Great Christmas!!

Gavin Butzine, Matt's Nephew

Sunday December 27 was Matt's Nephew, Gavin's Baptism.

Matt and Casey with Ella at the Danihel side Christmas.

Matt gave rims to Nate for Christmas
Matt and Casey at Christmas.

Sorry it is little dark. Here is Casey and Matt before they go snowmobiling.

Matt had a great Christmas. He feeling well. We are working on getting the insurance company's blessing for this surgery in Washington DC.

Matt spent time snowmobiling with his family and friends. He said he had a blast!! He even took Casey out on the snowmobile!!

Thank you to all for you continued thoughts and prayers. Thank you for the prays of help for the insurance company to help with this surgery. Matt is truly blessed with the support of his family and friends. Thank you so much!!

Surgery Change!

Matt is no longer having surgery in Watertown Hospital. I sent the pathology report to Dr. Sugarbaker and he felt he will help Matt the most. Dr. Sugarbaker knows this cancer and how to deal with it.

Matt is set up to see Dr. Sugarbaker on January 19, 2010 for a physcial. January 20, 2010 he will have some tests done and on January 21 he will have surgery. They say he could be in the hospital 10-14 days.

Matt got back his tumor marker results. It went up to 2.8 from 2.7 last time.

Thank you for all your continued prayers.

Surgery again!

Dr. Stoddard found 2 polyps or nodules. We will have the pathology report on Thursday. Polyps are not cancerous but will turn to cancer nodules. Nodules are already cancerous. Dr. Stoddard says they have to come out and the only way is surgery as soon as he can do it.

Matt is set up for Surgery on December 23 at 7:30 in the morning. Dr. Stoddard said by Christmas Day IF. . . he was feeling up to it she would let him leave the hospital for a while to be with family! My side (Kitty's) of the family gets together on Christmas Day and we have switched it to be at our house in Ixonia so Matt can be apart of it.

Matt is having a colon resection surgery. This is where she cuts the colon open where the polyps are and takes them out and reattached the colon. She is not worried about my possibly having a colostomy done. She dose not for see that happening!! She cannot do it Laparoscopic surgery because Matt has had to many surgery's.

So on December 23rd Matt has to be in the hospital at 5:30 with a clean colon again!! He cannot eat or drink after midnight on the 22nd.

Thank you for all your continue thoughts and prayers for Matt! If you want to visit Matt he will be at Watertown Hospital Deceber 22 thru Dec 27. They said it is usually a 5 day stay.

Colonoscopy scheduled

Over the weekend Matt developed some bleeding. He went to the hospital on Saturday. Dr. Eastman had them check if he was anemic. Tests show he was okay. Matt has no pain anywhere so we decided to wait until Monday.

Matt saw Dr Stoddard today. She checked him over. Matt has a colonoscopy scheduled tomorrow at 11:30. It should take about a half hour. Dr. Staddard will let us know if she found anything after that.

Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers!

Thanksgiving early

Friday, November 20 Matt had a family thanksgiving at home with the whole family. His sisters and brother and all their dates were all able to be there. So were Grandma Aud and Grandpa Boy. We were giving thanks at the table when Matt stated he had something to be thankful for! Matt stated he was thankful that he can "Poop". We are very thankful for Matt that he is feeling well, eating and gaining weight!

Matt has had a very tough year! Matt had a lot of hurtles to over come. Matt has always said he is going to beat this! With Matt's strong will and all the prayers out there Matt is doing well.

Thank you for all your continued prayers. To all our friends and family have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving!

Good Meeting with Doctor!

Met with Doctor Eastman on Friday. Dr. Eastman said Matt's vital signs were great! They took Matt's weight and it was up to .....148#! Unbelievable, Matt is doing a great job of putting on
weight! Nurse Karen said this is the second highest weight she has seen Matt have. They
were very happy to see him putting weight on!

