Reality

The time has come to get ready to go. It is time for both of us to pack, and make sure we have things in order. It's almost like I'm stalling so that it will still seem far away. I know how I feel and that I want in some ways to say "Not yet". I can't begin to imagine what is going on inside of Tom. I think the reality of it all is now longer at bay for either of us.

I know that I've mentioned this to many of you, but I want to "officially" state how I will communicate during Tom's surgery. I will be making many phone calls to immediate family. If I can use a computer at the hospital I will try to update this blog anytime I get news. This may be a very helpful tool to inform many, and it may be good for me to focus my energy this way. If I can't get onto a computer at the hospital, I will get onto a computer asap and will update whenever it's possible.

I thought it was really cool that after practice on Friday, the boys from Cody's football team gave Tom a ball with all of their signatures. I could tell this really touched him and will make sure that it is in his hospital room at all times. So many people have touched both of our hearts that it is hard to express. My prayer is that we both stay calm and focused during our trip to Ann Arbor. I pray that the surgeons have success in getting all the cancer, and that Tom has a quick recovery. I want to share another verse that I wrote down a few months ago: "O Lord, I know it is not within the power of man to map his life and plan his course - so you correct me, Lord; but please be gentle. Don't do it in your anger, for I would die." Jeremiah 10:23-24

Counting down the days

Well, believe it or not, we are getting somewhere! Dr. Teknos has approved the paperwork and it has been turned into Tom's Human Resources Dept! That is crucial in order to get approved for short term disability (when I've called it STD, it got lost in translation!) I did call our insurance once again to see if the surgery had been approved and as of 4:00pm Friday, it still had not. I called the nurse at U of M to make sure the paperwork had been submitted and we are able to have the surgery on the 3rd. I left her a message and hopefully Monday we will get some answers. Tom received a call from Dr. Divic's office stating that U of M is requesting more tests. Wednesday he goes to their lab for more blood draws and a EKG work up. I told him that he'd better get used to tests, as this will be the way of life for a while.

Kyle and Cody both lost their games last week. However, Kyle made a great play and it was cool to hear "Tackle made by Andrews" over the speaker! Katie starts cheer leading next week and is looking forward to being in Level 3, apparently that is big stuff! As I am writting this Tom and Kyle are out deer hunting, this is a special 2 day youth hunt. Tom's friend has invited them to hunt on 80 acres in Wayland Township. I have e-mailed all the kids teachers letting them know what's going to be happening in less than two weeks. They seem very supportive.

Tom is sleeping more, but it is not helping his energy level. I think that the reality of the surgery is sinking in. It's my turn to be strong as reality hits him. I am just trying to focus on what needs to be done before we leave. I don't know how many times we can say thanks for all the cards, letter, and generosity we are receiving. We will never be able to express how much this has meant to us.

Another Week

Another week closer to Tom's surgery date. We are still waiting for papers to be signed by Dr. Teknos, waiting to see if Tom will be part of the genetic study from Dr. Campbell, and waiting for approval for the surgery by our insurance. I believe that we are both getting tired of waiting.

Both boys have missed some school this week due to the flu. I hope it does not spread to another member of this family, especially Tom! The boys also won their football games, each team won with 2 points above their opponents. It was enough to make me sit at the edge of my seat. I'm not sure if Tom prefers being the defensive coach for Cody, or having the fun of watching Kyle. He is sure enjoying both.

It is so nice to hear from people and know that we are so cared about. I was thinking today that we are actually prayed for all over the country. From Aunts and Uncles in Alaska to Arizona and between. OK Canucks, I guess it's 2 countries! I am so glad that this has been a tool for people to share. It's been hard to tell each person about Tom's condition, I forget what I've told to whom, and I'm glad to know that the word is getting around. Thanks for sharing thoughts and this website.

Please remember to pray specifically for Tom's energy level and constant sore throat, along with the digestive problems that brought him to the Dr. in the first place. Thanks friends and family, if nothing new happens, I'll try to post again next week.

Better-Worse

The first week of school is done. The boys seem to be adjusted to their new schools. Even though they will not admit to liking school, they come home with smiles on their faces. Maybe that will change when the homework starts. Katie is full of smiles and bounces when she comes home. Tom and I are just plugging along, making phone calls, filling out insurance forms, and trying to stay focused on our daily tasks.

Kyle has been cleared for physical activity. He was very happy to hear that....He's like his dad, he lives for football! Tom has been fighting a sore throat, maybe allergies or else part of his cancer. His energy level has been low this past week: football, not sleeping, or his condition could be the cause of this.

