Go to Bat for Matt

In February of 2018, Matt was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer at age 33.  He began an aggressive chemo regimen 10 days after his diagnosis and has continued treatment since then, going every other week to Memorial Sloan Kettering in Commack, Long Island, NY for treatments.

His first scan, 3 months after beginning chemo, showed a very good shrinkage in all the tumors; one in his rectum, one in his sigmoid colon, and numerous in his liver. Due to the amount of tumors and the placement of the tumors in his liver, many near the main arteries, the liver surgeon felt the best option of treating the liver would to have an Implanted Hepatic Pump put in. The hope was to give a high dose of chemo directly to the liver. On July 10, 2018, he underwent surgery where they implanted the device into his abdomen, removed his gallbladder, and cut off unnecessary blood vessels that went from his liver to other organs. His recovery was rough and very painful, but he kept a positive attitude that this would be the best option of getting to a surgery to remove the cancer. When he went for his first treatment since having surgery, the nurses were unable to access the pump. After trying for hours, they determined that the pump must have flipped. Since the pump has to be filled every 2 weeks (if it runs dry, it will become clotted and damaged), they were in the city the next day for another operation. The surgeon was able to flip the pump back correctly and sutured it down more securely. 

While the hope of the pump was to shrink the tumors, there were issues that occurred while receiving the chemo through it. His liver function was down because the chemo was too toxic. He was off of the chemo through the pump for about 2 months in order to let the liver recover. He was still receiving the systemic chemo and was getting a steroid through the pump to try to help the liver recover quicker. After his liver function was back up, they dropped the dosage of the chemo to 25%. This is still a very strong dose, but it's not as effective as the full dose. Scans have showed that the tumors, while slightly shrinking, are now calcifying. After meeting with the liver surgeon in February of 2019, he stated that while it's uncommon, some people's bodies respond to the chemo by calcifying, instead of just shrinking. He said that because of the calcification, which in a way is a good thing because it shows the cancer is dying, there was no way he would ever be able to operate to remove the cancer. The partially calcified tumors are harder than bone and it wouldn't be a successful surgery. 

Matt has continued the systemic chemo and the 25% dose in his pump, but recent testing has showed his CEA, a tumor marker, has continued to climb in the recent months. A PET/CT scan on March 21, 2019 revealed a new tumor, with no calcification, in his liver along with increasing size of lymph nodes around his colon. When he went for his treatment after learning of the new tumor, there was hope that a new plan would be in place from his Oncologist, whether it be a new type of drug or a consultation with possibly an interventional radiologist. The visit was a disappointment as they didn't know what direction to go in next. Because of the Hepatic Pump, there are many limitations on what chemo drugs can be given, and what can't. He ended up receiving the same systemic chemo he had be getting and the same 25% dose through his pump. They plan to add a new drug at his next treatment and hopefully there will be good results. Up to this point, they had been very happy with the options they were getting at Sloan.

After hearing that his current Oncologist's team didn't have a plan set in place (especially after having 2 weeks to come up with one)  they were very disappointed. They began researching other cancer centers to get other opinions. They reached out to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN who just recently announced they have an updated genetic testing for Colon Cancer. After Mayo Clinic received all of Matt's records, they called and said they would be able to see him on April 18th and 19th. They will be flying out there in the hopes of getting other opinions for treatment options. They also reached out to Abramson Cancer Center in Philadelphia, part of Penn Medicine, and have a visit on April 24th with an Oncologist and a Liver Surgeon. Another place they've called is Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, where one of their surgeons has successfully done a living liver transplant for a Metastatic Colon Cancer patient. They are unsure if he would be a candidate for this type of operation, but they are willing to try all options. 

Matt's health and being around for his family, especially his 2 year old son, is obviously a top priority and they are willing to do anything to get him the best treatment. That being said, the future is unknown. If they decide to receive treatment elsewhere, they would have to move temporarily, Matt and Haley both being away from their jobs. Traveling to these doctor appointments is a costly expense and their families can only help so much. Financial struggles are very stressful and it's one less thing for them to worry about as they continue to fight this battle. Any amount you can give is incredibly appreciated and will go towards travel fees and monthly bills. Matt's insurance has been great this past year, but it's unknown if they will continue to cover everything as they get other opinions from around the country.  Matt and Haley have never been the type of people to ask for much, but with everything they've gone through the past year and will continue to go through, they need support.

To date, Matt has had 27 chemo treatments. His fight isn't over yet. He always has a smile on his face, even on his worst days,  and has the most positive outlook of his diagnosis. He's a fighter and with the support of everyone, he and his family will get through this. Haley will continue to update everyone as they hear from other doctors and decide the next course of action. 

Thanks again from the bottom of all of our hearts!