Matthew Parker Michelle Parker

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated. 

Matthew S. Parker came out of remission from brain/spinal cancer in June of 2016, his third bout against this disease .  We have been working  diligently with his Duke and UPENN medical teams in the fight against this disease's rapid progression.    

Original story:  https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/matthewparker

Professionally, Matt celebrated his 10th year anniversary with the UPENN Law school last year, heading the way in his department as Associate Dean of Graduate Programs.  He recently completed the coursework necessary to acquire his Ed.D (doctoral degree in education) as well!  He's been an integral part of the senior staff within the law school and has thoroughly  enjoyed the many wonderful people he has worked with, staff members and students alike, throughout the years.

Personally, Matt is a family man now, wholly committed to his wife, Michelle, and children, Owen (age 8) and Gwen (age 6).  Never complaining when his family requires he leave his comfort zone, i.e. sleep in a tent on the ever-so-jagged mulch in the zoo for a Zoo Snooze, that Michelle claimed would rule; or happily taking Owen to hockey games for 6:00 am puck drops, even though getting up at 5:00 am on a weekend is a felony; or begrudgingly accepting the addition of a 2nd cat in the home - even though in his mind they had one too many - because the family insisted they needed  a playmate for their first cat, who'd otherwise die a fat blob.   His love, commitment and joy has been his family.  Matt and Michelle married in 2005 and welcomed Owen 2 years later, and then Gwen 4 years thereafter, and the incredible journey the Parker family have shared together has been an absolute treasure. Every second, every hour, every day.  The vacations, the weekend excursions, the couch-snuggle time, the family game nights, the long talks about life, the silly talks about nothing, the laugh-your-face-off moments that can't be matched, and of course the ugly times too: the blow out diapers, the split beers or wine on the couch, the dirty dish piles that hit the ceiling, the dirty laundry that never washed itself (like it should have!), the battles to get the kids to bed.  And the list goes on.

As for Matt's family growing up, he has always talked about how incredibly fortunate he has felt. How throughout his entire life, his dear family created a warm, loving, nurturing world for him.   Matt's parents, Evelyn and Dave, and his brother Dave with his wife Chloe and their family, moved to the local area within the last few years , which has been an absolute gift.   Matt has always viewed his parents as true blessings and his brother will always be the Best Man.   
  
Matt has also cherished the friendships he has developed with the amazing people he has met throughout his life, during childhood, college, law school,  and during his marriage with Michelle.  There have been countless precious memories.  Matt's friends have enriched his life in so many ways. They are the people who remain close and feel like home, even though long spells of time sometimes go by between catching up, as life whirls on by for all of us.  

Currently, Matt has completed 10 weeks of chemotherapy, which took place over summer/fall, and then completed 5 weeks of radiation very recently.  He is still taking Avastin.  He has been under the care of rehab facilities and hospitals since August, however has recently come home last week, whereby his family is providing the 24/7 nursing care he requires.     Thank you to David and Chloe for taking on the night shifts and for the Parker and Rosero contributions in helping with day shifts and also with help managing the home, kids and business, while Matt and Michelle focus on Matt's condition.

We now seek the healing powers of the human spirit, the dear Lord above, Matt's guardian angels, and modern medicine, to grant Matt the strength and power to heal, to recover, to celebrate life.  We thank all those who have added Matt and the Parker family to their prayers.  We thank everyone who has been sending loving thoughts and warm wishes to the family.     For those who want to provide a financial contribution to the family during this difficult time:  https://www.gofundme.com/mattparker2016