Rumford native Matt Carrier, standing right, with his brothers, left to right, Kevin, Brian and Jason, in the summer of 2021. Matt gave his brothers amusing haircuts before they shaved their heads in support of Matt and his cancer diagnosis and surgery that later took his eye. Submitted photo
Rumford native Matthew Carrier’s book “To Ring the Bell” is about his experience with cancer twice in his life, the first time at the age of 21 and then 20 years later at 41 years old. The second diagnosis came after what he and his doctors thought was a severe sinus infection then turned out to be squamous cell carcinoma of his sinus.
Carrier’s book is a multi-genre project, which means that it includes his poems, short stories, photos, letters and drawings to describe his experiences of surviving cancer and seeking to find joy in every moment of life, even when life is difficult.
Now living in western Tennessee with his wife, Abby, Carrier plans to continue writing, with his ultimate goal being a novel.
Please explain why you wrote “To Ring the Bell.” I believe we all have something worth saying. We all have a story to tell. I wanted to write a book for that simple reason: share my story. In 2001, doctors discovered a cancerous brain tumor on my cerebellum. Twenty years later, almost to the day, another cancer diagnosis — squamous cell carcinoma in my sinuses. In heartache, in brokenness, and in bravery, I tried to find joy in every moment. Sometimes that meant getting out of bed, eating a cup of applesauce, or having the strength to walk out the door after a five-minute treatment of radiation.
I also wrote “To Ring the Bell” because of my passion to help others. I hope my story can encourage and inspire people going through difficult times, because we all have them. I believe the book shows how my attitude and faith helped me remain strong, positive, and determined — and that’s what I hope people will take away from reading my book.
Finally, I wanted to say thank you to everyone because I couldn’t fight this battle alone. The support I received — messages, donations, cards, phone calls — inspired me to stay positive and never give up. My family, friends, and even people I don’t know were all part of this journey. Writing “To Ring the Bell” is my way of paying it forward.
Rumford native Matt Carrier rings the bell at the cancer treatment center where he received treatments, to signify his last day of radiation and chemotherapy treatments on Oct. 26, 2021. His book “To Ring the Bell” is named after the tradition of ringing the bell at the end of treatments. Submitted photo
What does the title mean? I chose the title because for those who get the chance, ringing the bell signifies completion of treatments. It’s a proud and humbling time where I reflected on what I went through — the fears, the struggles, adapting to a new life — and how each moment led to me ringing the bell.
Your book is a multi-genre project. What does that mean and why did you chose that format for your book? In its simplest terms, a multi-genre project focuses on a central theme and uses different genres of writing (e.g., poems, short stories, photos, letters, drawings) to create a story. It requires research, experience, and imagination. My former high school English teacher, Rich Kent, who is a writer and professor, and the editor of my book, suggested the idea.
As a new writer, trying to find my writing voice, he told me, “Writing the different genres of this project will create a larger picture of where you’ve been and where you’re heading. As you write, you’re going to discover more and more about your cancer journey … and yourself.”
Creating this multi-genre book allowed me to be creative. I wrote poems, songs, and short stories. I tried watercolor painting, graffiti lettering, and craft projects. Some worked. Some didn’t. The pieces chosen for the book allowed me to share part of my journey in a unique way. The … project also allowed me to reflect and grow as a person. Through each piece, I relived that year. It made me appreciate what I went through and where I am now.
The first time that you dealt with cancer in your life was in the form of a brain tumor when you were 21 years old. Following surgery to remove the tumor and 30 radiation treatments, by 2011 you were cancer free. How did you and your doctors discover in 2021 at 41 years old that cancer had returned, and what happened after the diagnosis? For the majority of 2020, I struggled with what my primary care physician thought was a severe sinus infection. She prescribed antibiotics and steroids throughout the year. Then COVID hit, making things worse. In January of 2021, I noticed a small lump over my left eyebrow. Knowing my history, my wife, Abby, and I asked for a CT scan. Instead, she ordered an ultrasound, which revealed soft-tissue swelling.
More time went by, the lump grew, which led to a CT scan, and those results led to an MRI. Our deepest fears confirmed. It was a tumor. My PCP referred me to an oncologist. Without knowing if the tumor was malignant, the oncologist referred me to an ENT. In February, I underwent my first surgery. The biopsy came back negative; however, the lump grew larger, leading to another surgery in May. The biopsy came back as malignant. Pathology then retested the tumor from February and found that to be malignant as well.
We felt we needed a second opinion, which led us to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. On our first visit, I learned in order to get good margins the doctor would have to take my left eye. Following my surgery on July 19th, I rested and recovered for two months. Then I started my first treatment on September 16th and rang the bell on October 26th. I am now considered 20-months NED (no evidence of disease).
Your mission statement included in your book is: “To encourage others through writing, conversations, and social media posts.” Was creating a mission statement helpful for you and have you followed through with the ideas or goals of your statement? Yes. Creating a mission statement gave me a purpose. When I heard the words: “You have cancer,” it changed my life. It forced me to lose my job as a physical therapist assistant that I loved. It took away my independence and forced me to adapt to a new life with one eye. But I wake up with a heartbeat, and that means God is not done with me yet. He has a purpose for me. It may not be what I wanted. But it’s not my plan that matters, it’s his.
Although I’m in a new season in life and may not be able to do what I used to, I can still carry out my passion to serve. And that’s what my mission statement is about. I can still make a difference. These goals are not short term, not made to accomplish in a week then forget about them. My mission statement is ongoing. I consider it a daily mission. Whether through texts, emails, social media posts, or phone calls, my goal is to always be positive and lift others up.
Rumford native Matt Carrier holds his book “To Ring the Bell,” which tells about his experience with cancer twice in his life, the first time at the age of 21 and then 20 years later at 41 years old. Doctors had to remove his left eye to remove a cancerous tumor inside his head in July 2021. Submitted photo
Throughout the book, you write about how your faith in God helped you get through two cancer diagnoses, surgeries and treatments. Can you talk more about that? My parents laid the foundation since the day I was born. They instilled in me good morals and values but the greatest of all, the importance of faith in God. When faced with a cancer diagnosis for the second time, my life stopped on a dime. Old thoughts began filling my head. Questions like, “Why me,” “Do I really deserve this,” and “Am I going to die,” replayed in my mind. Fear began to creep in. The unknowns became overwhelming. If not grounded in my faith, I think it would have been easy to give up.
I had to accept what came my way — another cancer diagnosis, surgeries, and treatments. I had to accept that I would lose my eye. These were all things I couldn’t control. Therefore, I took one day at a time. I completely put my trust in God and his plan for my life. My battles with cancer drew me closer. I learned to let go and let God be in control.
My faith put me in a place of peace and gratitude, kept me positive, and enabled me to appreciate each day of my journey, regardless of a good day or bad.
Do you plan to write another book? Absolutely! I hope this is just the beginning. It may be funny to say, but cancer rekindled my interest in writing. Creating the pieces in my book uncovered my writing voice, which I’m still working on. I plan to write articles and short stories and my ultimate goal is to write a novel. But in everything I write, there will be a common theme — leave a footprint on someone’s heart.
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