Tom Wasserman’s Cancer Battle

Hello, my name is Melissa Riedasch and along with my sister Marnie Christopherson and my mom Pattie Soliday, we would like to share with you the story of our uncle and our mom’s brother Tom Wasserman who is a lifelong resident of Superior, Wisconsin. Tom has participated in countless community events and is the greatest sports fan of many local youth and professional sporting teams from little league through high school sports. This past August, Tom was feeling increasing discomfort in his back. He began seeking treatment with a chiropractor which gave him some relief. After each appointment he would feel a little better, but the pain would quickly return. After much time and minimal progress to alleviate his pain, he was told to make an appointment for an MRI. This test showed he had a compression fracture of a vertebrae, but more was seen on the scan that we were not expecting nor ready for. There was a concerning mass on the left lobe of one of his lungs, a spot on his adrenal gland and lesions along his spine. After a biopsy of the mass on his lung, he was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. The doctor’s priority at this time is pain management. According to Tom, “My doctor says our focus is on pain management, which makes me happy because I want to get back to my life.” On Friday January 20, he received his first of five radiation treatments on the lesions on his spine. He was also prescribed steroids to help reduce the inflammation of those lesions. He received a port on Thursday January 26. These lesions are likely metastasized from the lung cancer. Tommy will also begin chemotherapy on January 31 along with immunotherapy treatments following shortly after. Tom has a long road ahead of him, but he has a positive attitude to fight for himself, his beautiful and loving wife and his family and friends.

Because of Tom’s initial pain through his current diagnosis and treatment and the multiple doctor appointments, Dorraine has not been able to work as she is his primary caregiver. Through Dorraine’s work at the Moose Club, she has coordinated multiple fundraisers for many nonprofits in our community, including a school supply drive for children in our district, the local animal shelter, veterans and many others. Generous people such as Tom and Dorraine struggle with asking for help, but this is a time when they need it the most. If you are able, please donate to help these wonderful people. If you are unable at this time, please share this post. There will also be a benefit on Saturday, March 4 at the Moose Club from 2-6PM if you are able to attend. Tom’s family and friends thank you so much. Think again cancer, Wass is the Boss.