Just had a meeting with a member of the oncology team here at Massachusetts General Hospital, and the plan is radiate the tumors in my lower spine for pain relief, then send me home under hospice care. Any other procedure, including chemotherapy, has been judged too risky relative to any possible benefit.
One complication happened last Thursday, when just prior to transferring to MGH, my blood pressure spiked and my O2 saturation plummeted. The anesthesiologist is concerned that anesthesia, which results in increased oxygen needs, will land me in the ICU. It is believed the oxygen need is caused by the neuroendocrine cancer in my lungs which was progressing on Lubrinictidin.
Thanks to everybody for the love and on-going support, but it is finally time to lay down my sword and go out on my terms, which hopefully will be peacefully at home barring any new and unexpected catastrophe.
I'll continue to post as long as I can, hoping I have a blog post or two left in me that might even contain humor.
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tom67inMA
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Tom, thanks for your numerous posts. I have both learned and laughed my way through almost all of them. Your latest post is sobering to say the least. God's blessings to you for whatever time remains.
Hey Brother, may your hospice last for a long time with you comfortable and with your friends/family visiting to lift your mood/relive good times.My sincerest thoughts/prayers for you and your family.
Tom, Thank you for taking the time to post. I hope you do get to spend what time you have left at home and pain free. You've touched many people both here and on your blog. I hope you can feel the collective love sent your way. ❤️
Hey if you pass on and get to meet the Car talk guy, would you tell him we miss him very much. ( I apologize in advance for my rudeness but I do feel better in the hopes that some parts of ourselves live on and he would be one I would listen to on God’s radio). Sometimes hospice stabilizes for a while in a comfortable place. Hope that happens to you because you have brought a great energy to this website and I look forward to future postings as long as you feel up to it.
Thank you for all your optimistic posts over all this time. Don't feel obligation to post if you are tired. Save your energy for connection with yourself and your wife. Our hospice was very helpful getting us all sorts of medical equipment that made our time at home easier. Ask for things early and often.
My husband and I had lots of meaningful times and closeness even in the difficult last weeks in our home. I wish you both peace and love.
I’m so sorry, Tom. This must be so hard for you and your family. Your indomitable spirit has been an inspiration and your expressive blog posts have kept us informed and amused at the same time. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I wish you peace.
Tom, I feel as if I have known you for only 9 months, yet an eternity. Your blog has been a delight to read. Feel good that you have delighted many. 20 years, 20 weeks, 20 days. It is all a blur for us now. “A coward dies a thousand deaths, a Warrior only one”. Your life, on your terms. Be in comfort. Go in Peace. Leave no stone unturned. Peace Tom,
Tom, I admire your strength at what has to be a most difficult time for you and your wife. I can't argue with your decision. You've been through the worst and always demonstrated tremendous character
Peace and God Bless.
So sorry to hear this Tom.
Thank you for all of your sharing, it's meant a lot to many of us here. I'm glad to see that you are getting the best care for your situation at this time. The focus can now be on making you as comfortable as possible.
I wish there was a miracle I could pluck from the heavens and send to you. I may not have read all your posts or blogs but your name your spirit still connects with mine. A sense of humor even in troubling times has been my gift, perhaps a cover up or just a way to cope, for others to cope because as strange as it sounds I seem to manage thru it all. You have accomplished something as others have done by leaving your memory with us. I look forward to many more posts...these I promise to read and I have a strong feeling you will still find humor as you have always done
Bless you for your indomitable spirit. Your never say die, never stop analyzing, never stop giving us the play by play on the journey that WE ALL will experience. Call me silly, I'm still hoping for a fall picture in the country, with the bright falls colors. You will never be forgotten
"Tom in motion" A courageous man always goes on his terms...based on his fundamental values. .Every one of us will have to go...some will go like a king...some will go like fearful cowards, In true sense..we are immortal...We are energy...And Energy can not be created .. nor it can be destroyed...We will remain in some form in the Universe...eternally.
So, today is one of those bummed out days, thinking of you and your progression. You’ve been an inspiration to me in your fight. I came across this video of a cat/bear encounter, and I immediately thought of you (cat) and cancer (bear).
While there are no words to adequately express thoughts for a fellow warrior at a time like this, I would like to try to thank you for the inspiration you have provided to the board and me in particular. Your dignity, humor, and ability to articulate things have taught me a lot about how I want to experience the journey.
I am certain I speak for all on the board that your courage and ability to experience this on your terms have been inspirational.
Thank you
I am praying for peace and comfort for you and your family.
Tom, your an inspiration to me. So sorry your at a bad spot, I will hope it can be turned around until its clear it can't. I'll raise a drink to you tonight and hope for the best. God bless.
Tom, thank you for your inspiring posts. I admire you for fighting and then going out on your own terms. The destination for all of us is the same. May we all approach the destination with the grace and dignity you display. Thank you! My prayers for you and yours. Russ
Your Journey, your posts and blog, hand humor have been an inspiration and truly gifted me. I said to myself, what gift can I give to you? So to the Tom, Runner, I found these two online post from fellow bloggers. The one by , Bryanna "Ode to the Running" a few of the the lines relate to the female perspective , like mentioning the sports bra, but who knows, those of us on lupron might know the feeling of needing a manbra!
