BRIEFLY

Just a quick mid-month post. It's September 16. I have my voice back and I'm just starting to get active again. I'm not eating solid food, yet, but hope to again soon. Crazy goings-on on Wall Street
and the election seems too surreal to be believed.

My sister, Julie, is VERY pregnant and could go into labor any time now...

I wish I had more concrete news, but just wanted to send greetings and to
thank everyone who has been so supportive. It's good to be alive!

XX,

Tom

Last Week in Boston

Spent the night at Tom's on Friday night last week. It was the first time I've seen him in about a month and I was really encouraged. He is thin. Really thin - he's lost about 30 pounds - but his energy level is much higher than it was last time I was there, when he was trying so hard just to stay awake and talk to me even though I could tell that all he wanted to do was go to sleep. His neck, which had been extremely red and irritated, looks much much better now. He still has a great deal of pain in his throat, but I think it is starting to subside, at least a little bit.

I know that several people have expressed interest in going to visit him. From what I understand from Tom he is holding off on lots of visitors until he gets his voice back. He still only has a whisper, which can be frustrating. Apparently, his doctors have advised that his smooth and buttery voice will be back someday soon, just magically reappearing after this couple months of rest.

As always, feel free to email me or anyone listed on this blog if you have questions or would like an update between postings that show up here.

A diversion

Here with Tom, making him stay up late and doing alot of ranting about the RNC (I'm still not over it). Check this out and post it everywhere you can:

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