New coarse of action is nothing. Matt and Dr. Eastman decided to continue to put some weight on, eat the right foods and take an aspirin a day. Who would have thought that an aspirin a day
also helps to fight off cancer! Not only good for cardiac, now it is good for fighting cancer!!

We are going to wait until January 19 to do another CT Scan and January 21 for another CEA Tumor Marker test and January 22 for the Doctor appointment to find out all the results.

Thank you for keeping Matt in your continued prayers! God is hearing them!

Great News!!

We just got back Matt's CEA Tumor Marker test results! Matt's number went from 3 down to 2.7! As a Mom I was so worried it might take a jump because he hasn't been doing any chemotheraphy! It proves with faith and all the prayers out there for Matt it has been working!

Matt has a Doctor appointment today at 3:00. We will see how much he weighs and what we next.

Thank You for all your continued thoughts and Prayers!! They are working!!

CT Scan Results!!

Good News! Matt's CT Scans were clear! No signs of a tumor anywhere. Now we just have to wait until Thursday when he goes for his blood test. This is his tumor marker test. Last time he was a 3. He slowly creeped up since his surgery in Washington D.C. Hopefully it stopped creeping for a while!!!

So far so good!!

Thank you for all your continued thoughts and prayers!! I truly believe in miracles! Matt has so many friends praying for him! Thank you so much!!! God Bless all of you!!

Weight going good!

Matt helping out at home with the Electrician to fix our yard light.

Matt has been taking the last month and trying to eat what ever he could. He was on the scale at the Post Office one day and they determined he weigh about 145. He is feeling okay but keeping very busy at work and getting the plow on his truck for winter. He is planning on plowing driveways this winter.

Matt is at the hospital today getting a CT scan of his pelvic, abdomen and chest. On Thursday he goes for tumor marker blood test and then Friday a Doctor appointment with Dr. Eastman in Johnson Creek with the results.

This weekend Matt went to the Marine Ball Banquet Saturday night with Casey. He was recognized for the help with the Marine Park by the Airport.

Full weekend!

Matt continues to keep very busy! Friday night Matt and Casey spent together and went out to eat. Saturday Matt got up early and took his Dad's car in for a front end alignment. Then Nate went down with his car to get tires. So while Matt was waiting he went to Milwaukee and Waukesha with Lyle for some errands. Matt enjoyed the morning with Lyle while our car was getting fixed. Then Matt picked up Casey and Nate and they went and picked up Nate's girlfriend, Tabby, and went to Aunt Teresesss's house for cousin, Sydney's birthday. She turned 9 on 10/24/09. Conversation was on a roll that evening.

Sunday, Matt and Casey went to church. Then we went to Christine's and Chad's for Colton's birthday he turn 9 on 10/29/09 also. Then Matt went to Casey's house to relax for awhile.

Matt continues to gain weight slowly. He is feeling well. He does not to get a little more sleep. That's a mother perspective of coarse!!!

Thank you for all your continued thoughts and prayers!!

October 22, 2009

Today marks one year since Matt and his family found out he had cancer. Matt invited some of his friends to have pizza for his "Cancer Birthday". Matt is feeling well. He has been eating food and trying to gain weight.

Matt has been going none stop. He has been working, fixing on his truck and getting thing ready for winter! Matt has another CT Scan and tumor marker test on November 10th. Mat is trying to keep his word to the doctor and gain weight!

Thank you for all your continued thoughts and prayers!

Oct 16, Lowe's Big Race!!

Matt and Casey went with Lyle and Tammy Wuestenberg's & family and friends to North Carolina to see the big race! Matt and the group were guest of CARQUEST for the weekend. The watched the NASCAR Banking 500 race on October 16. Matt got to spend Friday night down in the pits and meet a lot of the drivers. On Saturday they got to watch the Saturday Night Sprint Cup Race. Matt was a Mark Martin fan! Matt got to stand on the tool box next to the pit crew chief during the race. Matt saw first hand how the cars were worked on, tires changes and all the stuff they do to the cars in the 30 seconds pit stop! Matt said he had the most incredible weekend! He met the owner and CEO of CARQUEST!

