Matt's Doctor Appointment

Yesterday Matt left the house and voted. Also today he had his doctor appointment with Dr. Eastman in Johnson Creek. He is a medical onocologist from UW Health Systems-Madison. After the consultation, there is a course of action tentatively set. Things could always change. Beginning Monday, November 10 Matt will begin chemotherapy treatments at J. Creek. These should last about 3 months. After one more month, if everything goes as planned, Matt will go for a second, more major surgery to remove any cancer that remains. After getting recommendations from his surgeon, Dr. Stoddard, and Dr. Eastman we got in touch with a Dr. Paul Sugarbaker from Washinton D.C. He has his own clinic there and is a well known guru regarding this type of cancer surgery/treatment. It is actually described on his websight http://www.surgicaloncology.com/. After speaking with his office, we sent them all Matt's paperwork. They said Matt could be a candidate for this type of treatment. They also gave us a recommendation for systemic chemotherapy as soon as he is able, (which we will be doing) and that there is light at the end of the tunnel. We were happy that someone was so experienced and knowledgable about mucinous adenocarcinoma (30 yrs). They gave us three websites to gain more information. One of the websites listed 32 doctors at 27 hospitals(25 in US, 2 in Canada) that are experienced with this cancer. We began contacting them, and will continue on Mon. & Tues. They are scattered all over the country, more details to follow, but none in Wisconsin. It was nice to hear various success stories and miracles these surgeons had experienced. One said it was not age sensitive, in other words she had seen it in teens to age 85. One said it is kind of an orphan disease, a form of colorectal cancer, it sits on surfaces of organs and produces mucious. It also seems that every doctor seems to know of the other doctors on the list, and there experiences are shared through research which most of them do. So Matt could join that research soon!

Matt would like to thank everyone for their love, concern and especially prayers.
His trust is in the Lord!

Today and always, beyond tomorrow, I need you beside me, always as my best friend, lover and forever soul mate.

MATT AND CASEY ARE ENGAGED!

CONGRATULATIONS! After over two and a half years of dating, Matt had been planning this amazing moment for Casey for months and still wanted to do it as planned. They had looked at rings together a while ago to just to find the perfect one! Matt had gone to pick up the ring but it had a diamond loose so they had to send it back to fix and it would be back in within 2 days (Wed. Oct. 22). Casey had called and wondered if Matt picked it up yet but he told her the bad news that the diamond was loose and the ring wouldn't be back for at least 2-3 weeks. Yesterday Matt spent all day painting a sign for Casey. He had to take a couple of nap breaks but he was determined to finish it all by himself. Then today while Casey was at practice teaching the mini's, Matt was outside with the help of Ryan and Jen setting up his plan. Matt hung his sign up and also told some of the mini's parents to have the mini's bring Casey outside. They thought it was a suprise from them for Casey's birthday. When Casey stepped outside, Matt was waiting there on his knee. He had the song "Amazed: by Lonestar playing playing in the backround, which was their song. After he asked her, she said "YES!"

Congratulations you two! :)

Some love lasts a lifetime. True love lasts forever!

Home Sweet Home

Last night Matt, friends and family played Family Feud a game he recieved as a gift in the hospital. We played two games and the better team won both times (Matt, Casey, Jenny, Casey's sister-in-law Jen, and Darren, friend of the family). Matt had a great lightning round because almost all of his guesses were the number 1 answer which scored his team a lot of points! :) Then we called it quits because Matt's tummy hurt from so much laughing. He also was finally able to shower at home which he said felt wonderful. He slept really good in his own bed and not those uncomfortable hospital beds anymore. He still had to keep shoving Griffey, his cat, to the end of the bed every couple hours while he slept but he was glad to be home. Matt is feeling great today after a good nights sleep. His incision still looks clean and no signs of infection. Matt's appetite is also coming around. I think it is his mom's cooking instead of the horrible tasting hospital food. Right now, we are waiting to see Dr. Eastman, from the UW system, Friday morning for his oncologist appointment. In God's Name

Homeward Bound

Today Matt's doctor came to see him and decided he felt good enough to head home. Matt was overjoyed with this information. She discussed with him everything he needed when he got home and what the next step was. She also looked at his incision and removed every other staple. He isn't supposed to drive until Monday either. The family helped him pack up which took a bus load to get all of his gifts and cards home. :) I think everyone at the hospital is going to miss Matt and his goofiness but he is more than ready to head home to his own room and especially bed! He headed home after packing up and got there around 1030 am. He ate a grilled cheese sandwich and some tomato soup and decided it was time for a nap. Griffey was very excited to see him and the dogs, Meeks and Annie, just about plowed him over. His next appointment is with Dr. Eastman on Friday to see about the UW system and if his next surgery could be done there. We have also been researching many different doctors over the United States to find out that could be the best for Matt. Thank you everone for your help and references. It helps in so many ways. Visitors are still more than welcome. Let us know if you need directions.

Keep Matt in your prayers.

In God's Name...

More to come...

