MATT COTCHER - CANCER SURVIVOR (READ THIS)

[Aaron Carrara]

Our own Matt Cotcher, editor here at HornSports, is an interesting guy....  

He has a tremendous knack for journalism and possesses the gift of the written word - most of you probably know this by now.

Matt is well-respected in the field.  From his time as a staffer at Orangebloods years ago, to his continued work of covering The University of Texas Athletics here at HornSports,  he's a solid guy... a kind soul in just about every sense of the word.  And probably the best journalist I know (I don't say that easily).

If you don't know Matt personally, you wouldn't know that he is a cancer survivor.  Approximately 8 years ago he underwent brain surgery for a tumor that was wrapped around his brain stem.  It turned his world upside down, more than imaginable to most people, but Matt is alive, well and.... being Matt.

It's been a really long road to recovery, but Matt hasn't stayed still - he keeps moving forward.  After his surgery, he founded Hawktober, an Awareness campaign designed to bring more attention to brain tumors, those diagnosed with them, and survivors. 

BIG NEWS

Matt will be undertaking a HUGE endeavor for the cancer cause.  He will be climbing Mt. Kilamanjaro.  

I'll say that again....  Matt will be climbing Mt. Kilamanjaro.  Yes, the Mountain in Africa.

Gasp, applause, clap....  It's really big news.

Matt has a fundraising goal of $20,000 which will benefit LIVESTRONG and the CERN Foundation - and I encourage all of you to donate!  Donation details are not available right now but will be soon.

Please join us in supporting Matt in this important endeavor through your encouragement and donations.  It's for a DAMN GOOD CAUSE.

Read more about Matt's battle with Cancer and his journey to Kilamanjaro here - http://hawktober.com/2015/06/05/kilimanjaro-journal/

We will provide more information here on Matt's trek (but promise to make him cover as much UT Athletics possible in-between).

And yes, he's been growing the beard out in full mountain man fashion.  James Harden has nada on him.

#LETSCLIMB #HookEm

 

[joeywa]

Im sorry, but there is football coverage that needs to be done. Application denied.

 

[Duke C #11]

Best of luck, Matt. I was reading somewhere recently that Martina Navratilova has attempted Kilamanjaro several times but has never completed it.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Yes, best of luck, Matt. So proud of you!

 

[OrangeLarry]

Matt, I too am a cancer survivor.  Fortunately, due to medical research and advancements in cancer treatment protocols, there are more and more of us still kicking and breathing.  While I have moved on and forward since my last chemotherapy in April 1995 (yep, I might not remember birthdays and such, but will not forget my first or last treatment), I would never entertain the thought of climbing Mt. Kilamanjaro, or any other mountain.  I applaud you for your courage and fortitude in undertaking this endeavor.  Be strong, stay safe and enjoy the climb.  When you reach the summit, reach out and touch God and then plant a Longhorn flag

Hook 'em..

Best of Luck and God Bless!

 

[Juan]

That is on my bucket list.

Best of luck Matt.

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Thanks, y'all. I don't talk about the surgery, the lingering deficits, or I CANcer much because that's not why we come to HornSports, but I am always more than happy to talk about any of it, anytime y'all have a question.

Part of raising awareness and having a nonprofit is sharing personal info that most would prefer to keep private. I am perfectly comfortable with that, but tend not to do it unless people ask (because the story makes a lot of people uncomfortable).

I'm really looking forward to this project. I'll be climbing for a lot of people, like Shevis, that don't have the opportunity because of the disease & treatment.

 

[doc longhorn]

Best of luck, Matt, and congratulations on conquering the greatest scourge of the human race.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

Good luck in Africa, Matt!

You've already beaten the odds overcoming cancer. Take lots of photos on your trip! Godspeed and God Bless

 

[utisdabomb12]

Best of luck Matt. Cool story too. 

 

[tejasrulz]

I had a small issue with skin cancer but thanks to my wife, it was caught in time before it became a bigger issue (i.e. death).

Good luck with your endeavor but like OrangeLarry, I'm not hiking that mountain. Maybe Mt Bonnell, if it's not too hot. 

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Had an eventful day today with therapy companies that want to be involved in the publicity-side of the trip....

First (for frame of reference), my tumor was wrapped around my brain stem - the brain's control center. Having any brain tumor is bad...having one attach to the piece of your brain that basically controls everything is "not good."

The neurosurgeon removed the tumor, but it wrecked shop on it's way out. Long story short....my brain had to re-learn basic functions that we all take for granted, like how to walk, how to breathe, how to talk, and how to swallow. Re-learning how to walk at 35 years old is very, very odd.

Skipping lots of details...at this point, I can walk & run without assistance. It's far from perfect (I walk like a drunk), but I make it work.

Today, I met with three therapy companies that want to focus on improving my balance, coordination, and gait using music, auditory stimulus, and visual acuity (tapping in to brain plasticity & neurologic function). In other words, they want to help me climb Kili, but think I can do it better with their help & training.

The offer is free therapy in exchange for being named/involved in my training & preparation for the trek. I'm fired up - if they improve my ability to walk & run, that has lasting value for me, beyond this trip.

 

[Capn Hook]

Best of luck, Matt. I was reading somewhere recently that Martina Navratilova has attempted Kilamanjaro several times but has never completed it.

So you're comparing Matt to Martina?  She'd kick your ass if she found out.

BTW, congrats Matt and good luck in Africa.

 

[streettopeschel]

Best of luck, Matt, and congratulations on conquering the greatest scourge of the human race.

Cotcher beat up Barry Switzer? Excellent. Now tell me more about this mountain-thingy.

 

[armadillo slim]

i'm in.  Having seen Matt before, during and after the event, it's been a pretty bittersweet, but overall enlightening experience for me.  I don't think I could have handled the challenges the way and with the aplomb Matt has.  

This climb will be a significant climb and achievement, but it pales by comparison to the climb and achievement he has already made.  Honestly, Mt. Kilimanjaro will be a piece of cake next to what he has already accomplished.  Think climbing Kilimanjaro AFTER climbing Mt. Everest.  

Matt tends to downplay the event.   The tumor was the size of an orange, wrapping around the brain stem and intertwining itself with all the 12 cranial nerves.  The surgery literally took all day and when it was over, the surgical team was exhausted.  I know because I spoke to them afterwards.  Every cranial nerve that controls every bodily function was damaged and had to regenerate.  It took months.

I watched from the sidelines as Matt had to literally relearn every bodily function, not the least of which was learning how to breathe.  He had to relearn how to move his eyes and swallow, how to walk and how to talk and how to eat.  In the end, many of the motor skills he was so adept at beforehand came back, but some of them didn't come back entirely.

I vividly remember the day months after the surgery and months after being fed with a feeding tube when i got a text from Matt telling me that he had been allowed to eat and swallow a single Frito.  One.  Uno.  A Frito, not a handful of Fritos.  I literally wanted to climb in my car  and go down to the rehab hospital and punch that therapist in the nose.  Give him another Frito, you penis head!  You Frito bandito!  You Frito taunter!!  

He said it was the best thing he'd ever had in his whole life.  Better than a prime steak even.

Yep.  Kilimanjaro will be cool and i'm going to contribute to the cause, but Kilimanjaro is nothing compared to the climb he's already made.

To this day I'll bet you Matt loves him some Fritos.

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Ahhh, yes...The frito. I remember it vividly. Glad to have along for the ride, Slim.

 

[joeywa]

Great story Slim.  You have indeed been through the journey with Matt.

Part of me wonders if you'll be along for the Kilimanjaro climb. 

Then I just think of how I envision you two, and I know, without a doubt, that you'll be there.