Update past few months on Thomas Fall 09 to 3/11/10

It's been a while since update, so I'll try to catch everyone up. First of all, Thomas celebrated his 27th birthday on Nov 21, 2009. He's such a cutie!!

We've had some great holidays, Halloween was a HOOT! We had a great old fashioned Halloween Costume Party at the Carver Den as we call it, my downstairs bar. About 25 or so of the best spooks were there and we all had a blast! Thanksgiving as usual, stuffed on turkey, good family gatherings. Christmas as always, filled with fun, Santa bring'n our little ones good things and great family get-togethers and giving thanks to Jesus Christ our Savior.

Around fall of last year Thomas somehow fractured his right hip and did not know it. He had been bothered with pain in his hip and leg and when scans done, he found he had a fracture. We assumed it was from where he had been walking so much on a daily basis on pavement, concrete etc. at work selling cars. The continuous impact aided in the fracture, not real sure, just guessing since he doesn't really know how he did it. His doctors realized that the area in his right hip where one of his melanoma tumors are, even though micro size, had weakened the hip joint and allowed the fracture.

At this same time, Thomas and his doctors decided it was best for him to retire from the working world. This was a very hard decision for Thomas but for his best interest it was the right call. Fortunately, he could draw short-term disability ,again,thru work through Jan 10 and he has been fully approved for disability from social security, but, he's had to wait 6 mos before receiving any money, so they have had to watch their financial issues. Hopefully, the last of April his 1st check from disability will arrive, which will be retro'd to beginning disability date and they can get back to some peace of mind with a steady income. So, Feb and March will be their hardest financial crunch to get through then with his SS disability things should improve.

He has been spending his time, picking Julie up from pre-school each day, and spending a lot of good quality time with her, working on a fishing boat getting it ready to hit the fish'n holes in spring. Visiting relatives, most of all, just hang'n around the house and hang'n out with family and friends. You can find him on Facebook and playing poker on-line. Keeping him from over-doing is the key factor we all deal with. But, as hard as it has been to get away from the working world, he is adjusting. I won't call him a house-husband, but he has been quite helpful around the house.

In January 2010, from his scans, they found that a new lesion has appeared on his right 5th rib close to the other one and increased in size significantly to make them decide that Thomas needed to be put back on what they refer to as the induction period, which means, instead of treatments every 3 mos, he is back to having them every 3 weeks. This will hopefully get this new lesion back under control. All others are still under control. He is experiencing more fatigue mainly in his leg muscles and hips and ususally has to take ibuprophen or hydros to control his pain sometimes, but mostly he maintains quite well on his own. Climbing stairs is quite a chore and going to Jump Zone for birthday parties is out of his daily routine, he of course overdid this a few weeks ago, sliding down slides, tumbling, etc. plus same afternoon, at a 2nd birthday party, shot basketball which just added to the pain. He was quite sore the next day. So, I think he is learning to pace himself better. Had to tell on him! But, over-all, Thomas is still doing extrodinarily great! and I say more power to him. Being a kid is hard to stop doing and oh so much fun.

Julie turned 5 on Jan 21st, 2010 and she's keeping him on his toes. It's get'n warmer, so 4 wheel'n is the thing right now, roll'n across the fields around the house is something they both love to do. I'm sure as weather gets warmer, camping, fishing, cookouts, 4 wheel'n, you name it, if it has fun, a little dare-devilish and relaxation as a description, Thomas will be fully involved. He and Stacie and Julie are all doing oh so fine, Stacie is still working full-time at Great Clips at the strip mall beside the new Walmart on 411, so her income has definitely helped keep them afloat. Any time you're by that way, look for her bright yellow GTO, stop in and see her and get a new do.

His next scans are scheduled for Mar 29th and results on Mar 30th. As usual, we keep the prayers roll'n and we keep the faith good news will prevail. Thomas is one of God's lambs and he looks out for him and has so far blessed him with so much and I pray he will continue to do so. He has blessed my family more than he will ever know!

If you'd like to contact Thomas, look for him as I said on Facebook or give him a call at 865-254-2342 or call me at 865-661-8489. Thank you for all your prayers and good wishes. I'll try to do better about up-dating his blog.

Love you all
Pat