mattalcantara.com

Blood Donations

From Matt's Mom

Sat, Jul 25, 2009

Erin Alcantara

Sunday, May 31, 2009

     "we've been getting some questions regarding matt's upcoming surgery, so i thought i'd give a brief overview. matt will be having surgery on june 25th in houston, texas. we are going there for his surgery because they have a very large cancer center (md anderson) and they see more of his type of tumors there than anywhere in the country and probably the world. osteosarcom​a of the pelvis is quite rare. but they have an entire "sarcoma center" and we feel that he will get the best outcome at this center.

     the surgery is going to be pretty extensive. it is a limb-salvag​e surgery as opposed to an amputation, which is what his surgeon here was favoring. we really like the surgeon in houston as the very first thing she said to us when we saw her was, "absolutely​, i can save your son's leg." so, we were sold! she is harvard-tra​ined and very experienced.​ people come from all over the world to be treated by her at this facility. we feel very fortunate that matt will be able to be treated there.

     matt's surgery will be 10+ hours long, so if you're inclined to keep him in your thoughts and prayers, june 25th would be a great day to include him! after surgery, matt will be in traction for a few weeks. then will slowly start physical therapy. and he will have one round of chemo while we're there. he will be in the hospital for about a month, and we will be staying in houston for about 6 weeks. once, we're back in san diego, matt will be continuing with his chemo. and his physical therapy will go on for at least a year, maybe two.

     so, that's what will be happening, surgery-wis​e for matt. thank you all for keeping matt in your thoughts and prayers. i wish i could explain to you how much it helps us to know that matt is in your hearts. it really means the world to us!"

Erin Alcantara

Friday, April 24, 2009

     "I have had a couple of folks ask me about blood donations for matt.  i've spoken with his nurses at the hospital and it looks like he will need some transfusions, but we have no way of knowing when that might be.  they have suggested that instead of using "donor direct" blood, where blood is held on reserve for matt, that we should just use what is available at the hospital at the time.  because when matt needs a transfusion, we're not going to want to wait the hours it takes to have the blood delivered.

     anyway, the folks at the blood bank also agree, but have let me know that their levels are running low (and will be at the lowest during the summer months).  also, matt's blood type is a bit on the rare side, so we are asking that if anyone is interested in making a donation in honor of matt, we would be so profoundly grateful

     for those of you who live out of town, if you would like to make a donation in honor of matt, even though matt won't be a recipient, another grateful person will.  and sometimes blood banks have to buy blood from other areas, so who knows?  matt could very well be the recipient...anyone who lives in houston, we will be having a blood drive just for matt there in either late may or early june (for his surgery). 

     but, if you aren't a needle kind of person, please don't worry about donating.  your kind thoughts, prayers and gestures are over and above what we could ask for.  truly, it means so much to us right now...it lifts our hearts so much to know that matt is in yours..."

Erin Alcantara

*Please mention the donation code, MA05, at any San Diego Blood Bank to ensure that Matt's account will get the credit......Anne Herrin.