quote:

Originally posted by robbiedog:
I saw Tom over the last few days. He asked me to update everyone on this board with his medical goings-on. I read him all the replies to my post from last week, along with the name, and he was very appreciative! He told me, "tell them everything", so here goes:
Tom had a heart attack at home a couple weeks ago. Evidently he had several, and pretty much ignored them until he face-planted into a table. This knocked his front teeth a bit, but that's nothing serious. He had a pacemaker installed and was home 2 days later. Two days after coming home his breathing became labored, and he was taken back to the hospital. Initially they thought Pneumonia, but that was later changed to Influenza. He was placed in a medically induced coma, was put on a ventilator and spent a few days in Cardiac ICU. He was finally take off the ventilator (he has stories to tell about this) and was placed in a private room. Meanwhile, his remaining kidney failed, and he's on dialysis. That's about when I got there. He seemed to be doing better for a day and a half, typical Tom. Then last night after dialysis he developed a very sharp pain in his right lower abdomen, which radiated to his back. It was VERY painful, I'd give it an 11 on a 1-10 scale. It's very hard to watch someone you love go thru that, though obviously harder on him. The pain was constant, with stabbing pains now and then. We got a stronger pain med and he got a CT and an ultrasound this afternoon early. I haven't heard the results yet. His daughter reports that he's better, not in as much pain. I had to leave to go back to my own home, so I'm not there now. I did ask his pastor to come by and see him, as Tom was pretty distressed this morning. His pastor is a cool guy, his name is Dieter, and he brought his own father, and they prayed with Tom.
So that's about it for now. Tom has charged me now with telling y'all what's going on. Please keep him in your thoughts. He's a tough guy, but this is pretty rough. I've no idea when he can get back on his computer, but it won't be anytime soon. When I hear more I'll post it.

quote:

(he has stories to tell about this)

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
Please tell Tom that his strength and openness shows he has faced this head on and looked death straight in the face, and won.

Not the fearful "hanging on to life", but the bold, "I have a life to live! And people to Love, and a God to serve!" fight.

And he has kicked butt.

He is an inspiration and I am sure many have read of his posts and have been affected in the way they think, and face things in life.

Thank you for your thoughtfulness in updating us.