Not Everyone Will be as Supportive as Hoped or Needed

Opposition can come from the least expected places when caring for someone. I understand that people become exhausted by the ups and downs and constant vigilance. The stress from that is something I have tried to convey in certain series of blog posts. But there are people in our lives, we assume have our back through thick and thin, life and death. Both Mathew and I found this not to be so, a painful but eye-opening lesson.

These two texts I sent to my sister Kathleen are only a few weeks into Mathew’s treatment. This subject also goes back to another post where Mathew asks the doctors when he can go back to work and he is told that with his cancer and type of treatments he will be receiving, work (and as we quickly found out normal life) is not possible.

Texts to my sister Kathleen

I was just calling when I was alone because Carlos
told me yesterday that when Mat comes home I
need to let him grow up and learn to take care of
himself and that everyone needs to stop babying him.

Sent April 7

I asked the pain doctors if they thought he can be
left alone and they said occasionally for a small
amount of time but in general, his condition
changes so rapidly that Mathew may not realize
he has a fever or is in trouble.

Sent April 7

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 ...

Why is it Called Confections for Cats?

I want to take a moment and talk about why Project Mathew is called Confections for Cats. The main reason is that it was going to be the title of his first album. He had sketched up some artwork. We were working on it in Photoshop. Here is an early permutation of the artwork. Mathew's life, his story is mainly about music, his music, and his journey through cancer. When he created his Facebook page, he named it Confections for Cats and I continued with that name. I have been thinking about a logo, a way to incorporate cats, Sarcoma and his music. I like to brainstorm. So, I was thinking about the word confections. When Mathew first told me that title, this was before his diagnosis, I recall thinking about how he practiced his guitar into the night and early morning and that his cats have been his constant audience. Sweets, confections for his cats, and his music as delicious morsels for our ears. I looked up the word confections and yes, a confection is a sweet. Bu...

The Rollercoaster of Chemotherapy Fewer Highs and More Lows

TEXTS BETWEEN ME AND ARPIE Mat sees Dr. Reed Thursday at 9 and then at 1 he goes to have biliary stent changed to a larger gauge. We had to reattach a bag this morning. Sent May 12 I have Dr's appointment myself Thursday will call after and see if you are still with Dr. Reed. ...

Confections For Cats

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