...since we've sent an update.
We are in waiting patiently mode to find out what's happening with the tumor. And you all know how patient Tom and Mary are. Yes sirree.
Tom's completed daily radiation and chemo. But Tom continues to be very weary. He still starts out the morning (EARLY!) quite perky, but starts fading, sometimes by late morning and certainly by mid-afternoon. He spends much of the late afternoon and evening napping and is ready for bed by 9 or 10. Sometimes he is so exhausted he can hardly get into bed.
He is challenged to keep his balance when he stands up or tries to walk. Since a fall last Thursday on the way into therapy, he is using a walker (except in the house).
Somewhere along the line, he has injured his shoulder and is complaining about pain. He and Mary going to the doctor Tuesday morning to check it out.
We had a wonderful visit with Wendy, Tom's daughter, last week. Mary took advantage of her being here and visited grandkids Max and Allison and went to a couple of concerts. Youngest daughter Molly, husband Dan & kids came over for dinner last Friday and we had a very nice time, although Tom was so tired he barely made it through dinner.
We're really hoping that he starts to perk up a bit soon. There are so many things he wants to do and he is chomping at the bit to get going.
We're having a fantastic spring in Michigan - about a month earlier than usual. The tulips are in full and glorious bloom and the lilacs are not far behind.
Tom's spirit is good and he sends much love to you all, as does his whole family. You are a delight to us and a constant source of comfort and strength to us all.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Update: March 9, 2010
Things are going well so far this week, although Tom does get very tired by the end of the day.
The three therapists who worked with Tom this morning said he was doing remarkably well. He seems to be stronger - able to walk a bit more every day. He is still battling for words but IS doing better.
He's tackling more of the household chores, something for which Mary is grateful.
The therapist was very encouraging about the chance of regaining a bit of reading.
Mary was greatly reassured this afternoon when we saw the doctor after radiation. She said he seemed to be handling radiation well, seemed to be speaking more clearly and easily (she thought so too) and that some other worrisome symptoms were side effects of the steroid rather than from the radiation, chemo or the tumor.
Tom remains in good spirits and is feeling well enough to see visitors for short periods of time. The best way to schedule a time is to email Mary; she has the best understanding of the constraints of their schedule. Mary and Tom are both still so grateful for your help, prayers, good thoughts, generousity and friendship. They're both looking forward to spring!
The three therapists who worked with Tom this morning said he was doing remarkably well. He seems to be stronger - able to walk a bit more every day. He is still battling for words but IS doing better.
He's tackling more of the household chores, something for which Mary is grateful.
The therapist was very encouraging about the chance of regaining a bit of reading.
Mary was greatly reassured this afternoon when we saw the doctor after radiation. She said he seemed to be handling radiation well, seemed to be speaking more clearly and easily (she thought so too) and that some other worrisome symptoms were side effects of the steroid rather than from the radiation, chemo or the tumor.
Tom remains in good spirits and is feeling well enough to see visitors for short periods of time. The best way to schedule a time is to email Mary; she has the best understanding of the constraints of their schedule. Mary and Tom are both still so grateful for your help, prayers, good thoughts, generousity and friendship. They're both looking forward to spring!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Update: February 28, 2010
Tom is in terrific spirits! Mary reports that he's been up early every morning this week--which is very much out of character for him!--and eager to start treatment at the West Michigan Cancer Center next week.
Tom and Mary, after much discussion with friends, family and doctors, have decided not to pursue treatment at Duke at this time. Tom will complete six weeks of treatment at the WMCC beginning Monday, and, at the end of those six weeks, will decide based on his progress whether to continue treatment here in Kalamazoo or to move on to a major national cancer center like University of Michigan or Duke.
Tom and Mary are so appreciative of their wonderful circle of family and friends who've delivered dinners, sent messages, made calls, offered advice, said prayers, made recommendations, offered help, and kept them in their thoughts. Your help has been greatly appreciated and welcomed.
Tom has reached the point where he's feeling up to short phone calls and visits. The best way to do that is to email Mary--she can best assess the constraints of both their schedule and Tom's energy level. He does tire easily, and he continues to experience challenges with both language and balance, but Mary describes his demeanor as "sunny" and hopes that their friends will come and take advantage of it.
Once again, thanks for your support and care. We all appreciate it more than you can possibly know.
Tom and Mary, after much discussion with friends, family and doctors, have decided not to pursue treatment at Duke at this time. Tom will complete six weeks of treatment at the WMCC beginning Monday, and, at the end of those six weeks, will decide based on his progress whether to continue treatment here in Kalamazoo or to move on to a major national cancer center like University of Michigan or Duke.
