Bottom of the 9th

When I first started this blog over 6 years ago, it was to keep everyone informed about Larry's journey with cancer. His love of baseball and the White Sox are intertwined throughout, to help put his journey in perspective. Like all baseball games, it started at the top of the 1st and continued over 6 years with a rain delay, a much needed seventh inning stretch with a wonderful rendition of Take me out to the Ballgame, a bases loaded situation, and many key draft picks that joined our team along the way.
From the beginning, he has chosen to go through this journey his way - with tremendous courage, strength, resiliency, and grit! He did not miss a single day of work other than hospital stays and recovering from surgeries. He has lived with kidney tubes, an ostomy, and a fissure drain. In the last year he has spent an average of a week a month in the hospital with horrible infections. He has endured, numerous rounds of chemo and radiation and not to mention 4 major surgeries. All the while he has kept a smile on his face, a sense of humor and never once did he complain. Larry has inspired so many that have met him or read his story...by living his life HIS WAY.

This week Larry found out that his cancer has spread into his small bowel causing an obstruction. Surgery is not an option, nor is chemo and radiation. With no treatment option available, my brave brother has made the most courageous decision of his life - to enter hospice and live the rest of his life with comfort and dignity. I say this with the heaviest heart and the most admiration.
His current goal is to break out of the hospital and get back home. As I type this, he is getting a venting g-tube to help with his comfort and he will also have intravenous nutrition through his port. 

So, here we are LRM CREW. We are in the bottom of the 9th, bases loaded with 2 outs. Larry Matson is up to bat. The home fans are on their feet....
You all have been the most extraordinary fans to my brother, my family and myself. You are our cheerleaders when we are down, you are our mascots when we need a laugh, and our coaches when we need inspiration. And we will forever be grateful. So, please stay on your feet and cheer on my brother - the most courageous guy I know.

I will update you as necessary. 

Sox it to it Lar

Ring theBell Ring! Radiation is DONE!

Larry ringing the bell after his last radiation treatment

I hope everyone had a great holiday and your New Year is off to a good start! We had a great holiday together in Chicago. Santa spoiled us as usual and so did my mom - great food drinks and the most beautiful Christmas tree with all of our family ornaments hanging in their precise place.

Shortly after Christmas, Larry was back in the hospital with a nasty infection. Very high fever and a ton of pain. In Larry fashion he was discharged and was ready to go back to work and start his radiation treatments. He was little frustrated because his company wouldn't let him go back to work without a note from his doctor. It took over a week but he is finally working and very happy about it.

Radiation is also complete! YAY! Larry did three intense targeted treatments and is now done. The treatments were a couple minutes long with little to no side effects! He did have some pain in the area but nothing a little morphine couldn't handle. The doctor was very happy with the results!!  

Next on his treatment plan is an MRI in 2 months to see if there is any new activity on the spine. Until then his goal is to stay infection free, gain much needed weight and enjoy a big family and friend get together in Chicago in February.

As always, thank you to everyone for your support. We are so grateful to have so many people supporting not only my brother but my entire family.

Sox it to it Lar...