Hi all,

Thank you for taking the time to read my story below:

On Sunday 18th April 2021 I was taking a shower when I found a lump in my left testicle. I called the doctors the next day and went in for them to check it out. The doctor said she didn't think it was anything to worry about, but booked me in for an ultrasound, which was 2 weeks later.

At the appointment they picked up the lump on the scan and thought it was suspicious, so they booked me in to see Urologist (reproductive specialist) a week later. They checked it out and wanted a second opinion at a board meeting they were having the week after. At that meeting they decide it was more then likely cancer and called me back to talk about the next steps. Back & forth to the hospital for various blood tests & a full body CT scan to see if it had spread if it was cancer which took me up to the 5th June.

I had an operation on it the 7th June (7 weeks after finding the lump) to remove the left testicle and lump attached to it. I went to the hospital the 7th July 2021 (11 weeks after finding the lump) to find out if it was actually cancer and it was. However, they said it wasn't anywhere else in my body and they were happy that they removed it in operation. I luckily didn't have to have any chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

They have kept an eye on my blood markers every 3/4 months and I have had scans every 6-12 months as well. They are 95% sure it won't return anywhere. However, they will keep me under observation for 5 years from the operation.

Testicular Cancer only affects c2,300 men per year with an age range of 15-49, so please check your testicles/tell any males you know to check and get any lump checked out if in doubt. Stay safe

A result of having cancer is that I am no longer able to donate blood after donating for years (38 donations), which I am devastated about. For those that have know me for a while will know that I have had long hair for nearly 20 years. I can't donate blood, however I can donate my hair to Little Princess Trust (Little Princess Trust is a charity that provides real hair wigs, free of charge, to children and young people who have lost their own hair through cancer - https://www.littleprincesses.org.uk/ ) and will be chopping my hair off to mark the 2 years of getting my diagnosis.

Along with donating my hair I would also like to raise money for the amazing job Cancer Research have done and continue to do day in & out to save lives. If you could please donate & share my story I would greatly appreciate it as it could promp some lad to check his testicles and get them checked if in doubt. I will be cutting my hair in the coming weeks & will keep you updated.

Thank you.