We created this space to help our family plan for the practical side of Matt’s treatment and recovery. As we get a clearer sense of what we need, we’ll add specific requests to the calendar for meals, childcare for Xander, rides to appointments or treatment, errands, and household help. If you’d like to help, please scroll down to see what’s currently needed and sign up for whatever works for you. Want to stay up to date on Matt? We’re sharing medical updates on our CaringBridge page: https://tinyurl.com/muy4redp After surgery, Matt will have restrictions on mobility and lifting while he heals, and he won’t be able to pick up or carry Xander for a month or two. Since Xander is a very active two-year-old who still needs a lot of hands-on care and attention, we will need help with things like playing with or caring for Xander, daycare pickup, laundry, grocery runs, yard work, rides, and other basic household tasks. We’ll add these needs to the calendar as we know more. Please don’t feel any pressure to help in any particular way. You certainly don’t need to sign up for something to be part of our community. Simply knowing you’re thinking of us, cheering Matt on, and keeping our family in your hearts means more than we can express. We’re taking this one step at a time, and we’re so grateful to have such an incredible community walking alongside us.
Matt: After surgery, Matt will initially be on a low-residue (low-fiber) diet. He loves soup, BBQ, brunch, salmon, chicken pot pie, chili, sushi, enchiladas, meat, pasta, and pretty much any cookie. He happily eats vegetarian meals, too. He doesn't care for mustard, beets, olives, capers, pickles, cilantro, or heavy vinegar flavor (though balsamic and most salad dressings are fine). Liz: Happily eats almost everything! Favorites include pasta, stir-fries, Indian, Thai, Mexican, dumplings, salads, grain bowls, vegetables, fruit, cheese, bread, and all manner of snacks and desserts. Xander: A very typical two-year-old. He's currently enthusiastic about berries, cheese, muffins, smoothies, pizza, and desserts, and unpredictable about almost everything else. Some days he'll eat everything; other days, food is apparently offensive. For anyone bringing a meal: Please don't feel like you need to make anything elaborate or accommodate everyone's preferences. We're grateful for anything that feeds the grownups when cooking is difficult! During Matt's initial recovery, we'll note any specific dietary needs or suggestions on the meal calendar.