As most of you know Matt was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma on Wednesday. As you can image our world has been turned upside down. About one month ago Matt woke up with a back ache. Later that day his back hurt when he would take a deep breath. By the end of the day we went to see our doctor. We first thought he had a broken rib from playing football. After taking his vitals they found he had a high fever and an elevated resting heart rate. We were told he had Pneumonia and was put on antibiotics for five days. After a few more days Matt complained of trouble breathing while resting on the couch. Again his heart rate was elevated. It was a Sunday so his doctor sent him to the ER. Matt had blood work done which came back normal except showed he might have a blood clot. They gave him a CT scan which showed no blood clot but enlarged lymph nodes under his right arm. He was sent home and did an ultrasound on the lymph nodes the next day. Because he had just had Pneumonia they thought that's why the lymph nodes were enlarged. He was put on antibiotics and waited two more weeks for the lymph nodes to shrink. After a second ultrasound the lymph nodes were the same size. Last Monday a biopsy was performed and on Wednesday afternoon the diagnosis came back as Hodgkin's Lymphoma. We were heartbroken.
On Thursday Matt had a Pet Scan and Cat Scan. The cancer is only in the one area under his arm. The stage is either 1A or 2A. We will find out for sure tomorrow. Both stages are very treatable. Matt will be treated at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital. HIs oncologist is Dr. May. He will need 4 to 6 month of chemotherapy. Tomorrow we meet with the pediatric surgeon who will be putting a port in his chest for the chemo treatments. We hope to start treatment by the end of the week.
We are overwhelmed by the love and support from all our friends and community. So many of you have reached out, please don't be offended if we don't get back to you. We are very sad and busy processing all that needs to be done. Know that we love all of you and appreciate the kind words, prayers and thoughts.
At this time we do not need any food delivered. Matt's Pali High football team has already started a meal train. As soon as we need anything it will be posted on this site.
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