In 1986 I started having deep aching pains in my groin & testicle.I can remember it hurt when clothes rubbed against those areas & when sitting down.I let these pains go on for months, thinking it was nothing and it would go away.Also I did not want to mention it to anyone as it seemed embarrassing. Eventually the pains became much, much worse & so my GP was called out.I can clearly remember him telling my parents downstairs what my pains could possibly be, although there was a chance the pains were from a Twisted Cist.
I was immediately sent to my local hospital.(This now in January of 1987) I then immediately had a Unilateral Orchidectomy (Removal of my testical).This followed 6 months later by Chemotherapy.After finishing this course of chemotherapy everything was ok until 1989, when the testicular cancer returned.Yet again I was faced with the trauma of going through the severe side effects of Chemotherapy over the course of 6 months.
Having completed this course of chemotherapy I obviously had to go for regular blood tests, making sure I remained clear.But in February of 1993 I was diagnosed with Malignant Teretoma of the Testes once more, which meant having another 6 months course of Chemotherapy.Also in May of that year I was required to have another operation – Lymph Node Excision & Para Aeorta Disectomy (removal of lymph nodes).
This operation was again followed by regular blood tests. But in 1994 the cancer had once again returned & so in October 1994 I was sent to the Royal Marsden Hospital in Surrey for a course of higher dose chemotherapy.
Following this I had an operation back in Bristol to remove the residue of the Tumour & many more Lymph Nodes.
Since 1995 I have been going to hospital for regular blood tests to make sure I am staying clear of this desease & 15 years on I am still here to tell my story & to let you know that you can fight this terrible desease & come out the other side.
My story is a fairly unusual one having had Testicular cancer return 5 times.
The love of my family and friends is what really got me through.So if I can do it 5 times & you are unfortunate enough to be diagnosed with Testicular Cancer, take what is offered by your doctors & FIGHT it.
IT CAN BE BEATEN.I’m living proof of that.

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