Gifts of Love and Prayer
Donation protected
In May of 2018, our lives would be changed forever. Matt went to the clinic for a routine blood examination and a few days later we received a call that Matt’s liver levels were significantly higher than normal. The doctor advised that an ultrasound be administered, and the resulting findings indicated that there were two spots on his liver. Matt was then scheduled to see a surgeon at the cancer center. The necessary procedures that followed also discovered a mass in his sigmoid colon. A colonoscopy was ordered, and a biopsy of the mass was taken for testing. We were both shocked and emotionally stirred when the tests came back positive for Adenocarcinoma(cancer).
At this point, we still had more questions than answers. The next step was to get a colonoscopy and they took a biopsy of the mass, it came back positive for Adenocarcinoma in the sigmoid colon. The probing and testing continued, and we were devasted to learn that Matt was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer.
It is such a shock to the mind and heart to receive such communication. My healthy, strong husband had no symptoms or indicators. Our lives were great one minute and in turmoil the next. My husband is a strong gentleman who was an athlete, hunter, and my friend. How could this be happening? WHY?
Our family, from the start, went into urgent mode and prayer was daily if not hourly. Matt began all direct treatment that included chemotherapy and necessary pain medicines. Chemo is so difficult and symptoms of weakness, nausea, sensitivity to light and not being able to stay warm makes it unbearable at times. Matt’s throat would feel like he was swallowing glass when he ate, and his nerve endings were so sensitive that he would wear gloves to hold a glass of water or milk. His hands would turn purple.
Matt’s next major treatment was colon surgery. We needed to take out the sigmoid colon and do an ablation on the liver masses to try and slow their growth down. During this procedure we found out he developed a blood clot in the liver, and it showed that the cancer was in his lymph nodes. Upon completion of the surgery, more tests were taken, and another spot was discovered as well as the indicators that the previous spots were still showing active. Ugh.
Chemotherapy was ordered again. This time brought severe pain, that is continuously putting him in the hospital for pain control, and when he is home, he has been very weak and unsteady. Currently, they have put his chemo on hold so we can try and get his pain under control and he can get strong enough to handle the chemo. We make multiple trips to the cancer center, neurology, labs, MRI’s, and lots of medications.
Our Family:
Matthew was 50 when he was diagnosed, he loves to fish, hunt spend time with his family and go to church. We have three boys who are 18, twins that are 12.
Leslie – I work in a nursing home take care of others is what I have always done, I enjoy being outside and spending time with my family.
Dakota age 18- would spend his summers volunteering at a bible camp, even his senior year and from there he enlisted in the U.S Army. He also enjoys hunting, fishing and helping others.
Nathan age 12-is a great kid that helps with everyday tasks and is happy all the time. He loves football and family time.
Jacob age 12- is a very good kid who works very hard in school, and has been able to keep straight A’s all year, he loves fishing, school, and all sports.
Our Need:
Prayer - Please pray for the following areas:
* Healing for Matt
* Wisdom for Doctors
* Pain Relief
* For Matt’s Wife, Leslie
* For continued positive attitude and faith in our Lord
* Our Kids
* Support
Support - Our family has always been a two-income household and now that Matt is ill, he can only manage small jobs before depleting his energy. We have made it nearly 13 months and I am already out of vacation and sick days for this year. Our saving is depleted, our medical bills are excessive, and we are struggling to keep up with our monthly expenses. Like other cancer patients have experienced, we are a family in need of your help. How?
* Financial Donation
* Gift Cards
* We are in need of some household repairs – Outside woodstove
* Food Donation or cooked meals
* Vehicle in need of repair
Thank you
To all who receive our information. We don’t even know how to begin to thank you and praise God for your prayers and gifts. This is such a time of humility and growth in our faith. We have always been on the other side of giving and helping others that we find ourselves in awe of God’s Grace and provision. We are beyond grateful and cannot even begin to describe our deep appreciation for your help.
At this point, we still had more questions than answers. The next step was to get a colonoscopy and they took a biopsy of the mass, it came back positive for Adenocarcinoma in the sigmoid colon. The probing and testing continued, and we were devasted to learn that Matt was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer.
It is such a shock to the mind and heart to receive such communication. My healthy, strong husband had no symptoms or indicators. Our lives were great one minute and in turmoil the next. My husband is a strong gentleman who was an athlete, hunter, and my friend. How could this be happening? WHY?
Our family, from the start, went into urgent mode and prayer was daily if not hourly. Matt began all direct treatment that included chemotherapy and necessary pain medicines. Chemo is so difficult and symptoms of weakness, nausea, sensitivity to light and not being able to stay warm makes it unbearable at times. Matt’s throat would feel like he was swallowing glass when he ate, and his nerve endings were so sensitive that he would wear gloves to hold a glass of water or milk. His hands would turn purple.
Matt’s next major treatment was colon surgery. We needed to take out the sigmoid colon and do an ablation on the liver masses to try and slow their growth down. During this procedure we found out he developed a blood clot in the liver, and it showed that the cancer was in his lymph nodes. Upon completion of the surgery, more tests were taken, and another spot was discovered as well as the indicators that the previous spots were still showing active. Ugh.
Chemotherapy was ordered again. This time brought severe pain, that is continuously putting him in the hospital for pain control, and when he is home, he has been very weak and unsteady. Currently, they have put his chemo on hold so we can try and get his pain under control and he can get strong enough to handle the chemo. We make multiple trips to the cancer center, neurology, labs, MRI’s, and lots of medications.
Our Family:
Matthew was 50 when he was diagnosed, he loves to fish, hunt spend time with his family and go to church. We have three boys who are 18, twins that are 12.
Leslie – I work in a nursing home take care of others is what I have always done, I enjoy being outside and spending time with my family.
Dakota age 18- would spend his summers volunteering at a bible camp, even his senior year and from there he enlisted in the U.S Army. He also enjoys hunting, fishing and helping others.
Nathan age 12-is a great kid that helps with everyday tasks and is happy all the time. He loves football and family time.
Jacob age 12- is a very good kid who works very hard in school, and has been able to keep straight A’s all year, he loves fishing, school, and all sports.
Our Need:
Prayer - Please pray for the following areas:
* Healing for Matt
* Wisdom for Doctors
* Pain Relief
* For Matt’s Wife, Leslie
* For continued positive attitude and faith in our Lord
* Our Kids
* Support
Support - Our family has always been a two-income household and now that Matt is ill, he can only manage small jobs before depleting his energy. We have made it nearly 13 months and I am already out of vacation and sick days for this year. Our saving is depleted, our medical bills are excessive, and we are struggling to keep up with our monthly expenses. Like other cancer patients have experienced, we are a family in need of your help. How?
* Financial Donation
* Gift Cards
* We are in need of some household repairs – Outside woodstove
* Food Donation or cooked meals
* Vehicle in need of repair
Thank you
To all who receive our information. We don’t even know how to begin to thank you and praise God for your prayers and gifts. This is such a time of humility and growth in our faith. We have always been on the other side of giving and helping others that we find ourselves in awe of God’s Grace and provision. We are beyond grateful and cannot even begin to describe our deep appreciation for your help.
Organizer and beneficiary
Shawn LeBar
Organizer
Grand Rapids, MI
Jo Ann Burns
Beneficiary