Matthew’s Messages - matthew.tonyc.com

The nurse came in a little bit ago (late Thursday night) and gave Matthew his push of Vincristine and then another nurse came in and whisked his other med away that was on the bed. “What is going on?” we thought.

Our nurse came back to tell us that the doses on the labels were wrong and all chemo has been halted for the night. So he won’t be getting his overnight chemos until after the chemo pharmacists come in the morning and straighten things out. Better safe than sorry. His Vincristine was okay.

So we will be at Vanderbilt all day Friday to allow for the chemo and the 8 hours of Mesna. Still hoping to go home Friday but it will probably be late in the evening. The last time chemo started in the morning we did not go home until around 9:00 p.m. Matthew is crying to go home NOW!

-Gina

(Read entry below for important details on treatment options and a BIG prayer request)

After a week of joy and a touch of normalcy with the catheter out, the Butterfields were back at Vanderbilt for Matthew’s overnight chemo visit. They continue to see prayers answered as Matthew has gained weight this week - from 32 lbs. 4 oz. last week back up to 33 lbs. this week. A big thanks to all that have prayed for this specific request!

I talked to Gina around 2:30 p.m. and they were still awaiting a bed. In the interim, she wanted to inform everyone of what new things they learned about their journey of attacking Matthew’s cancer and what might lie ahead.

First off, they learned the first stage of treatments Matthew has been receiving over the past few months were mostly in an attempt to keep the cancer from spreading #1 and to shrink the tumor itself #2. Once his 12th treatment is complete in mid-April is when more decisions have to be made in terms of “local control” (i.e. really focusing on the tumor itself).

Today’s discussion with the oncology team frankly had its highs and lows for Keith & Gina. First of all, the good news is that the doctors say his tumor is low in the bladder. This is good they say because it helped them find the tumor quicker which allowed them to treat it quicker which made the chance of it spreading is less likely. The not-so-good news about it being lower in the bladder is that it sometimes means the possibility of surgery is more likely. That is something they did not want to hear.

Therefore, PRAYERS ARE NEEDED that the TUMOR SIMPLY BE GONE when the reimaging is done the week of April 19th so the topic of surgery will not even need to be discussed!

Please pray that the treatments Matthew is receiving over the next 24 hours will be so powerful they will knock out every cancer cell in his precious little body - all the to praise of our glorious God!

Hebrews 4:14-16
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Ever since the answered prayers of last week’s catheter removal, the Butterfields have been blessed with a week of “joy and peace.”

Matthew has been drinking vanilla Carnation whole milk and, due to prayer, has maintained his weight since last week. Last night, a few friends stopped in for a night of prayer and praise which was uplifting for everyone. Thanks for all who came and those who were there in spirit. As Gina said, “It was a blessing to sing, pray and hear the word of the Lord spoken in our midst.”

Matthew will be going in for his next chemo treatment and overnight stay tomorrow. Because we know God is listening, we ask that you pray for the following:
-That a bed be available quickly
-That the Butterfields will get clarification on when his next CT re-scan will take place
-That Matthew will continue to maintain his weight
-That the chemo will destroy the tumor and surgery will NOT be necessary

On a final note, Gina relayed to me a sweet story she wanted to share. On Sunday mornings the Butterfield boys come to the sink rug to get their hair sprayed and combed before church. Matthew got in line for his turn last Sunday. Gina said she just smiled and combed his very gently. What a precious picture!

Thanks for continuing to lift up the Butterfields in your prayers. God is listening!

Those were Matthew’s words today as he clapped his hands in excitement. (I believe Gina and Keith were about as excited too!)

Today was a good day as Matthew’s bladder seems to be functioning normally after his catheter was removed last night. While the doctors told them they can leave it out, the Butterfields still must keep a watchful eye on Matthew over the next few days to make sure his progress continues. Although the doctors couldn’t tell definitively, they believe there has been some shrinkage of the tumor. (Matthew’s bladder never had problems functioning previously. It was that the tumor was blocking passage of the urine.)

