Why Can't Matt Gain Weight?

Howdy everyone, Matt still is hoovering between 98 & 100 lbs. We are unsure why he cant gain any weight. Today April 29Th we went to Mary bridge to see Dr. Irwin.He had some ideas that might be causing it. One is that we gave him so much meds & ect. that his stomach quit working with his brain, or It could be GVHD, or it's depression. Mom spoke with the nutrition team and also one of Matt's phycologist, I'm thinking it's depression more than anything else, at least I'm hoping so.
Matt also talked with his phycologist and his Dr. and by the time we left he was feeling better and smiling again. He even gave all the nurses a hug before we left.
Dr. Irwin says we don't have weeks or months to figure this out or Matt will have to have a feeding tube put in. OK take a deep breath,everything is going to be fine.

Matt's Doing Better

We had Matt's PICC line taken out last week. He is doing better now. The shingles are gone. Yea! Matt is trying to get his strength up now so he is playing golf witch he loves, and he got the green light to ride his 2 year old NEW motorcycle again. He took classes to learn how to use a clutch just before he got sick. Matt's other motorcycle a 11o auto Suzuki is now Nicole's. Matt is still losing weight though and that scares all of us. We have tried everything, he just seems not hungry. If he dose eat, it's small portions. As of April 14Th he weighs 100 lbs.

9th Admit to Mary Bridge Hospital.

How do you know that the hospital staff likes you or not? They keep a stethoscope with your name tag on it for when you come back.... We love the staff at Mary Bridge!

Matt started with a light rash Saturday night, and by Monday morning he had 1 blister. We saw his oncologist and they upped his dose of Acyclovir but by Tuesday morning they were really bad so they admitted him to the hospital for IV Antibiotics and a round of really high doses of Acyclovir, and IV Pain meds. Matt has Shingles. Very common in BMT patients. The problem is that it can easily go to Hepatitis or Pneumonia.

Yes I did say IV. Yes Matt had to have a PICC line put back in his Left arm. Mom & Dad are very worried about the Line but hope things will be OK.

When people have Chicken Pox as a child it stays in your nervous system for life. It can come out in the form of Shingles at any time, but only picks on the elderly or Immune suppressed people. It is Very painful and takes quite some time to get over. The plan is to get Matt out of here late tonight or Friday, then continue the IV medications at home. Hope you all have a good Spring Break as I think we will be staying close to home for now. Thanks for all your prayers and moral support. It seems that when Mom gets really tired she breaks down a bit, then my friends pick me back up and off I go again. Thanks to all of You especially my good friend Diane. Love Lynn & Matt

Fun In New York City!

We had a blast in New York. We went to Time Square,Grand Central Station, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, FAO Schwarz, Carriage ride through Central Park, The Empire State Building, and of course no trip would be complete without going to Hershey world and M&M world.

The main event and Matt's wish came true on Tuesday the 10th of March when a Limo picked us up and took us to the taping of Emeril Lagasse. The extra bonus was that he is teaming up now with Martha Stewart. We were on a live show and Matt got to eat and share with his family a plate of crawdad creole recipe that Emeril made. It was fantastic! Matt and family meet with Emeril before the taping and he sat and talked with us for about 20 minutes. Emeril gave both Matt and Nicole lots of gifts. Even though Emeril isn't supposed to take gifts, Matt gave him a couple of his favorites he likes to make. What great memories, Thank You Make A Wish.

Matt's Make A Wish Send Off Dinner

We had a great time at Stanley and Seaforts for Matt's send off dinner. Matt chose Rick, Nadlae, Bailey and Jacob Ainley, 4 close Friends from Granite Falls to enjoy in the occasion. Tomorrow morning we will be heading to NY to meet and be on Emeril Lagasse's Cooking show. We will be in NY for 4 day's and will update the blog with pictures and all the fun stuff we will be seeing when we get back. See you soon. Love Lynn & Family

Good Times At Lake Limerick Club House

Surrounded By Love

Matt & Family would like you to know about Deb the Executive Chef at our Lake Limerick Community Club House. Deb has been another great supporter for Matt, she too is going through cancer treatment. They both are doing well and are a great support for each other. Matt really looks up to Deb because he too wants to be a Chef someday. Deb and Matt plan to go to the Culinary Arts School in Seattle soon to watch the young Chefs work and eat there food.

One Valentines Day the Club house was all decorated nice for the occasion. They had a special table for us because it was Matt's Re-Birthday, that is when you are 1 year post transplant and we celebrate his new rebirth. I guess he gets 2 birthday presents now since he has 2 birthdays.:) They had balloons for Matt and Nicole and Deb made Matt a special chocolate cheese cake just for him to share. We are happy to be involved in such a great community. Love Lynn & Matt