4 February is World Cancer Day, and how convenient that the following day will mark 18 years since I was diagnosed with stage 4 testicular cancer.
Yes, Stage 4!
It had already spread:
• 5 tumours in my stomach
• 11 tumours in my lungs
• and next stop was my brain
Not exactly what I had on my bucket list.
The good news?
Even at stage 4, testicular cancer is highly treatable. After months of gruelling, super-strength chemotherapy, and an unprecedented 9 years of remission, I was finally given the all-clear. Which means that as of 5 February, I’ll have officially been in post-remission longer than I was ever in remission.
And yes, I’m very much still here!
But here’s the reality former cancer patients live with...
You can never be truly complacent. The possibility of a "round two" always lingers.
That reality hit home for me just before Christmas last year.
For the first time in over a decade, I felt that familiar, unwelcome dull pain in my lower pelvis.
Then I felt a lump.
Panic stations!!!
Oh no… not again. Has the cancer decided to give the other side a go?
One quick call to my GP and I was in the clinic soon after. Everything seemed fine... but given my history, an ultrasound was booked immediately.
The next day I was at radiology...
All clear!
Immense relief!
Now that was the best Christmas present I could have had.
This scare was a powerful reminder of something worth sharing on World Cancer Day:
👉 Vigilance doesn’t end after remission
👉 Early detection saves lives
If you’ve ever been cured of cancer – any kind – be sure to do yearly tumour-marker tests and see a doctor if something doesn’t feel right.We’d very much like you to stick around a bit longer ❤️
Picture: doing my second round of chemo, before losing the eyebrows, but hey, I didn't have to shave for months. Bonus!
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