a personal note

[PyroChixRock]

A lot of people have heard through word of mouth about Matt having a tumor. I have been approached by quite a few people who thought he had cancer, so I figured I’d better just go ahead and make a public note before the rumors scared anyone else. So here’s the real story…

Matt has a very large hemangioma tumor, which is not cancerous. It’s basically a big nest of blood vessels. For the last 8 years we’ve been trying to get him some help for it, but no doctor will touch him.

About 7 years ago a doctor in Eugene was going to try alcohol injections, to shrink it. He was prepped and on the table ready to go in and the doc comes in saying he changed his mind and wouldn’t touch him.

I’ve been to doctors all over the place…they all said no help, he wouldn’t survive, it’s too big, it is going into his muscle tissues and starting to go into his organs, too risky and they don’t want to be liable…blah blah blah.

Well since then of course it’s grown!

Around Jan 15th it got swollen, like really swollen, and he is in a lot of pain, and has lost some strength in his right arm. We went to the team of vascular surgeons that monitor his tumor, and now they want to remove it, or the bulk of it, they can't cure him. I should better details on that tomorrow, but basically it’s a very risky surgery, he’s going to need a lot of blood, and they are going to take out one of his muscles (latiseris?) and he will lose some movement of his right arm. Not the news you want to hear when you’re a glassblower heh. :(

Matt’s taking it as best as he can. His mom drove up from California for the meeting tomorrow, she’s a nurse, and has dealt with this tumor since he was born. So having her here to help ask the right questions and such is really comforting.

A lot of the people who have heard about this ask me if they can pray for Matt. While we aren’t the most religious people in the world, we certainly do not object to praying, so no need to ask permission. Thanks to all that have. :)


I will let you guys know what I find out tomorrow.

[Joseph Corcoran]

wow.

My prayers are with both of you, this sounds really challenging, and I hope that everything works out.

[Arcane Glass]

That is not the best of news. I'm not a praying man myself, but my thoughts are with you and your family and especially for Matt.

[FredLight]

Our best positive thoughts are with you! I wish you all well.

[Pakoh]

damn...

best wishes....

[phab]

....misha, i think we're all calling for peace and goodness for you , matt , and your family right now, no matter where it comes from. my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

[Destructo]

Prayers are thoughts and my positive ones will be with you all. Take care and keep smilin!

[skip]

Matt's a tough son of a bitch. I know he'll pull through.

Stay strong, Have patience, and hug your kids.

[kbinkster]

I'm praying for you both. :) Stay strong, chica.

[smutboy420]

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed in a praying good vibe way for you guys.

[Glassbackwards]

I hope all goes well.

[steven p selchow]

yep,prayers here too Misha, theirs not a lot of religious people here im sure, but all of us in masses have some healing powers i'd like to beleive, so you beleive too.

[fumalicious]

My thoughts are with you guys... hoping for the best.

[GlassAce]

Amen. Prayers and all things good.

[JDeMoss]

Definitely a lot of positive energy coming your way. Good luck! Stay positive.

Jesse

[Sol]

i know you guys have prob looked into alot of different forms of therapy, but i have a suggestion, since it is not cancerous, then have you looked into cryo-therapy?its suppossed to be really effective in large tumors in colons and intestinal... and has an excellent recovery rate.. they bassically freeze the shit outta the tumor.no chemo and no in vasive cutting......im sorry for your hardship matt, and ill be puttin in a word or two for you with my buddy jeebus....peaces

[NOFO]

My prayers are with both of you.

[jeffbuchs]

Best positive vibes!!!!!

[Dog Squeez]

All my prayers are with you also.

Brian

[BlueDevil]

You, Matt, and your family are in our thoughts here. We hope everything turns out ok.

Lee

[vetropod]

Good luck and best wishes!!!


Wes.

[LouisCamp]

Hope all works out for the best. You guys are in my thoughts.


Lou

[Snurf]

sending positive vibes your way!!!!

[Vapor Glass]

godspeed

[broken glass]

DITTO. Keep your heads up

[slobbie]

im type o- so if he needs some blood id be happy to give

[lost sailor]

ill be saying my prayers tonight for matt and his family.