Another answered prayer today was Keith & Gina’s meeting with Dr. Ho. They spent a good deal of time with him and had a lot of questions answered which they believe will allow them to make more informed decisions regarding Matthew’s care.

Thanks for your prayers and keep them coming. God is good . . . all the time.

Hebrews 4:14-16
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Gina called this morning to report that she has never been so pleased to change a wet diaper! After cautiously removing the catheter last night, they were hoping that his bladder would be able to empty on its own. Although it seems there was some pain involved for Matthew, nonetheless he has been able to void on his own. So, in essence, so far, so good.

Gina will call with an update following Matthew’s morning clinic appointment and visit with his urologist this afternoon which should give them a better assessment of how things look. Praise God for answered prayers thus far! Pray that the news will continue to be positive the remainder of their visit.

Thank you for praying. God blessed us with a smooth procedure tonight. We will wait and trust that everything will work for Matthew by the time we go to Dr. Brock’s office tomorrow afternoon. We will be going to the clinic in the morning for his weekly push of Vincristine. Keep praying!

Micah 7:7
But as for me,
I watch in hope for the LORD,
I wait for God my Savior;
my God will hear me.

This week is an important week for Matthew. On Wednesday, Keith and Gina will be removing Matthew’s catheter to gauge whether his bladder can function on its own. At the Thursday clinic visit, doctors will be able to monitor how he is doing and determine whether a new catheter is needed. Please pray that the tumor is out of the way and that he can void on his own.

In addition to this, please continually pray that the chemo is working to destroy the tumor. Matthew has a very important CT scan coming up in April and they hope to see 1) that the tumor is gone or is at least shrunk and 2) that the cancer has not spread.

If the tumor has not been reduced, then surgery might be required and that would likely require removing his bladder. That is obviously something they don’t want to happen.

Above all else, the Butterfields’ prayer continues to be that God be glorified through Matthew’s healing. Thank you for praying for him and the entire Butterfield family.

Psalm 34:1-8
I will extol the LORD at all times;
His praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt His name together.
I sought the LORD, and He answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to Him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
He saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him,
and He delivers them.
Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.

Matthew fell asleep on the way out of the hospital parking garage and slept until 5:00. We tried to wake him earlier but he was crashed.
I know our weekly clinic visits on Thursdays really drain me and they don’t access my port, draw my blood or push chemicals into my blood stream.
He ate a little cereal for supper while the rest of us had pizza. (Thanks, friends, for the pizza!)
He had lost a few ounces this week but she took his shoes off of him today. (I’ll have to remember to put weights in his pockets next week.)
Thank God he is feeling good tonight and enjoying the rough and tumble of being a brother.
We do appreciate your prayers in all matters concerning Matthew and this battle!

11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

12 I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds.

13 Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?

14 You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.

15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
Selah

Psalm 77:11-15

Daniel 9:3, 17-19, 23

3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.

17 “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. 18 Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. 19 O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

23 As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the message and understand the vision:

Daniel 10:12

12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.

Well, we had our first official throwing up tonight. He ran and
played all evening after waking from his all afternoon nap at 5:30.
I was reading The Apprentice to the boys and had just read the part
where the Maestro is really sick. Seconds later Matthew was
vomiting. Kinda made the book come to life for us. The only thing
he has had today is a little Sierra Mist and Cranberry juice. The
doctors seemed surprised when I told them this morning at the
hospital that Matthew had not thrown up after the previous treatments.

Our Friday night tradition is for the boys to all sleep in the living
room. Everyone is resting peacefully there now, including one tired
Daddy.
Thanks for holding us up in prayer. We love all of you…..thanks
for showing your love for us in SO many ways.
As Pop says, Keep Smilin’
Gina and Keith

Hebrews 10:35-36

“Do not lose the courage you had in the past, which has a great
reward. You must hold on, so you can do what God wants and receive
what He has promised.”