Tam (Tom)’s Story

Site created on December 27, 2021

Welcome - thanks for visiting! October 2021 Tam was diagnosed with stage 3 Esophageal Cancer (adenocarcinoma).  2021 began with a severe COVID-19 infection in January requiring at home oxygen and what we believed to  be multiple long-lasting symptoms upon recovery. Tam went through a full cardio workup as well as abdominal ultrasound trying to get to the bottom of the pain he felt his upper torso and discomfort eating. By early October Tam had a severe symptom and was scheduled for an endoscopy where his gastroenterologist Dr. Stassen discovered Barret's Esophagus and a tumor at the esophageal junction to his stomach. Biopsy results show malignancy. Additional scans and biopsies resulted in a T3N2M0 diagnosis - the cancer had spread to 2 lymph nodes next to his esophagus. 

Newest Update

1 year Surgiversary and NED! February 22, 2023

Journal entry by Sandy and Tom Laird —

Hello Folks - 

        Just a quick note to update. It has now been 1 year since Tam's BIG surgery. Tam had his 1 year CT scan last week and he remains NED - no evidence of disease 💯! This is a huge milestone and reason to celebrate🥳! He now moves to bi-annual scans, so fewer scan-xiety days but it feels a little like we are on this trapeze without a net. Thank you so much for all your positive thoughts and your prayers. We ask that you continue to keep Tam in your thoughts and pray he continues to be cancer free.

Love to you all,

Tam and Sandy  

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