Matty's Big Brainy Battle

It is simply jaw dropping how quickly life’s trajectory can change.  Everyone who hasn’t already, please meet my little brother Matthew AKA Matt, Matty, McChatty, McGoo (sorry Bro) A week ago, my baby brother lived the family ideal. A beautiful wife, a lovely Candian lady, a cheeky, mischievous son that always has a glint in his eye and a sweet, sweet baby girl. Add in two fur children that were the apple of their daddy’s eye until actual human children graced his world. A devoted dad, husband, brother and son almost wherever he is, is followed by his little man.  Matt is the type of man who puts the well being of his family above his own. Even now, in this scary time, he is more worried about them than he is himself. He's the person who gets up throughout the night and early in the morning with the kids, saying "if I wake up first it's just easier, there is no point in both of us being tired". He is the teacher who shows his little boy, Francis how to use the tools when he's working on a project at home, or how to take care of the garden. He is the friend who allows his son to roughhouse with him and dance and play. He is the photographer who keeps all of his family (not forgetting his Candian in-laws) updated with the most recent cute and funny pictures and videos of his kids and wife. He is their rock. Fast forward a week he is now facing the biggest fight of his life and we are trying to help in any way we can. Help from his ‘village’ to keep his family afloat, food on the table and a roof over their heads so that the primary breadwinner and his family can focus on what really matters most, family and health. As a big sister, my biggest fear when he ventured across the world to work in Canada was that he would find a Canadian to spend his life with and want to stay there with her. I am happy to report that that particular fear materialised. He found that person in a beautiful girl named Cheryl who so graciously made a huge decision to come to Australia, leaving behind all her wonderfully supportive family in the land of the Maple leaf. Without her own support network here, her Australian family is trying our very best to give her daily help and support as she stands beside my little brother throughout all of this. … in hindsight, that was a wickedly shortsighted fear. There are much bigger fish to fry that have now landed on our plates. Friday the 29th May will be forever etched in our memories. The day started like any other but ended with Matty in ICU in an induced coma to try and control seizures that seemed to come out of nowhere. At this stage we still don’t have a clear picture of what Matty is fighting aside from it being a very large tumour in the right side of his brain. Surgery is booked for next Monday in an attempt to remove the tumour, the first step of many, no doubt. Only then will we get some answers on just how this fight is going to play out. A move to Australia from the other side of the world, a wedding and two beautiful young children have left the savings fund and leave balance in short supply. Any financial contribution would be most gratefully and thankfully received. Helping by sharing this story is yet another way we can all show our support and is so very much appreciated. If you wish to contribute in another way or do so privately please just call or message me (Emma) or Karen (mum). All contributions will go towards alleviating the financial stress of losing Matty’s primary income and any associated medical costs, allowing Cheryl to focus on caring for her husband and children during his recovery.