The Tumornator: Tom's updates

This is probably the least informative or blog worthy post that I've made since we started this journey 😂 Since Tom has been back from radiation, we've been pretty low-key and mainly hanging out at home.   His fatigue is getting a little better, but overall he definitely still gets worn out more quickly than prior to his cancer diagnosis.  He's been doing some walking with Vivian, Scarlett, and I depending on the day.  Anywhere from walking around the block to the park and back, which is about a mile.  His appetite is pretty good most days, but again not to pre-diagnosis levels.     We have all the important vacation requirements completed Plane tickets ✔ Lodging✔ Rental Car✔ Luau✔ We have a few other options we're exploring (whale watching, snorkeling, Road to Hana, etc) But otherwise, lots of time at the beach (or looking at the beach) is in our future. It was Spring break this past week, so Tom got to spend lots of times with the girls, runnin...

Several of you have already seen the photo below, but Tom finished his last radiation treatment on Friday 3/6 and he's been home and recovering since then.   He's feeling really tired and run down this week, which is to be expected based on what the radiation oncology team told him.  The girls, dogs, and I were all very excited to see him and to have him home this week.  The napping picture was from last Friday.  Both dogs immediately found a spot to snuggle together with Tom 💖 Overall, we haven't learned anything really new this past week.  Tom did meet with the vascular surgeon to put a face with a name and have him chat about the procedure in May.  As part of Tom's surgery to remove the tumor, they will also have to resect a couple major vascular structures in his abdomen and complete vascular grafts.  Dr. Rasmussen will be removing vessels from Tom's leg(s) to replace the abdominal vessels...and then replacing those in his legs with "fake" ve...

***Lots of education about upcoming surgery below*** please note, some info very simplified regarding organ/digestive function and such 2 weeks of radiation down and 1 to go!  Admittedly we are all getting a bit tired of being separated during the work week and then Tom having to drive back and forth on weekends.  His radiation effects are also catching up to him as he's been tired/fatigued/napping more.  We've been warned that this week will likely be the hardest and will continue for the next week since the effects are cumulative.   They will be doing additional bloodwork this week to make sure everything is holding steady from the radiation treatment and chemo pills.  This does include a CA19-9, but they've shared not to be surprised if it's much higher as radiation tends to increase the levels--however like most things, it affects everyone differently. Tom has been staying at the Hope Lodge run by the American Cancer Society in Rochester.  It's for...