were supposed to be watching the boys so they could have a week- end away. They have been so gracious about the change in plans, We are going to celebrate big time when this is over!

Thursday, December 27

Well, if all goes as plans - we go home tomorrow from the hospital. We have mixed emotions - we are so ready to be home, but like the safety/security of Tom being monitored in the hospital. We have to survive 2 weeks - his surgery is 2 weeks from today. So, our next step in this journey begins tomorrow. And - the good news is - God has walked with us up to this point and He will continue to do so. :-)

James, Tonya, Andrew , and Ellie left today to return to Boston. We are so very thankful they came. James stayed all night with Tom last night and took such good care of him. The goodbyes are always hard, but - they are flying back out on the 8th for Tom's surgery, so we will see them soon!

Cindi and Brad hosted James and family as well as Tonya's mom and dad - so thankful for their hospitality. However, we did learn that Uncle Brad needs to work on his throwing. He hit Ellie in the face with a snowball that was intended for someone else! :-)

Merry Christmas

Although this has been the most different Christmas I have experienced - it has been good. We skyped with the kids this morning fromTom's hospital room and watched "Christmas morning fun" via Skype. Mid morning James and family and Cindi and family came to the hospital. Noah and Elijah were wrapped in Christmas paper and delivered to Papas room - it was cute. Ellie was not excited about being wrapped up in paper, so she and Andrew entered his room in a more traditional way. It was SO good to all be together today on Christmas. We had Christmas lunch in the hospital cafeteria and opened a few presents in the waiting room.

Our kids and their spouses have been amazing. They are the absolute best! Thanks for a good Christmas!

For unto us a child is born and we celebrate this child today! merry Christmas all!

Debbie

Monday, Christmas Eve

Been a good day. Still, waiting. for reports, and my breathing needs to get better but we are


. Merry Christmas to all. Love to all

Hospital day 3

James and Tonya surprised Tom and drove all night from Boston - arrived at 4:30 this morning. This is the 2nd week- end in row James has driven the Boston -Indy trip. Seeing James,Tonya, Ellie and Andrew made Tom' day. Several good friends stopped by today to visit and that also really lifted Tom's spirits.

We are blessed to have such good family and fiends!

Debbie

Hospital day 2

This is Cindi writing. It is my turn to spend the night with my dad tonight. He is sooooo ready to be home. However my mom and I are wanting him to stay here as long as possible. I would be perfectly fine if they kept him here till January 9th.
He says he is awake more here because the bed raised watching tv is more comfortable than the couch at home. I think it is good for him to be awake a bit more. Medically it has been an uneventful day. He is on four different IV meds and oxygen but is holding his own.
The boys came to the hospital this afternoon. They were a bit nervous about it but after face painting with Santa they were excited to show their papa their batman and pirate faces.
Thanks for your prayers. We appreciate them immensely.

Tom admitted to IU hospital

This is Debbie writing. I brought Tom to the ER this morning because he continued to get weaker and the color in his feet was not good. We were In ER from. 10:30 to 5 and then he was admitted to the Progressive Care Unit with blood clot in his lungs. He has two IV's and lots of other "tubes", but he is stable and resting comfortably. I for one am glad he is where he can be monitored and watched carefully. We have had amazing doctors and nurses . We are blessed to live so close to such exceptional health care. We continue to covet your prayers.

This is very hard for James and Tonya as well as Tom's and my families - they are so far away and want so much to be here. Cindi and Brad and our church family, coworkers, neighbors - everyone has been so supportive and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Wednesday December 19

Hello Friends,

I'll keep the blog up on a daily basis, but if we have big news, like surgery information I will note it in the title, so you don't have to keep up with the daily grind if you don't want to.

The worst part (for now), is the sweats.  Probably 6 of the last 12 hours I have real bad sweats.  I can be chilling, but have uncontrollable sweats.  Doc says there is nothing they can do until the tumor is removed, it's just my body fighting with itself.

I am weaker, lost weight, and I have poor appetite.  The doctors aren't happy with the wait loss.  Six months ago they weren't happy with my weight gain.  I can please these people.

My sister Sharon left today, and it was great seeing her.  She was tremendous help.  I have so much love and support, it is very humbling.

Love,

Tom

New Surgery Date

I have a minor surgery on the 9th at 1:30P.  They are doing something to the kidney that they hope will reduce the risk/bleeding for the major surgery on the 10th.

