Matt’s Battle #289Strong
We’ll start with how we got here:
Matt was having headaches and body aches last week to the point where he went to the Fairview Southdale emergency room. While at FVSD, Matt was diagnosed with acute leukemia. Matt was then transported by ambulance to the U of M Fairview East Bank Cancer Building. Experienced doctors at the University of Minnesota confirmed his diagnosis as Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia BCELL PH+. Matt is slated to be in the hospital for the next 4-5 weeks and will be receiving an aggressive chemotherapy treatment. After that he will need a bone marrow transplant.
This has come as an incredible shock to Matt’s family and friends. Many have asked, “Why him?” Matt is in great physical condition, has strong faith in Christ and a loving husband to Christina and providing father to Emmett, Lydia and Graham. And yet he asks, “Why not him?” He has accepted this challenge with grace, dignity and determination. He will use this experience as a lesson to all who know him. An opportunity to show others that in your darkest time your light shines brightest.
During his time at the U of M Hospital, Matt has shown compassion and concern for everyone assigned to his care. He is on a first name basis with doctors, nurses lab techs and even the volunteers escorting him to and from treatments. Matt is determined not to let his pain overshadow his love of life. Everyone around him is so worried about his health and he is more concerned about his nurse having to work a double shift because someone called in sick.
Matt has been a Bloomington Police Officer for nearly 12 years. However it is a career decision he made while in high school. Like every goal he pursues, whether it be winning over the heart of his high school sweetheart, becoming an officer or being selected to serve on the SWAT Team; Matt does not see obstacles as a brick wall but a measurement of how bad you want something. He is taking the same approach to fighting cancer. When Matt first became an officer he was nicknamed CK standing for “Commander’s Kid”. Some gave him that name as a jab, thinking he was gifted that job. Matt embraced the name and used that as a catalyst to always work hard and prove his worth at BPD. He even wears the initials CK on his SWAT vest. Recently at SWAT training, while Matt lay in the hospital planning his battle, the SWAT Team changed his nickname. They kept the initials CK, but he will now be known as “Cancer Killer”.
Matt and his family want you to follow his journey as he fights to kill cancer. We also ask that everyone help him and anyone else stricken by Leukemia to become a possible Bone Marrow Donor. Get tested, get registered and be prepared to help save a life.
Go to:
www.bethematch.org (
http://www.bethematch.org/)
to learn more about the process.
