Update

TOM KEISER

Member # 012
Location
Ballwin, Mo.
First Name
Tom
Last Name
Keiser
It hurts to see some cool stuff coming up and not being able to join you guys, I'm missing being around for meetings and stuff too. I wanted to bring everyone up to date so nobody thinks that We won't be back. One of my little Brothers, Charlie (57) had prostate cancer that went undiagnosed for too long. He fought it for the past 9 months, the last 2 at home in hospice care, he passed away last month. It was a rough summer trying to be there for Mom, Charlie's Wife and his Boys, 15 & 18. Things are beginning to settle down a bit but bad days still happen every now and then like you know they will. Two months ago I found out that I have cancer again. Prostate this time, totally unrelated to the cancer of 2010. I don't take chances anymore so mine was found early and I will survive it. Slightly high PSA of 4.2 led to a prostate biopsy that showed cancer cells in just 2 of the 12 segments thanks to being early. I am having surgery later this month to remove the prostate entirely and I'll be home recovering for 6 weeks. We are having the exterior of the house completely remodeled while I am laying in bed but knowing what it's going to look like when it's finished I'm sure the noise of pulling siding off, yanking windows and trim before the new stuff goes on won't bother me all that much. I told Linda that I was going to buy a drone with a camera so I could watch them work, even though it was a joke she shut me down real quick. So... enjoy the weather while you can and we will see you all next year.

OK, you knew this was coming. If you have not been for a PSA check lately, get your ass in there and get it done. If they recommend a colonoscopy or biopsy get it done. Neither are all that bad and early detection is the key to survival.

Later, much later,
Tom
 
You know you will be in our thoughts and prayers as you and Linda (and the kids) work this through. Anything we can do - just let us know.
Our condolences on your loss, but that dark cloud had a silver lining to it if it inspired you to get checked out.
We WILL SEE YOU down the road. May God bless.

PS Have Linda let us know, if and when, we can give you a CoBro to CoBro visit for good cheer!
 
Tom, sorry to hear all this. Condolences on the passing of your brother. Im sure this isn't easy to do. Hang in there, be looking for you in the spring.
rich
 
Tom, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Keep us informed if you need anything and see you in the spring.

Rick
 
Tom, I'm so sorry for the loss of your brother. You have a great attitude, you'll get thru your health issues. Hang in there my friend.
 
Tom, sorry to hear about Charlie. I know you will make it through this next surgery and Linda will be a huge help. Thanks for the update and letting us know.

I'll say this to others reading this too...ALL of us in this club help support one another in some way. But, we can't help if we don't know. Tom has set an example of posting this and showing that posting this may help one of us in some way. Tom, I will heed your advice and make a Dr's appointment soon!
 
Tom, sorry to hear about Charlie. I know you will make it through this next surgery and Linda will be a huge help. Thanks for the update and letting us know.

I'll say this to others reading this too...ALL of us in this club help support one another in some way. But, we can't help if we don't know. Tom has set an example of posting this and showing that posting this may help one of us in some way. Tom, I will heed your advice and make a Dr's appointment soon!

Couldn't agree more. I already scheduled mine.
 
Thanks Tom...!

Tom has set an example of posting this and showing that posting this may help one of us in some way. Tom, I will heed your advice and make a Dr's appointment soon!

I agree Tim.... Tom's guidance in a phone call last week convinced me to schedule an appointment with my urologist to investigate internal bleeding I have been having.
As a result...I had a Cystoscopy done today.
Good news is that my prostate is healthy... and the bleeding was coming from old scar tissue elsewhere that was found back in 2012. PSA was 1.2
What a relief....
Sometimes you just need a little push from a friend to do... what you already should have done.

Thanks Tom...!

Hopefully your prostate surgery will be uneventful...with a speedy recovery and minimal discomfort...and a cancer free future.
 
Thanks Guys, I do appreciate it. I'm glad to hear that a couple of you are thinking about getting your files updated. Kerry, I'm so happy to hear that at least you know what is going on and that your PSA is nothing to worry about. Spending a few days enjoying time with the family before cleaning things up at the office and getting ready for some time off.
 
Tom, I think of you almost every time I look at my Cobra. You were a huge inspiration and help in my early construction. You and Linda were also very welcoming at the first Snake & Eggs Ann & I attended. She also asks about you both.
THANKS and Look forward to seeing you more often next year!
Good luck and don't hesitate to call me if you need anything. Take care and bounce back stronger!
 
Hey, I'm just gonna throw this out on the table. Tom, I know there is no one in this club who has met you and had the pleasure of being in your company who will disagree with this.

We love you, man!

Debbie has a word for the men she has met in her life that she holds in great esteem and with high regard. She uses it as the highest standard with which she can describe a man. She refers to her deceased Father with this term and she had also bestowed it upon one of my Uncles. Now, and I agree with her in her assessment, know that you have been awarded Debbie's evaluation of being a "Prince".

Be Well!
 
Thanks again guys, I really appreciate the kind words. Keith, please convey my sincere thanks to Debbie, I am truly honored.
 
Always thinking about you Tom. Hope you had a good time with the grandkids. I'll talk to you soon.
 
Thanks Dan,

We had a great time, I don't think the kids will ever forget it. 2 days at Disney, a day at Sea World, a day at LEGOLAND that was much cooler than I expected. Airboat ride with gator spotting and a pretty high speed run over about 4" of water so the thing wouldn't settle and get stuck. We spent all day Sunday at Cocoa Beach and realized that we could have saved thousands if we had just gone there every day :D. Had a nice house with a screened in pool that the kids had a ball in. We got up at 4:45 yesterday morning and we landed in St Louis at 9:00 a.m. with the hour we gained on the way back. Good to be home so we can rest up a bit before next week.

Have a great Fall cruising season, the tree colors are starting to look real nice.

Tom
 
Thanks Tim!
The surgery went well and I am recovering well at home. The 6 incisions don't hurt at all, the pains come from somewhere deep inside that I can't figure out. No matter, it's not that bad either. Pathology report showed that there was no cancer in the lymph nodes they took and they are pretty confident that all of the prostate cancer came out with the prostate. Even though we caught it early, the cancer had spread to within about a half milimeter of the margin. Too close in too short a time, I was double lucky! I'm supposed to stay home 4 more weeks but I think that 4 should do it. I hope that Linda is continuing to make progress and feeling better.

Y'all take care.
Tom
 
Thanks for the update Tom...Glad to hear things went ok. We do need to get together, let me know when you feel like visitors :D
 
Just about any time is good Tim. Just call or text ahead to be sure. I am allowed out now so Linda takes me places for a bit of exercise and a change of scenery.
 
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