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

March 26, 2021

Friday, March 26, 2021

Friday, March 26, 2021

Tonight's picture was taken in April of 2002. Mattie was about five days old. We were taking him home from the hospital. For some reason, I told Peter we had to take photos! So I snapped this photo in front of the hospital sign. I remember this day as it were yesterday. Mattie was born at this hospital and his cancer was diagnosed at this hospital.

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

Number of people diagnosed with the virus: 30,137,807
Number of people who died from the virus: 547,812

Today I learned that my friend, Margy, is losing her battle with ovarian cancer. I remember the day she was diagnosed, January 24, 2018. I know because Margy called me on my way home from zumba class. When she told me she wanted a second opinion, I told her she had to see my doctor. I literally hung up with Margy and contacted my doctor. I have my doctor's cell phone number, and not only did she answer me, but she made an appointment for Margy for January 26 in Baltimore. An appointment that I attended with her and her husband.

I met Margy through Facebook of all things in 2015. We have a mutual friend, which is how we got connected. Margy devoted her life to helping children with cancer, as she ran a successful non-profit for twenty years. Once Margy was diagnosed, she gave up her position on the non-profit and joined the board of Mattie Miracle. Margy is a big supporter of ours and has been a trustworthy, loyal, and compassionate friend. Not a person who is replaceable. I am saddened that her care has turned from curative to end of life/comfort care. Words no family wants to hear.

Of course with COVID, it made it impossible to connect live with Margy. Something we used to do prior to the Pandemic. We would have monthly get togethers, and when she was diagnosed, I would come to her house. I have missed my Margy moments this last year, as phone and zoom are not the same to me. Now unfortunately I will never have the opportunity to say goodbye to my friend in person. Makes me pause and reflect that waiting for the right time in life, never happens. You have to make the time and connections in the moment.

On Margy's birthday last year (during COVID), I sent her this video! Since her birthday is April 13, I was thinking about what to do this year. Unfortunately cancer had other plans. Click on the photo to see the video!