Thank you to Lyle and Tammy Wuestenberg, CARQUEST FAMILY and the family at Lowes Motor Speedway! Matt is so greatful for all the fabulous races he has been able to see, all the very nice people he has met, all the racers he has met and talk to! He would like to thank everyone for all the memories!

Picture will come soon. Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers for Matt. Everyone has been so kind to Matt and his family! I would like to say, Thank You! Matt has felt very loved by all.

Great Weekend!

Matt was home early Friday to get some sleep for his big day on Saturday. Matt and his friend, Brett went on a Camero Ride. This is where a club of camero owners take their camero's out. They have a well planned route they drive for several hundred miles. They stop at various towns with the caravan of camero. They get to spend the day talking about their cameros! Matt and Brett had a great day.

On Friday Matt and Casey are going to North Carolina for the big race! They will be spending time with Lyle Wuesenburg group. They all will be spending time down on the center field with the drivers the day of the race! Matt and Casey can't wait for this weekend!

Matt has been putting on some weight. He is in the high 130's. Officially we do not see the Doctor until November. He is eating an he can now drink a soda from the refrig. It still is just a tad cold but nothing like before where he would have to have his drinks at room temperature. He said that food still dose not taste yet. He is hoping that comes back soon.

Baby Time!

Matt's older sister and brother in law, Christine and Chad, had their baby this last weekend on October 3, 2009 at 7:06 am. His name is Gavin Bennett Butzine. He was born about 4 weeks early but is very healthy and doing wonderful. Gavin was 6 lbs. 13 oz. and 19 inches long.

Dr. Appointment, Friday

On Friday, Sept 25, Matt had a Dr. appointment with Dr. Kyle Holen in Johnson Creek Cancer Center. They weighed Matt. With his clothes and shoes on he was 127 pounds. Dr Holen explained to Matt that he needs to put on weight. Dr. Holen said that any more chemo at this time would hurt Matt more that it would help him. His body need to recuperate. He needs to put on weight and get stronger!

Matt and Dr. Holen and a team of physicians from UW-Madison thought that Matt needs to have another CT scan and tumor marker test (CEA blood test) done in October. They are going to use this as a base numbers. From there they are going to watch Matt's progress. Every 3 months Matt will have CT scan and tumor marker test done. They will decide on coarse of action as they see fit according to Matt's numbers.

In the mean time Matt can eat anything he wants. Matt does have to keep in mind eating healthy is the way to go. Dr. Holen said that hopefully in a few months some of the side effects for the chemo will disappear. The Doctor said that maybe in a few months or so Matt will be able to have ice cream and cold drinks. He said everyone is different. It might take Matt weeks or it might take months before the cold doesn't effect him.

When it comes to the numbness in his fingers and legs. Dr Holen said that could take years before that will dissappear. He has had some patients that took up to 9 years before the numbness goes away.

Matt is very happy not to have to do chemo for awhile! He is very excited to start feeling better so he can work. He is planning on going to work on Monday.

Matt and Casey would like to start building a house sometime next year. He wants to work and save money to build a house with lots of car space! Still a discussion in works!

Hospital Stay

Took Matt up to the ER yesterday. Dr. Eastman's office thought it would be a good idea for Matt to check into the hospital and get some fluids for 24 hours. The Doctors think they figured out Matt's problem. They think Matt has Ecoli. Not sure where he would have gotten it from. There are hundreds of different ways to catch Ecoli. They are treating him for that virus and for thrush virus in the mouth (the kind babies get). Matt weighed in at 128 pounds. The Doctor told Matt he needs to eat and put some weight on. Matt hears from everyone that he has to put weight on. He is trying to but nothing seems to stick!!

Today the Doctor let Matt go home. As long as he continues to take the medications they prescribe and he behaves himself they let him go home at 2:00 today. He will still have a few days with diarrhea left with this virus. They want him to drink a lot to flush his system out!

Thank you so much for all the continued thoughs and prayer for Matt and his family!

