Update 12/21/08: For the past 11 weeks, Dr. Lita Mathews has been receiving treatment for the Hepatitis C Virus. She's responding exceptionally well to to the treatment. Lita has been experiencing a few side-effects, such as diarrhea and mild exhaustion. The treatment has thinned her hair a little, but has not experienced any baldness as she was warned that one of the side-effects of the treatment can cause thinning hair. Dr. Mathews has been able to continue working and living normally with the exception of extensive travel.

Unfortunately, Lita is unable to be in large crowds or in any environment where the possibility of her catching a cold is likely due to the fact that her immune system is weakened from the medication that treats the Hep C virus. She will continue treatment and will be tested in the next couple weeks to find out the viral count. Her last viral count showed a significant drop in the amount of virus in her body and her doctors are confident that she will be viral-free upon the results of the next test. Once she is considered viral-free, she will remain on treatment for one year, to ensure the complete eradication of the Hepatitis C Virus.

With Christmas a few days away, she wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and is very thankful for all of the prayers and positive thoughts that she has received.

Update 11/11/08: Dr. Lita is now over six weeks into this extensive treatment to heal her body of the Hepatitis C virus. On November 4th Lita had another blood test. This particular blood test measured the viral count of the Hepatitis C. The results were read and reported back to Lita on Friday November 7th. The results of the first month's treatment were very good. The treatments are working! Dr, Lita's viral count prior to the start of the treatments was at 1,900,000 parts per million. The current blood test showed the viral count at only 348 parts per million. This is very good results as it showed that her body has responded positively to the treatment. The goal is to reduce the viral count to zero parts per million. The doctors believe that a zero parts per million count is coming very soon. Even though the viral count is lowering rapidly and expected to be reduced to zero parts per million very soon, the treatments have been extended for an additional nine weeks. This extension is to ensure that the Hepatitis virus is gone and Lita is cured. The blood test also have shown an improvement in liver function.

Overall Dr. Lita is handling the treatments very well with few side effects so far. On few occasions she has had some body and head aches. She also has tired easily as well. Upon looking at her, she looks like she is in the best of health. She has not lost weight or had any other visible effects of the treatment. At her last meeting with the doctor they told her they were very pleased with her progress but warned of the risk of potential infections and colds. This is due to the treatments are lowering her white blood cells. This is normal and to be expected. The doctor told her that if the white blood cells drop too low she will then receive another medication to help bring the cell count back up to an acceptable and safe level. It is the white blood cells which help the body to fight infection. This is one of the many reasons why through this time Lita must avoid being in crowds and to avoid sick people.

Dr. Lita, Melonie and Derek have the confidence of the Medical team at UNM. Their attention to Lita has been comforting. Dr. Ahora is world famous in this field of medicine. Once again the family wishes to thank everyone for their concern and prayers. They feel that they have helped to make this difficult time bearable. She is looking forward to getting back to dancing sometime late next summer. She enjoys dancing and it is her personal passion.

Update 10/22/08: Lita began the medical treatments to fight and rid the Hepatitis C from her body. The days of waiting and preparation to begin the treatments were long and tense. Prior to starting the treatment she was given a pneumonia shot as well as the current flu shot. As she was told these are precautionary measures as the treatment will attack the white blood cells as it fights the virus. This leaves her vulnerable to catching colds and the flu.

The treatment consist of two medications. The first is called Pegasys (Interferon)
This medication is intended to reduce the amount of Hepatitis C in the body. One injection weekly is required. The second medication is called Copegus (Ribavirin). This medication is taken every day in pill form. It's job is to stop the Hepatitis C virus from spreading or multiplying. Together Pegasys and Copegus help get rid of the infected cells and keep healthy cells from becoming infected. Thus allowing the liver to begin repair.

Since Dr. Lita began the treatments, three weeks ago, she has had only minor side effects to the medication. Her most recent blood tests indicated that the treatments are going well. They even showed that there was some improvement in her liver function. The Mathews family was very pleased with the results of the test, while realizing that Lita still has a long way to recovery. The total time of the treatments is 48 weeks. During that time her travel will remain near non existent.

Spiritually Dr. Lita is doing real well. She and her family have also have gone to the Sun-dance in Ft Hall this past summer. And just a couple of weeks ago a sweat and Lakota style tobacco ceremony was held, in Albuquerque, in her honor. It was requested and sponsored by Becky Taylor of Hayward, Wisconsin. Many friends and family were in attendance.

The Family thanks Becky along with all the people who continue to pray for her recovery. They are so deeply humbled.

Update 9/27/08: The weekend of September 5, 6, & 7 Dr. Lita fulfilled her commitment to the Sycuan Tribe of California by attending the pow wow and serving as their Northern Head Lady Dancer. On Saturday afternoon Lita had her honoring dance and give-away. Derek spoke on her behalf to the people. He began by telling them about how this was the biggest moment of her summer, as she was determined to be well enough and strong enough to make the trip. He went on to explain to the people about he illness and the road of recovery ahead. The people came out in mass to hug her, shake her hand and to pray for her. It was a very moving time as the drum group, The Boyz honored her by singing the Gathering of Nations Song.

Rick Yazzie, a fancy dancer along with others mentioned that when they returned home they would be sponsoring sweats and other ceremonies to pray for her. Rick place on of the Get Well Dr. Lita Mathews wrist bands on his out fit and told her that he would be dancing for her each weekend until she was cured of the hepatitis C and liver disease. He told her that his family and the Mathews family were as close as one family, and how important it is for her to get well and return healthy to the pow wow arena.

Later on Saturday another man came forward to tell her about his encounter with hepatitis C and liver disease. He said that he had gone through the treatments two years ago and was now completely healed. He want on to say that the scaring of his liver and the liver disease was completely gone. The Mathews family was extremely pleased with this as it was all positive concerning Lita's road to recovery.

