As the "quick story" link on the blog details, Ezra was diagnosed with stage 4 neauroblastoma a year ago, October 4, 2009, at the age of 13 months old. Two days later, his young parents found out they were pregnant -- with twins. While Ezra struggled through the unspeakable obstacle course of treatment for his aggressive and invasive cancer, his twin brothers were born early, at just 26 weeks. A few days later, one of them, Price, passed away from complications of their premature birth. Little Charley has had a long road but is now at home, smiling and babbling.
A month ago, Ezra turned two and his parents threw a big barbecue at their house, celebrating his birthday and his "No Evidence of Disease" status. A day later, the grim news came that he had relapsed already. A week ago, it seemed that Ezra's body was shutting down and that he was dying. There was little hope.
Today, there is some hope. He is stable. He is still here. His father wrote a post today that I think is important to share, because he says that instead of reading his family's story and being grateful for what you have and hugging your kids, he hopes that what has happened to them will make people think about being nicer to other people, more compassionate, more giving, more helpful. Read that post here.
We're all carrying burdens and experiencing our own rocky paths. We're all finding joy along the way. It is a wonderful life, but as Kyle Matthews asserts, it's not a life full of butterflies and roses. Let's all try to be a little gentler on each other, in Ezra Matthews' honor.
This video about the Matthews family will make you cry, but it will also make you marvel at the strength of a mother.
The Ezra Matthews Story from Kyle Matthews on Vimeo.
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