Happy Birthday Matt

Well, this is Matt's second birthday spent in a hospital but we have faith that by next year's birthday, if Matt is in a hospital, he will be VISITING NOT STAYING! Thanks to all of you in the "WhoMatt" Nation who have sent best wishes on this day. Thanks to all who have been praying and continue to pray for Matt. Thanks to all who have cooked meals, given rides, visited, called, expressed concern or done anything else to help us through this difficult time. Believe me, it is ALL appreciated.

Matt has made some significant improvements in the last few weeks:
1. Walking with both the special walker and with a regular walker (today)
2. Starting to speak a little
3. Some facial movement coming back
4. Getting over pneumonia and sepsis
5. Demonstrating an attitude of fierce determination to overcome and rehab fully

Right now, we are standing in front of a large mountain that we have to climb. Tomorrow, Matt has surgery to close up his bedsore which is a good thing in general. However, we will have to get through a couple of weeks of healing from that which also includes not laying on his back. It will be tough but with your support, we'll get through it.

After the surgery heals, radiation therapy starts. This, I am sure, will have its own set of challenges. Please continue to pray for us.

Finally, as Matt's birthday comes to a close, I have to repeat something I have said before. I can't begin to describe how proud I am of Matt. He has suffered through a lot over the last year and has done it without complaint or "woe is me" attitude. He has demonstrated a remarkable resilience and has kept his sense of humor throughout. He may only be 20 today but my son is a real man!