Thank you for visiting this page. Tom and I need your help. 

 This is Katrina, Tom's wife, also known as "@katrinadaniels_i_arted" on Instagram.

 My husband Tom, known as "@funstufcomics" on Instagram, has been through hell and back these past few weeks. Our lives have stopped short suddenly.

Tom had always been a healthy man. He is the 72 yr old guy who is still doing a very manual physical job that 30 year old's should be doing, not a man his age. But Tom is a worker. Always has been. His moral compass is huge, his heart even bigger, and could put anyone younger than he is to shame with what he does.

He has never had any health issues until last February when he had a pulmonary embolism in his lungs, which we have now found out is a symptom of the bigger thing going on now.

Tom had not been feeling well on the days leading up to Nov 14, when he came home early from work very short of breath, pale, and he stated he was weak and felt faint.

I took him to the emergency room only to find out he was bleeding internally and his hemoglobin was very low.

They immediately started blood transfusions and they had to transfuse multiple times.

Upon a cat scan of his abdomen they found that he had a large tumor over 8cm round in his colon. It’s cancer.

By Tuesday they tried to do a colonoscopy to cauterize the tumor, to try and stop the internal bleeding and biopsy to type the cancer. They couldn’t get past the tumor to do tests because the tumor was 100% blocking the colon.

The next day he had major surgery, taking out over 1/3 of his colon with the tumor. They also took lymph nodes out which also tested positive for cancer.

He was diagnosed with Stage 3, Adeno Carcinoma with Lymphatic involvement. It’s aggressive, and we have been told he will endure some heavy chemotherapy starting before Christmas.

The doctors are still doing tests and are still giving us details as to what is next.

He is in semi-great spirits, and is home as of last Friday trying to recover from the tests and surgery. He has been doing great as far as recovery goes but he is weak and getting stronger each day.

A few hours before surgery he was talking about being so worried how we will make ends meet. He won't be working anymore. We suddenly lost $4000 a month.

I’ve gone over the figures many times & we are in a very tough spot financially. We have about 3 months of mortgage payments in savings but without either of us being able to work, we stand a good chance of losing the house with no income.

We are very worried. We need help.

Even if it's just to get us through a few months until I can "make a move" to a more financially sustainable home.

I’m beyond stressed, and I don’t want him to be. I want him just to concentrate on getting healthy and beating this. I love him just as much as the day I asked him out & don't want him to worry about anything but getting better.

He has worked so hard for us to have our home, and he has a long, difficult road ahead.

He won’t be able to go back to work after this. His job is too physically demanding. He only knows how to be a butcher (over 50 yrs) but he is the best damn butcher there is!

I can’t work, I am disabled, as I’m having issues with my rheumatoid arthritis from my lupus and psoriatic arthritis, autoimmune diseases. The last few months I have been in and out of the hospital emergency room too. That’s why I have not painted any comic covers in almost a year. I can’t do the fine brush work right now.

I can’t thank everyone enough for all the love and wishes extended to my husband. Tom is so happy each time he has heard from you guys. It means so much to both of us. The best medicine in the world are his friends and comic community.

Gus (Silver Age Comics) is a best friend of Tom’s for many years, and Ali (Elite Comics 11) for the past few years, have been such an amazing friends! We are forever grateful for the love, concern, and all you do for us.

If everyone could blow up Tom's Instagram message inbox (@funstufcomics) with inspiration that will keep his spirits up to fight. He is tough on the outside but so soft and giving. He is a great step dad and husband that I don’t want to lose. I don’t want to see him lose hope. He deserves all the prayers in the world!

I know Tom looks forward to being able to see you all online, in a chat, or in person. He hopes to have more memories with our kids and grandkids.

Thank you all so very much for caring for him and us so much!

Happy holidays to everyone from Tom and I to you. We look forward to seeing everyone again soon!

UPDATE: Today 12/18/25 we were just informed they found 3 one centimeter tumors in Tom’s right lung. He has crossed over to stage 4 do to distant organ involvement. They will be adding an additional drug to hopefully help shrink them. I’ll keep you all posted to the progress of his journey. Please continue to message him on IG. He is a practicing catholic and welcomes prayers and good vibes. Keep his hope up with me!

Sincerely,

Katrina