Matthew’s Story

Site created on December 3, 2019

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Newest Update

Journal entry by Tammy Vigil

Matthew goes into surgery at 10am today to get the chemo port out of his chest

"A chemotherapy port, sometimes referred to as a mediport, cancer port, or portacath, is a vascular access device that is implanted under the skin so that people with cancer can be given chemotherapy. A power port is a port that enables patients to receive IV therapy as well as contrast CT scans."

They were a bit concerned last night because he had a small fever but it didn't "spike" which would be 101.4. Thankful for that since we would have had to go back into quarantine again & he would have to have ANOTHER COVID-19 test which I had an issue with. He has has two already & they were BOTH negative. He hasn't been allowed to leave this room the whole time, so how would he have gotten it?? Yes from me or one of the nurses, so why not test US? It makes no sense. They really need to figure out the whole testing thing for that. But, luckily, we didn't have to do that.

He has been doing pretty good other than the mouth sores & feeling really tired. They have had to give him quite a few infusions of platelets over the past week. They have been slowly weaning him off the Diladid this past weekend, so hopefully we can go back to the apt at Brent's Place at the end of this week. I have to have a "class" with the pharmacist first so they make sure I know what meds to give him & when. Kinda nervous about that, but I know that I can do it. What I was worried about was cleaning the port site & all that goes with that, but he told them he wanted that out before he left because he already has another one in that they can access for blood draws, etc & they agreed. The feeding tube they aren't sure about yet. They need to make sure that he is eating & drinking enough first , but part of the reason he isn't eating much (besides not feeling like it) is because it "tugs" on the feeding tube when he swallows. Yuck, right? I can't even imagine.

I know that I have ranted about a couple of nurses on here over the past few weeks, but that was just to get some frustration out. For the most part, the nurses are all professional & at least somewhat nice. LOL There are just some nurses that I'm sure have been here awhile & have certain ways they do things. The rude behavior though is uncalled for. That was the only issue I had.

He is starting to lose his hair now again. When it starts, it comes out pretty fast. I will post pics when he feels a little better & doesn't mind me doing so. We will be up here in Denver for at least another 3 months. It depends on how well things go. His white cell count is going up which is awesome. It means that his cells are doing what they're supposed to be doing .

Thank you for your continues prayers & good vibes. I hope that all of you are well & that eventually life will go back to some kind of "normal" for all of us. I won't take for granted a lot of things again.

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