[yinzer]

power is and numbers and the number of those thinking of you guys are high. you'll pull through, all of you. much love.

[PyroChixRock]

The surgeons we saw today seem very confident in being able to take good care of Matt during this operation. They gave us the option of requesting who we wanted to be the main guy and we went with Dr. Moneta, who we’ve been seeing for a few years. He’s had some experience with hemangiomas close to this size, although in the lower extremities. He said this would be simpler because there isn’t as many things to worry about where it is, so that’s very good news.

He said - when asked why it’s operable now when no one would touch him for the last 8 years - that this is where medicine turns into more of an art then a science. They can no longer follow a chart or a pattern, because there is none, and they can only follow Matt’s pattern. Because the tumor has grown so much in the last year, they know they need to take it out, and that it’s more important then the risks at this point.

Matt will be in the hospital for an expected 7 days, and then a few months of physical therapy to follow. They will have to remove that muscle that deals with his arm, so it very well could affect his glassblowing career, but it’s all guess work so we don’t know and won’t until after. Hopefully he’ll pull through well and not skip a beat. :D

I don’t know about blood yet, the labs were all closed by the time we left the doc’s office. I think we go back in for that on Friday. I do know that if the insurance covers the surgery that they will cover the blood, and we won’t need any. :)

I feel a lot better knowing that Dr. Moneta will be in charge here. This is such a risky surgery; we really can’t have someone who can’t handle it. I’m glad to have finally found someone who thinks they can help Matt. They can’t cure him, and he may have to have more then one surgery if they have to stop, and he could have to have surgery again in 5,10,20 years …there’s no way to tell how long. It will come back, we just don’t know how long or how fast.

That’s all I know for now. Thanks again for all the words of support, in any form. :)

[sunray]

I will be thinking of you and knowing Misha what you are going thru Trevor had one on his head this past 6 months and after his 4th surgery to remove what went into the skulll.. all is now healed except that scar on his forhead, So hang in there and we will see what we can put up for auction for you guys
from this shop.

[firedanceglass]

I wish I could give you a HUGE hug right now!!!! :blowkiss: :blowkiss: :blowkiss:

I know life is crazy, but just hang in there. Try and stay positive...You guys will definately make it through this....I'll be thinking about you......

~Much Love~
Melanie

[cheng076]

You, Matt, or the kids need anything, you call. I'm not that far. Don't mind donating blood if that will help

Warmest, PJ

[Jones Art Glass]

My prayers and good thoughts are with you guys as you go through your ordeal. Rest assured that God will provide your the strength you need as you pass these trubulations. You've done so much for all of us here on the board that I welcome any opportunity to give back...Sorry it took a bad time for you guys for me to realize how important you are to our community. Peace

[jokersdesign]

I will pray for you.

[lucidvisions]

Our best to Matt and yourself Misha, please never hestitate to contact us if you guys need ANY help.

[Mac Maestro]

You already know...

My heart is with you both.

bring on the rally.

[Momka's Glass]

Dear Matt, Misha and family,

Please know that you are in our thoughts always. You have all our love
and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Momka

[Grandflush]

Positive vibrations going out to Matt, get well soon star.

[fl0werchilde]

Hope all works out for the best. You guys are in my thoughts. I know that I don't say alot - but for what it's worth; here goes....Misha; know this please... - really - now - can't think of any other time to tell you that I have looked up to you for damn near... - well it's been almost five years when I stumbled on the ezboard back in oregon. Just by reading your posts over the years shows what a smart, positive, witty, compassionate person who indefinitely has the ability to coordinate all of the many different elements in her life - that you are; and I respect and admire you more than anyone I have ever wanted to know.
you are always in my thoughts.
best wishes to you and your family in this hazy time.... I hope the sun shines a light onto the path of a speedy recovery.

[zigs]

....best of luck to you guys. my thoughts are with you. zig

[Mr. "Awesome!"]

That's great you got a good doctor. My best wishes go out to you and your family.

--Neil

[PyroChixRock]

Wow Heidi...thanks girl. :blowkiss:

And thanks everyone for the kind words. Surgery is scheduled for the 14th of march, so the real freaking out can begin now! :twitch: I will try not to pull out my hair... :crazy: