Matt's final radiation treatment, #38, was yesterday. See photo of him in his final wearing of the mask (which he got to bring home)(they were taking a side photo for Dr. H - cool, huh?) and the graduation "diploma" they gave him at the end! Now begins a couple weeks of recuperating and regrouping for Matt.Oh happy day - weird day! Think about it: since Oct. 23, we have been on a track to find and kill the cancer. There were all the high highs and low lows, and "normal" life didn't really exist - however now we are, for the moment, DONE. No more zapping to deal with and 
schedule around; no more chemo and its meds to deal with (today, Saturday, Matt takes the last round of meds). Can you say yippee-skippy?!
schedule around; no more chemo and its meds to deal with (today, Saturday, Matt takes the last round of meds). Can you say yippee-skippy?!With that being said we aren't done with it all - there are still check-ups to be had (mostly in April, early May) and the especially important first 6 months (so September 5 is going to be a big date for us!) to get through, but phew....
So fellow blog-trackers and well-wishers: THANK YOU. As Matt was telling the staff at Frauenshuh yesterday, especially Dr. H, he/we consider ourselves so fortunate on so many fronts. Good care and good prayers - it's hard to go wrong.
I will update this blog periodically over the coming months - especially after the check-ups and for sure September 6ish (although I imagine we will see or talk or somehow connect to each of you in the coming months). If "the nasty" comes back we are prepared and this will be update-central again, but stats say that risk, while there, is slight so we are hoping that "All About Matt's" days are numbered....
Thanks to each and every one of you: the multiple generations of McLanes and McFarlands, friends close by and in Oregon, California and elsewhere, and the friends of friends who have been tracking and caring all along the way. We truly couldn't have completed this current journey without you. Thanks and our love to you all...
Signing off for the moment,
Cathy with and for Matt (who still sleeps this morning!)
What awesome news!! Congratulations Matt (and Cathy!). How good does it feel knowing that you never have to don the mask and be strapped in again?
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they've prepped you for this Matt, but it's totally normal to feel a bit "lost" when the treatments are done. You get used to all of these incredible people taking care of you for months and then, all of a sudden, they kick you back out into the world as if nothing happened. Please feel free to contact me (anytime) if you any post-treatment questions. Rest up and make it a great life. Peace.
Thanks so much Rob - on so many fronts. It is a really weird feeling and Matt (and I) are taking it one moment at a time....Peace back at you and more later....
ReplyDeleteCongrats!!!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn and I are cheering for you both! I have to second Rob's comment. It is a bit strange suddenly being out of the system and now you're back to who you were before the cancer in the eyes of the world except that you're not. I don't think anybody is unchanged by this experience. Carolyn and my experience was a drop in the bucket compared to yours but I sure don't see the world the same way.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, you both celebrate, recover, get strong. We'll get together to share war stories.
Much love, Jonathan