Fond memories race through our minds, then sudden sharp
pain and cramps hit our chest. Yet we hide it from the outside
world. A dark contrast to another memorable day...
It was an early morning - I remember it like yesterday.
I was so excited about having my baby by appointment. September
17, 1986, Scott Matthew was brought into the world. He was
beautiful from the beginning. A fair complexion, the color
auburn covers his little head, his big brown eyes gaze into
my eyes. And so it began, a bond between a mother and a
child. What a wonderful little boy Scott turned out to be.
Scott, from a young age, was very kind hearted, making you
feel extra special.
On your birthday he was sure to give you a special gift.
Eric, my older son, and Scott were inseparable. Scott showed
his desire to achieve early and wanted to be with Eric at
school. He worked hard in school to get good grades. Scott
set goals for himself, as he quoted in an autobiography,
“Everybody has a goal in life. My goal I’ve
had since I was four is to go to the University of Notre
Dame. It is not only my goal, it is my dream.” In
middle school Scott began to blossom from a little boy into
a handsome young man. He was popular and well liked by many.
He had a shining personality and a winning smile. Scott
always had something going on in his social calendar.
He participated in various sports, but Pop Warner football
was without question his favorite. He would wear Notre Dame
jerseys at practice, and his teammates started to call him
N.D or D. As football season ended in 1999, he started to
slow down and feel very tired. A sore ankle and an exam
by his doctor seemed to confirm that he was going through
growing pains. It was odd that our vibrant, energetic son
was starting to have colds on and off. Then during our Christmas
vacation everyone came down with the flu, including our
older son Eric. A few days later a visit to the doctors
brought the diagnosis of the flu that came with a prescription
of antibiotics. Two weeks later Eric was fine but Scott’s
‘flu’ seemed to linger.
Mother’s intuition said there has to be something
else, so back to the doctor’s. I wanted answers.
They tested for ear infections, strep throat and possibly
mono all with negative results, so more antibiotics. The
next day Scott continued to feel ill and now said he was
having difficulty breathing. My concern grew and I took
him back to the doctor. Scott began to feel worse as the
day went on. I later found out from Scott that day he had
an awkward feeling and knew something was wrong and something
bad was going to happen. So that day turned into that night
at Children’s Hospital.
A battery of test were being run, however still no word
on what was suspect until a nurse came in the room and handed
me a phone. It was a doctor. I just remember hearing “Cancer”;
she said that they found cancer cells in Scott’s blood.
I cannot even begin to describe the sinking feeling that
raced throughout my body. My heart was pulled from out of
me and crushed, as I literally fell to my knees. I just
remember saying, “OH MY GOD!” The devastation
that we all felt was unimaginable. The next two days my
husband Henry and I went sleepless and weren’t believing
what was happening. I now had to tell my older son Eric
that his only little brother that he loves so much had cancer.
We were later given Scott’s diagnosis: ALL- Acute
Lymphostic Leukemia. It’s strange but throughout all
this many wonderful things happened during this time. They
say that a true friend walks in when others walk out during
difficult times and just about all of Scott’s friends
walked in. In September of 2000 on Scott’s 14th birthday
weekend the Make A Wish Foundation made Scott’s lifelong
dream come true - attending a home football game at the
University of Notre Dame. That weekend a turning point happened
when he was asked by then Coach Bob Davie to speak at the
pep rally in front of over 12,000 Notre Dame Students, fans
and alumni, even Rudy (the real Rudy Rutiger).
When Scott spoke of his illness, hopes, and dreams he brought
the audience to tears, even 300 pound football players as
they sat next to him. The team was so inspired that the
next day and in only the third time in their history they
won the game with a last second field goal and then they
awarded Scott the game ball. Scott always cheered on the
Fighting Irish, but after that weekend when we returned
to San Diego now they were cheering him on, applauding his
courage and determination battling cancer. People knew the
Scott story all across the county.
It has even been said Scott’s speech has become part
of the Notre Dame lore. He received letters, cards, gifts,
and even phone calls from strangers asking what they could
do to help. Yet Scott remained humble even with all the
attention. Scott used to say, “I am not done here
yet!” For twelve months we rode the most difficult
emotional rollercoaster, but nothing could prepare us for
January 29, 2001. Our world was turned upside down. Surrounded
by family and friends, I held Scott in my arms just I did
at birth, and Scott Matthew took his final breath.
In Scott’s Speech at Notre Dame he said he would
be back one day. He did return to the University of Notre
Dame with football players, students, alums, friends, and
family for a funeral mass presided over by Notre Dame President
Rev. Edward A, Malloy.
Written By:
Carmen Delgadillo
Mother of Scott Delgadillo
