A Team LIVESTRONG Story: Matt

Aug 05, 2011 by Guest

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The following is a Team LIVESTRONG story from LIVESTRONG Challenge Philly participant Matt Petroski. There are many events you can take part in with Team LIVESTRONG. Go to our website to learn more about the run, walk, ride and tri events.

What?s your name, and where are you from?
Matt Petroski, Delran, NJ

In what event are you participating?
LIVESTRONG Challenge Philadelphia

What?s your connection to LIVESTRONG?
I was diagnosed with Stage 4 sinus cancer in August 2007. At that point, my wife was 9 months pregnant with our second child. After extensive surgery, radiation and chemo, another tumor appeared on my first scan 4 months later. I then proceed to have more surgery, proton therapy and chemo. Although the last three years have produced clean scans, my cancer challenge did not end with hearing the results of no evidence of disease. I continue to have reconstruction surgeries to manage the many side effects of having my life saved. I lost my right upper jaw, a fibula, and an eye, but never my spirit or my will to continue to live my life as I choose.

All along, LIVESTRONG supported me with information and motivation. From the LIVESTRONG wool hat that kept me warm when my first post-treatment winter left me colder than I have ever been in my life to my customized LIVESTRONG Survivor Plan, LIVESTRONG has been a source of inspiration and information throughout my cancer experience. I believe that LIVESTRONG‘s continued work to de-stigmatize cancer has been invaluable in allowing people like me to live our lives without prejudice.

What does LIVESTRONG mean to you?
LIVESTRONG means expecting nothing less of me than I did before cancer.