A Mindset of Determination.
For as long as he can remember, Matt has approached life with a simple philosophy: never look back with regret. The words “should have,” “could have,” and “would have” have never been part of his mindset.
That determination first took shape when he was a teenager. He admits he wasn’t the best student in high school. Sports, friends, and having a good time were often his priorities, and academics were simply a way to get by. So when he received his acceptance letter from Illinois State University, it felt like winning the lottery.
It was a defining moment. One that sparked a commitment to making the most of every opportunity and approaching challenges with the belief that failure was not an option.
Hearing the Word No One Wants to Hear.
At age 56, that mindset was put to the test when he was diagnosed with cancer.
“It’s probably the most devastating word you can ever hear,” he recalls. “It rocks you to your core.”
Like many people facing a cancer diagnosis, he experienced the shock and uncertainty that comes with hearing the news. But after allowing himself a moment to process it, he made a decision.
The next morning, he woke up and told himself, “Okay, let’s get after this just like anything else.”
Leaning on His Support System.
Rather than keeping his diagnosis private, he immediately reached out to the people he trusted most. He went into his office, created an email, and shared the news with influential people throughout his life. He wanted guidance, support, and perspective from those around him.
That openness became an important part of his journey, helping him navigate the challenges ahead with the encouragement of family, friends, and trusted advisors.
The Importance of Early Detection.
During treatment at Rush University, his care team discussed the nature of HPV-related head and neck cancer and the possibility that it could spread to the lungs.
Additional imaging, including a PET scan, confirmed those concerns when cancer was discovered in his lung.
As he continued his care, his ENT, Dr. Alkahardi, introduced him to the NavDx® test. When asked whether he would be interested in trying the test, his response was immediate. “Are you kidding me? Absolutely.”
By that point, he had learned one of the most important lessons of his cancer journey: early detection can make all the difference.
Taking Control of What You Can.
Looking back, he believes ongoing monitoring played a critical role in helping identify cancer activity when it mattered most. “Had I not been on the regimen of NavDx, I might be running around right now with cancer growing and metastasizing in my lungs even more,” he says.
The experience transformed him into a strong advocate for taking an active role in personal health.
Whether it’s maintaining healthy eating habits, staying physically active, keeping follow-up appointments, or utilizing available monitoring tools, he believes patients should focus on the things they can control.
Life Is Worth Fighting For.
Today, he remains focused on what matters most. Spending quality time with family and friends, nurturing his faith, and appreciating each day. While cancer changed his life, it also strengthened his belief that every day is worth fighting for.
“We’ve all got limited time on this planet,” he says. “You’ve got to stay positive because life is worth fighting for.”