Flu! Sick!

Matt has been sick for the last month. He has had a very bad cough and diarrhea. With all that going on Matt has still been trying to work.

Last weekend Friday night 9-11-09 Matt and Casey and Nate went to UW-Whitewater to visit a friend. Nate went to check out the college.
9-12-09 Matt and Casey had a nice easy day. They had a friend's going away party that night.
9-13-09 Went all went to church together for Brian and my 28th anniversary. It was nice to have most of the kids there.

9-14-09 This week Matt worked. He took Wednesday off to sleep and try and feel better.
He went upnorth with Casey to visit family.

While upnorth Matt started with the diarrhea and vomitting. Matt tried to change his diet and eat bread, rice, applesauce hopping to get rid of the diarrhea. It didn't work.

We took Matt to the ER Sunday afternoon. They took chest x-ray and x-ray of the pelvic. They were all good. They gave him IV's and we went home.

Matt continued to have diarrhea Sunday night and Monday night. We are taking him to the ER to be admitted to the hospital for 24 hours to get IV and medicine for the diarrhea.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers for Matt.

Another busy Week!

Matt worked all week. On Thursday night Matt bought a plow for his truck. He plans this to be his new winter job snow plowing people's driveways. So if anyone needs their driveway snowplowed give Matt a call!

Friday Matt had Lab work done in Johnson Creek. Then Casey and Matt went out to eat with his Grandma Jo, Aunt Shelly, Jenny and his Mom. Everyone enjoyed their fish fry and had lots of laughs. We went to our house (Matt's) and continued to have lots of laughs!

Saturday, Matt worked in the morning and then he went to the Brewer Game with Grandpa Tony, Uncle Jeff, Uncle, Brian (Dad), Uncle Chris, Uncle Mike, Nate and cousin Eric. They all had a fun time grilling out and watching the game! Then Matt came home and Casey met him at our house so they can spend time together.

Sunday, Matt went to the Great Lake Drag way with John Gruenwald and his friend Brett. They had tons of fun. John had tickets for them and got them down on the track. Matt got lots of autographs on pictures and shirts. He got to meet someone famous, "Framer". He has been drag racing for many, many years.

Monday, Matt and Casey went out with her side of the family for Ryan's birthday.

Very busy days for Matt but he likes it that way!!

Thank you for all your thoughts and continued prayers!

Matt and Lyle were framed!!

Matt and Lyle from Tomorrow's Hope.!

Helping to raise money that will stay in Watertown, Jefferson County to help cancer patients and lots more!!!

Another Very Busy Weekend!

Matt work hard Monday thru Thursday and on Friday he started chemo. Casey and Matt's Mom, Kitty went to his appointment. Chemo went well. He weigh in at 138.0 back up a little bit. After chemo Matt, Casey and I went to visit Lyle at J&L Tire. Talk with Lyle about Tomorrow's Hope! Can't wait until next year to help raise money for Tomorrow's Hope. Lyle also gave us a car ride to show us where the new Hospice is going to be built. It is going to be a beautiful building and grounds for families.

Then we went to lunch. Matt and Casey took me for a ride to show me the lot they are planning on building a house for when they get married. Then we went a rented some movies and went to Matt's house. Casey and Matt went to Brett's house for supper and a movie.

On Saturday Matt slept in a little bit. Then he got up and went to work. Matt and Casey went to Marquette to visit their friend, Ashley. After their visit Matt and Casey then went to Matt's cousin's, Luke's 3rd birthday party. Then they went back to Watertown for a friend from work, Andy's pig roast. After that day Matt was tired and went to bed.

On Sunday Matt and Casey went golfing at Windwood Country Club. This was Matt's second time ever golfing and Casey's third time!! They did not to bad. Then Matt and Casey went home to Casey's house for a rest.

Matt is trying to keep a normal life style he is used to. He sure is doing a good job.

Matt has three more chemo treatments to go. On Sept 9 he has a CT scan to see if they can see anything. After that they will see if there is anything else they might do.

