Hi out there to all my UPS friends,
Sorry it has taken me so long to update you all on our Matthew. His surgery was last Wednesday, June 1st, as planned. He had a wonderful time with his family and friends for the entire week before surgery (fishing, playing T-ball, going to a Paw Socks game in Boston, the zoo, and many other fun things). He was scared about the surgery, but stayed brave. His surgery lasted 8 very long hours. It took the neurosurgeon 4 hours just to get to the tumor in the center of his brain. She said it is an agressive cancer, because the tumor had grown faster than she thought, in just the past 3 weeks. It was the size of a bing cherry, in his little 4 year old brain. She had to extend the scar from the first brain surgery he had when he was 8 months old. At first she didn't think she would be able to get the entire tumor, because it was located so very close to major blood vessels. But because it is so agressive, she pushed to remove as much as she could. The post-op MRI did not show any obvious tumor left. But if you know cancer, it is very sneaky. It hides so well. Even the most minute shadow of a cancer cell that is virtually invisable, that is left behind, easily multiplies and grows to take over again. So Matthew will still receive radiation to his brain and spine for 6 weeks. He also will take chemotherapy by mouth daily for a year. Three years ago he had surgery, massive doses of IV chemotherapy and 3 stem cell rescues. But since the cancer came back after all of that, they have to try something else this time. The year long chemo will help to prevent it from returning, hopefully. Anyway, back to his current recovery. After that very long time under anesthesia, he came out of the recovery room, breathing on his own. He didn't even need the ventilator (breathing machine) for one day. He surprised the neurosurgeon by moving both arms and legs on command. At first his eyes were deviated over to the extreme left. And he was really favoring his left side. But less than 24 hours later, his eyes were back to midline. Since favoring the left side over the right, but physical therapy is working with him on that. He was out of the pediatric intensive care after 1 1/2 days. He is on the pediatric oncology floor at Hasbro Children's Hospital. He still is having some strong headaches that he needs medication for (but who wouldn't), and the medicine makes him want to sleep more than usual. So he is not in the mood to get up with physical therapy and walk or play with any toys to improve his strength. He has clearly said to more than one person "leave me alone" and "nooooo". Bless his heart, this is so not like his usual self. (no wonder) He loves to socialize. He always is asking anyone to play with him or read to him or "look at this". His big blue eyes always sparkle with mischief. It's hard to see him this way. But each day, he seems to be stronger. He did give a little scare last night, because his heart rate suddenly got quite low and his pupils were not equal. These could be signs of brain swelling and could mean a dangerous situation. Sent him for a "stat" CT scan of his head, and everything seemed to look allright. They are watching him closely. We are told he could be discharged as early as the end of next week, if everything goes well. I am currently back in Northern Maine, because I have to work. But my co-workers are helping as much as they can to cover any time I need to take off to go back to Providence. I promise to continue to keep you all updated. Again, for anyone who would like to see a picture of him or read his facebook page, just type in Matthew Beaudry. And also, I want you all to know, that he is one proud little man for the little UPS trucks that have been sent to him already. He has them displayed for all to see. And the UPS cap that was sent to him is hung on the wall, next to his beloved Boston Red Sox Caps. I will try to post the picture his mother took of him and his local UPS delivery guy. It was great.
Thank you all, again and again. I have bragged to many, many people about how generous you are, and how good you have been to my boy.
Lorrie