Tom and Mary are so appreciative of their wonderful circle of family and friends who've delivered dinners, sent messages, made calls, offered advice, said prayers, made recommendations, offered help, and kept them in their thoughts. Your help has been greatly appreciated and welcomed.
Tom has reached the point where he's feeling up to short phone calls and visits. The best way to do that is to email Mary--she can best assess the constraints of both their schedule and Tom's energy level. He does tire easily, and he continues to experience challenges with both language and balance, but Mary describes his demeanor as "sunny" and hopes that their friends will come and take advantage of it.
Once again, thanks for your support and care. We all appreciate it more than you can possibly know.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Update: February 23, 2010
We are so warmed and encouraged by the messages and visits we've received from family and old and new friends. It really does help!
Tom's condition continues to be stable, although he's very frustrated with the challenges he's experiencing with speech. He's also experiencing trouble reading. Mary has been reading the newspaper to him each day, and he comprehends (and has strong opinions about) everything he's hearing, but he's having trouble either visually or with comprehending what he's seeing.
Many people have asked how they can help, and Mary and Tom have been overwhelmed with your generous offers of delivered meals (which they are very much enjoying!), household help, and general kindness. Please feel free to contact Mary by email at martift(at)att.net or Molly at chasefamily3(at)gmail.com if you would like some specific ideas on how you can help.
Thanks, everybody, for all of your support, love, and warm wishes!
Tom's condition continues to be stable, although he's very frustrated with the challenges he's experiencing with speech. He's also experiencing trouble reading. Mary has been reading the newspaper to him each day, and he comprehends (and has strong opinions about) everything he's hearing, but he's having trouble either visually or with comprehending what he's seeing.
Many people have asked how they can help, and Mary and Tom have been overwhelmed with your generous offers of delivered meals (which they are very much enjoying!), household help, and general kindness. Please feel free to contact Mary by email at martift(at)att.net or Molly at chasefamily3(at)gmail.com if you would like some specific ideas on how you can help.
Thanks, everybody, for all of your support, love, and warm wishes!
Update: February 20, 2010
Thanks for checking out this new vehicle we're trying for keeping people updated on Tom's condition. We're encouraging family and friends to contact us through here or via email, as Mary and Tom have a fairly packed schedule between medical appointments and visitors.
As most of you probably know by now, Tom began experiencing a severe headache and "losing words," or dysphasia, while he and Mary were in San Diego. They returned to Kalamazoo and went straight from the airport to the Emergency Room at Bronson Hospital. After an MRI, Mary and Tom met with a neurosurgeon who felt that a craniotomy and biopsy were warranted. Tom underwent the craniotomy on Friday, February 12. He was diagnosed with grade IV glioblastoma multiforme shortly thereafter.
Mary and Tom met with medical and radiotherapy oncologists at the West Michigan Cancer Center in Kalamazoo on Friday, February 19th. They are very encouraged by the WMCC's ability to provide care for Tom. The oncologists feel that, while the prognosis for survival remains much the same, the quality and duration of Tom's life can be extended with treatment.
Mary, Tom, and their family are so grateful for all of the supportive gestures, emails, cards, prayers and kind thoughts that have come their way. If you'd like to help in a specific way or would like suggestions for what might be helpful to Mary and Tom, you can contact Molly Chase, their daughter, by email through this site. Because their schedule is so hectic, Mary still asks that rather than calling, you send her email and she and Tom will call back as time allows.
I also encourage you to comment on these posts--Mary and Tom will see all of these comments.
As most of you probably know by now, Tom began experiencing a severe headache and "losing words," or dysphasia, while he and Mary were in San Diego. They returned to Kalamazoo and went straight from the airport to the Emergency Room at Bronson Hospital. After an MRI, Mary and Tom met with a neurosurgeon who felt that a craniotomy and biopsy were warranted. Tom underwent the craniotomy on Friday, February 12. He was diagnosed with grade IV glioblastoma multiforme shortly thereafter.
Mary and Tom met with medical and radiotherapy oncologists at the West Michigan Cancer Center in Kalamazoo on Friday, February 19th. They are very encouraged by the WMCC's ability to provide care for Tom. The oncologists feel that, while the prognosis for survival remains much the same, the quality and duration of Tom's life can be extended with treatment.
Mary, Tom, and their family are so grateful for all of the supportive gestures, emails, cards, prayers and kind thoughts that have come their way. If you'd like to help in a specific way or would like suggestions for what might be helpful to Mary and Tom, you can contact Molly Chase, their daughter, by email through this site. Because their schedule is so hectic, Mary still asks that rather than calling, you send her email and she and Tom will call back as time allows.
I also encourage you to comment on these posts--Mary and Tom will see all of these comments.
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