Thomas’s Story

Site created on February 9, 2018

Hi Folks. Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting. 

 
In the fall of 2016, Tom experienced some prostate and bladder issues, which were accompanied by a general reduction in energy and appetite. He had several procedures at a local hospital, which appeared to correct the prostate and bladder problems, but some of the symptoms continued to periodically reappear. In December of 2017, they performed a CT which showed a large mass near Tom's left kidney. In January they conducted several biopsies which confirmed the presence of stage 4 bladder cancer with lymph system, kidney and liver involvement. 

Tom & Patty sought a 2nd opinion from the head of Urological Oncology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, and were subsequently referred to the Chief of Urological Oncology at the University of Washington Medical Center here in Seattle. This medical center and the Fred Hutchinson Medical center are part of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA), team which is treating Tom. 

Tom began the first of 3 chemo cycles in February, and these were completed on April 3rd.  Tom's chemo regiment includes the drugs Cisplatin and Gemcitabine, and is the strongest approach available. The chemo treatments are rough and have impacted Tom in a variety of ways. He has lost his hair, has developed 4 blood clots in his right arm, lost 24 lbs, suffers from Peripheral Neuropathy, changes in hearing and a substantial loss of energy.

 

A CT scan was performed On April 9th, to see if the drugs had impacted the growth of the cancer.  The results showed  the spots on his liver did not change, and there was no growth in the bladder tumor, which they viewed as a positive, because he has an aggressive form of cancer.  The lymph nodes were reduced in size from 1.2 to 0.7 CM, which is very encouraging.  The CT also disclosed that Tom has developed pneumonia in both lungs, so they have begun to treat that problem with drugs.   

 

The decision was made to begin a second round of chemo starting April 24th, with a slightly different mix of drugs and continue these treatments for 6 more weeks. They will then run another set of CT's, to see if Tom is a candidate for immunotherapy, which they believe he will be.   

Patty, their children, and many family and friends have created a strong team to help Tom manage this challenge. We are sending this to a large number of family and friends. Please send this information to other family and friends who may not know about his illness, or this update. Respond if you wish because is it meant to be a conversation. Thanks to all who sent cards, called to offer support and have kept us and continue to keep us in their daily thoughts and prayers. We will post/send  updates when there is new information to share.

Warm Regards,
Tom & Patty Wright






Newest Update

Obituary and memorial information

Journal entry by Hillary Lusk —

In Loving Memory

Of

Thomas F. Wright

 
Thomas F. Wright, beloved son, brother, husband, father, father-in-law, “Pop Pop”, “Uncle Tommy” and friend, passed peacefully on October 17, 2018 at age 75.

Born December 8th, 1942 in Washington D.C., Tom spent most of his childhood in Plainfield, NJ with mother Eleanor, father Fred, and sister Susan. Summers were spent at Lavallette on the Jersey Shore and in Moorestown, NJ with his cousins the Park sisters.

Tom attended Plainfield High school and was on the swim team and pole-vaulted for the track team. He attended Marietta College in Ohio and was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, majoring in business. After school he worked for several companies eventually joining Physio Control where he was director of national accounts and retired as Vice President of sales. Tom then moved on to become a founding partner of the Forest Group. He was dedicated to his work and known for his strong work ethic. His travels for business and family were extensive, becoming a 3 million miler with United Airlines (an accomplishment he was extremely proud of).

Tom was an avid and enthusiastic University of Washington Huskies football fan, and a member of Sahalee Country Club where he enjoyed playing golf with his family and friends. He also loved spending time enjoying activities and sporting events with his 10 grandchildren.

Tom is survived by his wife Patty, daughters Megan Young and husband Dan, Amanda Pietz and husband Eric, Leslie DeGasparis and husband Charlie, and son Brian Lusk and wife Hillary; 10 grandchildren; Daniel 26, Kamryn 18, McKenzie 17, Will 15, Chase 15, Carter 14, Jackson 13, Charlette 11, Michael 9 and Shane 5; as well as a vast extended family and group of friends. He will be dearly miss by all who knew him.

 

 

Memorial Services

Funeral Mass

Saturday, November 3rd, 2018 @ 10:00 a.m.

First Presbyterian Church

101 Bridgeboro Road

Moorestown, NJ 08051

*Reception & Lunch to follow

Discounted hotel reservations @ Residence Inn

1000 Bishops Gate Blvd

Mount Laurel, NJ 08054

(825)234-1025

(mention Tom Wright memorial)

************

Celebration of Life Dinner

Friday, November 9th, 2018 @ 5:00 p.m.

Sahalee Country Club

21200 Sahalee Country Club Drive

Sammamish, Wa 98074

Those attending this memorial please RSVP via text to: 425-922-0011

Include name and # of guests

************

In lieu of flowers, Tom and family request a donation to:

The American Cancer Society www.cancer.org

Or

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation www.jdrf.org

 

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