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

BEST NEWS YET!!!

Long time friend Bailey was one of the first to hear the news. Matt is Cancer Free. SCCA called us to tell about the great news last Friday. Their is one set back though, Matt wont be able to ride his dirt bike for a while because he now has 4 compression fractures in his back. There have been many people that were of Great support for Matt through his journey but even though Matt didn't email Bailey back he did enjoy reading her daily journal. Matt had several friends that called and tried to talk to him, some days he would talk and some he didn't feel well enough. Matt is thankful of the good friends that he has that stood by him through the good days and the bad days. They say things happen for a reason, well I can tell you that all of this has brought our family and friends closer together. We have more patience and understanding for other peoples feelings and needs.