- S
- J
In our lifetime, some of us will receive that news…..the news that makes you close your eyes…drop your chin forward to your chest and shake your head slowly in disbelief…all the while thinking, “It can’t be…”
The news that brings us to our knees.
My childhood friend, Tommy Coon has received such news -- “You have Cancer. You have Stage 4 Adenocarcinoma in your stomach and into the bottom of your esophagus and it has metastasized into your abdomen.”
This self proclaimed Dog Dad, Introvert, Seeker of Peace…Tommy’s face is now that of the newest Cancer Warrior. He is in a fight for his life.
In the past, when I have both organized and attended dinners and auctions for various causes, I’ve been told that a successful fundraiser starts with honest, often courageous, storytelling…and I think when someone you know and love is in the fight of his life, it’s human nature to want to tell his story and lend a hand in some way.
And so the story goes. I have loved me some Tommy Coon from grade school at Williamsburg Elementary to graduating in 1983 from Williamsburg High School, to infinity…so for almost 50 years now. Whenever we get together it is absolute, nonstop laughter. I can’t remember a moment in my life that I haven’t smiled when the thought of him crossed my mind….my crazy, adorable, athletic, fun-loving, animal-loving, forever friend.
Tommy did not want me to start a Go Fund Me page for him. When I asked him if I could, he emphatically replied “NO, definitely not. That is sweet, but I couldn‘t accept.” I protested saying “Tommy, there are so many people that care about you…who love you…who are asking me what they can do for you.“ He replied “No, I don‘t want people to pay me for love and friendship.“ Urgently, I insisted, “Tommy, you are at a point that a lot of medical bills are going to start pouring in. Prescriptions are going to need to be filled. There are a lot of unexpected expenses that are not anticipated when one gets sick.” He remained steadfast and said “No, I‘ll take thoughts, prayers, good vibes, white light and healing energy…that is all I need.” I reluctantly replied “Ok, instead of sending you the money that you really need to get things which could be the most beneficial to you, I‘m going to mail you a heating pad, an ice pack, a bottle of Tylenol and A BOX OF CHOCOLATES.” He laughed and said “Nooo!”
I waited a few days. I thought about him nonstop. I cried a lot. I thought about going against his wishes. I went outside and screamed at the sky. Then I did something I don’t usually do…I got down on my knees and prayed.
I texted him on a Tuesday and said “Tommy, there might come a day when you won’t have the strength to work. A day when you won‘t have enough money to buy dog food.” And I think when he thought about that day --and his two, aging, rescue dogs, Berta and Ro, that he has cared for and doted on for more than 11 years now, - his two babies that he loves more than life - he finally relented and said “Ok, you can start a page.”
Tommy had not been feeling well for a couple months prior to his diagnosis. He thought it was just indigestion, acid reflux -- an excruciating stomach ache…until his family doctor sent him for an endoscopy. Then came the news. “Tom, you have Stage 4 Adenocarcinoma in your stomach and into the bottom of your esophagus and it has metastasized into your abdomen.”
Tommy lives in Columbus, he has worked in the insurance field for many years. He is enduring his third round of chemo at The James at The Ohio State University, as I write this. The chemotherapy makes him extremely weak and exhausted. He does not want to eat because it hurts so badly. The thought of food makes him nauseous. But he knows he has to eat and when he CAN eat, he only eats a few bites of food at a time. He turns to Ensure, yogurt and cheese, foods that are the most soothing and palatable right now.
As this page asks for donations towards Tommy’s prescription costs, his medical bill percentage that insurance won’t cover, Ensure, cheese, yogurt and dog food -- I want everyone who reads this to understand that a donation can serve so much more than just a financial need.
A donation fills an emotional need for a sick person as well…a need of just knowing someone out there cares.
Every donation to Team Tommy speaks the words “I’m thinking of you Tom…I care about you Tommy…I love you Thomas Matthew Coon…I hope this money helps you in some way to relieve your fears and anxieties!”
In closing…please donate to Team Tommy…and in reference to my teasing Tommy about sending him chocolates to get well, I remember Forrest’s Momma saying, “Life is like A BOX OF CHOCOLATES, you never know what you’re gonna get.”
And you DON’T know. You just don’t know what life has in store for you lurking around the next corner. It’s not like we can flip the lid over on the box of life and determine what is going to be a delicious chocolate covered caramel day and which day is going to be nuts! So, donate, help your friends…tell everyone that you love them as often as you can…be kind…use the good china…eat the chocolates…‘cause you just don’t know.
Come on now…I’m waving you in…come with us on this journey and become a part of Tommy’s story.
‘Cause Tommy…we’re gonna rock this!~…Cancer just don’t know who it’s messing with!~
Fate whispers to the Cancer Warrior, “You cannot withstand the storm”…and Tommy shouts back, “I am THE STORM!”
