Great News! Tom had another MRI on Monday, December 14th and a consultation with oncologist on December 15th. The MRI was an improvement over the last one in Sept. and at this time it appears there is no trace of the tumor. That means that chemo is not necessary at this time! (Thank you God) He had a incident at church on Sunday while performing with our church choir. At the finale he collapsed. It was extremely warm with his robe on and he had been standing on the risers for almost an half hour (and no breakfast). Anyway this little incident has set back the calendar on when he may be able to drive again. So for the next six months I am still the chauffeur; I love it but Tom may not feel quite the same. It is kind of payback for having him be the backseat driver like I have been for the past 50 years. Great news and we again thank all of you for your continued prayers and words of support and encouragement. How blessed we feel at this beautiful time of the year. Another MRI scheduled for March 2010. Merry Christmas to all!

Saturday, November 7, 2009

It has been almost five months since Tom Sr. had had his surgery for the removal of the brain tumor. Physical and Speech Therapy has been completed as well as six weeks of radiation treatments. The last MRI was done on Sept. 25th, in Salt Lake City. A visit with the oncologist after the MRI was a good visit. The radiation treatments did a good job and the results were good in the eyes of the doctors. The MRI still showed something where the tumor had been and they were unsure if it was still some blood, scar tissue, inflamation, or what??? Because they felt further treatments were not iminent at that time they wanted to give Tom's body a couple of months rest before making the decision about further treatments. The next MRI is scheduled for Dec. 14th with a doctor appointment following one the 15th. At that time the decision about further treatments will be made. Tom and I are trying to get back to "a new normal" way of living which includes serious fatique from the radiation treatments. The oncologist has said the fatique could last for up to a year. Tom has gotten back to playing 9 holes of golf a week, playing his quitar at church as well as "jamming" with a group at our community center. We are trying to be as active as possible without getting any extreme fatique which means good scheduling of activities throughout the week. We certainly thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers throughout this "pigeon poop"; prayers work and continuing of prayers are appreciated.
So this is Sylvia (Tom's better half????) signing off for now.

Sunday, August 30

Sorry for the large time span between posts. The past couple of weeks have been very hectic as we took Sarah over to Golden Colorado where she began her freshman year of college at Colorado School of Mines.

Dad is doing great, his final treatment is tomorrow and the then has 6 weeks off. I think they plan to come up to Salt Lake for a weekend in September to see Becca play soccer for Brighton High School. If everything goes as planned they will meet us in Las Vegas over the Thanksgiving Day weekend for a soccer tournament.

Sunday, August 16

Another good week under his belt, therapies are coming to a close and he only has a couple more weeks of treatments. He still is not having a lot of ill side effects from the treatments so that is really good, though he does get pretty tired. Penny, Sarah and I leave Thursday to take Sarah to school and I know Dad will be excited for her as she is attending Colorado School of Mines which is his alma mater......way back when! He has her class schedule and I know he will review it every day and tell Mom, "well she's in her Calculus 3 right about now, and will be heading to Chemisty next".

Sunday, August 9

Sounds like Dad had another good weekend. He even went to church and played his guitar with the band! Had I been in St. George I would have snuck in the back door and told the bouncers I was with the band just to hear him play!

Apparently he may be coming close to finishing his therapies which I know he is excited about. However the therapist may be a bit more happy as I understand Dad tends to give her somewhat of a hard time........... LOL!



Friday, August 7

Sarah and I had a great weekend visit last weekend with Mom & Dad. He is doing much better each day and continues with his radiation treatments daily. He is about 1/2 way through this 6 week treatment cycle and so far not really many side effects which is great.

Monday, July 27

Not much new news, Dad continues with his therapies and his treatments. So far so good. Sarah and I will be heading down to St. George this weekend and are really looking forward to it. Becca a & Penny will be heading north to Utah State University for a soccer day camp.

Sunday, July 19

So I'm sitting here on my deck when I got a friendly email reminder from my Dad's sister that I haven't updated the blog in awhile........sorry! He has been busy with all of his therapies as well as several doctor's appointments this past week. He apparently felt well enough today to attend church and strum the guitar.........which I am sure he thoroughly enjoyed! He starts his radiation treatment tomorrow. I'll post an update later in the week. Thanks again for everyone's thoughts and continued prayers. Thanks also to everyone helping my Mom by bringing in meals and food I know they very much appreciate it!

Thursday, July 9

It's been a few days since I have posted anything new. Dad has been working on physical therapy stuff at home and going to all of his therapies. Even better this morning he headed out with Alex to the golf course to putt at least. I think Mom is the only nervous one about this....LOL! Sounds like he'll be starting his treatments relatively soon. Oh, and this is totally my Dad (any yes family me too) he felt he needed a haircut so they went out a day or two ago to get what I can only imagine as one side of his head cut..........LMAO!

