Sometimes there is just no good way to bring bad news.

My father, Tom Tune, returned to the States last November as was his custom.  Normally, he returns for his physical at the Veterans Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas, they re-supply his medicine needs, he spends Christmas with family, and then he returns after the first of the year.

This time, things went differently.

The doctors informed Dad that he needed an aortic valve replacement in his heart.  If he put it off, he would likely not be able to have the surgery in a year - if he survived that long.  Dad made the decision to have the operation.  The surgery required getting on a surgeon's schedule, as well as a myriad of tests.  While waiting, Dad determined there was some travel he needed to do, including going to Oklahoma for Ngan Huynh's graduation from Oklahoma Christian University.  Though he had already driven several thousand miles visiting supporters, he complained that he wasn't up to driving himself.  A long-time supporter drove him to the graduation and back, and by then, Dad thought he was feeling better.  He determined to drive to Nashville from Little Rock for Christmas with family.

Dad's weakness, however, returned, along with a cough.

After Christmas, Dad drove back to Little Rock and began the process of making doctor appointments and getting tests, but he was diagnosed with bronchitis.  Only a minor delay would be necessary, but he didn't improve.  By January 14, his doctor determined he might have pneumonia and put him in the hospital.  His health had declined noticeably.  The cough increased.

Thinking he had something far worse than pneumonia, they quarantined him and started running tests.  On January 17, they put him in MICU.  On the 19th, his breathing was so bad they put him on a ventilator.  No one really knew what was wrong with him.  As it turned out, Dad was bleeding into his lungs.

In less than a week, the bleeding had stopped and they removed him from the ventilator.  All the doctors were positive that, though they didn't know what caused the condition in the first place, Dad would make a recovery and be able to have his heart surgery.  But the improvement was short-lived and he went back on the ventilator.  Evidently dad's lungs were damaged beyond repair.  He then had a stroke which we all thought was minor.  After all, he could still move and talk. The stroke increased in intensity however over the next week and Dad became unresponsive.  Abandoning hope, Doctors and family met Tuesday, February 5 and determined to take him off the ventilator.  Before anything could be done however, in less than fifteen minutes after making the decision, Dad just died.

Why? What happened?

We don't know.

I apologize for not writing you, his supporters, before now.  Until a few days before his death, everyone really thought he would rally.

The funeral will be held at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home, 201 S. 3rd St., Murray, KY 42071 at 11 am on Saturday, February 16.  Visitation will be Friday evening, February 15, from 5 - 8 pm at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the work Dad started educating children in Vietnam. You may send contributions to Amazing Grace International, P.O. Box 8453, Falls Church, Virginia.  22041 (or online at www.amazinggraceinternational.com).  Please mark contributions for "Tom's Kids."