Thomas update 9/7/10 Difficult Times

Hello: Want to post a few updates on Thomas. Currently for the past couple of months, Thomas has been having some real painful issues. He has been experiencing horrible pain in his hips and legs, loosing strength in his legs and having diffculty managing to walk. He was walking with the aid of a cane to help with balance and unfortunately now has to use a walker or wheelchair. The tumor in his left hip has increased and is causing most of the pain. He discovered he also has a bulging disk in his lower back and there's not a whole lot to be done concerning this either.

Dr Petty is now doing radiation on his left hip, 10 treatments currently in progress. He is taking a lot of pain medications trying to control his pain levels and is doing some better as of this week. He's not been able to drive anymore, at least not for the time being, and I'm sure he is dealing with some depression due to the state of what he is having to deal with. He, on the other hand, is still very optimistic, and still has that wonderful sense of humor I love about him, but I know it must be difficult for him. He was taken off the clinical trials as of March 2010, his doctors explained that his immune system is now boosted to a point his body is saying I've had all I can take. As Dr McCachren stated to him, "we have rode that horse as long as we can". It is now to the point of waiting to see what the immune system can do to control his cancer. All the tumors that were in organs, brain, lungs, etc. are still gone, he only has what is left attached to bone. Still in chest, rib & hips. He has lost quite a bit of weight, hard to keep eating as you should when you are on so many pain medications but he is doing his best.

Julie will be 6 yrs old in Jan 2011 and is now in Kindergarten this year. she still loves school, a great plus! Stacie has taken a manager's position of one of the Great Clips stores located in Alcoa and is doing her best to juggle her work, home, school and taking care of Thomas & Julie. I am so proud of her I cannot express in words how truly great she is and how far she has came in her career is such a blessing. Family is trying to help as much as possible.

They are also, if all goes well with the closing, getting ready to move into another house. It breaks mine and Tom's hearts that they are moving, but, also oh so happy for them to be able to get into a bigger place to give them all more room. The 2 bedroom trailer has reached it's limit. Thomas has no room to really get around, plus this house has an underground pool and hottub that will do him wonders. It's an older house, but has been really fixed up over the past 5 years, new roof, Thomas loves it, it is a tin roof, talk about some good sleep'n! 3 bedroom, 2 baths, all one level, to make it much easier for him to get around, full carport, etc. The pool is only 5 yrs old and it's in a good country setting not too far from us.

As I watch Thomas, I can see he is having some difficult times, but we are still waiting on that miracle and we are still bound by his strength to keep doing what ever is necessary to continue to fight this bad beast. He is my amazing son-in-law, reality, a son to Tom and me and he's now also one of God's lambs. They attend church as much as possible and Thomas has the Lord in his heart. This I know, alone, will give him more strength to endure.

Please say those extra prayers for Thomas, Stacie & Julie and all of us as we continue to have this amazing person in our lives, fighting for his life. He will be celebrating his 28th birthday in November. He deserves so much and he has given so much more.

Love you all
Pat