Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you so much for your well wishes, as well as your contact with emails, phone calls, and visits.  They mean so much to Tom, and are really helping to keep up his spirits!

I spoke with Tom's doctor today.  He definitely does not have liver cancer, as is evidenced by an alpha-fetoprotein blood test.  The high level of alkaline phosphatase is more indicative of a biliary duct cancer, as this material lines the biliary duct.  Again, however, this does not show up on the MRI.  Hence, there will be a PET scan on Thursday.  The doctor's additional plan is to do an endoscopy in order to determine whether there is esophageal cancer, especially since the biliary duct cancer is not present through MRI screening.

Meanwhile, we remain positive.  We are doing a lot of work in getting Tom's body into an alkaline, as opposed to acidic, state.  We are doing this by making sure he eats a primarily plant-based diet, and makes a drastic reduction in red meats, processed foods, and sugar.  We have been told, over and over again by those who have survived, that cancer cannot live an alkaline environment, yet thrives on sugar, fungus, and acidity.  Thus, it only makes sense to stop ingesting highly-acidic and sugary foods.  Tom is also taking a soy peptide called Lunasin, mixed with alkaline water.  Tom is being cooperative with all of this, but remains skeptical.  In the meantime, since all of this leads to improved health and immunity, it couldn't hurt to at least try it.

Our next step is to get a daily dose of a green-tea-and-tumeric recipe, milk thistle, and cannabis oil.  We really must go "all out," as the doctor said the tumors along the backbone were quite numerous.

Please continue to pray, and feel free to give Tommy a call at (510) 885-0207.

With love,

Martie, Tom, and TJ 

Dearest Family and Friends,

We wanted to create a blog for all of you to check in with us regarding Tom.  To make a long story short, after fourteen wonderful years of marriage, the Canterberry household has an incredible challenge.  We cannot go through this without your love and support, and we want to give you an opportunity to stay in touch with us.

Tom has been feeling unwell since this summer.  There was a cold that took a long time to go away, and bone pain that created an unreasonable amount of pain and fatigue.  Thinking that this was merely old injuries catching up with age, Tom visited the chiropractor as well as a regular doctor.  Tom has always been good about going to his yearly check-ups, and blood work has always been absolutely normal.  There was arthritis and COPD to contend with, but nothing debilitating.

In November, things were becoming increasingly difficult, and in February, the bone pain was excruciating.  After X-rays, biopsies, and an MRI, Tom was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic adenocarcinoma.  He has been given four to six months to live.

This is grim, but there are many reasons not to despair about the possibility of losing this wonderful man, husband, and father.  

• First, many people have been given similar prognoses and lived to tell about them.  We're hoping that Tom can be one of those people, and we are seeking other opinions, as well as alternative treatments and modified lifestyles to improve Tom's qualify of life.
• Second, all is not known.  Unfortunately, the biopsy was perceived as biliary duct cancer.  This type of cancer is extremely rare (1 to 2 out of every 100,000 people in the U.S.), and the MRI does not show this.  A PET scan will happen Thursday to try and locate where this cancer is coming from; as of now, it has not been pinpointed, so it is difficult to give a prognosis for something you cannot yet locate and treat.
• Third, Tommy is loved.  We have a happy home, a happy marriage, and a magnificent son.  TJ and I will help him through this, regardless of the outcome, and all of us must help him not only to stay positive, but also help him experience the love, laughter, friendship, and hope that everyone needs in this life, regardless of circumstances.
• Fourth, the situation is peculiar, and therefore ambiguous.  If it were not for the bone pain that is making it difficult for Tom to walk, he would not feel ill at all.  Moreover, every bit of blood work is completely normal except for an extremely high level of alkaline phosphatase, which indicates liver problems.  However, this cannot be classified as liver cancer.  If a situation is this unclear, there is no reason to focus on anything except the more hopeful side.
• Finally, and most importantly, we are trusting completely in God and believe on and in the atoning work of His Son.  We want God's will to be done.  We must pray to find out what His will is, and truly believe in His plan for us.  We want Tom to be with us for as long as possible, with a quality of life that is worth maintaining and extending.  We do not know what God's plan is, but if His plan is to take Tommy home, then it is well with our souls.  That is very difficult for us to write,  but His love has truth, even when our love dies.  

Please contact Tommy whenever you wish.  Help him to stay positive, and please let him know that you love him.  The truth is, most people do not know when they will be taken; as it so happens, some people are given an early warning.  We are all on the continuum of the same short and delicate thread.  In the meantime, each day is still a precious gift, and an opportunity for us to glorify God through our works, talents, and love for one another.  He wants this from all of us, no matter how long we have left to live.

Thank you so much for reading our blog.  Please check in, as we will be posting news every day, even if there isn't too much to report.

Sincerely and with much gratitude,

Martie, Tom, and TJ