Tom here. I was released from the hospital a week ago and have just been taking it slow, trying to
heal. I'm anxious for normal life to return, but, and trying to not be too impatient.

For the past few months, every day was filled with multiple appointments, so, it's both a strange feeling and a relief to be commitment -free for a while. I can't believe Labor Day has just passed and school started in the last 24 hours for most. I feel a loss for the summer I missed, but, am just eager to get on with it.

Have been fascinated by the Presidential Election and hope to be involved once my energy returns.

Thanks to everyone for incredible generosity, love, patience, and encouragement over the last couple of months. It has been inspirational, moving and heartwarming to receive all sorts of support and positivity from so many and I really appreciate everyone's efforts to lessen my load
with this cancer 'thing'.

I would be remiss in failing to share Bettye LaVette's cover of Elton John's "Talking OLd Soldiers". Seth pointed out its' existence recently.

another weekend, another hospital stay

Tom spent the weekend at the hospital again, and was released yesterday. Let's just say that radiation sucks. He's staying with one of his sisters now, but may go home today. I've had emails from a lot of you saying that he hasn't returned yours messages. Please know that he is receiving them and appreciates them very much, but he can't talk to return calls and isn't up to doing email/facebook, etc. Hopefully, the worst is over now, and he'll continue to regain his strength. Keep thinking good thoughts.

A NEW DAY, A NEW DAY

Friday August 15, 2008

I'm done with radiation and chemo!


The Beth Israel Hospital Staff has been remarkably kind and consistent, over-all. Though, as in any medical trauma, there were some issues to get through, we soldiered through (so far). there are so many dedicated, smart, compassionate people in this field at BI that, it was astounding to see how quickly and see the Chemo / Medical Oncology/ Financial/ and many other departments could move together.

Now, for the first time in eight weeks I have a day or two free of medical appoiments, though time will tell if I fell like doing any thing else....I have a feeling one I start eating again. I may be a rockshowmaniac, though, not too much on horizon...

START AGAIN

Hi ALL and thanks for keeping up on my latest...weird times. Today was suppposed to be my last day of treatment, but now I am told that it's tomorrow, so, I am leery of claiming any day as 'final'.


Of the last couple of weeks, approx seven or eight days were spent completely without a voice and then four were spent in hospital...the home stretch, Im told...I just await word that this is done and I can SWIM............


Thanks to all for your their patience and generosity with me.

Lots of love!

Tom

Tom Out of the Hospital

Hey all - just a short one to let you know that Tom has been discharged from the hospital. He's staying at home some night and also with Julie and is continuing with his radiation treatments this week. J

Tom hospital update Sunday 8/10

Tom is still at Beth Israel, where they're working on keeping him hydrated, fed and comfortable. I just came from there. He has a wicked radiation burn on his neck that looks really painful (blasted Irish skin!) He is glad to have visitors, but he can't talk above a whisper, so be prepared for that. He's VERY unhappy having to be there, and can't wait to get back to Tremont St.

Three more radiation treatments to go, and hopfully in the coming weeks, this will all be a bad distant memory.

more on the hospital

Several of you have emailed to ask if it's okay to call Tom or send things. Calling probably isn't a good idea - he doesn't have much of a voice. But he does have his blackberry, so he may respond if you email him. Also, he can have visitors, but as Joanne said - if you're sick at all - stay home. His immune system is compromised, and he doesn't need to catch a cold. Also, he can't have flowers, and even if he was eating, he couldn't have fruit. Being neutropenic is weird - the only things you can eat are things that you know intuitively are unhealthy - processed foods.

Thanks to all of you who have contributed to the bank account. I am amazed at the generosity, but not at all surprised!

We'll try to keep this updated, but if you're feeling antsy for an update, feel free to be in touch with any of us by email.

Tom Admitted to Beth Israel

Tom has developed an infection unfortunately, so he has been admitted to Beth Israel's oncology floor. I'll let Julie chime in here if she has a minute, but I think infections due to radiation treatment are relatively common. Once they have the infection under control, they can resume his treatments.

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Stoneman 7th floor Rm 751
330 Brookline Avenue
Boston , MA 02215

Send cards and love - we'll keep you posted here.

Just heard from Julie that he is up for visitors -but his immune system is weak, so if you're sick, best to avoid the visit.

Tough Week

I'm updating the blog even though I haven't spoken to Tom since leaving Boston on Saturday night. For those of you trying to get in touch with him - he's not really on email much this week and not making many calls. He's in alot of pain and is very tired. He's staying with his sister Julie, and I wonder if maybe he will just stay there until after the treatments are over. Hopefully he'll have the chance to build up a little strength over the week-end before going in for his last three days of treatment next week. Treatment ends with a final course of chemotherapy on Wednesday so ... ugh. We'll keep you posted. Send good thoughts, okay? Thanks J

More From Boston

I had the distinct pleasure of hanging out with Tom on Saturday in Boston and while I wish I could say it was just like old times, it was in fact a little different. A couple of key things were missing - namely, his voice and his appetite. His throat is totally shredded right now from the radiation treatments, so it's very difficult to swallow. Also missing was his energy. Although he did, finally, in the late afternoon, agree to my taking him out for a drive (at which point we promptly headed out for a quick trip to the Target....).

As Julie mentions below, he's almost there. I know that on Weds the 13th while I'm waiting in line for my sandwich at lunch I'm going to have a huge smile on my face thinking that the treatments are done and that Tom can start building back up - his weight, his vocal capacity, and his spirits. Good luck in these last two weeks Tom! 9 more days and 7 more treatments.

Home stretch

I wanted to update everyone on Tom's progress and status. Firstly, thanks to all of you who support him in so many ways. Being his sister I am a bit biased, but I know you can see what I have known my whole life. He is a very special and unique person with a huge heart full of sensitivity and warmth. I often think his ability to feel compassion for others is a blessing and a curse as he is not one who can witness pain and not feel it himself. I am experiencing some of that myself. It is difficult to see him in pain and being helpless to do more. On a positive note though, he is doing really well tolerating his treatments and by all the things the medical team can measure, he is in great shape. This is very comforting as is knowing we are nearing the end of treatments. The recovery will take a while but Tom is nothing if he is not determined to get back to his life and start living again. Believe me when I say, he will not spend a single day more than is absolutely necessary recovering.

He has been pretty exhausted and unable to talk but I know the emails and communications have really kept him going. I hope we can all celebrate his new improved state of health before too long!