Updates
1999
1999
1999
Matthew's story was first posted online in late 1998, grandma now has a thick notebook full of e-mail messages from parents and friends of children with cancer. In answering the (approximately) 175 messages, I have often felt inadequate. But at the same time, I have felt a kinship with every family. All of them have coped with the same e
Matthew's story was first posted online in late 1998, grandma now has a thick notebook full of e-mail messages from parents and friends of children with cancer. In answering the (approximately) 175 messages, I have often felt inadequate. But at the same time, I have felt a kinship with every family. All of them have coped with the same experiences and emotions, in much the same way and with amazing strength. Many of them are still in crisis situations. Some have even had to accept the death of their beloved child. Those of us who rejoice that our children appear to have triumphed over the specter of cancer can only attempt to imagine the despair. We do, however, remember the dark days of uncertainty. Whatever the present circumstances, there is a connection between the families which can be reassuring.
Most of my correspondents have asked how my grandson is doing now. I’m happy to tell you "so far, so good." He’s in first grade, turned 7 years old December 28, 1998, and lives an active, normal life.
It's been over a year since he had to be hospitalized. His alpha fetoprotein has been in the normal range ever since his transplant, two years ago come April 9. They now check the AFP and do a CT scan about twice a year. They also check his liver functions about once a month.
2000
1999
1999
One day last fall, Matthew ran into the house from play and asked his mom, "What’s the big deal about having a new liver?" My daughter told him it took lots of skill and we consider it a miracle that the doctors were able to do it. "Well, I don’t think it’s such a big deal!" he answered, and went back to his play.
Many of you who have
One day last fall, Matthew ran into the house from play and asked his mom, "What’s the big deal about having a new liver?" My daughter told him it took lots of skill and we consider it a miracle that the doctors were able to do it. "Well, I don’t think it’s such a big deal!" he answered, and went back to his play.
Many of you who have found Matthew’s site want to know if Matthew is still OK in 2000. This is to assure you that many fortunate children can survive hepatoblastoma, even a recurrence of hepatoblastoma, even a transplant when all else fails. Our family continues to be thankful for our good fortune and we delight in Matthew’s normal existence.
I’m happy to report that nothing dramatic has happened to Matthew this year. His life is normal, but he finds delight and excitement every day (like 8-year-olds do). Whether it’s in the snows of Nebraska or on the sands of a California beach, there are plenty of things to enjoy.
2001
1999
2001
Many people still ask how Matthew is doing. HE'S STILL HEALTHY!!! He has tests twice a year and takes anti-rejection medicine twice a day.
Matthew and his parents are enjoying life to the fullest like everyone should.
2003
1999
2001
Matthew loves animals - from his cat, Duncan, to the huge bull snake that he and his friend found at the lake, to his uncle's dog, Harry.
2004
2004
2004
In August 2003, Matthew entered sixth grade. That meant a change from elementary school to middle school, where he made lots of new friends. He had his 12th birthday in December and continues to enjoy good health.
Matthew has received the go-ahead from his doctors that he can play football and he looks forward to being on a team next sea
In August 2003, Matthew entered sixth grade. That meant a change from elementary school to middle school, where he made lots of new friends. He had his 12th birthday in December and continues to enjoy good health.
Matthew has received the go-ahead from his doctors that he can play football and he looks forward to being on a team next season. Matthew's mother, Lynn, would have believed this impossible eleven years ago, but we have found out that sometimes the impossible becomes possible.
2005
2004
2004
Last summer, Matthew traveled from coast to coast. He and his dad spent a week on Nantucket Island with the Goering family. Later, he and his parents visited his Nordberg uncle in California. There was still time for his baseball team and his first job, detasseling corn. With the money he earned detasseling, he bought a trampoline, wh
Last summer, Matthew traveled from coast to coast. He and his dad spent a week on Nantucket Island with the Goering family. Later, he and his parents visited his Nordberg uncle in California. There was still time for his baseball team and his first job, detasseling corn. With the money he earned detasseling, he bought a trampoline, which became the attraction of the neighborhood.
In the fall, he entered seventh grade, where he had perfect attendance the first quarter and only missed one day the second quarter due to a bruised knee from a skateboard mishap. As his mother said, “We’ll gladly take bumps, scrapes and even broken bones over cancer!” He enjoyed his first year playing football with no major injuries.
He also likes skateboarding and ping pong. He was the seventh grade ping pong tourney champ and he’s now taking tennis lessons.
Matthew has blood work every three months to check his liver function/transplant stability. They check his AFP every six months. They stopped doing the CT scans as long as the AFP remains normal; there is no reason to expose him to unnecessary radiation as long as all indicators say he’s cancer free.
