Tom’s Story

Site created on March 16, 2018


Tom was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer in March 2018.  This has spread to his lymph nodes, with several fairly small masses also around his lungs.  This is common with thyroid cancer and is expected to be slow growing. 

Tom received his diagnosis from an endocrinologist in Eau Claire who referred him to Mayo Clinic in Rochester per his request.  His first appointment is Friday, March 24th, where he will have lab work done , meet with an endocrinologist (for a second opinion of sorts), and then meet with a surgeon. 

The plan of care right now is to have the thyroid removed along with some lymph nodes and the masses around his lungs.  Then he would be treated with a radioactive pill and a low iodine diet, possibly hormone therapy.  As of right now chemotherapy and/or radiation is not expected to be needed.

So far Tom is doing very well!  He is maintaining a positive attitude and is ready to fight.  He has began "juicing" and has made major changes to his diet (so if you see him and notice he has lost a couple pounds, this is probably why!).  He currently has no symptoms and continues to work full time during the week...and play with his two grandchildren as he always has on the weekends!  Right now he is busy planning his famous flower gardens (and many, many, many flower pots for his children/grandchildren!) and vegetable garden!  We are all looking forward to putting this chapter behind us, and we very much appreciate your love and support through this journey.

- God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, Psalm 46:1
   

Newest Update

Journal entry by Erin Bitter

That's it in a nutshell, unfortunately.  Dad's off-label chemo drug did not work in making his lung nodes susceptible to the radioactive iodine treatment (which would have shrunk or killed the nodes/thyroid cancer that has spread to his lungs). 

His doctor at Rochester said he could repeat this treatment with the addition of another drug in a year to try again.  For now, just keep living life and monitor.  The stuff in his lungs is "stable."  He still is not having any symptoms (other than getting a severe rash from the chemo drug and losing a significant amount of weight after being on a low-iodine diet.....and enduring injections, scans, and hours and hours of driving back and forth to Rochester over the last week). 

Thank you to Butch and Ginger Hoff, Lynelle Lagerstrom, and Jeff Roemhild for helping with transportation!  It is much appreciated. 

Dad has been in pretty good spirits.  He has to follow up in Rochester in six months.  He will be keeping busy with work, wrapping up the garden, deer hunting, and enjoying the holidays with his family.

Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
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