Thank you for all your continued thoughts and prayers!!

Busy Weekend!

Celebrating on Thursday night Mattt's Uncle Neil's 50th Birthday!

The weekend of Aug 21, 22 and 23 were very busy for Matt. After a week of working hard Matt Friday night went to Jefferson Fair grounds for Tomorrow's Hope. Matt participated in the walk around the track to help fight cancer. Matt was Lyle and Tammy's Weustenburg's guest for the night. Matt had alot of fun!

Saturday was his cousin Becky's wedding. Matt worked in the morning and Matt and casey went dancing at Becky and Mike's wedding.

On Sunday Matt went to Milwaukee at State Fair park to race his car! H

Matt will be starting another round of chemo tomorrow. He seems to have a little touch of a cold. He is feeling alittle better this week but needs to get alittle more sleep.

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers!

Chemo again!

Matt went in for another round of Chemo. At his doctor appointment he weighed in at 136.7 pounds and his CEA tumor marker test was 3.0. This went up alittle from 2.1. He weight went down alittle also. He now weighs 137.6. Matt is tolerating the chemo. If you see Matt give him some ice cream or something fatting!!!

Matt is going on a Camero cruise tomorrow! He is excited about that.

Thank you for all the prays and continued support!!

Doing Well.

Matt's last chemo treatment went well. He had a couple spells of numbness in his fingertips and leg. He said it was hard when it rained out. The rain drops hurt when they hit him. So far Matt still has all his hair. He gain a few pounds and he now weighs 138 pounds! Yeah!!!

Matt has been keeping busy with work. Thursday night he kept score at Ixonia Park for the soft ball games. On Friday Matt and Casey went to Riverfest.

Saturday morning he slept in. He caught up on some of his sleep!
On Saturday afternoon Matt went to lunch with his Uncle Neil, Uncle Keith and his Dad. He had a good time with his Uncle's!! Saturday night he spent his time with Casey. They had supper at Riverfest and then went to a party. On Sunday Matt had his Camero in the Riverfest Car Show.

Thank you to everyone for all you thoughts and prayers! Matt and his family are very comforted by knowing we have such great support!! Thank you very much!!

Catching up!

Matt and Casey!!

The girl's and their "Hunky" Bartenders!

Mike S., Mike G, Matt and Brett "HUNKY"

On July 31 Matt, Mike (Jenny's boyfriend), Mike (Becky's fiancee), and Brett were our "hunky" bartenders for girls night out! Matt's Mom and all her sisters (Shelly, Lori, Terese) and sister-in-laws (Donna, Wendy) , Matt's sister, Jenny, Matt's cousin's, Becky, Pat, Amanda and Matt's very good friend Mary and Matt's most favorite friend, Casey (love of his life) went in a Limo bowling then to Areo Park. That is where Matt set up the bag toss game and got out the food and drinks so when the girls showed up in the Limo they were all set to eat, drink and play. Then the limo let to take us to the restaurant, Steak Fire and from there we went home to Matt's house were we met up with him again to play a board game, Partini. Matt had fun laughing at all us girls!! Was a very fun night out and hearing all the laughter and smiles on every ones faces!

July 31, Matt stopped at Casey's house. Casey showed Matt the beautiful pink roses she got. Matt was a little jealous and wondered who had sent them. Then he came home to see his mom had a beautiful peach rose bouquet!! He was wondering who the Henry's were that sent roses to Casey and his Mom. Matt found out the Henry's are the family who bought the rose package from Draeger Floral from his benefit. They were gracious enough to think of Casey and myself. They were beautiful and we would like to thank you for the roses and thinking of us!! THANK YOU to the Henry Family!!!

Aug 2, Matt helped his uncle Moose move alot of his stuff! Matt likes driving dump trucks and other pieces of equipment. Long day for Matt but he enjoys keeping busy!!

On July 30 Matt had pizza with his Dad and Grandma Aud. Grandma Aud is doing good with her chemo. She lost all her hair but she got a couple of nice wigs!

