[TheForge] Tom Clark OT

[Andrew Vida]

Peter,

I don't think that Allen was implying that Tom's condition is due to his 
  poor attitude.  Rather, his condition and the prospects for recovery 
are affected negatively by depression and fear.  AFAICS, it seems that 
there are those cases that are done no matter what, those that can be 
readily beaten, and those that ride a ragged edge of maybe/maybe-not. 
My observations appear to say that those ragged edge cases may teeter 
this way or that depending on how the patient stands mentally.  I may be 
totally mistaken on this, but that is how it has appeared to me.  Some 
may not be able to help being in a lousy frame of mind due to the very 
tough physical circumstances, which sounds to be the case here with Tom. 
   This is very understandable and I don't think anyone in their right 
mind would blame the patient for this, but it may still be a fact that 
mental position adversely affect one's prospects for recovery in some 
cases and methinks Allen was implying that it would be good if Tom could 
find his way to a better place in his head so that his body will be able 
to better cope with not only the condition but the treatments as well.

I have personally watched at least one person will themselves to die. 
It was a very sobering experience in the sense of directly observing the 
power of the mind over the body in certain respects.

Regards,

	-Andy

Peter Fels And Phoebe Palmer wrote:
> Respectfully;
> I suspect folks tend to get part of this backwards.
> One's physical condition tends to dictate one's attitude, not visa-versa 
> most of the time.
> If anyone has a can-do-attitude ingrained , it's Tom. He is an extremely 
> admirable guy.
> If you think someone can change their attitude and consequently change 
> their medical outcome, then you are in effect, blaming them for their 
> illness....which is just plain cruel.
> If a patient has a will to thrive, it's usually because they are well 
> enough to do so...
> The feeling that one is gonna pull themselves up by their bootstraps, 
> take charge of their condition and push forward ,is a result of the 
> chemistry inside one's head and simply isn't going to cure cancer.
> I speak as a cancer survivor who had lots of time to observe other 
> cancer patients, as well as a lousy attitude.
> ....pete f
> 
> Allen Ortery wrote:
>> Got this today thought I would pass it on.
>> Tom has been in and out of Jefferson Memorial Hospital several times
>> since we last talked at the Batson Bladesmithing Symposium (4/6). His
>> main problem has been with the pain he is suffering. The external
>> eristaltic pump to deliver the pain control medication gave him
>> problems when at his Potosi home and his home care nurse could not
>> solve the problem. Hence, Tom's doctors elected to surgically implant
>> a small internal pump and this did not work either and it seems the
>> implant surgery have added additional complications. Tom's blood tests
>> at the hospital indicated he was not ready for his scheduled Monday,
>> April 14, chemotherapy procedure so it was delayed. He was sent home
>> yesterday without the chemotherapy treatment. His Oncologist has
>> decided to give him this week to rest and recuperate then resume the
>> chemo treatments with his third treatment next monday (4/21) with
>> forth the following monday, 4/28, and his fifth and final chemo
>> treatment on 5/5. He is then to rest for six (6) weeks then under go
>> radiation treatments. As you would expect Tom is very depressed and
>> worried about his prognosis. He is upset he did not receive this weeks
>> chemo treatment and is worried his cancer is spreading.
>>
>> My feeling is, a large part of recovery therapy is the patients
>> attitude and willingness to fight the "good fight." I am worried Tom's
>> bout with the severe pain and his medical treatment problems have worn
>> down some of his spirit. He really needs to know he has his family of
>> blacksmiths pulling for him in the way of Prayer and support for his
>> recovery. BAM's Phil Cox was so concerned that he traveled to Tom's
>> hospital arriving Saturday afternoon (4/12) and he stayed full-time in
>> Tom's hospital room to serve as Tom's medical care advocate until
>> Tom's Wednesdays (4/16) hospital release. This was to give Thelma a
>> much needed rest period. Phil was a real inspiration to Tom both
>> physically and Spiritually! I talked with Phil in two occasions and I
>> can tell you he was as diligent in his watch-care as one can possibly
>> serve in this capacity!
>>  I know this e-mail is not as positive as I would have liked to
>> report. I do believe Tom's Oncologist feels Tom's medical situation is
>> so bad as to cease medical treatments. If Tom can retain a can-do
>> attitude he will have a fighting chance to overcome his recent
>> set-backs. Paula and I are keeping Tom and Thelma in our thoughts and
>> Prayers,
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-- 

	-Andy V.

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