| Author | Message | ||
     Prior |
From Mitch, Matt's Dad: __________________________________________ March 26, 2007 Everyone, Here is the latest news on Matt’s journey. We had an MRI on Thursday and, unfortunately, we didn’t get the news we wanted. There is new evidence of cancer on the top of his brain. The MRI taken seven weeks ago was clean, so this popped up fairly quickly and is considered an aggressive, high grade form of cancer. They have decided to stop the chemo and the steroids. This should help Matt with some energy and chemo related issues. The doctors tell us that there are still options, and will likely recommend a drug (not a chemo) called Tarceva. You may have heard of it as it is used in the treatment of breast and lung cancers. It has recently been introduced into the brain cancer community and is yielding some good results. We should hear later today if Matt is a candidate for that or not. As Matt puts it… his body is beginning to close up shop. He has some serious functionality issues with the left side. As you can imagine, this creates an incredibly frustrating situation as he loses his balance very easily and falls without the ability to catch himself. He also has to have assistance with most all of the daily routine things you and I take for granted, i.e., putting on shoes, buttoning a shirt or zipping up a jacket. Our immediate issues are quality of life related. Matt insists on maintaining his independence and is steadfast in his desire to live in his own house, with his roommates Mike and Jim (and Bowser of course!!). So, we moved his bedroom from upstairs to a room located downstairs. We also decided to pursue the process of building a ramp on the front porch. He can no longer safely negotiate the steps, and a ramp will facilitate the use of a wheelchair. We believe the funding for this will come from the Deacons Fund at church. What a huge blessing that is. Inasmuch as the building code relative to this type of structure is very specific and semi complicated (permits need to be pulled and inspections made by the city engineers office), we have opted to accept the help of a dear friend, Bob Schuyler, who is a contractor and has built many ramps. He and his crew will assemble the ramp in a matter of a few days. All that will be needed is to landscape with some flowers, etc., to make it look like home. Bob has always been a huge blessing to us. Thanks Bob for your continued love and support!! Matt is trying out an ankle and foot brace that slips in his shoe to help keep his foot in a neutral position. This way, when he walks he will not drag that left toe and trip as much. The guy who fitted him with the brace also gave him a cane. Matt really likes the use of the cane and is able to walk better with it. For longer journeys, like going through the store, he rides in his new wheelchair. There is a less pressing although important need for a privacy fence for his backyard to keep the local family of skunks and the neighbor’s pair of pit bulls from passing through. Matt likes to let Bowser out in the morning to run around, etc., and, as you can imagine, that is now risky business (pardon the pun)… Lori’s co-workers at Alticor have been absolutely wonderful. They provide ‘quick’ meals for Matt that do not require the use of a stove (Matt still pilots a mean microwave). A group of them came over this past week to conduct a spring-cleaning. The house has never been so clean… thank you, ladies, for all of your hard work! You will find a photo of these wonderful women with Matt attached to this note. In a nutshell, we are not giving up. Nor are we in a panic trying to find ‘lighting in a bottle’. We will fight on, all the while striving for a high quality of life for Matt. People ask us, “how do you handle all of this?” You either believe in the sovereignty of God or you don’t. We do. We fully subscribe to the Holy Scripture “For everything there is a season (or a time) and a purpose under heaven…” As we transition from season to season, we do so in faith that we are also transitioning to another purpose. And as for purpose, it is not always obvious. However, we know that there is purpose in Matt’s life as we each could write a book about how this has profoundly changed our lives. And, we have heard so many wonderful stories from others about how Matt’s courage, character, faith, and overall spirit continue to inspire them to move forward and overcome their own challenges. Even though we would never elect this journey, it has made all of us better and stronger people. Find the joy and live the day not in fear, worry or doubt, but in love and purpose! Mitch and family P.S. There is a wonderful eatery about six blocks from Matt’s house (on Michigan Street) called The Red Geranium. For the past year, Matt would walk down there almost daily to get their French Toast with strawberries and whip cream or the waffles that they make up special on weekends. The gang there has been wonderful to him and we wanted to share them with all of you. So attached to this note is a photo taken this past Saturday with most of the gang and Matt. Many heartfelt thanks to all of the folks at The Red Geranium for enriching Matt’s life with their great food, and enduring friendship.  Matt and the Cleaning Crew  The fine folks at the Red Geranium. Jerry and Jim can attest to the great breakfast they serve with never ending smiles. Matt, Keep up the fight, you are in my prayers. | ||
| Loki |
Alex, thanks for the update. Matt, Keep fighting! | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
...Jerry and Jim can attest to the great breakfast they serve with never ending smiles. that's a big 10-4.  thx for the update Alex. Matt & Family, we're all pulling for you!!! FB&D | ||
| Nevrenuf |
keep up the fight, and in the meantime i'll say another prayer for ya. | ||
| Bomber |
good friends are priceless! Stay strong, Brer Matt! | ||
| Reepicheep |
Your courage and faith are blessing people you have never even met... | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
what Reep said. FB&D | ||
| Berry |
Alex is correct, the folks at the Red Geranium are,were great! Matt keep up the fight. Jim A | ||
| Unibear12r |
Thanks Alex. Couldn't say it better than whats already been said. Fight on Matt! Glenn | ||
| Prior |
So I've been thinking a lot about Matt and his family; and anyone connected to this terrible disease... I've been wearing one of these for a bit, and I know Matt and his family wear these too:  From the ACS Website: The American Cancer Society's "I Am Strong" wrist band honors cancer survivors, those currently undergoing treatment, and their amazing caregivers. It is both a symbol of strength for anyone who has heard those unforgettable words, "You have cancer," and a way for friends and family to display solidarity with the more than 9.5 million cancer patients and survivors in the US today. Help the American Cancer Society celebrate the lives of all those who have been touched by cancer by wearing your wrist band proudly. Give them to family and friends and help someone say the words, "I AM STRONG." For more information about cancer and to view the American Cancer Society's prevention and early detection guidelines, please visit www.cancer.org. If you'd like to wear one of these in Matt's honor, I'd be more than happy to send you one, no strings attached on my end. Your end- participate in an American Cancer Society event or donate to this worthy cause and keep up the continued prayers and support for cancer patients, survivors and their families worldwide -honors system, you know that someone is watching, right? Simple, eh? I'll go for the first 20, the first 5 to email me get a RANE patch too (a true Badweb collectible).  Thoughts are on the way for RANE II as we speak... awprior(AT)gmail.com (Message edited by awprior on April 04, 2007) | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Thoughts are on the way for RANE II as we speak... are you actually Riding Across North Ecuador this time???  | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
...the first 5 to email me get a RANE patch too (a true Badweb collectible). hey Alex, how rare is THIS bad boy???   | ||
| Smoke |
keep on fighting matt. it's all about the journey. all the best to you. tim | ||
| Bcordb3 |
Matt, I think the whole buell/badweb gang is in your corner, bud. Remember what the bracelet says "I AM STRONG". You are in my families prayers. (Message edited by BCordb3 on April 04, 2007) | ||
| Blake |
Matt is a huge inspiration for me and many who marvel at his fortitude. Thanks Alex for the update. | ||
| Prior |
bump | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Alex, lemme know if me 'n D can help with RANE II in any way. Matt, you (and your family) are strong. FB&D | ||
| Spiderman |
North Ecuador again LOL If I can help I will let me know!! | ||
| Bomber |
terms like "hero," and "inspriation" are used in many ways these days -- while everyone is free to pick his or her role models and heros, certainly, Matt Ware is one of mine Strong, Matt -- your pic is in the dictionary next to the word |