July 26 Matt and Casey went boating with Joel Clayfish and his family. They had a lot of fun out on the boat relaxing, laughing and eating. Then Matt and Casey went to Casey's Blue Revue dance recital. The mini's did a real good job!!

On July 19 Matt was in the Fox Lake Car show. He did not place. He said he was showing against hundreds of other really nice cars. He said some of the cars he was competing against were worth a $100,000. Didn't matter because Matt had fun anyway.

Matt could not do his chemo on 24 his platlet count was to low. Matt went Friday, July 31 and his counts were better. He started chemo on the 31. He weighed in at 138 pounds. He gained another 3 pounds!!! This cold weather he doesn't like at all. His ears hurt and then his finger tips feel numb. He said if it starts to rain each rain drop feels like a nail hitting him. If it starts to rain he plans on spending the day with Casey!!

Matt is doing another 3 months of chemo. He is hoping that the weather gets warmer so it is not to hard on his body.

Thank you for all your continued support and prayers.

Golfing with Brett

Matt has been feeling pretty good. He even went golfing with Brett this week. Brett claims Matt had a few lucky strokes to beat him!!

Matt has been handling his chemo pretty good. He gained 3 pounds this last time. We found another protein bar for Matt to try. Hopefully this will help him put on weight. While some of his family went up North for vacation Matt found himself having supper with Tom & Julie Gates! (Jenny's boyfriend, Mike's parents) He stopped to drop of some tires and he sat down and had supper with them!! That was great Matt is still smiling about it!

Matt had a busy week watching over the house, the dog and taking care of his little brother, Nate! This of coarse was a easy task for Matt seeing how his baby brother never does anything wrong!!! (Ha Ha

Matt helped this weekend with the Marine Corp picnic at the Aero park on Saturday and he helped with the Elk's picnic at the Aeor park on Sunday! Matt is feeling a little tired tonight.

This coming Friday, July 24 will be Matt's last chemo for awhile. He wants to see how his number is after a month without chemo. Last time he had his tumor marker test it was 2.1. Hopefully it stays low again when he takes the test Friday morning. We will not know what it is until Monday, Aug 3.

Thank you for your thoughts and Prayers and dinners!!!

Back at it!

Matt started chemo again last Friday. So far he is feeling pretty good but it is making him tired more often. He has been keeping very busy with work and hanging out with family and friends. He went to see the new Transformers movie and really liked it!
Hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

Happy 4th of July!!

4th of July Parade, Tom and Kitty

Casey dancing with her blue review girls in the parade.

Matt driving his truck with the sound system for the blue review dance team during the parade.

Matt and Casey getting ready for the parade.

Matt and Casey were in the parade with the Blue Review ance Team. Then he had to turn around and go back and do it with the camp blue reveiw girls towards the end of the parade.

It was a fun and long day!


Matt & Casey got to go to summerfest yesterday. They went to the concert, Kenny Chesney! Matt said it was awesome! Got a little late so he was a little tired today! He got a call from the Cancer Clinic. His tumor maker test was 2.1. Went up a little from last time, 1.9. The chemo seems to be slowing it down like it is suppose to.

Thank you for all your prayers and support!

3rd Round of Chemo

Matt is in the middle of his third round of chemo. He is handling the Xeloda pretty good. If he touches anything cold he might feel numbness in his fingers. He has experienced numbness in his left thigh. It mostly makes him tired. He is working every day. They did not do a tumor marker test (CEA) this time. They will be doing it on July 2. We should know Monday, July 6 what his number is. He did weigh in at 131. He lost a few ounces only!! We are looking to find a engery bar that will help put some weight on him that he will like to eat.

Matt has been keeping busy working at his job and working on his car! This makes him happy! He is also very happy because he gets to spend time with Casey!!

Thank you for your prayer and continued support. Matt reads every card when he gets them. They brighten his day! Thank You!!

Feeling Good!

