Matt’s Story

Site created on September 15, 2023

Welcome! This site is to help communicate with and build community between the family, friends, colleagues, and students of Matt Dingledine. We'll post updates here, so everything is in one place. 

Matt was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in early September 2023. It's Stage IV, which means it's spread to local lymph nodes and to another organ (in this case, the liver). He'd started feeling discomfort around October 2022, but because he was so generally healthy, he had to establish care with a PCP first, followed by a referral to a gastroenterologist who wasn't able to schedule a colonoscopy until the end of August.

We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement! Thank you for visiting.



Update: Many have offered to cook meals and others have asked where to donate, so please go over to the Ways to Help tab here on CaringBridge for links to a Meal Train (https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/odo23n) (thanks to sweet cousin Molly Dingledine), and a GoFundMe (https://www.gofundme.com/f/55hgc-help-from-my-friends-supporting-matt-dingledine?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=email&utm_source=customer) fundraiser (thanks to our dear friends Don Westcott, Jessica Elliott, and Shannon Hoover).

Newest Update

8th and Final FOLFOXIRI Chemo Infusion

Journal entry by Natalie Dingledine —

Happy International Jazz Day and Greenville Jazz Collective Day in Greenville! It’s a good day, and we’re at Prisma for the last scheduled FOLFOXIRI chemotherapy infusion. 🔔 Ring that bell, Matt! You earned it! Well since he goes home with a pump for 2 days afterwards and more chemo-radiation is ahead, we’re nearing the opportunity to ring it anyway. 

Following the “TNT approach,” next up in about 4 weeks he’ll start a 28 day long course of radiation accompanied by chemo Xeloda pills at home (3 both AM and PM), which acts similarly to the 5FU pump from prior infusions. We’ll meet with the colon surgeon soon to get more info about timing of potential surgery, but sounds like it’s usually about 4 weeks after radiation ends. 

One step at a time, one day at a time. Thanks for all your love and support, in all the various ways you give it. 💙

Where’s he playing?? I’m glad you asked! 
-May 5th with the Greenville Symphony specifically on tenor banjo for Kurt Weill’s Threepenny Opera 

-May 10th at 5:30pm Artisphere Festival downtown with Matt Olson and the Furman Jazz Faculty at the Camperdown stage outside the Grand Bohemian Lodge

-Matt’s music education studio Music on Mitchell is having their end of year recital at Daniel Recital Hall at Furman University at 11am on Saturday, May 11th 

-Touring Broadway show Mrs. Doubtfire at the Peace Center May 7-12th

Music is such an enormous blessing as he always has it available to him to pass the time 🎧, soothe his soul, AND earn some bread! 🤑 

our summer garden is off to a good start, and the only veggie started from seed, the okra, has sprouted! The bunny fence is working, too. 🤞 

May you all have a splendid spring, and thanks for tuning in.
Read More of the journal titled "8th and Final FOLFOXIRI Chemo Infusion"
  • Coupe’s Corner on 4/19/24
    Coupe’s Corner on 4/19/24
Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.
Help Matt Stay Connected to Family and Friends

A $25 donation to CaringBridge powers a site like Matt's for two weeks. Will you make a gift to help ensure that this site stays online for them and for you?

Leave a comment of support for Matt

Did you know? A quick comment, no matter the situation (positive or negative), can boost morale by 28.2%.

Comments Hide comments

Load more comments
Read More Journal Entries

Show Your Support

See the Ways to Help page to get even more involved.

Personal Fundraiser
Support Links
Helpful Requests
Go to Ways to Help
SVG_Icons_Back_To_Top
Top