"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!!

Final Chemo Finished!!

Matthew had chemo all day, every day this past week. The great news...it was his last! Woo hoo! Friday was quite emotional as we left the people that have taken care of us for the last year, first with Greg's chemo last summer and then with Matthew for the past 5 months.
We see Matthew's Oncologist tomorrow where we will schedule scans for later this month. We'll keep you posted on the scheduling.
Matthew tolerated the week of chemo fairly well. It is extremely tiring and by Friday he was not feeling well at all. After the Neulasta shot that he had Saturday morning, he has had the normal side affects of extreme ache deep in his bones. Thank goodness for pain meds! He's doing a little better this evening.
I'll update later this week. Nancy

Spring is here!

Hope you are all enjoying the beautiful weather!! Our allergies are having fits here in East Tennessee. We've had a pollen "explosion"!
Matthew was to finish this round of chemo today and the doctor decided to cancel today's treatment. Matthew has been experiencing a problem with his foot. It has been going on for quite awhile now. He does not have full range of motion, cannot lift the foot towards his leg. The doctor had checked it about a month and a half ago and seemed to think it was nothing to worry about.
Well, today, when Matthew mentioned it again, the doctor decided it may be the very medicine he was going to take to today that was the culprit. So, he cancelled.
Matthew now has an appointment with the neurologist on Thursday to check his foot out. We're anxious to hear what he has to say.
This is one of the possible side effects of chemo, but some cases are more extreme than others. Some symptoms will go away after awhile after chemo, some don't.
Matthew has "off" Easter week and will then have his last scheduled treatment beginning April 9th. We'll keep you posted!! Love and God's blessings to all!

One more to go!

Matthew got the majority of his 5th treament behind him this week. He has two more subsequent follow-up meds the next 2 Tuesdays. Then, he'll have one last treatment in April - one last marathon week of 5 fulls days in a row. After that, more tests will be done to see what the next step will be.
So far this week, Matthew has only had one "bad" day. He had shots today which usually affect him within a day or so. Please pray for him as he makes it through the weekend.
As I began this new post, I looked at the title that Ian gave this blog originally - "Unbelievable". As we have settled into "what has to be done" from day to day, it is still unbelievable that we are in the midst of this journey. I reallybelieve that the strength that we have received from the amazing number of prayers that go up daily for Matthew and our family has made it possible to laugh, get an occassional good night's sleep, take each challenge as it comes, and try not to be overwhelmed with what the future holds.
Love to you all - Nancy

"Normal Days!"

It's been 2 weeks since I updated the blog. During that time, Matthew completed his marathon week of chemo, got through a tough weekend of his body responding to the treatment and after that, 10 days of Matthew feeling good; basically "normal". He has enjoyed getting out on his own, driving to Johnson City to be with his friends who are on Spring Break and even going for bloodwork and other check-ups at the doctor on his own. (I'm sure he's SO glad to get away from Mom and Dad for a bit. They do tend to "hover" at times! Ha!)
Next Monday & Tuesday (March 12 & 13) begins Matthew's next round of chemo. He will have follow-up treatments on the two following Tuesdays. This regimen of treatments usually has more harsh side effects which will hit the later part of next week. We appreciate your prayers during that time.
God continues to bless us with precious friends and family that pray, constantly support and bring us meals. Let me give you an example. Our pastor and his family live across the street from us, which we absolutely love! Lydia, our pastor's wife, put lights in the windows for Christmas making sure that two lights were in the windows facing us. All the Christmas decorations came down at their home except the two lights in the window facing us which shine every night. Lydia tells us that they are our reminder that they are there, loving us, supporting us, and would come in an instant if we needed them. I can't tell you how many times I've looked out of my kitchen window and been uplifted and encouraged by the shining lights in those windows! God is SO good!

Great News!!

We received great news from Matthew's scan! His tumor has reduced at least 40%!!
There is also reduction elsewhere, we just don't have specific dimensions. After Matthew completes this week of chemo, he will have 2 more rounds of treatment which will take him to the end of April . At that point the doctor says we will "re-access" with other tests and see what we do from there. We are thrilled and praising the Lord for this miracle!! Know your prayers being heard. Celebrate with us!!