As many of you reading this know, I am a testicular cancer survivor. As of May, it has been 13 years since I was given the news that my scans and bloodwork were declared “clear.” Now that I am a first-time father (as of January), I am more grateful than ever that I was fortunate enough to receive that news, and even more so, to remain cancer free.
People often ask what the hardest part of the process was. Everyone expects the answer to be something treatment related, such as the surgery, nausea, fatigue, or losing my hair (I had four rounds of fairly aggressive chemo treatment). Those parts were certainly difficult, but none of those are the part that sticks out to me all these years later. The hardest part for me was that phone call I had to make asking my mother to meet me at the doctor’s office (I couldn’t tell her this over the phone), knowing that the news I was about to give her would be so hard for her to hear, and that there was nothing I could do in that moment to help. As a new father, it gives me a whole new perspective on that conversation.
My mother was there throughout my treatment, nearly every day. She made it her mission to do everything she could to help make sure I would be successful in my battle. And it worked. What she didn’t know, is that I would soon be given the chance to return the favor. She often talks about how brave and strong I was during my process… Well, let me tell you who the real prize fighter is of the two of us, and this one isn’t close. She has battled ovarian cancer for almost a decade, and (unlike me) often with little certainty on treatment prospects or why her blood markers were rising again. She has had multiple surgeries, four rounds of the chemo (the same that I had), and most recently, hormone therapy. This disease has been hanging over her like a rain cloud that will not go away (though she wouldn’t show it). The good news is that the hormone therapy has seemed to work very well. Her numbers consistently dropped, and it looked like everything was finally stabilizing. It was an exciting time with a new house in Florida, and a new lease on life, but this pesky disease (different type) found a new avenue in another part of the body.
Thankfully, they found this one early. She is getting treated again through Roswell, after another surgery, and we have a road ahead still, but she is powering through all of it with a smile on her face.
One of the takeaways when you spend as much time as I have with oncologists, is how different treatment options and prospects are depending on specific cancer and tumor types. The prognosis differences have improved for so many over the years. HER2 protein markers in breast cancer were not long ago thought to be among the worst diagnosis for patients, but now they have designed treatments that specifically target this protein and the prognosis can be among the best for that cancer. Testicular cancer treatment had its breakthrough in the late 70s, but so many other areas (like ovarian), simply need more research and development. It is why the work that Roswell and other leading cancer centers perform is so important and how every research dollar has a chance to make a difference. Every small breakthrough that improves one tumor type’s chances means that someone’s loved one is able to stay with us longer. I cannot think of a more powerful message for a reason to donate to a cause.
I was 25 when I was diagnosed, and you do not need to feel bad for me or my mother, just use us as an example of the people who are fortunate to be here because places like Roswell were able to find effective treatments for our ailments.
Please donate to my Ride for Roswell fundraiser. For every dollar donated to cancer research, Roswell Park is now able to leverage an additional $23 from external grants towards that research.
Together – we can end cancer!