Debi Pryde 

April 18, 2010

Tom is presently designing a new website for me, so have been hoping to do an update on the new format! Since he's been keeping so busy with other projects and it looks like a finished website won't likely be up for awhile yet, I figure I better get an update posted before you all begin to wonder what's going on with us!

Tom's IPF status is as expected—slowly continuing to deteriorate and needing increasing amounts of oxygen. We are so thankful that he has escaped bugs and viruses and has declined at a slow pace. The last time he had pulmonary function tests back in December the doctor expressed concern about pulmonary hypertension—something that could be potentially life threatening and require medications that would definitely not be fun. We were concerned that his latest pulmonary functions tests and stress test would reveal that the problem was worsening. Instead, the doctor reported that he could see no pulmonary hypertension this time around. Truly a wonderful thing to praise the Lord for!

In spite of the continuing worsening of his lung capacity and fatigue, Tom is still able to stay fairly mobile. The kids and grandkids came in February and together with Tom, all went four wheeling caravan style down the Mojave trail (while I was doing a conference in Michigan). Tom had his 50 lb. canister of liquid O2 and with everyone pitching in to help, did just fine. He felt pretty well cared for since our physician son in law and nurse daughter in law were along for the adventure! The three days of camping and exploring with all the grandchildren and married children was a treasured time for him. If you drop in to see us, he'll be happy to show you all the pictures everyone took along the way!

Tom is continuing to teach his adult Sunday school class, lead the choir and yes, he is still playing his trumpet—all with oxygen up full blast. He is speaking at the Junior Senior banquet for Pacific Baptist College in a few weeks and looking forward to fulfilling lots of projects this spring and summer. No, he's not bored yet! Gets tired pretty easy, but he's got a tenacious determination to keep himself going and gives each day all he's got!