- T
February 20th 2020 was the day I thought I might to lose my big brother. I packed up my family, even my daughter not even one year old, to go see my closet family member 15 hours away. Although we live a sate away, my brother has been my support system, especially since we lost our mom to cancer back in 2017.
Let’s start back at the beginning. In October 2019 my brother developed a cough. He went to his primary a few times with the diagnosis being “environmental allergies”. When his symptoms persisted with allergy medication he returned to the primary in January 2020 and was given different steroid medication to assist with the breathing/coughing issues he was having and given time off to rest. February 20th was his first day back at work and he passed out in the restroom and was found by the cleaning staff. Luckily he works security at a hospital so he was immediately taken to the ER. While in the ER the staff ran all the tests they could to discover the problem, which they found. His X-ray led to a CT with contrast which lit up my brother’s chest like a Christmas tree. They found, not only fluid around his lungs and heart, and a mass that measured 11.5 cm in his chest as well. Myself and some friends; who are more like family, rushed to Matt and his wife Kayla’s side to assure them of our love and support. It took about two weeks but they finally got the results back; Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The doctors had to inform them he would not be able to work because of how aggressive they will be attacking the cancer. Sadly, Matt has Hodgkin’s lymphoma Stage 2B, the B-cell part means it’s a more aggressive type. Because the cancer is more aggressive they have to attack it more aggressively with the chemo treatment.
We have gotten the first round of results back and THANK GOD the chemo is working! Now we have the issue of financials. Matt and Kayla just bought their house May 2019 and then all these difficulties began to unfold. Eventually the hope is Matt will be able to return to work but as of now he is unable. Additionally, his wife Kayla has been laid off due to the Covid-19 situation. Neither one of them have been approved for unemployment so they are currently living off savings. We are hoping we can pull together to help them out as much as we can during this difficult trial.
Let’s start back at the beginning. In October 2019 my brother developed a cough. He went to his primary a few times with the diagnosis being “environmental allergies”. When his symptoms persisted with allergy medication he returned to the primary in January 2020 and was given different steroid medication to assist with the breathing/coughing issues he was having and given time off to rest. February 20th was his first day back at work and he passed out in the restroom and was found by the cleaning staff. Luckily he works security at a hospital so he was immediately taken to the ER. While in the ER the staff ran all the tests they could to discover the problem, which they found. His X-ray led to a CT with contrast which lit up my brother’s chest like a Christmas tree. They found, not only fluid around his lungs and heart, and a mass that measured 11.5 cm in his chest as well. Myself and some friends; who are more like family, rushed to Matt and his wife Kayla’s side to assure them of our love and support. It took about two weeks but they finally got the results back; Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The doctors had to inform them he would not be able to work because of how aggressive they will be attacking the cancer. Sadly, Matt has Hodgkin’s lymphoma Stage 2B, the B-cell part means it’s a more aggressive type. Because the cancer is more aggressive they have to attack it more aggressively with the chemo treatment.
We have gotten the first round of results back and THANK GOD the chemo is working! Now we have the issue of financials. Matt and Kayla just bought their house May 2019 and then all these difficulties began to unfold. Eventually the hope is Matt will be able to return to work but as of now he is unable. Additionally, his wife Kayla has been laid off due to the Covid-19 situation. Neither one of them have been approved for unemployment so they are currently living off savings. We are hoping we can pull together to help them out as much as we can during this difficult trial.
