Anyone @ Indiana University on 9/26/11 (correct date this time)?

[Matt's mom]

The radiation doctor came yesterday, Matt only has one tumor that is cancer. The other spot on his MRI has been there all along and is benign.

Thanks everybody for helping me understand (and prayers). Matt is going to do the spot radiation treatment (can't remember the technical term used). The doctor said cyber knife is just the brand name of the machine used, they use Novalis (if that is wrong, please somebody tell me). They will then do follow up MRI's every two months. Is that the norm? He said we can continue meeting with the lung surgereon and getting that worked out, while doing this. The only concern I had was that he said he would need to stop the etopiside, but I told him that it really worried me so he said he would talk to Matt's doctor and see what he thinks.

Keeping our fingers crossed that they will release him from the hospital this morning.

Cheryl

[kirstenms]

Hey there, I've been following along while we were in NY. It just seems unreal that after all of that chemo and suffering that this cancer could find a way to hold on and create new places to settle. This is -right now- my number one concern with Michael. That no matter how much we fight it will eventually creep into his brain. His onc in Ny just has the saddest face when he speaks to us. Not that pity face that we all know here. But a look that says he is going to do everything he can to extend Michael's life but that in the end tc will win.
I swear after all that Matt just went through you'd think cancer would give y'all a minute.

Michael's numbers are up over 3300 again and we are waiting until both lungs have had the ablation done to begin etoposide. I sort of felt like our onc was basically saying you decide when you want to begin it because it will be the beginning of the end of your options. Of course he also mentioned a new trial he was trying to get funding for. He thinks it shows real promise but again he is only talking about buying time.
Again BLEH!

This beast has come to define us and everything we plan revolves around cancer. As you know it just sucks to not be able to make plans for Halloween forget Christmas.

Matt is never far from my thoughts. He's amazing. You are amazing.
Hope to see you two soon. I haven't been to Texas in years maybe it's time.

[S P]

God Bless both/all of you... that's all I can say. Hoping and praying for the best!

[Matt's mom]

Hi Kirsten,

I'm glad Michael's ablation procedure went well and you are all back home. I hope you all had some fun (in between medical stuff) in NY. I plan to ask the lung surgeon about that procedure vs. surgery. The thought of lung surgery just terrifies me. I don't know if the etopiside is doing anything for Matt, but I would be a nervous wreck if he wasn't taking something. It's just a mental thing for me because his HCG goes from zero to 10,000 in a matter of weeks. I'm glad they are not checking it until next week, it has actually been a relief to not know.

The brain thing did take me by surprise (not sure why) because his tumor markers were so low , I still don't understand. But, I'm thankful the seizure happened at home and not while he was driving, and also because we had not talked about doing another MRI. Who knows how many more would have shown up if he hadn't had the seizure. And I totally can relate to not being able to make plans, it has become completely day-to-day life, sometimes hour-to-hour. I'm apprehensive about making any doctors appointments for myself or the kids. The last one I had (which was 2 years over due), was the day Matt had a collapsed lung. My husband made me leave and go to the appointment. Then a few days later while Matt was still in the hospital, I walked across the street (which was very convenient, lol) to have a mammogram. The next appointment was my daughter Shelbie, we were sitting in the waiting room when Jake called and told me Matt was having a seizure. If I post something positive on Caring Bridge, BAM something happens. I'm starting to feel a little superstitious!

I so wish we lived closer, all of our TC families have come to mean so much to us. Only 'we' know what this is like to live and watch. I don't mean that in a bad way, I had friends and family that lives had been touched by cancer, I can honestly say I didn't get it until now. We would love to see y'all, jjj, and Tracy. I don't know about y'all but is taking a financial toll as well, we are going to have to sell our daughters horses, which just breaks my heart. This stupid cancer just touches everything.

Thinking about you, Michael, and your children ALWAYS.

[BJ7999]

@Matt's mom
May I ask how Matt is doing?

