Treatment for Soft Tissue Sarcoma is Frightening and Lonely

Following the feeling of being alone from the last post, I don’t believe anyone other than me ever took Mathew for his appointments over at the Palliative Clinic. Those would include appointments with Dr. Knight, the Pain and Palliative Doctor and the appointments with the counselors. Outpatient chemo was the most frightening to me and it was always just Mathew and me. Once I thought Mathew’s Dad would be able to come and be with him.

Texts between me and Arpie

Do you know any upcoming dates

for chemo or Dr Reed?

Recvd April 28

Yes. Thursday he goes for outpatient chemo.

First bloodwork and stop by Sarcoma Clinic

for appointment with Dr. Reed before going

to infusion which is on the 4th floor.

I need to go look at times.

Sent April 28

Bloodwork 10:45

Dr. Reed 11:30

Then to chemo

He will be in chemo

for 4 hours

Sent April 28

This Thursday.

Recvd April 28

Yes, sorry

Sent April 28

Forgot. I have a doctor's

appointment

this Thursday.

Recvd April 28

I remember thinking that I wanted someone else to see what those outpatient chemotherapies were like. To sit for hours while Mathew tried to pretend he wasn’t in his body. Then the drive home where Mathew was so physically devastated by the chemo that he couldn’t put more than a few words together. My son, the poet, writer and lyricist reduced to a few mumbled words.

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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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