I don’t know how to start something like this. In fact I was always grateful when I read other people’s Caring Bridge pages that I didn’t have a reason to need one. Now that’s no longer true. 

This first post is going to be catching you all up to speed so it might not be quite as detailed as posts from here on out. Please feel free to ask questions if you have them, both now and in the future. Matt and I know that we have a beautiful community of people who love us and will continue to support us along  this difficult and challenging road ahead.

In July Matt started having persistent rib pain. He saw several doctors who all said that he “pulled a muscle” and gave him several rounds of steroids. That didn’t help. 

In the fall we started seeing a new Doctor who ordered imaging which showed lesions on many bones and a tumor that appeared malignant in nature which basically means Cancerous, which a biopsy confirmed. 

Currently we are on our way home from the Mayo Clinic where we spent the last 3 days. While we were there Matt had an extensive work up of tests, scans and appointments with brainiac doctors.

We were told from the Urology Oncologist that Matt’s renal tumor is sitting outside of the kidney and has spread to his bones (which we knew). He recommended a treatment regimen of oral pills for Cancer and also IV immunotherapy for the long-term. They  are not recommending removing the tumor at this time but have that is not ruled out in the future. This gave his hope for a future and a treatment plan that could be effective due to great advances in renal cancer treatments. This treatment regimen will also be effective in treating the bone Cancer

We also met with an Orthopedic Oncologist who I describe as a very very tall Doogie Houser. He told us that Matt has a cancerous lesion that is severe and has deteriorated the humorous bone of his left arm. He will likely at some point need to have a rod placed there for stabilization. The cancer makes the arm very weak. The Doctor is worried about Matt fracturing that arm by even something as simple as lifting the milk up off the table or reaching above his head for something in the cupboard. He should only use that arm minimally. He also has a large cancer lesion on his hip socket and should only minimally bare weight on it and had to get a cane. (He picked a camouflage one!)

The Doctors at Mayo compiles all the information for the extensive work up and will send this information to Matts local Oncologist in Saint Cloud. He will ultimately  receive his treatments at the Coborns Cancer Center in Saint Cloud and we will meet with him next week to determine the next step.

We have been surrounded by family and friends who have been walking along side us and helping us with so many things. And we are forever grateful! Thank you. 

I’ll update more as I learn more and as I can. For now, please pray for Matt and our family as we embark on this journey that we didn’t want to take.

Have a grateful evening. 
Sending love,

Jinae