Friends and Family-

Thank you for keeping the O’Connell family close to your hearts throughout the last 18 months as Matt continues to make progress in his recovery journey. Today marked an important milestone as he was released from University of Chicago after the successful closure of his abdominal wall. It also marks the last planned surgical intervention resulting from Matt’s acute pancreatitis that put in motion what often felt like an endless series of complications and challenges.

As Matt departed the 3rd floor of the UChicago Medicine Center for Care and Discovery, I imagine it felt like closing a significant chapter in life. In the movie adaptation of his story the featured roles would go to Dr. Lee and Dr. Parks at Hinsdale Hospital, all of the University of Chicago medical professionals, especially Dr. Siddiqui, Dr. Hyman, and Dr. Gottlieb, and the countless nurses that cared for Matt like family. The supporting cast would be Matt and Kellene’s employers who never relented in their compassion and kindness, and of course to the faithful community of friends and family who unleashed an arsenal of prayers and well wishes when Matt needed it most. Without question the starring role would go to Dr. Jeffrey Matthews, Chair of Surgery at University of Chicago, and perhaps the most fascinating man alive. Dr. Matthews will forever be a God to our family, and little can be said about his talent and humanity that will serve any measure of justice.  But the true hero of this film is Matt for enduring so much, for never giving up, and for delivering an underdog story for the ages.

Continuing on to what I hope is a trend of delivering positive news, I am pleased to share that Brady O’Connell will be throwing out the first pitch this Saturday at the Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Day at the White Sox Game (1:10 PM game time)! All are welcome to join a pre-game tailgate, which begins at 10:30 AM, in Lot E. Purchase tickets here!

Cheers to sunny days ahead.