First Week After Cancer Diagnosis Defining Events

2-27-14

I don’t recall when everything happened the first week after his hospital admission and cancer diagnosis, but two things happened this first week that set the tone for the rest of the year.

First of all, Mathew’s friend Alan brought a guitar to the room. Mathew even played it a few times while at the Zephyrhills Hospital and he played it the first few weeks at Moffitt.

Secondly, my sister Kathleen, as soon as we heard the word cancer, she said Mathew could move into her home. This is significant. Mathew had been at the end of an apartment lease in Tampa. When I helped him move back to Dade City, he was unemployed due to him being sick and had moved in with a family friend. Mathew thought it would be temporary, that once they figured out what was wrong with him, he could get back to work and get his own place.

So, one day, while Mathew’s Stepmom was with him, Kathleen and I made a few trips and moved all of his belongings and his two cats to her home. Her home was large enough that Mathew had two bedrooms, his own bathroom and a large living room to himself. This was in February. It would be weeks before Mathew saw his new home.

Sequel and Tippy (half sisters)

Comments

Replace the 3 Lumen Pic Line with a Port

Mathew's 3 Lumen Pic Line was replaced with a Power P.A.C. Both Mathew and I were given Medical I.D. cards to carry at all times. I have mentioned before that texting from the DRC is almost impossible. The staff told me it used to be the X-ray department so the walls are leaded. Again, the phone tree would have helped so much. I texted the following information to my niece, my sister and Mathew’s Dad and Stepmom. And probably Joseph and Carlos. I know that could have been reduced to two texts, three at the most. At the time I didn’t know about group messaging as my phone was an old Android. Texts Between me and Diane Hi. We are at the hospital early because Mat is in a lot of pain. We think the bill stent may have moved. Sent 3-31-14 Because he was NPO for other procedure they should be able to fix today. Sent 3-31-14 In the DRC sending texts is almost impossible so if you don’t hear from me for a while don’t worry. If ...

A Cancer Poem by Mathew Rodgers 2014

From Mathew’s Journal 4-5-14 “I lie awake in my pain bed metallic noises chirping from my strange computer companion”

Hair Loss After Chemo Part II, Mom's Point of View

Mathew always had awesome hair. Rock and roll hair. When he first started treatment, they shaved his head. He still wasn't bald, plus it represented the beginning of treatment. It was temporary until the cancer was gone and he was well again. Before treatment started, Mathew was so sick I wondered how he would accept the change. He hadn't wanted anyone seeing him when he was first hospitalized. But I was surprised how quickly he adjusted to the new look. Then when treatment started and his hair fell out it coincided with the tumor responding to the chemo, so overall he looked so much better than he had for a long time. Less bloated and healthier color. I was so happy he was responding to the treatment, that being bald didn't bother me. I'm a Mom, I thought he looked terrific. Mathew was dismayed over the bald look at first. It made him appear younger, and since he also lost his eyebrows and eyelashes, he referred to it as that ...

Confections For Cats

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