Applesauce

This morning Matt and his family were watching the news and just enjoying the day. Matt overheard the next door neighbor ask for applesauce. He decided "Hey, I want applesauce!" We went to find his nurse to see if he could have some applesauce to eat but she said no because it was not allowed in his diet. Matt wasn't happy because nothing he could eat he liked. The jello had no taste, the pudding was gross, the apple juice wasn't very tasty, etc. He decided to forget about it and go on a walk. We all walked with him and went off the unit and decided to cruise the first floor. Mom pointed out to Matt that his doctor's office was at the end of the hallway through the doors. Matt said that he was going to see her about eating some applesauce and Mom wanted to figure out when she would be stopping up to see Matt. We walked to her office and was talking with the receptionist who told us she wasn't in and wouldn't be until later to see him. Then all of the sudden the other doctor, that was covering his original for the weekend who has already seen Matt, came around the corner and was shocked to see Matt sitting in her office waiting room. He explained to her how he was hungry for applesauce and he had a good night with having a B.M. She advanced his diet to full liquids, so he can have applesauce, cream soups, cream of wheat, etc. She also said she would call up to the floor and let them know. Matt was overjoyed and the doctor found it pretty funny that Matt was hunting her down. I don't think they have seen anything like that before! :) She also said if he keeps progressing and can tolerate that diet, he may be able to advance his diet tomorrow to regular food. :) Needless to say, he was all smiles. After that we visited a majority of the hospital visiting with fellow co-workers. Then while we were downstairs in the hospital, his aid taking care of him came out of the elevators and saw him sitting there. She said as she was laughing"I was wondering where you went. I looked in your room and you were nowhere to be found!" We then headed upstairs because Matt was ready to rest and excited to see what was going to come up on his lunch tray!
More to come...

Oh Mondays

Last night all visitors were gone fairly early, so Matt was able to get to bed and try and get some sleep. The doctor said he would not be able to go home today but sometime later this week. He was up frequently to used the bathroom but the exciting thing was his bowels were moving so hopefully today they can advance his diet. Also that means that everything is going all the way through, and surgery was successful in that department. He is feeling good this morning ready to walk and maybe eat some solid food. He is getting anxious to get home to his own bed though. The hospital scene is boring him. His incision also looked good today with no signs of infection. :) We will see what today brings!
In God's name

Trick or Treat

Matt had a couple trick or treat visitors today. He gave them a little piece of candy and tried the trick or treat thing back to them, but all they could give him was jello or water. He said it was worth a shot! :) He is feeling MUCH better after a long nap today. His tummy isn't so upset and color has returned to his face. The doctor came and removed his dressing from his incision and said it looked really good. There were no signs of infection or anything like that. She covered it back up and also said his bowel sounds were great. She said that maybe a good nights rest will help his bowels get moving. She said he will stay on a clear liquid diet but it doesn't look like he will be going home tomorrow. His stomach is still a little distended but it is going down slowly.

More to come...

Bump in the road

Last night Matt got ok sleep. They have removed his pain pump and now got him started on taking pills for pain so he can go home. Pills so far haven't been sitting too well with Matt. He never really enjoyed taking pills and had a hard time in the first place too. This morning Matt isn't feeling too well and has gotten sick a couple of times. So maybe if you are planning on visiting, Matt would like it if you waited til later. :/ Anytime after 5:00 pm is great!
More to come...

Are you smarter than a 5th grader?

Continuing with yesterday afternoon, Matt walked probably more than 10 more BIG laps around the unit. He also got a nice long 2 1/2 hour nap which made him feel a lot better. Then Matt took his first trip off the unit and headed in to the elevators down to the first floor. He came downstairs and suprised his family and friends in the cafeteria. After visiting, we played the board game Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Grandpa Boy was the life of the party. Blue + Red= hmmmmmm......Orange....close grandpa...close! :) Everyone that was playing was at one point in time crying with laughter. It was an uplift for everyone. Mom was at the edge of her seat splurting out everyone's answer whether it was her turn or not. When it was mom's turn she had the question "In what city did the Grinch steal Christmas?" She was really confused and stumped just repeating I'm not sure WHO it was....I just can't picture WHO it could be...WHO was it? Aunt Tereseeeee was on the phone with mom getting updates about Matt so mom decided to ask her the question seeing as she has children. Aunt Tereseeee gave mom the answer and she shouted it out and instantly hung up on Aunt Tereeeee. I guess she had all she needed! :) Then Matt did some more walking and headed to bed early because he was exhausted.

Today already Matt has done 10 BIG laps with his sisters and 2 more BIG laps with Linda, Casey's mom! He is kind of tired of the scenery so they are letting hime walk through the ICU and now they just gave him permission to walk around the whole hospital. He is excited and now he can try having a some crackers but a small amount. He still hasn't passed gas yet so he can't advance his diet. He's been asking Casey to "pull his finger" to help his situation out. He also got his foley catheter yet and was able to go to the bathroom too after they pulled it. He also has been using his incentive spirometer every hour like he is supposed to. His sisters also helped him wash up and wash his hair but they ended styling it in a mohawk. Matt is getting better and better every day! :) Thank you for all of the cards and support! They doctor said he will be at the hospital for the weekend and home sometime next week. Matt wanted to let everyone know he appreciates the support and just to keep praying for him. He is strong and going to fight this.