Matt has been feeling good all week. He has been working hard and at nights he gets alittle tired. Tomorrow he starts another round of Chemo. After chemo Matt and Brett are going to go watch a movie, Transformer, Revenge of the Fallen! Then he is going up north to visit some of Casey's relatives. Tomorrow we will find out his CEA Tumor marker test number. They do those every other week. That number needs to stay between 0-3. Last time it was 1.8. Hopefully this time it will stay low again!! Please pray for Matt.

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers!

He is a Winner!!

Matt won BEST OF SHOW in in class!! Wow!! Matt was so happy!! He got up early Sunday moring and washed his car and cleaned it out! It was so.......sparkling clean!!! He walked around the grounds and saw his competition. He new the class he was in was going to be hard! He was so excited when he was the winner!! Congratulations, Matt!

Thank you for all your continued prayers!

Second Round of Chemo Done

Matt finished his second round of chemo on June 19. He had a few days of being tired. This time he was experiencing some numbness on his left thigh. The numbness would come and go. Matt has been going to work every day! He has been loving it that this chemo has not gotten him sick or keep him from going to work.

Matt has been keep himself busy. Spending lots of time with Casey and working on his car in his spare time! He has entered the Beaver Dam car show for Sunday, June 21 on Fathers Day. Hope he does well!!

Thank for your continued thoughts and prayers!! It not only helps Matt but it has been helping the rest of the family!

Feeling Well

Matt has been feeling pretty good this week during chemo. He does feel pretty tired but he is still going to work everyday and keeping active. You know Matt...He likes to keep busy! Friday is his last day to take more chemo pills for the week and then he has a week off!
Thank you for all of your continued thoughts and prayers!

2nd Chemo Treatment

Matt started his second round of chemo today. He is feeling not to bad. While he was at the cancer clinic starting chemo his left leg went numb. They kept him ther alittle longer watching his leg. They said it was a side affect from the drug. He lost a pound compared to 2 weeks ago when he weighed in. He is 132.8 pounds. While he is doing his chemo he cannot have anything cold. No cold drinks or food. He shouldn't touch anything cold. Matt has been busy working. He is enjoying being back at work!! Matt is a hard worker and can't stand having nothing to do!!

Thank you so much for all your prayers and support!!

Chemo Went well

Matt finished his first round of chemo on Friday, June 5. Now he has off until Friday, June 12 and he will start round 2 of chemo. He goes in the morning and they start an IV and gives him fluids and some medications. He is done around 1:00 and then he has to start with his chemo pills. He takes 6 pill every 12 hours for 7 days. He cannot drink anything cold or his throat feels like it is swelling up. He cannot touch anything cold it will numb his fingers. Matt had 2 days where he was very tired. He left work to take a nap. Otherwise this chemo treatment went fairly well. His tumor marker test was 1.8. We want to stay between 0-3!! So far so good!!
Matt has been happy to be back at work. He likes to keep busy! Probably to busy than he should be!! Everyone knows Matt!

Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers!

Not feeling well

Matt left the shop early yesterday because he was not feeling well. This morning he feels alittle better and hoping to go to the shop for a little while. He still has to take his chemo pills through Thursday. Hopefully he feels better so he can take the rest of his pills.

Thank you for all your continued thoughts and prayers!

Chemo again!

Matt started chemo again on Friday afternoon.  He had labs on Thursday and his cancer number was 1.8 which is great.  He is feeling really good and has not gotten sick at all this time.  Saturday he was out mowing lawns and this Sunday afternoon, he went to one of his cousin's birthday parties!  He is doing the pill form this time where he takes 6 chemo pills in the am and then 6 more chemo pills at night.  Side effects have not been bad so far.

Please continue to keep Matt in your prayers!

Race Day!!!

Wow!! What a fun filled day! We had lunch in the Hendricks tent. They served lunch, Jeff Gordon, Jimmy Johnson, Mark Martin, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. all came to talk and answer the audience questions. Then Matt, Brian, Steve, Nate, Brett, Ryan and Darin all were in a contest with tools. Just what they enjoyed! They all did so well they ended up in the top 5 and won a bunch of tools!!!

