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Hudsonville Eagle Diagnosed with Brain Tumor

May 26, 2013

By Mike Penn
Michigan Director of Scouting

Coming into 2013, the Hudsonville Eagles had plenty of motivation to attempt to repeat as Division I state champions.  However, last week a renewed motivation and sense of purpose emerged as fellow teammate, Tom Sikkema, was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Sikkema, a junior outfielder for the Eagles, was playing left field against Sterling Heights Stevenson, ironically in a Breast Cancer Awareness game between the two teams, when he ran down a flyball in the left field corner.  As he was tracking down the flyball he began to see two baseballs in the air and immediately began to guess which one he should catch.  Fortunately for Sikkema he guessed correctly.

The result? An out.

The following inning the vision problems continued to worsen.  Sikkema, who already had began to change his batting stance as a result of blurry vision, was now standing in the batters box and seeing two baseballs being delivered to the plate.  This time he would guess wrong.

The result? A strikeout.

After discussing his symptoms with his trainer and later a psychologist he was referred to a specialist who immediately ordered an MRI and Cat-scan. The news was not good.

The result? A tumor.

Talking with Sikkema is a joy.  His attitude and personality are upbeat.

“You know it is what it is.  What good is it to be negative? God has a plan and I’m just waiting to see what it is.”

But from the sounds of it Sikkema is also doing more than just waiting around.  He is the co-founder of TNT Customs and plans on turning his 1993 Bonneville into car to raise awareness for youth cancer. 

“I am going to plasti-dip my entire car in baby blue and gray representing youth cancer and brain cancer. My plan is to show the car in parades and shows to help raise awareness.”

Right now he is saving the necessary funds to make it happen. Our guess is that it won’t take long as the Hudsonville community and the surrounding area have rallied around him.

They have held prayer vigils.  Started Twitter hashtag campaigns (#Pray4Thom). Most importantly they have been available. 

According to Sikkema he doesn’t go a day with out receiving texts and phone calls from his teammates.

“They have been awesome. The whole community has been awesome.” 

What is next for the young Eagles outfielder? On June 3rd he is scheduled to have a biopsy to determine if the tumor is cancerous or not.

The result? To be determined.

*We will keep you updated on this story as more details emerge. 

 

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