2021 has been a tough year for Tom.  In May, he lost part of his thumb in a boating accident. A couple of months later, Tom suffered a life-threatening stroke. And just when his road to recovery from the stroke started to show signs of promise, things got even worse: doctors found two tumors in Tom’s brain and diagnosed him with Glioblastoma (“GBM”), a very aggressive form of brain cancer—for which there is no cure (yet). See, e.g., https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/glioblastoma/cdc-20350148. 

But Tom is a fighter, and because he is otherwise in good health, his doctors felt confident scheduling two back-to-back brain surgeries to remove the tumors.  The first surgery went very well: the surgeon successfully removed the smaller of the two tumors.  The second, more complicated surgery also proved successful—thanks in no small part to a world class brain surgeon flown in to do the procedure and who resectioned the much larger tumor in Tom’s brain. Tom was walking and talking just hours after his surgery. Incredible!

Tom’s fight is far from over, of course.  To stave off further tumor growth in the brain, GBM patients must generally undergo 6 weeks of intensive chemotherapy and radiation, before being put on a more manageable treatment schedule.  Tom has opted to receive this treatment. Excitingly, Tom has also enrolled himself in a very promising clinical study, through which he qualifies to receive an additional dose of chemotherapy that could greatly extend Tom’s time with us.  See, e.g., https://www.targetedonc.com/view/enzastaurin-dosed-in-first-phase-3-study-of-newly-diagnosed-glioblastoma-multiforme.  The study will be done in the Cities, at the University of Minnesota.

Tom is doing everything in his power to combat this terrible disease; we need him to continue focusing all of his energy on that.  Tom can’t afford to be distracted by trivial matters, such as expenses associated with participating in the study or insurance deductibles. And that’s why we started this fund—because nobody in Tom’s position should have to ask for help when they are fighting cancer.

We’re hoping to raise $15,000 for Tom and Carmen.  The funds we raise will primarily be used to offset expenses associated with Tom’s participation in the clinical study, and to pay for this coming year’s $5,000 insurance deductible.   

Tom is scheduled to start his treatment January 3, 2022.  We will provide updates here, as we get them. 

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UPDATES:

• Update #1 (Dec. 16, 2021). It being paramount that Tom is healthy, happy, and well cared for while he is being treated in the Cities, we have arranged for Tom to stay in the same apartment complex as his daughter, Kelly, son-in-law, Matt, and two granddaughters, Mia and Finley. (Obviously, Carmen and Boomer will be coming too!) Tom is very excited! 
• Update #2 - See the “Update” section of this page. 
• Update #3 - Coming soon!