Friday, July 3

Another couple of good days. Dad picked up his guitar and strummed for a bit and wants to play in church this Sunday??? My guess is he may go to church but not sure about the playing.....lol!

He is at therapy this morning and all seems to be going well. Tammy is in St. George for the long weekend helping them both. Apparently they they heard a beeping noise and tried changing the battery in the smoke detector only to learn the beeping noise was actually the dishwasher..........only my Mom and sister....LMAO!

Feel free to call them though they may be sleeping and not answer, I'd also call before stopping by for the same reason.

Thursday, July 2

Good morning all. Well Dad started his physical and occupational therapies yesterday! All is going well, though he does tire quickly. Feel free to call them, though he does sleep alot and so they may or may not answer if he is napping. Have a great 4th of July weekend all and thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers for Dad!

Tuesday, June 30th

Talked with Mom and Dad and couple of times today. He starts his therapy tomorrow. They are both doing well, though both still sound pretty tired. Tammy is heading down there this weekend to spend some time and help them both. Not much else to report.

Sunday, June 28

Sorry I missed a day or two. We drove Dad down to Sun River yesterday (Saturday). Though it took a while we made it just fine and in fact it was one of his best days. He still gets very tired very quickly but he is healing and recovering well. In the next day or two he will start his rehab and treatments. I know he is very excited to get out on the course if nothing else just to ride around on the cart and maybe putt a ball or two! I'll try to keep updating this every few days rather than daily. Once again, thanks to everyone for your continued thoughts and prayers for Dad!

Thursday, June 25

Look out Sun River! Guess who's coming home Saturday? Dad get's to head south Saturday morning back home! We're all pretty excited but none more than him I'm sure. His therapy has been going great and the doctors say he's fine to go home to begin his treatments and continue his recovery. He's hoping to ride around the course (not play) with his buddies on Monday! Great news!

Wednesday, June 24

Kind of a long day today. Dad was extremely tired all day, I think leaving the rehab hospital yesterday to visit the Neuro-Oncologist took a lot out of him, which is to be expected. We are gearing him up for golfing however. He's now equiped with Rubber Golf Ball Pickup device for his putter so when he is able to get out on the course he'll be ready to go......

Tuesday, June 23

Good day! Dad continues his rehab several times a day. They as are we very pleased with his progress. I do think he is really wanting to get back home to Sun River. The physical therapist let him swing a golf club today and let me tell you he can't wait to get on the course. Our entire families are very thankful for all of your thoughts and prayers. We love you all!

Monday, June 22

My wife pointed out that many of you may not be aware of some of the details that transpired - she's brillant isn't she! Anyway, Monday of last week Dad was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I flew down to St. George that day and drove Mom & Dad back to Salt Lake where on Tuesday, he underwent over 5 hours of surgery to remove the tumor. The surgery went well and he spent a few days in ICU, then transfered to a regular hospital room. On Saturday he was transferred again to a rehab hospital in Sandy where Tammy and I both live nearby.

Not much news today, though Dad did start most of his therapy today and I'm sure will be very tired this evening. We had a good Father's Day yesterday, my girls (Becca) baked him his favorite cookies (Peanut Butter) though he didn't get to eat many he was excited. I'm able to bring him a Starbucks coffee each morning which is also one of his favorite things.

Father's Day - Sunday June 21

Happy Father's Day to all! Dad is continuing to rest and recover nicely. So far we all really like the rehab facility. He will start all of his therapy rehab tomorrow. They brought in a nice bed for Mom to use. He is enjoying watching the U.S. Open yesterday and today and can't wait to get back to Sun River with his buddies and knock the ball around on the course. We are still requested no visitors or calls for the next few days so I will try to keep this updated as best I can. It may be easiest to reach Tammy and I via email right now:

Tom Jr. - tspangler@ezparties.com
Tammy - iriondo@comcast.net

Saturday June 20, 2009

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers regarding my father Tom Sr.! What a week!

We were able to move him today to a rehab facility in Sandy. He is doing much better but is requiring some much needed rest and recovery time so we are still requesting no visitors or calls for the time being.

I will update this blog from time to time in an effort to keep everyone informed. I am also updating my mothers voice mail with daily updates if you wish to call that. Dad is resting and recovering at Healthsouth 8074 South 1300 East, Sandy UT 84094. Please keep in mind our request for no visitors or calls. I will do my best to update this blog and my mothers voicemail.