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In April I went to the doctors with a lump that wasn't right, on May 3rd 2013 I went to York Hospital not even in the slightest worried that this lump was cancer, in fact cancer never even came to my mind at the time!

In May 2013 I was diagnosed with cancer, it was the scariest and most upsetting news I had ever been told since the passing of my Late Aunt earlier that year. The worst thing for me was I went to my doctor alone, and was put on a waiting list for a hospital appointment which came through the post quickly. Funny enough the appointment was on my mother’s 60th Birthday, May 3rd, and I had a big weekend planned for her and a surprise holiday.

I wasn't worried as I went about a lump and was told it was 99%  a cist but to get it checked, after going to the hospital alone, I had an ultrasound and to my shock horror to be diagnosed with Testicular Cancer and I was all alone.

After I had come out of the shock from my doctor and not really knowing what was going to happen, a lovely Macmillan nurse was appointed my way and instantly I was made to feel better, she held my hand and said you'll be okay and talked me through everything, the life change it could be, financial help and the treatment and instantly felt I was in good hands. 

After this I went home to have to tell my mother and that was harder than been told myself, however it was easier and helpful as I was full of hope and knowledge of what the upcoming months could be from my Macmillan Nurse, I’m not quite sure how I would of done this without this service. 

Two weeks later, after my holiday, I had my operation which was quick and easy, and to my surprise the same Macmillan Nurse that talked to me had found me through all the appointments, where she left her post to come to visit me to see if I was okay and needed anything and she didn't forget me and I still have her card to this day. She is simply amazing!!

I was lucky, for now, as I had a seminoma type cancer that's the good kind, slow growing and easily treated. I didn't need any further treatment but a 5 year watch program that includes three monthly check ups and so far I'm all clear, a year on!  

Macmillan nurses have always been there throughout my program, working hard, I was lucky, but the scare I wouldn't wish on anyone, and thanks to Macmillan Cancer Nurses, my experience was made easier. This service is a very important part of cancer treatment and I really appreciated all their help and I couldn’t imagine Macmillan not been there. Every few months I go to the Bexley Wing at Leeds University Hospital for check ups and blood test, CT scans and X-rays, but this whole experience changes you as a person, even if you were ,for now, a luck survivor. Been on the same wards you see others that are less fortunate than yourselves, people going through their worst and darkest hours, dealing with chemo, radiotherapy or even right at the beginning of diagnostics, you still feel part of them fighting to survive and feel yourself wanting to help in any way you can or look at it another way "that could of be me". So I decided that I wanted to be someone who could help change things and that experience, leave a legacy that "I helped others" and if one day cancer does comes back I can happily say "I helped change the future, and helped with the treatment of the worst thing in life Cancer". 

There are people out there who don't get it easy like I have, and Macmillan are there for them, I now want to thank them, and help them by keeping this service going to someone who might not be as lucky as me and I wish to dedicate my time to raise money for this valuable service by raising £10,000 as a goal. 

Even though I recovered quickly in a few months and didn’t require further treatment, it is still very life changing to have the scare and to go through any part of the cancer treatment. We have to help fight it, and without the help of Macmillan Nurses and their research, cancer will always win and bring families crashing down as their will be no one to catch us.... 

I have also setup a Just Give page to start the fundraising and this can be viewed at: http://www.justgiving.com/Macmillan-Support  to keep up to date with my fundraising, see pictures, videos and updates and you can also donate easily by texting YESS87 to 70070 for FREE and as donate as much or as little as you wish but I do recommend a minimum donation of £5.00. 

Please help because it could be you or a family member who needs a Macmillan Nurse, but I do hope you don’t!, as 1 in 3 people will be diagnosed with cancer in the UK at some point in their lives, and then all their family’s will be hit by this news to.

Thank you in Advance for your support! x

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