CHAPTER 1 Hello my name is Tom and I’m battling inoperable and incurable cancer

Hello everybody, my name is Tom Pattison, I’m 64 years old, and currently waging the battle of my life as I suffer from inoperable and incurable stage IV colorectal cancer with liver metastases.

I grew up in the small west-central Wisconsin farming community of Durand. During my high school years (1965 to 1969). I was a passionate sports participant and fan.

By my junior year at Durand High School I had fallen in love with radio.  Scott Victor Christenson (WEAQ-Eau Claire), Larry Lujack and John “Records” Landecker (WLS-Chicago), Charlie Boon and Roger Erickson (WCCO-Minneapolis) and “True” Don Bleu and Rob Sherwood (KDWB-St. Paul) were my heroes. I wanted desperately to be like them.

I wanted not only to be a “Top-40” disc jockey, but I wanted to broadcast football, basketball, or baseball games on the radio. I guess at the time I thought girls would think that me on the radio would be cool!”

Prior into falling into poor health in 2006, my career revolved around radio broadcasting, both as a disc jockey and sports announcer. I had several radio jobs around the country highlighted by 18 years at WFAW, KOOL 106.5 and a LITE 107.3 WSJY in Fort Atkinson/Whitewater, Wisconsin.  I was hired on June 11, 1988 at WFAW to be the “Radio Voice” of UW-Whitewater football and basketball along with other duties.

Most of you are probably thinking “what’s the big deal - its just small town radio.  Remember, I grew up in little Durand and to me, broadcasting UW-Whitewater football and basketball games WAS big time to me. I still think that way.

I also spent seven years covering the Green Bay Packers as writer, producer and "Voice" of the Goetz Radio Network's Titletown Report. 

On the morning of October 19, 2006 my life took an unexpected and abrupt change. 

I was sitting in UW-Whitewater football coach Bob Berezowitz’s office chatting with my good friend when I suffered a stroke.  It is now nine years later and I still suffer from debilitating effects from the stroke.

The extensive physical rehabilitation following my stroke was fueled by my many of hours watching the Warhawk football team up close on a daily basis.  I saw a team motivated on one common goal, to work hard every day in search of winning the game.  

That stroke was just the start of a series of major medical setbacks for me. I continue to draw inspiration from the work I’ve seen from UW-Whitewater football players battle through injury.

On July 2, 2012 I underwent colon cancer surgery. I had dropped over 70 pounds over six months leading up to the surgery. I suffered complications during the five hour surgery and was listed in critical condition for the 36 hours following my operation.  The surgery also included a colostomy.

The surgical procedure brought one end of the large intestine out through my abdominal wall. During this procedure, one end of the colon is diverted through an incision in the abdominal wall to create a stoma. A stoma is the opening in the skin where a pouch for collection of my body’s waste.

My 2012/2013 stage III colorectal cancer resulted in radiation and chemotherapy over a 13 month period.  

On September 14, 2013 I was told my cancer had fallen into remission.

To my utter shock, my cancer returned.

I was diagnosed on August 10, 2014 with stage IV colorectal cancer with liver metastases. The diagnosis occurred as the result of a routine blood test and follow-up CF-Scan just one year after having my previous cancer determined to have fallen into remission.

My current cancer is categorized as “inoperable and incurable.”  It is a term that has “haunted” me during the duration of this latest bout.

A life expectancy chart from the Cancer Treatment Centers of America illustrates the situation I’m in.  

Statistically I face an uphill battle. According to the chart, my life expectancy is 39% two years after being diagnosed. 21% three years after diagnosis. 11% after four years and just 7% at five years.

I’m not afraid of dying. I might be down but not out. I remain optimistic despite my uncertain future.  

I want to make a difference as I go through this latest medical dilemma. This book is intended to convey my thoughts and stories of my journey along my winding road.
It is very scary dealing with the cancer, especially for a second time.  I’m hoping that this book might allow others to better understand the ups and downs dealing with this despicable disease.

The following is an excerpt from my June 14, 2015 Caringbridge Journal post:

I’m the first to admit that too many of my CaringBridge Journal articles I talk about my daily struggles as I battle stage IV colorectal cancer with liver metastases . While wanting to portray a positive attitude I have talked way too often about worrying. Heck, I worry about worrying if that makes any sense!  I hit the “emotional wall” the other night and it scared me.   

After admonishing myself for being “Dudley Downer,” I entered yesterday with a renewed effort to approach each day with a positive attitude. 

I actually spent a couple hours on my hands and knees scrubbing my kitchen and bathroom floors and do some late spring cleaning.  I was surprised to come away with a sense of accomplishment.

One of my favorite sayings is ‘I just want to be able to make a difference.”  I must find something to be able to grasp onto. I need something to motivate me - to inspire me.
Hopefully by writing this book I can make a difference. 

A day at a time