Family enjoys daily happy moments after diagnosis
Driving through the neighborhoods of Troy, Tennessee, countless lawn signs picture a 6-year-old boy, wearing his blue baseball hat and jersey and smiling. The signs are emboldened with three strong words: “Praying for Landon.”
It was difficult for the Matheny family to express how quickly their lives changed from Landon Matheny playing baseball to him needing prayers.
“Our lives went from very normal to not overnight,” Maria Matheny said, talking through a cracking voice as tears formed in her eyes. “It’s almost as if things have just stopped. We truly believe in day to day.
“Today’s goal is to have the best day ever. And, tomorrow’s goal is to have the best day ever. Trying to look forward is too overwhelming; I can’t handle more than one day.”
Maria and Waylon’s “normal,” 6-year-old was a healthy, athletic, fun boy, who loved to play football outdoors, ride his bicycle, go to school, attend church and sing.
Now, Landon’s body is weak, and his legs become numb — some symptoms as a result of the tumor, his mom said.
In mid-august, Landon was diagnosed with DIPG, an inoperable, cancerous brain tumor located in the central part of the brain stem.
But, day by day, the Mathenys – and the community – are turning Landon’s dreams and wishes into reality as they cherish the happy moments.
Community supports the family
Community support has been “overwhelming,” the Mathenys said.
On Halloween, community members decked their cars for a parade to surprise Landon with a wish of his lifetime: A trip back to Disney World.
Landon, his brother Logan, his parents, family members and Dream Factory volunteers watched as about 15 vehicles paraded the rural country road with signs, hinting at the surprise.
“Where does Mickey live?” one sign read.
Disney-themed music boomed from another car as community members waved.
Other people dropped off Disney-themed gifts during the parade.
As Landon analyzed the clues and figured out what it meant, his eyes widened as the excitement shown on his face and through his body language. “Unbelievable,” he said.
The parade and the surprise, given by the organization Dream Factory, was the latest outpouring of love and support for Landon.
Over $7,000 worth of the Praying for Landon signs were sold by a community member to raise funds for the family. Maria still doesn’t know who organized it.
There have been softball tournaments, derbies, and other events, such as Lace Up for Landon, a race sponsored by teachers to raise money as well as fundraisers through their church.
Maria said they are blessed.
“So many things have just lined up in ways they shouldn’t have,” she said. “Before we ever left Vanderbilt hospital (to go to St. Jude) and knew that we would need help, the community had already raised my salary for one year so I could be home with him.
“We never had the opportunity to ask because everyone has been that good to us.”
Maria, a teacher at Obion Central High, has taken off the school year.
“It’s beautiful to see a community come together and take care of you before you ever even know you need to be taken care of,” she continued. “Every single need that we have had has been met before we were able to ask.”
Even the Titans general manager Jon Robinson, a Troy native, had Landon and his family attend a game with all expenses paid.
A dream come true
Landon’s diagnosis qualified him to participate in the Make a Wish Foundation; however, because of the pandemic, the foundation couldn’t send the family on the trip.
That’s why a local organization stepped in to do so after a Facebook friend recommended them.
For 30 years, the Dream Factory of Dyersburg has granted over 100 dreams of children with chronic illnesses, according to area coordinator Jobeth Cook.
“Whatever a child is going through – we want to give them some happiness and joy and to make memories with the family,” Cook said. “That is what we’re all about.”
When his parents asked what he wanted to do, Landon said he wanted to go “all around the world” in one day.
The only way to make that dream a reality was through Epcot at Disney World that allows visitors to "go to countries" around the world.
What Landon is enduring is heartbreaking for his family, so seeing him happy and having his wish come true is special for Maria, she said.
“It kind of gives me a chance to breathe and have a happy moment,” Maria said.
Landon said he was surprised by the parade, which included his kindergarten and first grade teacher and his church friends.
And, he was elated to learn about his trip, which started after the parade and lasted a week.
What the diagnosis means?
The brain tumor is inside Landon’s brain stem, located above the back of the neck and connected to the spine, which is why the tumor is considered inoperable. It wouldn’t be safe to attempt to remove the tumor from the brain stem fluids.
The brain stem controls breathing, heart rate and the nerves and muscles that help people see, hear, walk, talk and eat, according to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Since it can’t be removed, the Mathenys utilized the “only” treatment there was – six weeks of radiation to shrink the tumor, which is a temporary response but not a cure.
The Mathenys have talked to Landon about getting better, but not yet disclosing the gravity of his diagnosis.
Based on statistics from the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, cancer is the number one cause of death by disease among children, yet only 4% of the billions of dollars in government funding is spent on childhood cancer research.