On April 1, 2015, 2 years after Matt received the diagnosis, his Dad wrote this on his Caring Bridge site:
Yes, it was 2 years ago today that we learned about Matty's tumor. It's a weird day. I can't decide whether it's just a yearly reminder of the worst day of our lives, or a day to celebrate another big milestone on The Road to Awesome. So I'm choosing the latter. As my good friend, Scott (aka "Huerdy", as the Champ refers to him) says, it was the worst day - but now it can be the best, cancer free and moving forward. And though it remains slow, Matt continues to move forward. In fact, he moves forward a lot. Around the house, he's always on the go - walking around the backyard, going upstairs, or downstairs, or out to the garage - I think in part just because he can. He's made incredible progress in the past year - ditching the crutches, mostly ditching his walker (except at school, when he's reminded - right, Mrs. B?), skiing fast enough to break a collar bone - but some days, progress is just not fast enough for a kid who loves to go fast, and that really frustrates him. "Dad, I just want to run" he told me just the other day. I know you do, Champ. We all want you to run. And when I watch the video I found on my phone last week that Matt made of himself jumping up, charging across the room, and launching himself into a flying tackle of a giant stuffed panda bear (thanks, Niles), I think to myself he's getting closer, each day, slowly but surely. I also think to myself that flying tackles of giant panda bears are maybe not the smartest move for a kid with a recently broken collar bone. But he led with the non-broken shoulder, and if you heard the laugh and saw the smile afterward (on the kid, not the panda), you'd agree it was worth it.
His Dad has done a truly magnificent job chronicling the journey on The Road to Awesome and it has been an absolute honor and a joy to be a part of his journey. On January 22, 2015, Matt had a clear MRI. Shortly before this, he broke his collar bone while skiing, which I see as proof that his vivacious spirt and love for life will never cease.
I wish you all the best on your continued journey down The Road to Awesome, Matt!!
