a personal note

**PyroChixRock** · 02-14-2006, 04:33 PM

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** · 02-14-2006, 04:42 PM

wow.

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

**Arcane Glass** · 02-14-2006, 04:52 PM

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** · 02-14-2006, 05:19 PM

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

**Pakoh** · 02-14-2006, 05:23 PM

damn...

best wishes....

**phab** · 02-14-2006, 05:30 PM

....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** · 02-14-2006, 06:14 PM

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

**skip** · 02-14-2006, 06:42 PM

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

Stay strong, Have patience, and hug your kids.

**kbinkster** · 02-14-2006, 09:02 PM

I'm praying for you both.

Stay strong, chica.

**smutboy420** · 02-14-2006, 10:31 PM

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

**Glassbackwards** · 02-14-2006, 10:36 PM

I hope all goes well.

**steven p selchow** · 02-14-2006, 11:12 PM

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** · 02-14-2006, 11:15 PM

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

**GlassAce** · 02-14-2006, 11:17 PM

Amen. Prayers and all things good.

**JDeMoss** · 02-14-2006, 11:38 PM

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

Jesse

**Sol** · 02-15-2006, 12:36 AM

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