Helping the Matykiewicz family in Hospice crisis

Our brother-in-law, Dan the Man, is a fighter. After surviving a kidney transplant in 2001, he returned to a busy lifestyle doing auto repair and providing for his family. In June 2017, he received some devastating news. He had been suffering with increasing headaches, nausea, and muscle weakness for weeks. Jeanne rushed him to the hospital when he no longer had the strength to argue about getting medical attention. He was diagnosed with lymphoma of the brain. He didn't want to be a burden to anyone so he began chemotherapy immediately. He and Jeanne followed every prescribed treatment and kept every appointment. Jeanne, always dedicated and diligent, even learned how to give him injections after each chemo round. She managed his appointments and medications like a pro. It was a grueling schedule, 4 days every 4 weeks in-patient, followed by sickness and weakness. He was determined to beat this. His treatment lasted several months. It was impossible to keep a consistent work schedule and money was tight. Fortunately, he was in remission! They tried to return to normal schedules and resume working.

A follow up scan a few short months later in November 2018, revealed the lymphoma had returned. Numerous tests, scans, spinal taps have been done to determine a course of treatment. After much anticipation, it was decided that he would undergo Stem Cell Therapy. He began his treatment in April 2019. It was even worse than he imagined, as his physicians had warned him. Jeanne was forced to leave her job and care for him during this time. The treatment really took a toll on him, but he made it through. He continued to have regular checkups & scans to make sure he stayed in remission.

His scans in June 2020 revealed NO cancer. Still weakened from his ordeal, it seemed he might actually be free from the constant worry that the cancer could return. Then, just days ago, in August 2020, he began having trouble with his eyesight. His worst fears were realized. The cancer, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, had returned with a vengeance.

Their family is trying to come to terms with this devastating news. We are all stunned, trying to process this turn of events. Words of comfort and concern seem so inadequate. Jeanne has been such a loving and dedicated wife and mother. They’ve built a wonderful life together. Their daughters have always been able to depend on their dad for anything. He’s been a loving and supportive husband and father. He’s the real deal: a nice guy, a good neighbor, the guy you can call on when you need a helping hand, a friend.

The next few weeks will be very difficult and emotional. Please keep Dan, Jeanne and the girls in your thoughts and prayers.