Riding on the wings of prayer...

Dear Friends and Family,

I would like to bring you up to date on Matthew's current situation and schedule. Yesterday (Nov. 10) began another week of chemo (This will be the usual Mon thru Fri w/ shot on Sat). Even after 2 years, Matthew does so well "taking things in stride". He is amazing!

This chemo week had a tough beginning since Matthew had a stomach virus on the weekend that was still underway Sunday evening. It was touch and go to see if he could even begin chemo yesterday. Riding on the wings of prayers of those that knew that he was sick, Matthew was able to get up and make the trip to Knoxville.

Since his bloodwork was acceptable and the virus seemed to over, the decision was made to go forward. Matthew was given extra meds to help him rest during chemo as well as to help his "post virus" symptoms. It was a long day, but thankfully he completed his treatment.

On the ways home, around 5 pm, we stopped to pick up something for Matthew to eat. (He had hardly had anything for a day and a half.) As we left the parking lot after getting the food, a driver to our left did not see us ( I believe the sun was shining right in her eyes) and came very close to "t-boning" us (better known as hitting us broad side on the driver's side). I slammed on the brakes and blew my horn...it was very, very close.

Well, since it was so unexpected, this finished Matthew off and he became so sick to his stomach we had to pull over for him. Needless to say, he didn't get to eat the food we had just purchased. We got home, Matthew ate a little bit of applesauce, laid down and went to sleep. Thank the Lord for restorative sleep! We are praying for a calmer, better day today!

Matthew is also scheduled for a Pet Scan on Friday, Nov. 21st. We'll receive results on the 25th at a follow-up doctor's visit. We will be praying for phenomenal news to add to our Thanksgiving celebration that week!!

It has been 2 years this month that we have been on this journey with Matthew. Thank you for loving us, praying for us, and supporting us through these tough times. Your faithfulness to us has been so humbling and we love you for it. God has blessed us in so many ways during this time and you definitely are a big part of His blessings! Thank you.

Love, Nancy

More great news!

We received great news from the doctor today! The results of Matthew's recent scans showed more shrinkage of the tumors throughout Matthew's body. He has also gained another pound and the doctor feels Matthew's skin color is looking much healthier.

Praise the Lord for His love and mercy!! Thank YOU for your many prayers to God on Matthew's behalf!

Matthew will continue on the current treatment plan and will begin his next round on Monday, (Oct. 20).

Love, Nancy

Matthew's next scan is scheduled

Matthew and I went to see his oncologist today. Matthew had gained 1 1/2 pounds and the doctor was very positive about his exam and how Matthew is looking. Praise the Lord for HIs blessings!

Surprisingly, a Petscan is already scheduled for tomorrow (Friday). We go back to the doctor for results next Wednesday (Oct. 15).

We are so anxious to see how Matthew has progressed after 3 more rounds of his "new" chemo regimen. He's now had a total of 5 rounds since July. ( A "round" consists of a combination of 3 chemo medications taken each day for 5 days taking approx 3 1/2 to 4 hours to administer. Two meds are given directly into the bloodstream through Matthew's port. The 3rd is a capsule taken by mouth)

The results of his scans this summer after only 2 rounds were amazing as you recall. That was such a miracle from the Lord; a tremendous answer to many, many prayers. We are trusting the Lord for continued healing this time.

I'll keep in touch when we have more to share. We are so humbled by your love and your committment to pray for Matthew and our family. Thank you.

Love, Nancy

Matthew is taking chemo this week

We are thankful that Matthew was able to take chemo this week after his delay last week. His white count is still low but not so low that it kept him from chemo treatments.

Matthew was feeling pretty rough yesterday. Hopefully today will go better.

We see Dr. Dobbs (Matthew's Oncologist) next Wed. to schedule scans. I'll keep you posted!!

Love, Nancy

9/22/08 Update for Matthew

Dear Friends and Family,

Just wanted to send an update to you on what's going on with Matthew.

He has felt quite well with more energy than usual since his last chemo treatments allowing him to get out more and do some fun things with his friends.

Imagine our surprise today when we went in for his scheduled chemo treatment to find that his white blood count was too low for him take his treaments this week. So... he is now rescheduled for next Monday. Hopefully, the extra week will give his body opportunity to re-build his white count to a high enough level to take the treatments next week. So, breakout the face mask and hand sanitizer and stay away from any "sickies"!! Ha!

Matthew had already taken one of the meds he takes in capsule form before the blood test. Since he had no premeds for nausea, etc. today, he got sick from the one capsule this afternoon. We are praying it will be isolated to this afternoon and that he will get back to feeling well until next Monday.

Later in October, following his treatments next week, more scans will be done to see how far we have come since the last scan in August which, I'm sure you remember, was very good.

Hope each of you are having a wonderful day! Thanks for your love and prayers.
Nancy

September Update

Dear Friends & Family,
Just to let you know that Matthew's blood counts (although still low) were back up enough for him to begin chemo yesterday (Tues). He'll will continue through Friday and have another treatment on Monday the 8th to complete this 5 day treatment.

I also wanted to share with you that Greg (Matthew's Dad - in case you don't know) had another clean scan last week meaning he's been cancer free for 2 years now. We are SO thankful for that news!

Earlier this year I requested prayer for a couple I met from Hong Kong at Sloan Kettering hospital in New York. Jacqueline has been in chemo ever since and has finally seen a ray of hope in the response to her treatment. I humbly ask for your prayers for she and Stephen as they continue to face this horrible disease. Thank you.

Love,
Nancy

No Chemo This Week

As I have shared numerous times along the way, things can change on a dime on this journey. Matthew and I went to Knoxville this morning fully expecting a week of chemo to find that Matthew's white blood cell count was too low to take treatments this week.

So...he is rescheduled to begin next Tuesday, Sept. 2nd. Hopefully his blood counts will have sufficiently recovered by then.

At least he feels good and can enjoy another week of doing some things he enjoys. He just can't be around any "sickies" because when your white count it down, you are much more susceptible to germs/viruses/etc.

One of the "upsides" is he can enjoy his Labor Day Weekend plus the first UT football game of the season! Woo hoo!!

Happy Labor Day Weekend!
Blessings to each of you,
Love, Nancy