Skip to main content

From Mathew's Journal Bucket List

Mathew's Journal


3-8-14

— From here forward this book will no longer be notes of doctors words

—Those type of words invariably become very scary

They are large, but unseen, bird of prey. A hawk descending upon a young turkey or chicken.
The rest of us standing back, aghast. Our heads and necks filling with rainwater as we stare at what was previously a clear sky.

This, of course, should not be taken as a dissertation of doctors, only their words.

One of them, Dr. Knight, sat down with me today and let me know that I may die. Which was always a possibility, but more than I thought originally. She asked me what were four things I want to do before I die.

I said:
 1. Finish my album.
 2. Finish my book.
 3. see my nephew born.
 4. see Russell’s 14th birthday.

She then asked me how close I was to finishing the first two.
“About 75%,” I said.
She wrote that down.
I felt the air pressure in the room shift. It became harder to breathe like being in a high elevator.
I asked some more questions. I don’t remember the answers. 
“One last question,” I said.
“Yes.”
“I know it’s not time yet, but can I have another Xanax.”


My Mom has been sitting adjacent to us.
“Do you mind if I go outside and ask Dr. Knight a few questions?”
Sure,” I tell her. “Just make sure not to distract her from getting my medicine.”


Later that same day
My brother buys me a pair of new Batman pajamas and after sometime when I don’t put them on in a satisfactory amount of time, he puts them on himself. I protest and he changes out of them.


Unexpectedly Dr. Whitt and Father Dan paid me a visit, which was good for my spirits (in a number of ways hahaha).

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

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 for Sarcoma, My Son's Point of View

I can't imagine or pretend to know how it feels to lose your hair because you have cancer and the chemo causes your hair to fall out.  I only know what I saw with Mathew and years ago, my sister Elizabeth's experience as they lost their hair to chemotherapy. But it was something that affected Mathew more than just the initial hair loss, it had nuances. Here is a journal entry. It's short but I think it speaks volumes. MATHEW’S JOURNAL     5-23-14 Lately, I’ve been envious of people’s hair. Well, I guess not envious of other people’s hair but missing mine. I told my Mom about it and expressed to her that I was afraid I was falling prey to vanity. She expressed the idea that I may be missing having hair because it’s part of being healthy. I do miss having a life and at the same time, I’m afraid that I may never have a full life again or that I may lose what’s left of the one I have. -  I’ve been thinking about dying a lot lately. I don’t know wh...