I come here at least once a week (more or less) and I try to keep up with whats going on.
I know how the fight with TC looks and feels like for both the patient and his family, given the fact that its been almost a year since (hopefully) I finished my fight.
I keep following some breathtaking, encouraging and inspiring stories like the ones with Matt, Jjjw2835, Umutva and others. Really guys, I admire you. I think of you when ever I can and I always tell other people about you here in my home country. Unfortunately I dont have enough time to be an active member of this awesome and great community, plus English is not my native language, so theres always that language barrier, but I try to come here as often as I can so I could read about you and your treatment and pray for you. Whenever I read some good news about all of you it really makes my day (I dont want to sound pathetic, but it really does).
I know how horrible any type of cancer is and I know how much strength it takes to fight it. Two weeks ago I lost a friend to pancreatic cancer. He was diagnosed in late June this year and his diagnosis became terminal only 2 weeks later. He was 34. Everything happened so fast. His family is devastated. I am, too. Sorry for being emotional, but I hope you understand when I say how happy I become when I read some good news about all of you. Im finishing my studies in molecular biology and definitely my life goal is to keep fighting with as many types of cancers I can. I promised that to myself.

HUGE THANK YOU to TCDestroyer, CancerSux and all the others who put their unselfish and caring thoughts and give any kind of support to the ones in need.

I wish all the best to every single member. I'll keep you in my prayers.
BJ7999

[Matt's mom]

Dear BJ7999,

I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. Cancer is such a thief, stealing the ones we love away from us. Thank you for asking about Matt, I truly appreciate it. He is doing really good and recovering from lung surgery on his right lung. They were trying to remove 13 tumors, we hopefully will find out this Friday if they were successful and the pathology of the tumors (dead or alive). He will go back in about six weeks and do the left lung. His radiation on the brain met was done in August and he will have an MRI at the end of September to find out if it is all gone and to make sure that there is nothing new. His last tumor marker drawn was at the end of August and was 1887 which was down from 2528 on August 15th. I don't think he has tumors markers drawn again until the end of September.

Wishing you health and happiness.

Cheryl

[James' Mum]

Thanks for the update Cheryl, I've been continuing to keep Matt in my prayers and was wondering if the lung surgery had been successful.

BJ7999, I'm very sorry for the loss of your friend. So very tragic. Best of luck to you with continued "all clears".

[CancerSux]

BJ7999 - I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend so rapidly and so young. Pancreatic cancer is usually diagnosed late and is very aggressive. My condolences.

Cheryl, I follow the CB, of course, but we haven't talked in a while (sorry I've been fairly out of it) - good to hear the #s have gone down, and more importantly that RFA went well (other than getting out of the hospital). <3 you!

T

[Matt's mom]

Matt had an MRI today and they called and said he has another brain tumor. Nothing surprises me anymore. Looks like they will treat just the tumor again like last time, hope they can squeeze it in before the next lung surgery on Oct. 15th.

[TC Destroyer]

Sorry to hear this latest development. How is Matt handling the news?

Thinking of you guys.

[Matt's mom]

Hi TC,

Matt knew there was something going on. Lately he described seeing what looked like a kaleidoscope in his right eye followed by blurry vision, this has been increasing the last week or so. Also he has had a bad headache, in a localized spot for the last four days. He had told me yesterday he knew he had another brain tumor. He was correct. Once they called today and told us he had a new tumor, he had his moment but then picked himself up and decided to go to his friends house. I've got one strong son! He is my hero!

[BarclayBanister]

Hi TC,

I've got one strong son!

And that is one big understatement!!!

[CancerSux]

I've got one strong son! He is my hero!

And he's got one strong family (with a kick a** mom). He is our hero too! All my <3 to you all (and call anytime you need to talk/want to vent with no fluffy bs).

T

p.s. seriously, though, are Matt and Mike in some sort of one upsmanship here? For real ...

[dc67]

I'm so sorry to hear the latest news. Matt continues to be in my prayers.

[James' Mum]

Matt's an inspiration Cheryl! Keeping him in my prayers of course, and sending my love to you and all the family.

[Fed]

You indeed have a strong one there. Embrace it.

[1lessball2answr]

He is my hero!

Mine too!!

[AustinsMom]

Hi Cheryl,

I am saddened to hear of the latest developments with Matt. He has been through SO much. Matt may be your hero and deservedly so, but I bet with such an amazing Mom, he feels the same way about you.

Thinking of you, Matt and your family.
Diane