Support Matt's Cancer Journey to Focus on Healing

In many ways I think you can credit cancer for making my brother Matt the amazing man he is today. Don’t get me wrong, I think at his core he has always had a good heart, but I believe the lessons he’s learned by battling this disease and watching our mom battle it too has taught life lessons that change the way he approaches every day.

As a little kid, he’d get so angry, he’d grit his teeth until the veins stood out in his neck and his face turned red. It’s hard to imagine him getting that angry now, but I have a feeling being diagnosed with cancer for the third time (and the second time in stage 4) has to have stirred up a little of that anger – because it is NOT fair. He just doesn’t deserve it.

He’s chosen to approach cancer again as he does most everything in life – with grace, determination, and thoughtfulness. He and Stacey both have discussed their efforts to “be in the moment” and to stay present in every part of life, but honestly the financial struggles of cancer can make that hard to do. We don’t want him to worry about anything but just focus on healing.

The cost of treatment is overwhelming. He is so fortunate to have such an amazing team of oncologists, surgeons, and infusion nurses, but every doctor visit, chemotherapy session, and scan comes with another invoice. He has reached his out-of-pocket max for this year, but it will quickly reset, and when chemotherapy ends, there are plans to operate on his liver.

When the oncologist described this stage of metastatic cancer as “incurable,” Matt and Stacey knew they were not going to leave any stone unturned. So, in an effort to maximize every treatment option to give Matt’s body the best chance of healing, they are consulting with a functional medicine doctor who has designed a specific intensive nutrition program just for Matt, especially during chemotherapy. But this alternative treatment isn’t covered by insurance at all.

Cancer intervention takes a lot out of the patient, but it’s trying on their entire family. Stacey is going to stop working for now to focus on Matt and the kids during this challenging time, but financially that will be difficult for them. They’ve always lived reasonably as they both have chosen to serve in roles in nonprofits, so there’s not a lot of wiggle room, and, based on the current plan, Matt will spend some time on FMLA at a percentage of his salary during all this.

People ask me all the time what would be most helpful for Matt right now, and truthfully, in addition to the prayers and encouragement that have sustained them thus far, the answer is financial assistance to help them get through this period. To that end, we have created this GoFundMe. The fundraising goal is based on outstanding expenses and estimated future expenses for the designed treatment plan.

To be honest, Matt is struggling with the creation of this site at all, but I have assured him people just want to help. If you can donate, great; if you can share the page, great; if you can continue to pray and encourage, even better. And to keep up with Matt’s journey read his Caring Bridge caringbridge.org/site/7ae7a678-9898-11ef-9541-434a585dbf0f?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web&utm_content=copylink_sitestart

Blessings to you all during the holiday season,

Matt’s big sis,

Alicia