Woo-Hoo!

Just a quick note to mention that today we learned Matt's tumor is STILL STABLE!  That's pretty fabulous news!  We scheduled another MRI in 3 months, and then will discuss waiting 6 months before doing the one after that.  I just LOVE it!  Dr.Walker is always amazed at Matt's progress and health.  It thrills him to see Matthew excelling in school and having a functional memory.  I also think that Matt is just a fun kid to have as a patient.  He is positive and upbeat, doesn't complain, and expresses gratitude to his doctors for all they have done.  He cracks jokes with the doctors and is very laid back about any procedures that need to be done.  Today, while he was getting an IV he went on and on about how it's no big deal if they need to poke him again because he gets lots of blood draws and he knows they are doing the best that they can, etc...  He really wins over the nurses and lab techs! :)

Just another quick note about Matt.  He was named the 'Student of the Month' for 6th grade at his middle school for April.  It is really an honor!  There are 1,400 kids at Matt's school.  They choose 3 from each grade each month during the school year.  That means only about 240 children are chosen as 'student of the month' during their time at the school.  Matt has been nominated several times through the year, and this time he won!  I guess that every teacher nominates one child per month and then once the nominations are in, the list of nominees are sent around to all of the teachers and the teachers vote to determine which children win.  Matt was invited to a special ceremony and lunch with the school administrators and counselors.  Warren and I were invited, and attended, as well.  The principal spoke about the program and awarded each of the children a special certificate along with a gift card for $25 to Hastings (a local book/music/video game store).  A local restaurant catered the lunch, which was held in the media center, and then that restaurant also gave each of the kids a gift certificate.  It was a great experience and I am so proud of my boy!  He works extremely hard at all he does and it shows!