In FOUR DAYS...on Sunday, April 27 while I am doing the triathlon, Matt will be making his CONFIRMATION. This is a time of great joy in the life of a Christian, an occasion of mature commitment, when young people baptized as infants put their "personal signature" on their parents' decision and knowingly claim their Christian identity.
A “PORT-A-CATH” is a device used to make the administration of chemotherapy into the venous system easier and works to reduce the risk of certain chemotherapy-related complications. A thin, soft, hollow plastic tube/catheter is tunnelled under the skin of your chest. The tip of the catheter lies in a small reservoir connected to a large vein just above your heart and the other end connects with the port which is about about the size of a quarter and is placed under the skin, in the upper part of the chest in the space between your collarbone and nipple.
Some chemotherapy drugs—the kind that Matt has to receive every week—can cause major problems if they leak from the veins into the surrounding tissues causing painful burning and destruction of skin and tissue. Such damage could be very dangerous and difficult to treat. This may happen if certain drugs are administered into a vein in the arm. Without it, doctors very often run out of usable veins. Matt must receive chemotherapy every WEEK.
MATT'S "PORT-A-CATH" HAS FAILED...is no longer working!
Now, just when everything has been going so well, a decision has to be made and, neither decision is an easy one. Matt must either have the surgery to remove and replace the existing “Port-A-Cath” – probably causing him considerable pain and discomfort –- while the new wound and surrounding chest tissues heal.
Or, he could risk having the chemotherapy administered into his arms facing all of the inherent problems associated with that decision...which are many and not insignificant!
And, if he has the surgery....when should he have it???? Before school ends...he can’t carry his backpack till the new “Port-A Cath” heals??? Or after...risking at least two chemo administrations before that occurs??? This is no way to greet the end of school and the summer break! No matter which decision is made, his summer will not be what it should be! Not only will he have to deal with the discomfort and any limitations caused by this turn of events, he will be reminded again that he has leukemia and that his battle is not yet over to eliminate its threat.
But, he WILL have this summer...and with the blessings of God granted to him on his Confirmation Day...many more.
In FOUR DAYS – Sunday, April 27, 2008, I will SWIM, BIKE and RUN in honor of Matt. He will be my inspiration...as he has been all these months of training...as I struggle to finish this exhausting event.
I will be thinking of Matt and his family... knowing for certain that my doing this triathlon for him and YOUR generous donations to THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY will someday help save other children's summers...and provide hope for the rest of their lives.
HAPPY CONFIRMATION, MATT!
