My Cancer Research UK
marathon challenge

You may be thinking I’ve gone a bit far with my lockdown haircut, but
in fact the picture was taken back in 2014 during my third round of
chemotherapy for Stage 3B testicular cancer that had spread to my lymph nodes and lungs.

Reports that far fewer people are getting checked out by GP’s/hospitals
during this time are deeply worrying. It is vital that we continue to build
awareness and effectively continue cancer screening and treatment.

In light of this I will be running a solo marathon on Saturday 3^rd October around my local area to raise funds for Cancer Research UK, an organisation that does so much good for a cause that had a big impact on my life.

My experience

One morning during the start of my 4^th year at Durham University, I noticed a small lump on my right testicle whilst having a shower. After some agonizing, I plucked up the courage  to get checked out. The very supportive GP didn’t appear to be overly concerned, as many lumps and bumps in that region are often harmless, but he did refer me to get an ultrasound to be sure.

2 weeks later however, I was given the news I was dreading- I was told the lump on my testicle was cancer.

Questions?

I thought a good way to share my cancer experience is to answer some of the questions people might have:

• Chemotherapy side effects vary from person to person and depend on the drugs you’re given. Whilst it can be extremely effective at zapping cancer cells, it doesn’t discriminate against any rapidly dividing cells, hence the hair loss and nausea. I tried to combat these by drinking lots of ginger tea and channelling my inner Tommy Shelby with a flatcap to embrace my new sleek hairstyle. The tea certainly helped but I ended up looking more Del Boy than Peaky Blinder.

• Treatment was a scary and uncertain period, but it wasn’t all bad! I had my down days but also had plenty of brilliant days too. I was incredibly lucky to have such amazing friends and family, and I will forever be grateful for the strength and laughs they were able to give me when I needed it most. Although I wasn’t quite
  in PB shape, running gave me a sense of purpose and normality, and played a big part in my mental wellbeing, which it continues to do today.

• If doctors are confident that you have testicular cancer you will have the affected testicle removed in a fairly routine operation called an orchidectomy. Fortunately, one testicle will generally compensate for the loss of his partner by working harder with no
  impact on any  “male functions”. I won’t go any further!
  

• The NHS workers were fantastic- the nurses, doctors, consultants, ward staff and everyone I encountered treated me with such kindness,compassion and humour. I met so many amazing people during the treatment I received at Bart’s and elsewhere, who went above and beyond to make my day that little bit better.The NHS isn’t perfect but they did a damn good job to enable me to get to the other side of my personal battle as comfortably as possible. I will never forget their kindness and support.

Check your balls!

Fellas, It takes 30 seconds to do it in the shower (15 seconds for me). If you find anything a bit unusual, it is ALWAYS best to get it checked out by a professional. If you’re given the all clear, fantastic, and if not the sooner you can start your recovery,the better. Of course, ladies, the same applies and check yourselves too!

26.2 lonely miles...friends please!

Running 26.2 miles without any crowd support is going to be a big old challenge so any donation, no matter how big or small, would be FANTASTIC. If you’ve made it to here, well done and if I wasn’t clear.. 

Get yourself checked out!!

Please feel free to fire any questions you might have about my experience. It’s taken me a while to feel confident talking about this time of life, but I think its really important that people feel able to talk about cancer, mental health and our general wellbeing in an open way. It would make me happy to think I've helped someone even in a small way by enabling them to open up about their experience.

Finally, it’s great running with others, even if it is virtually, so if anyone wants to join me to complete their own running challenge (not necessarily the full distance!), let me know :)

Thank you,

Freddie