<![CDATA[Pathdrummer - #thomandjudyshow]]>

<![CDATA[Pathdrummer - #thomandjudyshow]]>Tue, 23 Apr 2024 18:56:11 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[June 23rd, 2021]]>Wed, 23 Jun 2021 05:00:00 GMThttp://pathdrummer.com/thomandjudyshow/june-23rd-2021
Yesterday, after faxing all the required paperwork and finding out that we wouldn’t be getting the grant for Thom’s monthly medication, we were feeling a little bummed. Since last year, we haven’t eaten out much and needed something to lift our spirits, so we decided to treat ourselves to lunch at The Boathouse in Valparaiso. We knew that we could get something here to eat that was on Thom’s approved meal plan. Sitting and looking at the water helped a lot. Then, when going to the restroom, I ran into the cutest little lady, dressed in a red outfit. I complimented her on her outfit and she happily told me it was her birthday. Then she made me guess her age. When I said somewhere in her 70’s, she grinned at me and said, “Why thank you, I am 89”. Let me tell you, this woman was full of life and happiness glowed from her eyes. We chatted for several minutes and this encounter helped me get through the rest of the day and I smile when I think about her. When I was telling Thom about her, it helped make his day also. I know God puts people in our lives when we need them the most and that was proven to me again yesterday. At any rate, I will keep hounding foundations until I find one who can help out. Thank you to everyone who has reached out with info on places to contact, donations to help with our medical expenses, and straight up love. All of that is very much appreciated. We are going to get through this so we can all see our Thom at his old self again. #ThomStrong #TeamThom

]]><![CDATA[June 22nd, 2021]]>Tue, 22 Jun 2021 05:00:00 GMThttp://pathdrummer.com/thomandjudyshow/june-22nd-2021
So there hasn’t been any real side effects so far from Thom’s first injection. Mostly a low grade headache and soreness at the injection site. Yay! His red and white blood cell and platelet counts were good. Unfortunately his PSA level has gone up, however we believe that will begin to go down as the injections and medications begin to work. We are fortunate that Thom has good insurance, but even with that, his copay for the medication he will be taking is $2800 per month. We are working with GenesisCare to obtain a grant to cover this. Until that grant is approved his oncologist has prescribed a lower dose medication that isn’t so expensive and readily available for the short term. So, he has a bone scan on August 2, blood draws on August 5 and appointment with doc on August 12 to see if there is improvement or changes from last bone scan in April. His next injection is September 17. Both of us are doing good. As we were driving to the doctors yesterday, we were talking about how we would need lots of good humor for the road ahead. This was confirmed by the sign in the exam room we were taken to. I know this post (and all of my posts ) may have more info than some people want or need. However I feel like someone (or you know someone who) may be beginning the same type of journey and these posts might help them navigate the process, because it isn’t for the faint of heart, and education is a key. We love you all and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of your support. It means the world to us and is much appreciated.

]]><![CDATA[June 21st, 2021]]>Mon, 21 Jun 2021 05:00:00 GMThttp://pathdrummer.com/thomandjudyshow/june-21st-2021
So today Thom goes in for his first injection to treat his cancer. While we are not frightened by this, we are, admittedly, a little nervous. Our prayers and meditations have been that he have minimal side affects. Sending out our thanks to everyone who has been supporting both of us through this new journey in our lives.

]]><![CDATA[June 19th, 2021]]>Sat, 19 Jun 2021 05:00:00 GMThttp://pathdrummer.com/thomandjudyshow/june-19th-2021Thom had a birthday today during a tropical storm. It was perfect.

#familytime #bornday #itsagooddayforagoodday

]]><![CDATA[June 10th, 2021]]>Thu, 10 Jun 2021 05:00:00 GMThttp://pathdrummer.com/thomandjudyshow/june-10th-2021So, first an update on Thom Dandridge:
On Tuesday, he had 3 doctor appointments...one at his oncologist for a blood draw...one at his dermatologist for his 6 month checkup...and one at his urologist for his post-op from the implant surgery 3 weeks ago. The blood draw went quickly. This was for a baseline as he will begin his treatments on June 21. He had a good outcome from his dermatologist, only one biopsy taken and everything else on his scalp and nose has finally turned a corner and is healing. The urologist was very happy with his results from the implant and we hope this this has fixed the problem with his bladder. So, a very good day!

Yesterday we received something that we have been dreaming about for many years...a very generous person that asked to remain anonymous gifted us with a brand new small off road camper to pull behind the Jeep so that we could travel as much as we physically can travel. This wonderful human told us that they felt that being able to travel and drum would be the best way for Thom to heal and beat his cancer. We absolutely agree. Because of the generous gift we received yesterday, we can now begin our journeys in Mid-October. We will start by exploring Florida so that we will be within a couple of days drive to Thom’s medical team until we see how his medications affect his body. We are facing this challenge in our life with positivity and love. We KNOW he will be fine. So, start to watch for us as we travel the country, visit lots of spaces and places, and drum as we go. We hope to visit many of you on our journey. And Michelle Nilson, I am already planning our trip to Ireland for our 50th wedding anniversary!
#ThomStrong #TeamThom