Please donate to Team Tommy now!
The news that brings us to our knees.
My childhood friend, Tommy Coon has received such news -- “You have Cancer. You have Stage 4 Adenocarcinoma in your stomach and into the bottom of your esophagus and it has metastasized into your abdomen.”
This self proclaimed Dog Dad, Introvert, Seeker of Peace…Tommy’s face is now that of the newest Cancer Warrior. He is in a fight for his life.
In the past, when I have both organized and attended dinners and auctions for various causes, I’ve been told that a successful fundraiser starts with honest, often courageous, storytelling…and I think when someone you know and love is in the fight of his life, it’s human nature to want to tell his story and lend a hand in some way.
And so the story goes. I have loved me some Tommy Coon from grade school at Williamsburg Elementary to graduating in 1983 from Williamsburg High School, to infinity…so for almost 50 years now. Whenever we get together it is absolute, nonstop laughter. I can’t remember a moment in my life that I haven’t smiled when the thought of him crossed my mind….my crazy, adorable, athletic, fun-loving, animal-loving, forever friend.
Tommy did not want me to start a Go Fund Me page for him. When I asked him if I could, he emphatically replied “NO, definitely not. That is sweet, but I couldn‘t accept.” I protested saying “Tommy, there are so many people that care about you…who love you…who are asking me what they can do for you.“ He replied “No, I don‘t want people to pay me for love and friendship.“ Urgently, I insisted, “Tommy, you are at a point that a lot of medical bills are going to start pouring in. Prescriptions are going to need to be filled. There are a lot of unexpected expenses that are not anticipated when one gets sick.” He remained steadfast and said “No, I‘ll take thoughts, prayers, good vibes, white light and healing energy…that is all I need.” I reluctantly replied “Ok, instead of sending you the money that you really need to get things which could be the most beneficial to you, I‘m going to mail you a heating pad, an ice pack, a bottle of Tylenol and A BOX OF CHOCOLATES.” He laughed and said “Nooo!”
I waited a few days. I thought about him nonstop. I cried a lot. I thought about going against his wishes. I went outside and screamed at the sky. Then I did something I don’t usually do…I got down on my knees and prayed.
I texted him on a Tuesday and said “Tommy, there might come a day when you won’t have the strength to work. A day when you won‘t have enough money to buy dog food.” And I think when he thought about that day --and his two, aging, rescue dogs, Berta and Ro, that he has cared for and doted on for more than 11 years now, - his two babies that he loves more than life - he finally relented and said “Ok, you can start a page.”
Tommy had not been feeling well for a couple months prior to his diagnosis. He thought it was just indigestion, acid reflux -- an excruciating stomach ache…until his family doctor sent him for an endoscopy. Then came the news. “Tom, you have Stage 4 Adenocarcinoma in your stomach and into the bottom of your esophagus and it has metastasized into your abdomen.”
Tommy lives in Columbus, he has worked in the insurance field for many years. He is enduring his third round of chemo at The James at The Ohio State University, as I write this. The chemotherapy makes him extremely weak and exhausted. He does not want to eat because it hurts so badly. The thought of food makes him nauseous. But he knows he has to eat and when he CAN eat, he only eats a few bites of food at a time. He turns to Ensure, yogurt and cheese, foods that are the most soothing and palatable right now.
As this page asks for donations towards Tommy’s prescription costs, his medical bill percentage that insurance won’t cover, Ensure, cheese, yogurt and dog food -- I want everyone who reads this to understand that a donation can serve so much more than just a financial need.
A donation fills an emotional need for a sick person as well…a need of just knowing someone out there cares.
Every donation to Team Tommy speaks the words “I’m thinking of you Tom…I care about you Tommy…I love you Thomas Matthew Coon…I hope this money helps you in some way to relieve your fears and anxieties!”
In closing…please donate to Team Tommy…and in reference to my teasing Tommy about sending him chocolates to get well, I remember Forrest’s Momma saying, “Life is like A BOX OF CHOCOLATES, you never know what you’re gonna get.”
And you DON’T know. You just don’t know what life has in store for you lurking around the next corner. It’s not like we can flip the lid over on the box of life and determine what is going to be a delicious chocolate covered caramel day and which day is going to be nuts! So, donate, help your friends…tell everyone that you love them as often as you can…be kind…use the good china…eat the chocolates…‘cause you just don’t know.
Come on now…I’m waving you in…come with us on this journey and become a part of Tommy’s story.
‘Cause Tommy…we’re gonna rock this!~…Cancer just don’t know who it’s messing with!~
Fate whispers to the Cancer Warrior, “You cannot withstand the storm”…and Tommy shouts back, “I am THE STORM!”
Please donate to Team Tommy now!
Organizer and beneficiary
Thomas Coon
Beneficiary