2006
2004
2006
To those of you who ask once in a while, here's the latest news about Matthew:
He just had his 6-month AFP check (alpha feta protein - the marker in the blood that would indicate abnormal activity in the liver.)
AND IT'S STILL NORMAL!!!! YAY!!!
It will be nine years April 9th since his transplant. What a miracle that I'm thankful for.
2008
2004
2006
Matthew continues to be healthy and happy, thanks be to God. All tests are normal.
Last measurement was 6 foot 1 inch. His doctor thinks he'll grow another two or three inches.
2009
2009
2009
You know how they advertise “a helpful smile in every aisle” at the HyVee Grocery stores? Well, since September 2008, there’s one more smile in the produce section of the newest HyVee in Lincoln! After school, you’ll see Matthew arranging fruits and vegetables, smiling all the while. Last spring he bought his first vehicle from his G
You know how they advertise “a helpful smile in every aisle” at the HyVee Grocery stores? Well, since September 2008, there’s one more smile in the produce section of the newest HyVee in Lincoln! After school, you’ll see Matthew arranging fruits and vegetables, smiling all the while. Last spring he bought his first vehicle from his Grandpa Bob, and the job helps keep the gas tank full.
Matthew has many friends, loves music, movies and sports, just like all other teens. He still loves to skateboard but doesn’t have the time to do it like he’d like to, but he still enjoys the skateboard clothing fashion.
2010
2009
2009
This year has been a "milestone" year - Matthew graduating from high school is so amazing since there was a point at the beginning of this whole "journey" where his parents and I weren't even sure we'd get to see him start kindergarten. So many of those days we just had to deal with "one day at a time" or even one hour at a time, and it
This year has been a "milestone" year - Matthew graduating from high school is so amazing since there was a point at the beginning of this whole "journey" where his parents and I weren't even sure we'd get to see him start kindergarten. So many of those days we just had to deal with "one day at a time" or even one hour at a time, and it was impossible to see this far into the future. We still feel like it's best to enjoy the "NOW" and not get too carried away worrying or planning for the future.... I remember that day sitting at UNMC hearing that our last option was for a transplant and my only exposure to transplant patients had been the very sick people at the hospital. It sounded so "science fiction" and my thought was what sort of quality of life will that be for him?
2009
2012
Little did we know how full and healthy and happy and busy a life can be after a transplant. I don't think Matthew has wasted a single day.
Matthew plans to continue his education at a college in Lincoln. He has been enjoying his love of baseball as a member of the Senior Legion team this summer and is also working at HyVee.
2012
2009
2012
Matthew is attending the University of Nebraska and lives with his Delta Delta Delta fraternity brothers. 2012 Transplant follow up care includes the following:
Current Transplant Care
- 100 mg Neoral twice a day (no other medications)
- Lab every 3 months
- Alpha fetoprotein twice a year
- Annual check up transplant team & gastroenterologist
2013
2013
2013
A message from Matthew’s Mom: 16 amazing, miraculous years! Matthew now has 3 years of college under his belt. Looks like it will take him a couple more years to get his degree. We're a rare family who is actually HAPPY to have college expenses. All those years ago when he was in the midst of chemo, it was hard to even image him starting kindergarten.
2015
2013
2013
Things are pretty routine here, and we love it that way! No news is good news, right? After so many years of doctor appointments and treatments we treasure "boring". Matt is healthy and strong. He's finishing up his degree in Business Administration at the University of Nebraska while still working at the Lincoln Country Club (to supp
Things are pretty routine here, and we love it that way! No news is good news, right? After so many years of doctor appointments and treatments we treasure "boring". Matt is healthy and strong. He's finishing up his degree in Business Administration at the University of Nebraska while still working at the Lincoln Country Club (to support his new-found love of snowboarding in Colorado). Another love is attending baseball games with his dad, Dave.
2013
Confession from Matt's Mom: I still have a cupboard full of heparin, syringes, tape, numbing cream and all sorts of other medical supplies. Call it superstition or something similar, I just can't bring myself to touch it, even though I could really use the cupboard space.
2018
20 Year Transplant Anniversary
In 2017 we celebrated Matthew's 20 year transplant anniversary. Some of the memories from when Matthew was sick remain vivid, but many have faded to be replaced by happy new memories and milestones. As I look at his strong 6'3" frame and handsome face (moms and grandmas are very biased!) it doesn't seem possible that this can be the same little boy who endured all those chemo treatments and post transplant infections. Here is a college graduate, who lives up to the meaning of his name: Matthew "Gift from God"