Pathology Results

We found out that Matt has Mucinous Adenocarcinoma. It is a very rare cancer especially in young people. It has been there a while and is stage 4 cancer. It is not aggressive in any way and they think it originated in the colon but are unsure. This cancer is a reoccuring cancer and will be continually coming back, whether it is 2 years or 25 years down the road. The surgeon said that she took out about 98% of it now but recommended Dr. Eastman in Johnson Creek for further information. Our next step is to figure what doctor we are going to go to, where we are going to go, and how we are going to handle this. The surgeon said that the next surgery is more focused and we should find a doctor that is experienced with this type of cancer. The next doctor visit is outpatient services. She gaves us names of doctors with experience from Texas, North Carolina, and New York. If you know of any doctors with this type of cancer experience, please let us know. We would like to find the best we can for Matt. Keep Matt in your prayers. He is young and a very strong man. He is in great spirits and is going to fight this. He will never give up and neither should any of us. It is God's hands and let God's will be done. He has a plan for Matt and everything will be alright.

So continuing with the day, Matt had his first sip of juice today and he got a popsicle! :) He was very excited! They also weighed him today and he weighs 147.2 lbs. Then he napped and also got jello. He is in great spirits and smiling away. He doesn'f feel too sick today but we are waiting on the pathology reports to find out what type of cancer it is and how fast it grows etc. Cross your fingers, it is in God's hands now.
More to come...

Speedy

Last night we played some Queens (a card game) with friends and family with Uncle Neil, the rookie, taking the pot. We sat down for a movie but Matt was pretty tuckered from the day and was ready for bed. Last night Matt got a great night sleep with Casey because Dad wasn't in the room with his LOUD snoring according to Matt. He said it was the best night sleep so far. This morning around 10 Matt went on a walk around the unit a couple of times. His pain is much better and tolerable. So the count so far is 2 laps today and he excited to do many more. Matt still has his sense of humor, for example he says his catheter is "nice way to pee on the run." Matt welcomes many visitors and is excited for the rest of the day. He is waiting to pass gas so he can finally eat some actual food. His diet has been ice chips and water since Tuesday so don't let him talk you in to juice or desserts when you come to visit! Just a forewarning, he will try! :)
More to come...

Facing a New Spiritual Challange

Matt hasn't been feeling well for the past week so we went to the doctor on Thursday, October 16, 2008. The doctor ran blood tests which resulted in white count being high, also high blood pressure, pain in his lower abdomen, dehydration, vomiting, and diarrhea. He normally weighs 160 lbs. and at the doctors office it was 155 lbs. He had to receive IV fluids to rehydrate him and was told to go home and drink a lot of fluids. They also sad that if the symptoms continued or worsened, go up to ER or back to the doctors.

During the weekend, Matt started to feel better and was able to stand up in his cousin's wedding on Saturday. He felt pretty good for a few days until Tuesday when his symptoms started to act up again. Tuesday, October 21 2008, he started vomiting again and feeling stomach pains. After much persuasion by Casey, Matt gave in and agreed to go to the ER around 10:30 pm. At the ER, they did a CT scan and the results were a blockage in the colon which could not be cured through medicine or resting but through surgery. They admitted Matt to the hospital in a room by 3:00 am which intentions of surgery.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008- The surgeon came and talked to the family after viewing his CT scan and said that they were stumped and unsure of what it could be. She also got a second opinion from a surgeon and made a unanimous decision to open him up and see what was going on with the obstruction. Surgery was planned for 4:00 pm on Wednesday, October 21. They took Matt down around 4:15 pm and started pre-op. We waited and waited. The surgeon came up to his room around 7:00 pm with the results. She said Matt has cancer on his colon and spots of it on the outside of his liver and heading towards his anus. They removed half of his colon and some of his small intestines and also the masses of cancer they could safely reach. They were not able to get all of it because of safety reason and decided to save it for the cancer specialists. Matt returned to the room around 7:45 pm but was still very groggy. He rested on and off but doesn't remember much from the night due to anesthesia wearing off and pain medication.

Around 4:00 am October 23, 2008 Mom and dad talked with Matt after he was more alert and cognitive and explained everything that was going on. Matt said "Don't worry I'm going to fight this and I'm going to win!" He had a really good day though. He had many loving family members and friends come to visit him which he extremely appreciated and can't wait to see more. He sat up in the chair for 3 hours and then napped. He also walked down the corridor and around the loop of the unit in the hospital which was amazing for his post-surgery condition. After a long day, he is doing really well. They removed the NG tube and he is waiting and trying hard to pass gas so he can eat real food. Matt wants to go home in the next day but the doctor said not til Sunday or Monday. He is a fighter and a really strong young man.


Keep Matt in your prayers. What he needs is support and encouragement and a lot of smiling faces and lots of love. He is going to kick this cancer's butt!