Matt my Ironman

by Errica

He was diagnosed June 2009 with an anaplastic astrocytoma (brain tumor). Per usual he took it on full force. That is how he did everything, once he set out to accomplish something he would. In 2005 he set out to run a marathon in order to raise money for the MS Society, his father had MS. He trained hard and I helped him riding my bike, carrying water, or whatever he needed. He did it but not in the time he really wanted so the next he trained again and finished with the time he wanted which got him qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Then in 2007 he announced he wanted to do an Ironman, yes 2.4mile swim, 112mile bike, and 26.2mile run all in one day. He entered the Lake Placid Ironman that was to be held in July 2008. Training would take up most of his time for the next year but watching him cross that finish line was amazing. So it was no surprise that while in treatment he ran Boston for the 4th time. His June 2010 MRI was clear; we let ourselves breathe and plan.

Then end of July he had a seizure, it was back. Nothing worked and it progressed quickly then on Dec 7th he passed. Now what do I do? I feel like he just needs to come home. We are too young for this, I'm too young to be a widow. We were to go someplace fun with my friends next year for my 40th now what?? And now it's Christmas!

Nothing is right without him, I feel empty. I wish we would have or could have discussed what to do now but the tumor was in his speech area and he couldn't talk. Is it really possible to miss someone this much, not fair.