Our son, Matthew, was an avid fisherman since he caught his first trout at age 5 using a strawberry for bait. Matthew and his boyhood friend, Rob, fished like it was their job during their teen years. They were reported to be the cause of several accidents along our local roads with their "full stringers" on opening day. Matt loved playing most sports but baseball was a favorite growing up. He wanted to play catcher because “that’s where the action is!”

 

Shortly after graduating Syracuse University as an Environmental Engineer and getting a job working with storm water treatment and cleanup he began to have problems sleeping. He would awaken after 4 hours of sleep and could not get back to sleep for at least 20 hours. Aftermany doctor visits over about 3 months, he was finally diagnosed with a brain tumor on Friday, December 13, 1991 after having a seizure at work. It was inoperable and after a biopsy it was

found to be an Anaplastic Astrocytoma Grade III.

 

Although he soon lost use of his left side, Matt continued to fish with the help of an electric reel and my wife Virginia who had to release the fish for him. He went on a macrobiotic diet, tried Shark Cartilage, took up Yoga for relaxation, volunteered with a local 4-H youth group and volunteered at a local home for the aged. And he also made many trips with Virginia on the

"Senior Citizens bus" to Atlantic City to play Blackjack which he really enjoyed. We found a

local brain tumor support group that had been started by Patty Anthony, a neurosurgical nurse, two months before Matthew was diagnosed.

 

At the initial diagnosis, we were told he had about 12 months to live. He had the usual 36 radiation treatments and several chemotherapies but nothing stopped the tumor growth. Matthew

beat his doctor’s estimates by 13 months dying at home surrounded by loved ones on January 8,

1994.

 

Before he died Matthew asked Virginia to try to keep the support group running so brain

tumors survivors and their families would have a place to meet, learn and share information.

We have just started our 13th year with the group. In that time we have met many courageous

survivors and their families and we hope we have helped them in their struggle.

 

 

Stanley & Virginia Shrodo

1005 Carteret Rd

Bridgewater, NJ 08807

Central NJ Brain Tumor Support Group

www.njbt.org E-mail: [email protected]

 

NOTE: Our first East 86 Cares donation will be made to the Central NJ Brain Tumor Support Group in memory of our classmate.