Supporting Matt Muzyka & Family Through Cancer

Matt was diagnosed with aggressive tongue cancer in July 2022 and it has been a courageous battle from then to now. He overcame surgery to have partial removal of his tongue in September 2022 as well as 6 weeks of intense radiation. As the Muzyka's entered 2023, they thought he was cancer free. In late March they booked an emergency appointment with his Oncologist due to his symptoms worsening. They found out in early April that Matt's cancer came back and once again it was very aggressive. The cancer was now on the back of the tongue and down his throat. At this point, Matt endured multiple appointments and tests, all the while his weight was diminishing losing 50 pounds. He went for a biopsy on April 18th which was supposed to be a day surgery, but the cancer was too big and they were not able to do the procedure without a tracheostomy. This rendered him in the hospital for 2 weeks at which point they placed a feeding tube in as well. His CT scan showed that the cancer had not spread to his body, so he was given two options for treatment:

1. Palliative care which would give him 12-18 months and would end in suffocation, but the family knew he would be gone much sooner as the tumour was growing fast.

Or...

2. Another surgery to remove the entire tongue, vocal cords, and voice box. Surgery doesn’t have great odds, but most of the surgeon’s patients are 70/80 years plus with declining health. Only 50% of these patients make it past a year and only 26% make it 3-5 years. Matt is only 39 (celebrated his birthday in the hospital) and otherwise a healthy man so everyone is very hopeful.

In the end, Matt chose the surgery! Surgery was scheduled for early June, however, his surgeons fought hard and were able to complete the surgery on May 16th. He is currently resting and recovering in the hospital for 2 weeks (until the end of May). He will no longer be able to eat orally, nor will he be able to speak again. He has a tracheotomy for breathing and a feeding tube through his stomach. Matt is a fighter, and he and his family will have a different life, a hard life, but a life nonetheless.

I have started this fundraiser on behalf of my dear friends. Any contribution you are willing to donate will help alleviate the financial burdens that lie ahead on their unexpected journey through recovery. And sharing this Go Fund Me link with your friends and family would be appreciated beyond measure!

A note from the Muzyka's: Thank you to everyone who donates to help us get through this long, hard, and expensive journey. We love you all and hope and pray that Matt is going to overcome this horrible disease so he can live a long life and watch our daughter grow up.

Please feel free to share your love, thoughts, hopes and prayers in the comments below for Matt and his family to read.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Michelle de Jong