The News So Far

We created this blog to give updates on how Tom is doing with his condition. Understandably, Tom and Linda have been getting an overwhelming amount of calls for updates from concerned family and friends. Our hope is that folks can come here to find out what is currently happening.

About a week ago he started to have symptoms associated with a stroke or heart attack. Symptoms included dizziness, shortness of breath and a difficulty with breathing, and tingling and strange sensation in the left arm and leg.

On Monday the 5th, Tom went to the emergency room. He was sent to Sparrow hospital where he received a CT scan, MRI, and EKG over the course of two days. A 1 X 2 cm "mass" was identified in his brain on the right side above the temple, about 1.5 inches in. At this time, it is unknown if it is cancerous or benign. A full body CT scan did not show cancer elsewhere in his body.

Despite the symptoms he was showing, he did not have a heart attack or a stroke. The symptoms were most likely caused by the mass interfering with normal brain function. He will require surgery to remove the mass. Doctors have informed him that the surgery will remove or damage some healthy brain tissue, but that therapy will most likely restore normal functioning.

He has an appointment with a neurosurgeon at U of M on Monday at 1:30. It is unclear if they will perform surgery that day or another time. In the meantime, Tom is staying at home and is on anti-seizure medicine. He is doing well other than some dizziness and some occasional sensation in his left arm and leg.

I'll provide an update on Monday when I hear from either Tom or Linda. In the meantime, feel free to e-mail us if you have any questions that aren't answered here. Also, feel free to comment on posts and we will pass those along to Tom and Linda.