Tom M

About Tom M

I have recently been through the hardest times of my life, and I don’t think we are out of the woods just yet.

In March 2017 my dad was diagnosed with stage IV prostate cancer (gleason score 9/10) after years of complaining about issues peeing at night. We had been through a very devastating and traumatic experience prior – my dad was lucky enough to survive adenoid cystic carinoma in the late 90’s when I was only 5 years old. This time was different in the sense that I was the only family left to care/advocate for him.
We were devasted by the news. Were given a median life expectancy of 5 years. A lot of times I wallowed and felt sorry for myself, at the ripe age of 25. “This is just my luck” I said. Then I realized what it must be like for my dad, to know that his body will eventually fail him in about 5 years. I worried that my dad would not be able to meet my future husband or children. I still don’t like thinking about this.
His prostate cancer treatment has gone smoothly – far better than anyone could have predicted. We began to heal and live life normally. In december of 2017, my dad caught a MRSA blood infection and spinal abscess. I had no idea what immunodeficiency was, or the impacts it could have on someone, until we experienced this. This was dire- a real life and death situation- that was only worsened by prostate cancer/treatment. My dad is now handicapped and cannot ise his left foot. Not directly from prostate cancer but from complications.
It’s not 2/15 and he is still in a hospital getting treatment for this infection. I woukd have never been able to handle this infection if it weren’t for the original prostate cancer diagnosis.
In a strange way, it is all wroking the way it ought to and he is making greya progress. It has certainly been a time commitment and assle. I woukd not have been prepared now for the spinal abscess if it weren’t for what I learned about myself, as a young woman, young professional, and caregiver in the prostate cancer diagnosis.
Take care, and PLEASE show love to everyone around you.
Mary

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