Matthew Dixon's Rare Bone Cancer
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This page was started by my mother on mine and my family's behalf. The following was posted by her.
My youngest son, Matthew, has just recently been diagnosed with a rare bone cancer. Over the past few years Matthew has had doctors appointments and emergency room visits for severe headaches, nausea, fatigue, etc. In 2015, just after Christmas, Matthew had to go to the ER where they suspected a possible TIA or mini stroke. They did an MRI and CTscan, both without contrast. Even without contrast the tumor, which was small, was visible yet they missed it. It was assumed that Matthew had a mini stroke which triggered a palsy type of attack.
Of course Matthew has continued to visit the doctors for severe isolated headaches, muscle atrophy, unilateral vocal distress lasting for months on end... seeing specialists from ENTs to Neurologists to finally a pain management physician that immediately ordered a STAT MRI because he said something was definitely wrong and he suspected a strong possibility of a tumor. Of course, this is three years later.
As suspected, it is a tumor and it is considerably larger than it was in 2015. It is a chordoma, more specifically it is chondrosarcoma which is a rare skull base tumor. This tumor is located in the left base of the skull, in the bone. There are less than 100 of these tumors diagnosed every year.
Matthew is soon to be 38 years old. He and his loving wife, Sarah, have been married for 16 years and have two handsome young sons, Travis and Garret. Matthew is also a proud Veteran of the US Coast Guard.
I am so very proud of Matthew, his wife and 2 sons. They make up a very loving and caring family. This news of cancer has shaken their world. Matthew is more concerned about the welfare of his family than he is for himself.
Surgery is scheduled for January 4, 2019. Matthew wanted to wait until after January 1st so his PTO would reset because he has run out of time off due to all the doctor appointments. Even with the PTO resetting, he still won't have the necessary time off for recovery. Matthew does have short term disability but he will only collect 60% of his wages and he will be responsible for 100% of his medical insurance. This is going create a huge family financial crisis and it is the reason I am setting up this GoFundMe for Matthew.
The upcoming surgery is a difficult one that involves the removal of the tumor located in the base of the skull and removing any affected area surrounding the tumor. With the help of God and a few kind angels, they will get it all the first time. A series of radiation will follow as SOP but it will be much more involved if they can't get it all the first time. The surgery is expected to last 10-12 hours and Matthew will then be taken to ICU. The hospital stay is expected to be approximately six days barring any complications. Recovery is expected to take a minimum of 4-6 weeks … again, barring any complications.
Matthew's PTO will reset and so will his medical insurance. This means not only will he have to pay the high premiums because he will be solely responsible for 100% of his insurance, but he will also have a large deductible that will have to be met along with all medical bills not covered by insurance. There is also the need to cover the basic bills and living expense during a time when there will be little to no income.
I'm not only asking for your financial assistance for Matthew and his family... I am also asking for your thoughts and prayers at this difficult and stressful time in their lives. Both will be greatly appreciated.
For more information on the form of cancer Matthew has please visit:
https://www.chordomafoundation.org/understanding-chordoma/
I promise to keep everyone updated on Matthew's condition along with how his family is doing.
Thank you in advance for your prayers and assistance.
Martha Davidson
Matthew Dixon's Mother
Organizer
Matthew Dixon
Organizer
Circleville, OH