09/03/2026
I’ve gone back and forth about posting this because I’m usually the person who would rather keep going, keep working, keep smiling and not make a big deal out of things.
But there’s been a lot happening behind the scenes and questions coming at us, so I guess it’s time for a medical update.
About three years ago, I started going to Cleveland Clinic because I was having breathing issues. That journey led to a diagnosis of asthma, a partially collapsed lung and a nodule in my left lung.
Somewhere along the way, my sinuses decided they wanted in on the fun too, and I ended up having sinus surgery last April.
For the past three years, we’ve been monitoring the lung nodule with routine CT scans. It had actually been shrinking, which was exactly what we wanted to see.
Then it grew.
Last Wednesday, during the fair, I had a bronchoscopy and biopsy.
The results showed that I have a carcinoid tumor in my left lung. A carcinoid tumor is a rare type of slow-growing cancer.
That sentence still feels really strange to type.
The good news is that we have a plan. The tumor will need to be surgically removed along with part of my lung, and I’ll be returning to Cleveland Clinic next week to meet with the surgeon.
Then, on Sunday, because apparently one medical issue wasn’t enough, I started having pretty significant abdominal and chest pain.
And because I am me, I tried to sleep it off. I know…🤦🏻♀️
Anyone who knows me knows how much I HATE medical stuff. It scares me. I don’t like hospitals. I hate needles. I don’t like procedures. I would much rather be the one taking care of business than the one who needs to be taken care of.
By Monday, the pain still wasn’t going away, so I called my sister and she kinda yelled at me 🫣 and I finally gave in and had my daughter take me to the ER.
We found out that I have pancreatitis, along with inflammation in my duodenum and small intestines. The doctors have also mentioned the possibility of autoimmune issues, so they’re still trying to determine exactly what’s going on.
At this point, we do NOT believe the abdominal issues are related to the carcinoid tumor. Apparently, my body decided that if we were going to do this, we were going ALL IN. 🙄😂
I’m still in the hospital while they work on getting everything under control.
And this part is hard for me.
I spend so much of my life making sure everyone else is okay. Making sure people feel seen. Making sure people feel loved. Running the shop. Planning events. Answering messages. Taking care of everyone and everything around me.
I’m not very good at being the one who has to stop and let other people take care of me.
But right now, I don’t really have a choice.
I don’t know exactly what the next couple of months are going to look like.
The girls have stepped up and are working at the You Matter shop to keep things going. Please give them a little extra patience and grace. They were thrown into this unexpectedly, and I’m incredibly thankful they’re willing to step in.
As for our upcoming events, I’m going to try my absolute hardest not to cancel anything we already have scheduled. You Matter is such a huge piece of my heart, and I’m not ready to let any of this take that away from me.
My oldest daughter is getting married in Hawaii this October, and after talking everything through, I’ve decided to wait until after her wedding to have the surgery - as long as the Dr agrees that is okay.
I want to be there. I want to watch her get married. I want to soak up every single second of that day without this surgery taking that moment from us.
I know there are still unanswered questions about everything happening right now.
And yes, there are moments when I’m scared.
But right now, I’m trying really hard not to get ten steps ahead of myself.
I will try to keep the store hours consistent but we may have to close the shop during the day here and there. I hate doing that but at this point it is what it is. We will keep the hours updated here on the page.
One thing at a time. One appointment at a time. One answer at a time. 💜🩵
So if I’m a little quieter, slower to respond, or things at You Matter aren’t running exactly as they normally do, please give us a little grace.
Life threw a whole lot at us all at once.
We’re figuring it out.
I know we have tons of prayer warriors out here praying for our mission so please don't stop those! Just maybe add in a little extra one too 🤍
Love You All So Much!
xxYou Matter Brooke-Rod Dudgeon
& The You Matter Crew
….and still I rise
