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!
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!
8 comments:
Hi Matt - All my love to you!! I will keep you and your family in my prayers. I am looking at the pictures on my bulletin board right now of my FAVORITE Peer Helper Retreat - you guys swimming in the lake and the First Ever PH Toga Party!! Do you have any of those pictures? If you don't, I will get copies to you, as they will surely make you smile :) love - Tammy Foerster
Hi Matt,
I wanted to let you know that I will keep you in my prayers and will also add your name to our prayer chain at my church. You are a very strong young man and wish you all the best. If there is anything that I can do for you or your family, please let me know. I also have some very fond memories of the Peer Helper Group of which you were a big part of. Keep smiling because you have an awesome smile!!! All my love, Di
Hi Matt,
This is Brooke from the Mini's Team. I just wanted to let you know that I am sad that you are in the hospital and I miss you at practice. I hope that you get well very soon so that we can pick on you again, like we always do when we see you. It is so much fun to do that. Get well soon!!!! Keep smiling!! :) From Brooke.
HI MATT
IT WAS SO GOOD TO SEE YOUR SMILING FACE!! WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU AND ALL OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE PRAYING TOO!
SEE YOU SOON!
HUGS
TOM AND JULIE GATES
Matt,
Sharon and I surely have you in our thought and prayers. We ask for all of God's blessings and wish you to get well real soon so you can keep Casey out of trouble.
All our love (Uncle Jack and Aunt Sharon) ??????.
Way to go Matt, your finally home. How wonderful is that.
Your incision doesn't look to bad.
Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire is suppose to have an excellent cancer center. Just thought I would mention it.
Take care, your in our thoughts and prayers....
Love you
Jean and Bob
Hi Matt,
We're glad you're home and hope you continue to heal. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in a speedy full recovery. If you or your family need anything please give us a call.
Keli and Nate Melcher
Hi Matt,
I know your dad from the post office in Watertown. He has helped me for many years. And he is one "cool" guy. He told me about your health problems. I just want you to know that I think you are a very strong, determined young man, and this will help you go through the next surgery. You and your family will be in my prayers. God Bless.
Love, Janet Timm
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