You have run a good race, and I am sure our heavenly Father will say "Well done, well, done"
The clickable link was difficult but after trying 30 minutes, here it is, hope it works:
[url]wholesomelyfit.com/2017/10/... [/url]
You'll have to search her Nov 17 2018 blog after you log in [url]amysorensen.typepad.com/the...]
Oh Tom we are so sad reading your post. You have endured so much in your journey and we have nothing but the utmost admiration for you.
Few could have documented the high and lows you’ve been through so well and always with a sense of humour and hope. We know it has helped you to write about it but it has helped so many others too. I expect many more than you can image. So take pride in that, although you will most likely just acknowledge it without taking credit.
We learned much from you about courage, optimism and sheer determination in the face of adversity and we are grateful we got to ‘know’ you. Thank you.
Rest assured we are still thinking of you and hoping you are pain free and at peace. G&J
We joined this forum about the same time, and to me joining HealthUnlocked was similar to being part of an academic class or some service tour of duty. I believe I've had the great fortune to share my PCa "class" (or "tour") with standouts like you that have made it/make it easier for me to comprehend and cope with my own disease. I cannot thank you enough. I wish you peace, comfort, and humor, brother. - Joe M.
Hi Tom. I was diagnosed and joined this group at around the same time as you. I have been following your journey here and on your blog since then. I have enjoyed your humour and your positive outlook. You have been an inspiration for many and I have learned from you. I hope you find peace in this next part of your journey. Thank you for everything that you have shared with us.
Tom, I'm sorry it has come to this. Please rest well and laugh as often as you can. You've had a life well-lived and we are all better people having shared in your journey.Godspeed, my friend.
I have nothing more nor different to say other than these many posts, all of which are well said and I agree with every one. With sincere gratitude, thank you for guiding us all. 😢
Tom, sorry to hear of your prognosis. Thank you for your blog and all the information you have shared. I hope when my time comes, I can handle it as well as you. Peace be with you. God Bless!
Tom,I am sorry to hear of your prognosis. May you be free of pain. You have been so helpful sharing your treatment course and your emotional experiences. Thank you and may you take comfort with loved ones.
Your willingness to live your best life and share your insights, your humor, courage, and hope has benefitted us all. For that you will not be forgotten and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Praying for your comfort, painless days and the “peace that passes all understanding” as you run your race, as you chose, to the finish line.
Reading your post saddened me. I have enjoyed your posts on HU and your blog and you know that. That blog is a legacy. I hope to see more of your posts. Enjoy your time as best you can and try to find peace. Know that you are well thought of here. I'm deeply disappointed by your news. I always think of you running.
I can only wish that the same dignity is exhibited by me when I reach your stage in life. Hopefully, family and friends will surround you and pain can be managed. Take care on this part of your journey.
Tom, I am truly sorry to hear the prognosis. Sending you the best wishes for the rest of your journey to be pain free, full of love and humour. Your blog and posts have been inspirational and this one is no exception. Sending you love, light and hugs. SPW1
Thank you so much for being a part of this community and sharing your stories and your wit with us all! It sounds like you have been in the best of all possible hands towards the end of this journey.
Im so sorry to hear of your situation Tom. I have been inactive on this forum for long and I am really sad upon reading your posts. I hope you will be comfortable and pain free during your hospice care. Please know that I am very thankful for all the private correspondences weve had and for sharing your experiences with me in the hopes that it may help my husband. You are an inspiration to us all. Wishing you peace and love brother.
Always enjoyed reading your blogs Tom, you gave us a helpful perspective with what many of us will sooner or later come to terms with. Best wishes for internal peace. — Tim
😔 so heartbreaking to hear this Tom. I have no words…Your private message to me after I lost Chris was so unbelievably comforting, I pray that I can return the favour in similar style to you and yours …
Thank you for your willingness to share your experience please know you are continuing to help me as I manage my still relatively new pca diagnosis. I wish for you that when the time comes that you "go softly into your good night" Sending positive energy for peace and serenity.
Everybody has already said what I wanted to say. I should come on more often-I could have been first with great words of support. So I'll just leave with some humor. You always were the best to make us smile. May peace be with you. youtube.com/watch?v=0EikCTF...
I’ve just caught up on all your posts, so I’m really sad to hear you are where you are now after all you have been through. What a brave and lovely man you are.
Really hoping you catch a break for some more good times with your family before you go anywhere. Please post as often as you can dear Tom. Peace and love to you. 💚☘️
May you be at peace, at home, for all of your days with those you love. We stand with you and surround you with our appreciation admiration and support. 🙏🏻💕
I'm so sorry to hear that. Thank you very much for letting me know. I've had a challenging summer and haven't kept up here as much as I otherwise would have. Tom always kept such a positive attitude and continuously tried to help my Dad on his journey. I appreciated his time and help so much. This whole community was - and is! - absolutely wonderful. It's always a gutwrench to lose any member.
Damn Tom I’m going to miss your posts! You sound strong of mind and heart - I hope I’m in that space when my journey leads me to that point. May your transition be peaceful - see you on the other side brother!!
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Moving on with hospice care.
Decided to go into hospice
Going on hospice
