Mattie's Blog and his Fight Against Osteosarcoma

Thank you for keeping Mattie's memory alive!

Dear Mattie Blog Readers,

It means a great deal to me that you take the time to write and to share your thoughts, feelings, and reflections on Mattie's battle and death. Your messages are very meaningful and help support me through very challenging times. I am forever grateful. As my readers know, I promised to write the blog for a year after Mattie's death, which would mean that I could technically have stopped writing on September 9, 2010. However, like my journey with grief there is so much that still needs to be processed and fortunately I have a willing support network still committed to reading. Therefore, the blog continues on. If I should find the need to stop writing, I assure you I will give you advanced notice. In the mean time, thank you for reading, thank you for having the courage to share this journey with me, and most importantly thank you for keeping Mattie's memory alive.

As Mattie would say, Ooga Booga (meaning, I LOVE YOU)! Vicki

July 25, 2020

Saturday, July 25, 2020

Saturday, July 25, 2020

Tonight's picture was taken on July 25, 2009, the last birthday I celebrated with Mattie. Mattie's child life specialist, Linda, bought us this cake so that Mattie could surprise me! At that point in time, we thought chemotherapy and surgeries were behind us. Our goal was to continue the experimental immunotherapy treatment and work on physical therapy and rehabilitation. With the hopes of Mattie returning to school in the Fall. Of course about 11 days after this photo was taken, we learned that Mattie's cancer had metastasized throughout his body and whatever hopes we had, vanished.

Quote of the day: Today's coronavirus update from Johns Hopkins.

number of people diagnosed with the virus: 4,164,226
number of people who died from the virus: 146,299

I am very grateful to have received all these wonderful cards and messages. In the background of this photo are two paintings Mattie created when he was in the outpatient clinic of the hospital.

In the midst of living through lock downs and a completely altered way of living, we went out today for lunch to celebrate my birthday. The restaurant is walking distance to our home and literally no one was around us. The restaurant took great cleaning precautions and what you can't see was the view. This restaurant is right on the Potomac River, and given the intensity of the heat, I was happy to sit inside!

Dining at Fiola Mare is a special treat! I love going there to celebrate birthdays or anniversaries. It is a memorable restaurant because of the food, service, and atmosphere.

Peter started with burrata. But it wasn't any cheese! They crushed basil in a pestle and used dry ice in the process. Can you see the vapor? I had a wonderful gazpacho with edible flowers.

Peter had wild Rhode Island Calamari and I had Branzino. Both were served with Salsa Verde and Sea Salt. Both were delicious.

We each ordered a dessert and the restaurant also gave me a complimentary dessert. So literally I worked my way through three! No problem for me.

MASCARPONE & TAHITIAN VANILLA CUSTARD

Black Figs Compote, Figs and Sour Cherries Granita, Port Wine Reduction

CAMPFIRE SUNDAE

Toasted Marshmallow Gelato, Caribe Chocolate Sauce , Caramel PopCorn , Honey Cracker and Smoked Sea Salt