When Matt Pond鈥檚 brain tumor returned in 2007, his doctors in Idaho told him there was nothing more they could do for him.
Matt鈥檚 family searched the country for any other treatment options. Matt鈥檚 brother found Randy Jensen, MD, at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI). Dr. Jensen asked Matt to fly down to Salt Lake City right away to see him.
The doctors at HCI decided surgery was an option for Matt. They asked, 鈥淐an we do one more surgery? And then will you come see us every once in a while for the next 30 years?鈥 Matt remembers he started to cry, then laughed and asked if they could make it 50 years.
A week later, Matt had life-saving surgery at HCI. But when he came out of surgery, his right side was paralyzed.
鈥淔or about a half hour, I felt sorry for myself,鈥 Matt remembers. 鈥淚 love playing the guitar. I love using power tools. Then I thought, wait a second. I am alive.鈥
At the 人妻中出视频 of Utah鈥檚 Rehabilitation Center, Matt relearned how to walk and speak. He learned to read and write again鈥攖his time with his left hand instead of his dominant right.
鈥淭he greatest thing was to play my guitar,鈥 he says. 鈥淢usic was one of the first things that started coming back to me, even before I could read and write again.鈥
Matt taught himself to play guitar with one hand while he was getting chemotherapy in Rexburg, Idaho, after surgery. 鈥淚 had a captive audience in the infusion room,鈥 he jokes. His care team at HCI worked hand-in-hand with his doctors in Rexburg to provide excellent care close to home.
鈥淣ow I ask myself, what can I do with my new normal?鈥 Matt says. 鈥淐an I use a saw? Can I tie a tie? I learned things I didn鈥檛 know I could do it until I got cancer.鈥
Eleven years later, Matt is cancer-free. Today, the father of five shares his story and music with hopes of inspiring others to remain strong through their own challenges.