Matt and Elizabeth West and her boss, Dan Farrell.

Elizabeth giving a ride to the Hendricks tent in her golf chart.

Matt, Nate, Brett, Ryan, Darin, Jenny, Casey and Jen in front of one of the racing cars.

Lowes entrance to the race track. Here we went up to find our seats in the club house.

Matt and Elizabeth West. Elizabeth and Lindsay made our stay great!!

Matt and Ryan in a tool contest!!

Nate and Brett in tool contest!!!
Matt and Mark Martin!!

Elizabeth West giving them a ride to the Hendricks tent!

Matt, Lyle and his daughter, Crystal and Car Quest, Bob

Elizabeth taking Casey and Matt to the Pit's with all the race car drivers and crew.

Shawn Johnson, Gymnastice gold medalist and winner of dancing with the stars was on stage at Lowes opening ceremony. Matt was shoulder away from her!!

Matt and Casey in the rain !

Cars were lining up to start the race when it started to rain.

Matt and Bob, from CarQuest!

Tony Stewart

Kyle Busch

Jimmy Johnson

Matt Kenseth

Micheal Waltrip
Winners from the past Coca Cola Races! Richard Petty, Donnie Allison, Bobbie Allison, Buddy Baker

The day ended in rain so there was no race. Everyone was dissapointed but Nate found himself asking a cute girl for a picture. You will not believe who Nate found to take a picture with!!

Miss USA!!!!!

We didn't get to see the race on Monday but we all had so much fun anyway!! It was our first time seeing the before show and the CarQuest Race and partying in the Henricks tent!! It was a blast and we want to say, A BIG THANK YOU!!! Thank you so much Lowes Motor speedway, Lindsay Speigel, Elizabeth West and Bob, CarQuest!!

Matt, Casey, and all of us have lots of memories.

This Friday Matt starts chemo again. Hopefully he is not supposed to get sick with this kind.

I pray that things go well for Matt on Friday.

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.

CARQUEST 300 Race Saturday

Here is a group shot with Lindsay before the race.

Here is Matt and Nate watching the race from down in the pits.

Matt and Nate are so close to the action the can see the pit crews changing tires during the race.

What a day!!!

We got to see the CARQUEST 300 race today!  They got a late start due to rain.  They did 170 laps out of 200 before they called it for another rain storm.  The winner was #1, Mike Bliss.  We had great seats out of the rain.

Here is a picture of Matt with a 2010 Camero.  Elizabeth West took Matt to Hendrick's tent to see the new camero!  Matt was loving it!  

Tomorrow we are getting up, heading to a nice lunch and then off to the Coca Cola 600!  We are all very excited! Now time to catch up on some much needed sleep.

In North Carolina!

We arrived in north Carolina 7:30 am their time.   They let us in our rooms right away.  We showered and napped.  We picked Matt, Casey, Jen and Ryan up at the airport at 12:45.  After lunch we are going to Lowes motor speedway for all the festivities.  Specatator gates open at 2:30 with lots of activities.

Matt had a great flight.  Nos surprises which is always a good thing.

Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers.

Coca Cola 600

Matt is getting ready for a very exciting weekend! Lindsey from Lowes Motor Speedway was able to get us tickets for the Coca Cola 600 on this Sunday, May 24 of Memorial Day weekend. Matt's family and his best friend Bret and his family are driving to North Carolina so they are leaving tomorrow afternoon. Matt, Casey, and her brother and sister-in-law are flying to North Carolina and leaving Saturday morning. We are all very excited to make another trip to Lowes. Everyone there has been generous and caring with Matt during this journey. This is Matt's first NASCAR race!
Please continue to keep Matt in your prayers.

Brewer Game!

Last Wednesday, Matt, Casey, his cousin Patricia, and friend Bret went to the Brewer's game vs. the Florida Marlins!  It was stormy out and kind of chilly, but they had a lot of fun.