]]><![CDATA[June 08th, 2021]]>Tue, 08 Jun 2021 05:00:00 GMThttp://pathdrummer.com/thomandjudyshow/june-08th-2021During a meditation Thom was given a very specific path to follow to heal himself by using all of the energies that are being sent to him from our wonderful physical family and spirit family. There has been so much energy being sent to him that it began to overwhelm his body. During his meditation, he asked how he could channel all of these energies so that they he could accept them all. In his meditation, he was shown a black space that was covered with many different colors and symbols. He understood that when a certain energy was needed , he only had to visualize this space and the correct color/symbol would make itself known to him. This way he can use what is needed at the exact time he needs it. Divine guidance is a key factor is making sure that his body isn't overwhelmed!
#ThomStrong #TeamThom

]]><![CDATA[May 27th, 2021]]>Thu, 27 May 2021 05:00:00 GMThttp://pathdrummer.com/thomandjudyshow/may-27th-2021So, yesterday as we sat in the oncologist office waiting to meet the doctor for the first time, we were encouraged to see the sign in the picture below. It gave us confirmation that we were in good hands. After some discussion, we were given 2 choices. One choice was to do nothing, in which case the doctor felt that the cancer would spread to the bones within 2 years, which would be pretty horrible. Second choice was hormone therapy, in which case we hope to keep the cancer from spreading and hopefully shrinking the cancer cells so that Thom has a quality lifestyle for at least 3-5 years and possibly up to 10. We asked about a lot of different therapies, both alternative and conventional, and he explained why many of them were not an option. We will be letting him know what we choose by next Tuesday. We came home and had a long discussion about the side effects of the hormone therapy and how this would affect our life and him especially. It is sort of a “do or die” scenario and we feel comfortable with, basically, the only choice available. This therapy involves 4 pills a day and 1 injection every 3 months, and he will be closely monitored to see how his body responds to the treatment. The ultimate goal is to bring the PSA number down which will mean that the cancer isn’t spreading. Our prayers have been that we would be able to choose the right therapy and since we only had one real choice, that was what was supposed to be done. We are feeling hopeful and don’t plan on letting this kick his butt or mine. We will never give up. He is feeling good, eating well (you know Thom is sick when he isn’t feeling hungry ) and has gained 3 pounds since last Friday. Woo Hoo!!!
We celebrated our anniversary with “legal to his diet” smoothies instead of champagne, leftovers instead of a steak and curled up on the couch, watching the moon rise through the window and reliving good memories from our 50 years together. We laughed pretty hard at some of those memories about Pat Dandridge, my brother Glenn, Greg Dandridge, Michael Ray Strawn, Randy Mccann, Jackie Gunter Faunda, Jacob Reagan, Josh, and Justin Reagan.
We dreamed once again about river trips in Mexico, nights spent under a dark sky watching meteors and fireballs streak across the sky, drumming by fires, moonlit walks on beaches in different countries, drag racing as teenagers, good food with great friends, helping others, dancing in the rain, camping in jungles, scary hikes (for me), personal triumphs and meeting new people along our journey.
Thank you to everyone who continues sending everything our way. There was no way to keep up with all of the good wishes yesterday, so please know we saw everything even if it might not have been acknowledged. We are so fortunate that our lives include each and every one of you and a beautiful support team of friends and family. #ThomStrong #TeamThom

]]><![CDATA[May 26th, 2021]]>Wed, 26 May 2021 05:00:00 GMThttp://pathdrummer.com/thomandjudyshow/may-26th-202148 years ago, we jumped in your car, grabbed a couple of friends and got married in Silver Springs, FL. We have had a wonderful, long ride in this adventure we call life and I wouldn’t trade a single minute of it. Today we face one of our biggest challenges as we see your oncologist for the first time. Our journey hasn’t always been easy. Through the years, there have been ups and downs, good times and bad times, laughter and tears. We have watched our son grow up into a well-adjusted loving adult. We have traveled to many places, near and far. We have met wonderful people and made lifelong friendships. We have shared triumphs and tragedies, births and deaths, happiness and sadness. We have tickled each other until happy tears have flowed and held each other when the sad tears have flowed. Thom Dandridge, you are my rock, my anchor, my soulmate, my warrior, my lover, my best friend. I love you more today than the day we met and look forward to holding your hand and keeping you close for the rest of the time we have here on earth together. You are my everything and my life would be incomplete without you in it. Happy Anniversary to us.

]]><![CDATA[May 21st, 2021]]>Fri, 21 May 2021 05:00:00 GMThttp://pathdrummer.com/thomandjudyshow/may-21st-2021Thank you to everyone who kept Thom in your thoughts today. We are home and he is resting. His doctor told me that his implant procedure went very well. RIght now, there is quite a bit of pain, however we have been assured that should pass in the next couple of days. For someone who can’t stand to look at a needle, has been a trooper during all of this. We are on a first name basis with people in the hospital. Again, Thank you to our wonderful family, both blood and spiritual. We love you all and look forward to seeing everyone when we can.

]]><![CDATA[May 19th, 2021]]>Wed, 19 May 2021 05:00:00 GMThttp://pathdrummer.com/thomandjudyshow/may-19th-2021
So, an update on Thom...unfortunately we didn’t get the diagnosis we wanted from his last biopsy. The prostate cancer has spread to one of his lymph nodes and he has an appointment with the oncologist on May 26 (our 48th anniversary) to discuss treatment. Thank you to everyone who continues to send love, prayers, and good energy. We appreciate all of this so much. We are very fortunate to have so many wonderful people in our lives. Thom is a fighter and I am his biggest fan/supporter and we will navigate our way through this newest path on our journey with everything we have. Sending love and hugs to all of you.

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