Matthew H. - Quilt Finished in 2007

Born: December 9, 1994

Illness: Pontine Glioma Brain Tumor

Matthew's Story

Written by Matthew's mom Shari in 2007

Matthew was born December 9, 1994.  He was a wonderful baby! He has been a part of sports since birth.  He came home to a KC Chiefs Game to watch with his Dad & PaPa at 3 days old! Matt's 1st word was 'BALL'!  He has always been interested in making and building things.  When he was 3 he could dribble a basketball with his left and right hand. He loved Michael Jordan. When he was 5 he had an evaluation for Kindergarten and the teacher said she was concerned about his balance. We were like 'what'?? He's so athletic??? Since then he has played baseball, basketball, touch and regular football. He's always been an 'A' student and on Honor Roll until the last quarter of 5th grade - that's when we found out Matt had a Brain Tumor.

In May 2006 Matt went swimming at a friends house. Matt jumped into the shallow end and hit his head. He complained that his head was 'shaking', this was not visible to his dad or myself. Bob took him into the DR for a routine physical and mentioned the swimming incident. The DR thought it might be a mild concussion, but to bring Matt in if it continues. Well, it did and Matt's unusual behavior did too. Most of you who know Matt, know that he is a mild mannered and loving boy. His temperment changed and the 'shaking' continued. I took him back to the DR and he thought it would be a good idea if Matt had an MRI 'just to be safe'. On the afternoon of May 26th Bob and I took him to have his MRI. Matt was scared but handled it well. We ran errands and went to dinner. When we got home that evening there were 2 messages from the DR's to call him right away. Bob called and was told we needed to take Matt to UMC to the Emergency Room right away. We did and the DR met us there - where we waited to talk to a Neurologist. He told us Matthew had an inoperable brain tumor. Matt was admitted right away - and the next day we met with the Head of Radiology and an Oncology Dr. They started Radiation and Chemotherapy immediately because of the location of the tumor. He was also put on steroids to keep the swelling of the tumor down. Matt was in the hospital until Tuesday afternoon. Returning to the hospital Mon thru Fri for Radiation treatments.

He had to have a 2nd MRI so the Dr's at UMC could have his MRI on disc to read it on their system. Which was a blessing - because we found out that the tumor didn't have the 'feelers' (Dr. Wittman's terms) and that it hasn't spread and it was smooth - which is good - and could be operable. That was on a Monday - the following Monday Matt had to have out patient surgery to have a 'port-a-cath' put in. As of now - he has been thru radiation, chemotherapy daily then maintenance every 4 weeks, then 6 weeks.  He will have an MRI in October 2007 to see if the tumor has been shrinking. His last MRI on May 29th, showed no shrinkage.