Tom M New Jersey married to Suzanne 3 children: Cherie, Robert and Peter

My Health

I was born in New Jersey and live here now. I got married at 21 and shortly afterward went into the Air Force in 1962. I came down with Hodgkins lymphoma 2½ years into service. I was treated with high dosage radiation to the chest.
     During this time my family grew to 5 with the addition of Cherie, Robert and Peter. In 1970, my sternum and portions of my collarbones and ribs were removed from radiation induced cancer. All seemed to go well afterward as I pursued my love of woodworking and became a cabinetmaker. In 1986, my world seemed to fall apart when my wife decided she wanted out of our marriage.
     Shortly after, I started getting signs of shortness of breath. A check with my oncologist showed minor changes to my lungs from the radiation. For the next 10 years at every 6 month's checkup, I said my SOB was increasing. My doc said it was to be expected. In 1997, I knew something was really wrong because I couldn't catch my breath when lifting heavy things. In November, I had an abnormal stress test and a catheterization was ordered. The results showed one artery 100% blocked and three others 85-90% blocked. Surgery was out, as it was too high risk for reclosing my chest because of my sternectomy. Angioplasty was also not recommended because of the sites of the blockages.
     By January of 1998, I was in really bad shape. Through the Internet, I found Jon's Place and a link to a doctor who thought he could help me with midcab surgery. The rest, as they say, is history. A 3 stent angioplasty was performed with CPS instead of surgery in February with good results.

Recent History

In 1987, I met a super woman named Suzanne. We married in 1988. She has been my rock to lean on through all this madness. I can't tell you how many times she rubbed my back to ease the anxiety and shortness of breath at 3 o'clock in the morning. I have reacquainted myself with God. It is amazing how one neglects the really important things, like the love of God, until you get a swift kick in the pants.
     My love of flying gliders is on hold. I built my own over the course of 5 years and one divorce and have only 7 hours of flying time in it. I don't know if I will ever fly it again and that makes me sad. The outlook right now is somewhat positive and I'm trying to enjoy the good times every day. Visiting Jon's Place and feeling the love and compassion always makes me feel better. God Bless us all. Tom M.

My Meds

 Tom M -- March 26, 1998

All information on this site is opinion only. All concepts, explanations, trials, and studies have been re-written in plain English and may contain errors. No one here is a doctor. No information on this page should be used by any person to affect their medical, legal, educational, social, or psychological treatment in any way. This web site and all its pages copyright © 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 Jon C.