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Matt’s Story

Site created on December 1, 2018

What started out as a nuisiance cough has brought us down a path we'd never imagined we'd be on. In a matter of weeks from an X Ray to a biopsy we've learned what it is we're fighting, and how we're going to beat it. We can start with giving it a name, I have been diagnosed with a Non Seminoma Mediastinal Germ Cell Tumor. It is a treatable, cancerous tumor that has found a home in the soft tissue of my chest cavity. Approximate size of the tumor is 15cm x 5cm x 5 cm at last measurement. This little bastard has been pushing on my left lung, esophogus, and one of my major arteries for a while now, and it's time to get rid of it. For those interested in even more details, my tumor is special. Apparently less than 5% of them are like this. Germ Cell Tumors are typically associated with reproductive organs, and nobody really knows why or how they sometimes wind up in your chest or brain, I guess I'm just lucky. I read that they are usually diagnosed in males between 20-40 years of age. Almost dodged that bullet, could have gone one more year, and I probably would have been in the clear! My tumor is made up of a couple (3) different types of GST's, and this treatment is going to attack all of them.

So, where are we now? We have an appointment with our Oncologist on Monday AM, first thing to go over how this is all going to work, but the short version is this: I'll be admitted to Abbott Northwestern Hospital on (Dec 4) Tuesday AM, to begin a round of inpatient chemotherapy, for 5 days. Following that they will get me out of their hair (speaking of hair, you should have seen the pile at the Fantastic Sams. Holy Moly) for 2.5 weeks of rest. I'm not really sure how I'm going to feel during or after the treatments, so this should be interesting. This cycle will repeat 4 times total, taking me into late January or early February. After that, the next step is removal. Whatever is left will have to come out, and if we're setting goals, that is a major one.

I've been getting asked a lot by everyone "how do you feel?", and that's a great question. I feel fine. I still have the cough, I'm easily tired, and I'm really sore where my incision was for the biopsy, but I feel good as long as I don't over do anything.

Paulette and I thank you all for your support, thoughts, prayers, and positivity. We're going to need it, so without further delay, let's get this show on the road, and get to work.

Newest Update

Journal entry by matt graunke — Jan 9, 2020

Just a quick update. . . We've reached the 9 month mark, and according to my last scans and blood work all is well. My team has determined that we can extend my observation to 4 month intervals, so that is a huge step. I've begun physical therapy to help rebuild muscle mass and get back closer to 'normal' again.

I've been trying to find ways to give back. Give back to the organizations that helped us, give back to the people that prayed for us, and give back to others that are just finding about the journey they're about to embark upon.

While I'd love to dump money into anything because I know that money helps, that is unrealistic. However, I can share my experience, my story, and hopefully provide some inspiration to someone who might need it.

Many of you who follow this page wanted to know what you could do to help while I was sick. Now that I am better, here is what you can do... If you think someone could benefit from a discussion on this process, perseverance, faith, journey, or otherwise, please... Share it.

I don't have much, but I can share, and hopefully I can help.

Read More of the journal titled "9 Months Or So . . ."

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