Wednesday, April 23: From Gene Newcombe. "I visited with Tom today. Faithful Mary Ellen was there assisting Tom and learning more ways to make his rehab more beneficial. Karen Paswater relieved Mary Ellen and Tom's pastor and two fellow workers visited also. We had a nice time visiting in the warm sunshine. Tom is alert, quite humorous, and continues to speak more clearly. We went with him to the neuro-optometrist to start to correct double vision and a vertical vision condition. He really enjoys all visitor and likes them to stay awhile. I think the friends, family, work pals etc. will be a great asset to his recovery... and of course the rehab and medical staff seem to be skilled and motivated to push their patients pretty hard".
Friday, April 25: From Karen Paswater. Tom is in good spirits after a grueling week of physical therapy. He has accomplished walking 2/3 of the distance on the balance bars on his own, and is now eating "normal" food. He is also regaining some feeling on his left side, and is able to move some of his extremeties on his left side on command!
Sunday, April 27: From Tommy's sister, Tammy. Tom called me today, this is the second time I have spoken with him. I adore my brother, and the sound of his voice although different is music to my heart. He shared his great joy of having his boys, wife, family and friends to support and encourage him.
Sunday, May 4: Pat and I visited. Tommy had two sessions of therapy today. For the first session, Tommy, his therapist and I played a couple of hands of UNO. This game is to help him focus on the cards to distinguish numbers and colors, and to use his skills in problem solving. Tommy won a hand and I was quite insistent he was cheating, but to no avail.
Monday, May 5: Tom has a new wheel chair with advanced features including the ability to climb stairs. He is continuing to make great progress in his therapy sessions1
Wednesday, May 7: Gene Newcombe visited. His faithful friend Larry was there also (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Tom was bright, smiling, talkative and had a big day of rehab. He walked backwards. That was tougher, but he was quite good at this movement. Tom's brain swelling is noticeably less. Tom's eyes seem to be tracking better. His left side movement is still not responding much, but he can move a finger or two when he concentrates. He has a new wheel chair for better self propelling. The rehab staff is forcing him to do more things himself and becoming less dependent on others.
Sunday, May 11: Pat and I visited. He was looking much better today than last Sunday; Tom said he was having a bad day last week. The Doctors took him off a particular medicine this past week to help with his food digestion and the pain he was having immediately improved. The skills he has been taught are really starting to show up in the functions that he is now doing. The staff is also making him do more things on his own; they do not want his friends and family helping him. Lots of people were starting to come in to visit with Tommy, including his mother, Mary, this being Mothers Day.
Thursday, May 15: From James Flynn. I got in to see Tom for a little while this evening. He seemed pretty good and I am amazed how much he is able to use his left side, particularly his (left) leg. He seemed in good spirits. He was trying on some new t-shirts that were easier to get on and off. He got them off pretty easily, getting them on wasn’t quite as easy. Karen indicated he has made such good progress they may be able to keep him there past 5/28 so he can continue to progress at a faster pace than he would if he were not there full time. He is also going to Methodist on the 21st to get evaluated on whether or not is now okay to put the bone back in his head.
Sunday, May 18: Pat and I visited. Tom was in good spirits and said he had a very good week in therapy; he even walked the balanace beams up and down three times. They gave him a two hour psychological test which he hated, and wouldn't you know it, he will have to do another one in a week or two. Tom is doing so well that there is talk the insurance company may extend his stay so he may continue his therapy.
Sunday, May 25: Pat and I visited. Once again Tom was in good spirits and had an even better week in therapy. He is walking further each week with very little help. Pat and I noticed his speech was dramatically better than the previous week when we saw him. The insurance company is still deciding on whether or not he will continue on with his therapy at RHI past May 28.
Thursday, May 29: Gene, Linda and daughter Chris (fresh from Atlanta) visited Tommy today along with Tom's wife Karen, sister Karen and niece Mary Ellen. Tom had a fantastic day, as can be seen by the pictures above. He was able to walk along the entire front of the rehabilitation building (a couple hundred feet). A therapist was at his side to make sure he did not loose his balanace, but other than that, he did not require any help.
Friday, May 30: Tom's doctors approved his first community pass out of rehab to attend his son's (Grant) high school graduation. Tom will also begin the first of two nights in the transition apartment at RHI in preparation of his discharge as an inpatient.
Monday, June 2: Tom is receiving additional therapy to his left arm with the same therapist who has helped him to walk again.
Saturday, June 7: Tommy's niece, Michelle had her college graduation party today. Tom and his family were able to attend and wish her the best of luck. Tom was looking well and it was good for him to get out of the house.
Thursday, June 5: Almost two months to the day since he had his stroke, Tom went home today and continues to do well. The details are not finalized yet, but he will be going back to RHI as an out-patient for continuation of his therapy.
From Gene Newcombe, Uncle: Tommy is to use no walker, no cane and no wheel chair. I was amazed to see him get up from his wheel chair quickly. His right leg is strong which greatly helps his balance of the left one.
From Marlys Battema, friend of Karen and Tom: I was shopping at Meijer's today and I ran into Tom and Karen on their way home from RHI after their discharge. WOW, he was doing so well, considering his journey of the last two months. Way to go, Tom! Tom and Karen are very involved Marching Band Booster parents and had worked a number of concession events with us. I asked Tom if he was ready for another stint in the concession stand, and he said he was, as long as I had a counter for him to lean on!
Monday, June 9: I have now been home for a few days and am still adjusting to my new environment. Karen and my two wonderful boys are a huge assistance in helping me with needs -- great and small -- and making sure I don’t do anything dangerous to myself. I’m getting scheduled for outpatient therapy and follow-up over the next few weeks. Thanks to all for your support, prayers and visits during this difficult experience. Let my improvement be a living testimony that our God is faithful in answering prayer! Tom
Friday, June 13: Tommy called and informed us he is scheduled for surgery on Thursday June 19th to replace the bone previously removed from his skull back in April. Good luck Tommy!
Wednesday, June 18: There has been a change of plans and Tommy's surgery to replace a piece of his skull has been rescheduled for June 24th.
Tuesday, June 24: Tommy was scheduled to have surgery today to replace the bone from his skull. Will update this page when we get word on his progress.
Thursday, June 26: Good news from Tommy's sister, Tammy, Tommy called her to say that he was now home and doing great. This was somewhat unexpected considering he was scheduled to be in the hospital a bit longer than just two days! Tom's Doctor was impressed with his hard work and his recovery.
Sunday, July 13: Talked with Tom and he reported that the surgery to replace a piece of his skull, performed a couple of weeks ago, was successful and that he would be starting his outpatient therapy again this coming week. Tom sounded great and was in good spirits.
Tom and Karen will be having Grants high school graduation open house on Saturday July 26th.