In just a few days Lita will begin the treatments to begin fighting the Hepatitis C. The length of the treatments will be form eight to forty-eight weeks. It is also expected to have several side effects, such as itching, lack of appetite, lowered immune system and depression. It has been said that not everyone experiences all or any of theses side effects.

Currently all of Dr. Lita's medical exams have been good and have shown positive signs that she will make it through the treatments successfully. Lita continues to thank everyone for all of the get well wishes and prayers. She truly believes that the pow wow people are all members are a unique group and comprise a huge extended family.

Update 8/2/08: Dr. Lita is doing exceptionally well. She and her family would like to thank the many well-wishers for their concern and prayers. Even though she is doing better at this time, there remains a long and what could be a rough road to recovery.

Since being released form the hospital on April 24th, Lita has had numerous checkups consisting of blood tests and a CT scan. At each examination, Dr. Lita has shown a near miraculous recovery. It has been through these many exams that it has been determined by medical staffs at both Presbyterian Hospital and The University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque that her recovery treatments will begin in mid-September and are expected to last about a year. The treatment will be administered by the UNMH staff and supervised by one of the Worlds leading physicians in the field.

At Dr. Lita's last medical exam, she was told that she could begin to travel again and prepare to dance, if she chose to. The next day after that exam, Lita and Derek traveled to Fort Hall, Idaho to attend the Sundance. It was there that Dr. Lita was taken into the circle to receive a special blessing from the sun dancers. Roseann Abrahamson and her family hosted the Mathews. Roseann not only made way for Dr. Lita to receive this blessing, but she included her in many of the family activities outside and away from the arbor. These activities included the gathering of many of the natural elements and plant life which the dancers needed to sustain themselves. For Lita this brought back memories of when she was a young girl and assisted her grandmother who used many natural plants for medicinal and spiritual purposes throughout Northern New Mexico. Lita is very grateful for the opportunity to have attended. The power of the prayers and the blessing will assist to give her the strength and courage to go forward.

Until the treatments begin, Dr. Lita, Derek, and Melonie will be on the powwow trail attending powwows. Lita hopes to dance and is the Head Lady Dancer the second weekend in September at the Sycuan Pow wow. She is hoping that many of you can attend. When the treatments begin, her travels will nearly stop for that time. However the doctors believe that after the treatments are completed, Lita will once again be strong and healthy.

Dr. Lita Mathews at home recovering: On the Morning of April 22nd, just three days before the start of the 25th annual Gathering of Nations Pow Wow, Dr. Lita Mathews was rushed to an Albuquerque hospital suffering from bleeding ulcers. It was to her amazement and graciousness of a higher spirit that the people at the hospital, in the emergency room knew her and were able to get her immediate attention needed to save her life. Dr. Lita. A co-producer of the Gathering of Nations with her husband Derek and daughter Melonie, is at home recovering. She has a long road to go and needs your help and get well wishes.

The bleeding ulcers were the result of a blood transfusion which she was given more than 30 years ago. The blood transfusion was tainted. The tainted blood affected her liver in ways which now make it difficult for her blood to clot properly. When admitted to the hospital she was near death. Her blood was at zero percent oxygen and they had to give her several units of blood. Her body responded to the attention and medication. The doctors were amazed at her great physical condition. This was a direct result of her daily exercise program and her competitive dancing at many Pow Wows throughout the year.

The doctors released her from the hospital a couple of days early in order for her to attend the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow. They knew that this was where her spirit would receive nourishment. However, it was advised that she not do any work at the pow wow. Since the end of the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow many people have sent along their get well wishes. When first released from the hospital the doctors instructed her to limit travel, and dancing was out of the question. Since that time several of her exams have shown enough improvement that when she regains full strength, she may begin limited travel and dancing.

Dr. Lita is hopeful to return to the pow wow trail in late July. She has been invited to serve as the Head Lady Dancer for the Sycuan Pow Wow in September. Dr. Lita says that she is determined to hold her promise to the Sycuan people and be there in September as their head lady Dancer. The Sycuan Reservation Resort and Casino is located just a few miles East of San Diego. Dr. Lita would like to encourage everyone to join her there.

The Gathering of Nations Pow Wow for Lita and her family is their life's work. The joy of bringing smiles, cultural pride and opportunity to Native people is what excites her. She has been involved in the educational components of the Gathering of Nations as well as making recommendations and sponsorship of the many acts of kindness the Gathering of Nations has been able to deliver. Lita's involvement in the Pow Wow world is critical. She has a smile for nearly everyone in the arena all of the time.

Dr. Lita Mathews received her PhD from the University of New Mexico in 1999. Since that time she has used her degree and efforts to bring a cultural and educational focus upon Native Americans. She has been an inspiration and role model to many who have chosen to pursue higher education. Jennifer Young Bear is the first recipient of the Dr. Lita Mathews Graduate Scholarship at the University of New Mexico. She is very proud of Jennifer who is now one semester from graduation and is maintaining a 4.0 grade point average. Jennifer Young Bear is a Jingle Dress dancer from New Town, North Dakota.

The expenses related to her recovery are very high. At this time she asks that if anyone would like to assist with the cost of her recovery to please purchase either her book (A Powwow Summer Across North America) or the audio book of the same title.

The Doctors continue to evaluate Lita to see if she is a candidate for treatment. There are many factors to be considered before such an evasive treatment is begun. If and when the treatments begin they will last for approximately one year.

We thank everyone for the many get well wishes and concern. This is the most difficult time in not only Lita's life but for Derek and Melonie as well. While at home in Albuquerque, we will continue to make plans for the 2009 Gathering of Nations Pow Wow in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We are looking forward to seeing all of you then.