The surgery on the 10th is at 7:30A.  Scheduled for 8 hours, we we hope it goes well, and will be shorter.

We are discouraged about the wait, but the discouragement does not consume us.

Tom

Not much to add.  My sister Sharon came today for a couple days.  Still confusion over dates of my surgery.  Another complication is they need to perform surgery on two straight days (the first surgery, somehow prepares things for the real surgery).

I feel worse everyday, but tolerable.

Sunday, December 16

This is Debbie writing today. We are disappointed the surgery is so far away.I want that tumor out NOW!!! However, it is not to be. Due to the holidays, the length of the surgery (8 hours), and multiple surgeons involved - it is just a complex surgery to schedule. Tom's days are pretty rough- he continues to run a fever of 100 to 102 much of the time with discomfort and extreme fatigue. Tom continues to have a strong spirit; he said to me yesterday- Deb, I can't live like this for three more weeks, but I can get through today. So, our strategy is to get through this one day at a time.

Many have asked what they can do. We have been so blessed with the outpouring of love and support,. Our children have been amazing, and family and friends have been so supportive . Right now the main thing you can do is pray. Here are some specific ways you can pray:

1. Ask God to build a hedge of protection around the tumor so it does not spread any further in the next three weeks.

2. Ask God to give Tom the physical and emotional strength he needs for each day.

3. Ask God to give me discernment in care/medical decisions as I try to provide the very bet care I can for Tom

4. There is a purpose for this difficult time of waiting. Pray Tom and I honor God in our "waiting" and He is glorified.

We are so thankful for you - our friends and family!

Friday (Surgery Update)

I thought I posted, but maybe not.  Details to follow, but looks like surgery is the week of January 7th.  We are very disappointed in the wait, but life is good.

Thursday December 13th

The word for the last 24 hours is "wait".  We had an appointment yesterday morning, and another 2 o'clock appointment.  The 2P ran over 3 hours late.  I understand they are busy, and they fit me in, so I appreciate their efforts, but it was a little difficult.  However, I think my perspective of difficult is about to change.

We are waiting for the surgery date.  They notified us it could be tomorrow, but that obviously isn't going to happen.  It could be next week, or the week after, or after that.  It complicates things for my family.  James is here from Boston, and if my surgery isn't soon, he needs to go back to work and his family.

My life is changed.  I don't now how people do this.  I'm blessed to have a faith in God, and a supporting group of family and friends.

Wednesday

Saw the main surgeon, waiting on the 2d. No one knows what exactly he will find until surgery, but he thinks I can beat this. We are much more encouraged than we were a few days ago. Scheduling surgery is complicated. There are at least two surgeons, and they have to schedule a room for 8 hours. May be after Christmas. I'm very spoiled with family and friends.

Tuesday

We see the surgeon late Wednesday morning.  I know it is part of the process, but I hate it.  Another doctor ..geez ..another doc telling me how big the tumor is and all the risk and possibilities ..just tell me when the surgery is, and let's do it. 

Monday

Another long day..had an MRI and saw the doc ..bad news/good news, but overall somewhat encouraged.  The tumor is about the size of a football.  My heart appears good, as do my lungs.  The tumor is so large, it is putting pressure on a lot of organs, so we just don't know what all has been affected.  I was hoping for surgery this week, but will probably be next week.  It's complicated because at least 4 surgeons will be involved, so scheduling is problematic.  Everyone has been so loving and gracious.  It's kinda fun to lay in bed, and bark out orders.  However, I think everyone is anxious to move on to phase 2.

Love to All,

Tom

Sunday

We feel at lot of love from family and friends.  James is here.  MRI at 7A in the morning.  In some ways I anxious to get everyone moving, and in other ways I just want the world to stop.  Debbie and I both know many are suffering more than we are, and we pray for God's peace to cover all the hurt.

Saturday

Very emotional day.  Debbie and I both have times of hope, and then tears of discouragement.  Trying to sort all this out.  My son James is coming here tomorrow.  He will be very helpful.  Cindi is a lot of help and we have tons of family & friends on stand-by.  I have a MRI Monday at 7A.  Hope to schedule an appointment with a surgeon on Monday.

Hello,

I'm trying this to keep my friends in the loop.  I'll see if it works.  Very rough day today.  Report from the doctor was not good.  I have a huge tumor on the right side of my body.  It is pushing and affecting several organs.  25-50% chance I'll be around in 5 years.  For today, I will take those odds, and begin the fight.