Get ready...

I can't really tell you why, but Matt is preparing to add his own entry to this blog. And lemme tell you...if Matt is going to type and publish something online, it's going to be good :) Glory to God - it's gonna be good :)

We reap what we sow...

Matt and I want to make sure we let everyone know how AMAZING the owners and staff have been at American Waste. As Matt has just qualified for insurance when we found out about the cancer we called the company and they checked and double checked EVERYTHING to make sure all of the paperwork was in order. They are also looking out for Matt's well-being, not just his usefullness as an employee. His supervisors and the guys who work for him call regularly to see how he's doing and offer him encouragement. It has been such a blessing to be a part of such a wonderful organization. We pray that God will bless American Waste SEVEN FOLD!! And if you would like to support this amazing group - SIGN UP!! Give 'em a call (since I don't have their permission to publish their phone number I'll have to tell you to contact me and I'll pass it along). Remember - it's American Waste (in conjunction with PCS and Northern A-I). Again...that's American Waste!!

The blessings started and just keep coming!!

[DISCLAIMER - THIS IS NOT YET COMPLETE!!! WE ARE ADDING BLESSINGS EVERYDAY!]

Wow!!! When God said that He can take what the enemy means for harm and turn it into good He wasn't joking!!! From the minute Matt & I found out about the cancer God has been pouring out his blessings. Since we want to make sure he gets credit for EVERYTHING we are leaving NOTHING out!! God is too good to be overlooked!!!

1. The doctor @ Urgent Care used to work with Dr. Harris and he referred us there and got us an appointment the NEXT DAY. Turns out Dr. Harris is the BEST urologist in TC!!
2. We were put on high priority thru EVERYTHING and instead of waiting days and weeks for test results Matt was in for surgery the week after the diagnosis.
3. We thought Matt was without insurance until November, six months after his start date...but he qualified after over three months!!! American Waste (shameless plug for an amazing company) bent over backwards to make sure we were covered.
4. We got a $700+ state tax return...FROM 2003...just after Matt and I had both been out of work.
5. Matt also qualifies for short term disability, so we will not be completely without income.
6. Free tickets to a Beach Bums game
7. Free tickets to Red Wings training camp
8. more to be listed...

The Rundown

"Have you met my friends Mr. Thunder and Mr. Lightning?" (That's for you Jess).

For those of you who are just finding out Matt was recently diagnosed with testicular cancer. Here is the rundown of events:
Aug. 21 - go to Urgent Care for large, swollen testicle
Aug. 22 - diagnosed with cancerous tumor in right testicle; blood work and chest x-rays done. Lungs clear.
Aug. 24 - visit Dr. Michael Harris, Urologist. Schedule radical orchiectomy (testicle removal) for Sept. 1.
Aug. 28 - three cups of poopy juice and a lower abdonimal catscan....followed by lots of runs
Sept. 1 - THE day...in at 1pm and out by 5pm!! Matt is very entertaining on anesthesia, morphine and vicatin
Sept. 5 - Matt's last day on vicatin!! What a trooper :)
Sept. 18 - follow up blood work (looking for cancer markers)
Sept. 19 - follow up visit with Dr. Harris and told Matt is doing great! referred to oncologist
Sept. 21 - visit oncologist, Dr. Peter Kohler (not the guy who was @ HIllsdale College with me). Cancer markers are down, but still present. Schedule first chemo treatment for Oct. 2.

That's it for now. Those are just the facts...the good stuff is coming up later :)

Okay, here we go!

Hey all! Matt thought it would be easier for us to keep everyone updated if we created a blog so everyone could check in at their leisure, and then I won't have to worry if I forget to email anyone!!! I'm gonna put a couple of blogs up tonight, just to give some history and some plans for the future. If you have any questions please let us know!!! Love you tons :)