Matthew's Scan Report

Dear Friends and Family,

We saw Matthew's doctor late yesterday afternoon to receive the results from the scan he had on Monday. Basically, the scan showed that the cancer is stable with low activity rate and some slight reduction in a few areas.

To help Matthew continue to build his weight and strength from being so sick a couple of weeks ago, the doctor wants to take Matthew off of 2 of the 3 meds he takes as part of his treatment until January. (The 2 he's coming off of are the culprits for his major side effects.) The one left (Avastin) is a very good drug that helps keep cancer stable and should have virtually no side effects. So he'll have a wonderful break through the end of the year.

Matthew had gained 7 pounds back yesterday - great news! He has been feeling pretty good this week, able to get out and hang out with friends, appetite returning. So, without chemo, his basic health situation should improve tremendously through the end of the year. (Boy, that's a paradox, isn't it?) Thank you for your continued prayers for Matthew and our family.

I got to go to choir rehearsal last night for the first time in awhile. Whew, what an uplift and blessing to my spirit! We're working on our Christmas music to sing each Sunday morning in December as well as a complete program on the 14th.

This is the first year in many that I am not directing - a bit of an adjustment. But this year God is giving me the cherished blessing of allowing me to add my voice to the many others who, up to now, I have directed. Along with the choir and a friend who is singing the part of Gabriel, I am singing the words of Mary's response to the angel sometimes referred to as The Magnificat.

Once Gabriel tells Mary of the task that God has for her does she say:
no, or let me think about it, or maybe someone else would be better prepared????

No, she humbly and courageously accepts God's task by responding:
(in the paraphrased words of the song)

My soul glorifies Your name, O God; My spirit rejoices in You.

My offering to You is my service, Lord. Let it be as You say.

My heart embraces Your gift of love;

My hands will nurture Your living Word;

I will be the earthly mother to Your holy Son;

Let it be as You say.

From the Fay Family: Merry Christmas to each of you, God bless you all and, hopefully, along with Mary, our hearts can embrace God's gift of love this season!

Dec. 1st Update for Matthew

Dear Family and Friends,

I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving. We were blessed to have 13 members of our family and friends to share our Thanksgiving meal. The meal was prepared by our Sunday School class at our church which was a double blessing. Other dear friends brought special gifts of food to round out the meal. We were so humbled and uplifted by all the generosity and love displayed to us that day!! We praise the Lord for His goodness shown to us through these precious people.

Thank you for your prayers for Matthew over these past 3 weeks. It was very tough on him. The combination of the virus and chemo left him dehydrated, weak and with loss of weight as well. He had IV fluids along with additional meds a week before Thanksgiving to give him some help for recovery. He is feeling better now but has not regained his appetite. He is going for his Petscan today. We'll receive results Wednesday afternoon. I'll e-mail as soon as I can.

In the meantime his Dad also contracted the same dreaded virus and is just now recovering after 1 week's time. Thankfully, I just got the "Reader's Digest Version" of the virus. Mom's just can't get sick, right?

As we begin the month of December, let's challenge each other to smile and be especially kind in the midst of the hustle bustle where others may be rushed and agitated (and make us agitated, too!). This is the month we celebrate God's greatest gift to all of us, His son, Jesus Christ. He gave us His greatest gift. As the result of the love we know in Him, surely we can find small ways to give of ourselves to others at this glorious time of year. You never know how the smallest kind act will touch someone.

Love and blessings to all,
Nancy

Update for November 19th

Dear Family & Friends,

Just wanted to bring you up to speed on Matthew's progress.

He did complete his week of chemo that came on the heels of a stomach virus. The week turned out to be one the most difficult chemo weeks in a long time.

When the weekend arrived, we knew we were on the "uphill" climb to Matthew feeling better. But unfortunately, with continued chemo side effects that mimic the stomach virus and the inability to eat more than apple sauce and popsicles, Matthew has been unable to make much progress at feeling better.

We canceled the Petscan that was scheduled for tomorrow (Fri, 11/21) and the doctor has requested that Matthew come in and see him instead. Hopefully, we'll get some more answers tomorrow. His scan will be rescheduled when he feels better.

The most likely scenario is that because of the virus, Matthew's body was in such a weakened state that it could not handle the chemo and its side effects as well as usual. We continue to pray for improvement even if it is ever so slight.

Thank you for the encouraging e-mails and entrees on the blog site. They really encourage us! Of course, your faithful prayers lift us up when we don't have the strength to do so.

In case I don't talk to you before then, I pray that each of you will have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving! We ALL have much to thank the Lord for!!

Love to all,
Nancy

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