February

I know it's been since November that I updated the blog. Our lives have taken many amazing twists and turns. Matthew began his new chemo treatment in December and had a second treatment in January. The treatments lasted about 3 hrs each day for 5 days. In between the treatments, Matthew celebrated Ian's 30th birthday by going on a weekend ski trip. Matthew absolutely loves to snowboard and had to skip it totally last year. This year the doctor said "OK". He had a blast!
After a scan at the end of January we learned that the new treatment had failed. The cancer had not only not reduced, it had grown by a small margin. So, now we are on to Dr. Leonard Wexler at Sloan Kettering in New York. We have an appointment for Thurs., Feb. 28. We will be prepared to stay for treatment depending on what the doctor recommends. He has all of Matthew's records up to the current scans and has reviewed them already.
We feel SO blessed that we have the opportunity to see this new doctor. He is a specialist in the research and treatment of the rare kind of cancer Matthew has. Please pray that he has the very plan that will ultimately bring about Matthew's healing.
Once we know the "scoop" I'll try to update everyone. Blessings to you all, Nancy

I'm back!!

Sorry I've been off the blog for so long. To say that life has been busy is the biggest understatement you can imagine! I do want to bring you guys up to speed on the latest. Matthew had chemo from August through the end of October. Since he's over 3 weeks away from his last chemo, he's really feeling pretty good.
Matthew had scans last week and we got the results on Wednesday (the 14th). The results were what the doctor called "marginal", no big change. Apparently, Matthew's body has built up resistance to the chemo drug he was taking making it ineffective.
The doctor has suggested a new drug which has been in use for 3 years. He will also be checking with Matthew's doctor at Vanderbilt to see if there are any new treatments on the horizon. We are prepared to go to any of the major cancer research hospitals that would be a help to Matthew.
We go back to the doctor in 2 weeks when we'll know whether we start the new drug right away or be on the road to see a new doctor. We appreciate your prayers in this regard.
Greg has declared that these 2 weeks are a "vacation from cancer." Since there's nothing else we can do until we see the doctor and Matthew's is feeling ok, we're going to be as normal as possible until then. We are looking forward to Ian coming in from D.C. for Thanksgiving!! Maybe we'll have another early "Black Friday" shopping spree like last year!!

No School This Fall

We have finally gotten the final word on the plan of attack for Matthew at this point. Since the chemo has continued to work on the cancer, the Oncologist from Vanderbilt wants to continue with two more cycles which will begin on July 30 and continue through November when another scan will be done. With this new plan, school is out of the picture for now for Matthew which is a big dissappointment. We are adjusting to the additional 4 months of treatment and are kind of glad we didn't know we'd still be at this when we started last December!!
Thank you all for hanging in there with us with your love, prayers and support! That and the love of our great God is what will continue to sustain us! Love, Nancy

Upcoming schedule

Matthew completed his chemo week. It was a rough week but, Praise the Lord!, he is now feeling better! His condition turned around Monday evening. We are so thankful he has started feeling better so quickly.
Matthew has a scan scheduled for June 29th and we see his Oncologist on July 2. Then we'll know what the next step will be. God bless you for you prayers. Nancy

Another Marathon Week

Good morning to all! Matthew is on his way to day #2 of his chemo marathon week. Matthew slept through day#1's treatment and was able to get a good night's sleep. As the week progresses, he will become more tired, weak and achy with queasiness. This treatment lasts through Friday with his follow-up shot on Saturday morning. The 3 to4 days following that will be his worst. But then, he typically starts feeling a little better as the next week progresses. Hopefully by the end of June we can have another scan to see what progress we've made.
I hope having this update will help to know how to pray for Matthew this week. We love you and God's blessings on you all for your love, prayers and encouragement through these 7 months. It's still not over so hang in there with us!! God is blessing us at every turn and we give Him the praise for that!! Love to all, Nancy

"Back in the saddle again"

You can't just "read" the title, you have to "sing" it!
Matthew started his chemo yesterday, Monday, May 14th. He also had a round today. After a shot tomorrow, he'll return for one day next week and one day the following week. He'll be off a week and then he'll return for the "5-day, all-day" round.
This past weekend Matthew, his dad and I went to the Smokies and stayed in a cabin that belongs to good friends of ours. We rested, ate, enjoyed the gorgeous view, shopped (a little), played putt-putt and rode the go-carts. We had a blast!!
We are SO thankful for God's daily blessings - big and small!!

Scan Results

We went to the doctor today to receive the results from Matthew's Petscan from last Friday. The good news is that the tumor has reduced an additional 40% for the last scan meaning a total of 80%. We are so thankful for that! Unfortunately, Matthew will have to have another cycle of chemo and we're a little down about that today. But we know that's the only option and it is, in fact, working!! Matthew's doctor will be consulting the Oncologist at Vanderbilt that we saw in December about the decision to do the additional chemo. If he concurs, Matthew will start up within the next couple of weeks and will take about 8 weeks to complete before we can do another scan.
Thanks again for your prayers, notes, and encouraging words. We'll keep you posted!!