Tom’s Story

Site created on July 10, 2022

 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. The last 12 years have been a beautiful and challenging time. Tom was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2010 at which time they removed his left kidney which had become the size of a football. 4 years later, after oral chemo that kept things at bay, the right kidney came down with two tumors that they went in and took out. This stage four eventually went to his lung. Another surgery to take the tumor out and oral chemo kept him stable - for a while. Infusions came next for a few years and when they stopped working another oral came on board. Last November he started a new one and they added another pill this spring. Unfortunately he also contracted a sepsis infection from a wound and had to go off all chemos to let the infection heal. The catch 22 has left him still infected and unable to go back on cancer drugs. He is on his way home now to spend his final days in home hospice. 

Newest Update

July 13, 2022

Journal entry by ben allen —

I'm sorry to report that Tom passed last night. He slipped away in his sleep with Jane laying close by. Jane appreciates all the expressions of support and asked that you continue to hold her and Tom's children and siblings in love and prayer. Tom requested that his remains be donated to the University of Minnesota. Arrangements for a celebration of his life will be decided in the months to come.
Read More of the journal titled "July 13, 2022"
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