My name is Matt Peterson and I am a Vietnam veteran, father, and lung cancer survivor. After a single nodule was found in my lung in 2019, I was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). I was also diagnosed with diabetes. I’ve been through chemotherapy and immunotherapy, but after a while, they stopped working. Now I am getting radiation on the small amount of cancer that was seen on my last PET scan and all of my doctors are amazed by how well I am doing.

Who I am now, and what I value, is very different than before my diagnosis. All of my relationships grew deeper, and people responded so differently than I thought they would. People came to visit from out of state, people called me, and the conversations were different. I learned that every day is an opportunity to live a better life. It’s not about the past. We are not living in the past, we are living today.

I used to shut things out and take care of everything alone. I didn’t deal with any of my emotions because that’s the way I always managed things because of my PTSD. Since my diagnosis, I realized the most important things in life are family and friends. The constant love and care from my family and friends is getting me through this, has helped me to deal with all that is happening and has completely changed how I view life.

My advice to someone newly diagnosed with lung cancer is to be open and welcoming to those who care about you. Your loved ones may need support, too. They may need to digest what is happening to you before they can be supportive.

You will have to figure out how to live with cancer. Take one day at a time. Be positive, think positive thoughts, do positive things. I have moments when I feel discouraged, tired, and weary of treatment, but my choice is to live every day the best that I can. I may not feel as good as I would like, but I want to live the life that I have, not the life that I had.

Learn everything you can about your disease and get the best medical team that you can. Get a second opinion from a lung specialist and look at all available options. Get someone to explain your diagnosis, data, and test results so you can best manage going forward. Ask yourself: what can I do and what is MY role? Don’t just surrender to your doctor. These decisions are yours.

If you are a veteran diagnosed with lung cancer, you are not alone and we can help. Please contact our HelpLine at 1-800-298-2436 or support@go2.org.