Tom was telling me that his coworkers at Spectrum Health Sleep Disorders Center are donating some of their PTO (Vacation time) to us to help supplement his loss of income while he is on disability. He is very lucky to work with such a generous and caring group of people.
Thank you

Please pray that Tom is able to stay active and upbeat as we get closer to his surgery date.

Waiting

It has been a week since the U of M consultation. Tom is keeping himself busy by picking up extra shifts at work, working on the ambulance, and coaching Cody's football team (5 days a week) until the surgery. He thinks it's good to stay busy. I think it just makes him tired and grouchy! Right now our time has been spent talking with our insurance company about the pre-approval process and trying to sort out plans with work and kids. Both of our employers Spectrum Health & Behler-Young have been incredibly supportive during this time.

Van Andel update, they have still not approved the Million dollar study for Tom's cancer. We have to check one more time before he goes in October to see if they really want to look at Tom's genes.

Otherwise, it's life a normal (in our house). Both boys are in football. Kyle came home last night with a knee injury. We took him to the Dr. today for x-rays. It turns out that he has Osgood-Schlatter Disease which is a painful enlargement of the bump of the shin bone just below the knee. This is normal in children ages 10-15 and is caused by a hit to the knee or overuse of the knee in sporting activities . (Basically the boy is getting so tall his ligament can't keep up with his bones). He will spend the next two days with his leg elevated and iced to reduce swelling. He will be out of football for a week with a brace on his knee. Hopefully he will be able to play the first game.

Our Trip to U of M

We were up and on our way by 6:00 am; thanks to everyone who took the kids last night. Wow! You think it's hard to find a parking space at Butterworth, try driving around the University of Michigan Health Complex. We met with Dr. Teknos, Chief of Head and Neck Oncology Division, and his staff. We were very impressed with him and his staff. Tom felt very comfortable putting his life in this Dr's hands. We now have a better idea of what the surgery will entail along with the follow up and treatments.

We will head over to Ann Arbor on Tuesday, October 2. Tom has a pre-op meeting with the surgeons and the Anesthesia staff. Tom will have his surgery on Wednesday, October 3. Because this will be an extensive surgery (6-8 hours) he will have to be at the hospital around 6 am. During surgery they plan to remove the tumor, thyroid, lymph nodes on both right and left sides of his neck, and Right Calcium glands.

There are possible risks and complications. It is possible that the cancer is around the vocal cords. If this is the case they will have to remove the vocal cords. Life over limbs. Damage to the vocal cords, this will result in Tom speaking with a hoarse voice, which could be corrected with another surgery later. Another possibility with damage to the vocal cords is that he would have to have a trachea. There are a lot of nerves in the neck area that are going to be stressed out. Even with out damaging the nerves, there will be numbness in the face, neck, and shoulders which will require some type of therapy. Of course, there is always a risk of complications with a surgery that last this long.

Post op. Tom will remain in the hospital for 4-7 days. Recovery at home about 2 to 3 weeks. We are going to get real familiar with Ann Arbor as we will be making numerous trips back for follow up visits. Radiation treatments can be done here in GR. He will have daily treatments lasting 4 to 6 weeks. Even with the surgery and radiation there is no way to know if all cancer has been removed. Tom will need to be monitored to make sure no other tumors appear. As we step into this new way of life, we are learning to enjoy each moment we have.

Again, thank you for all the cards, letters, and e-mails that continue to pour in. The love and support that we are receiving is overwhelming. A special thanks to the anonymous person up north who sent us the letter in regards to our kids back to school needs; your kindness and generosity was truly appreciated.

Guinea Pig

Well, happy Monday and here we go again. We went to the Oncologist today who bombarded us with information and options. He confirmed once again that Tom has Medullary Thyroid Cancer, which he confirmed is a rare cancer. He also said that chemo will not destroy the cancer. So far nothing new until...He would like Tom to have a Genetic study at the Van Andel Institute. This would have to be done through a grant that would have to be approved before we could begin, and right now it's in the paper shuffle pile. This study would be approximately 1,000,000.00 study that our insurance would deny, and since we are a few pennies shy, would be a Federal Grant. If this is approved Tom would need to have a needle biopsy before the surgery would take place, or they would test the tumor after it is removed (which Dr. did not like as well since the surgery is on the East side of the state). I believe Tom will have some radiation, but we did not concentrate on this during the consultation. As we walked out of the office I had to tell Tom, "I always knew you were rare" :)

Thanks again for all the cards, letters, e-mails during our trying time in life. We appreciate all the prayer warriors that are faithfully talking to the Great Physician of life. We are now focusing on the next consultation on the 23rd and what this will entail. As we get more information and know dates I will get up the nerve (more likely give up control) as to some of our family life. Again we appreciate all who have volunteered themsleves.