Tom’s Story

Site created on May 9, 2018

My throat cancer has returned and I now have surgeries ahead. On May 21, the next surgery removes my voice box. I will be in intensive care for about five days, followed by more time to recover. After about three months, they will attempt to fit me with an artificial voice box. Looks like this still isn’t the end.


Ultra sound testing yesterday indicated that the blood clots have disappeared.



Home now and dealing with dizziness. As soon as that passes I should be good to go.


They determined that my blood pressure goes gown with exertion. Not good if it causes dizziness.






Regain my strength in leaps and bounds. Each day brings new highs. The only problem now is with eating. Seems my food gets clogged up in my throat. A visit to the Univ should get this corrected. After that I need clearance to get the filter removed from my artery. Removal has been delayed due to presence of blood clots. Hopefully they have disappeared and removal can proceed. Lower legs also show swelling from clots. Blood thinners should have this under control soon.

Newest Update

March 23, 2021

Journal entry by Tom Rubbelke —

I just finished six Kemo treatments to control the cancer in my bladder. Despite placing a catheter on my penis for every treatment, it went much better that I predicted. Now I am happy to say I have no further treatments for the foreseeable future. Hip hip!
Read More of the journal titled "March 23, 2021"
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