Hi all and thank you for taking time to read my cancer story

It started when I was 19 and didn’t have much to worry about. Just went to work, played footy and went out with my mates.

I noticed a lump on my testicle, had no idea what to do and just thought it would go away. 2 weeks later and no change i mentioned it to my mum. Within an hour I was at the doctors and within a week I was sat at Blackburn hospital being told I had testicular cancer. 4 days later I was in for the op and the testicle was removed. For the next 7 years I had scans and blood tests and in 2009 I was signed off.

Fast forward 20 years and I’m 39 I’m married to my beautiful wife, have 3 amazing kids and run 2 business.

A Monday night in March I played 7 aside football and felt great, an hour after I was getting pains in my stomach. These went on though the night and for days after. After trips to A&E and doctors appointments I got a blood test and my biggest fear was confirmed. My cancer had come back!

This time it was different I had my own family. I went though every emotion possible from frightened to angry to worried that this was it!

My 1st appointment I walked in and it was the same doctor I had 20 years ago, as he was looking though my notes I said to him “you operated on me 20 years ago” he replied “no I don’t think it was me” I looked at him and said “you never forget a guy who chopped 1 of your balls off” he just smiled and said “oh yes it was me”.

3 appointments later I was told the position of the tumour in my stomach was in a difficult place to operate so chemotherapy was the only option and we are starting next week. Was told the type of chemotherapy I was having is 1 of the strongest types and I’m going to be very ill and to rule out the next 6 months of my life. That day I spent in hospital doing all the tests and meetings and signed my life over to them to start. I remember sat on the wall outside waiting to get picked up just crying thinking I’ve let my family down. The next few days was spent trying to sort everything from mortgage payments to work to how to tell the kids.

3 days before my chemotherapy was to start I was told my blood test results are all over the place and I ended up getting transferred to The Christie in Manchester. At the time I was annoyed cause I felt like it was wasting time I just wanted to get on with it.

The week after I got my appointment at The Christie. The doctor I saw just came in and said he was going to operate on me and not only just operate but use a robot so it can be key hole surgery. As you can imagine I had a lot of questions and doubts but he just stopped me and told me he worked at The Christie’s and was 1 of the best in the world at what he does.

2 weeks later my tumour was out, I spent 3 days in The Christie and had the most amazing care. Met some unbelievably brave people who had been though so much but still kept positive.

The next days and weeks my blood readings came down to a normal level and scans showed no sign of the cancer.

For the next year I spent not wanting to do much and felt I didn’t want to celebrate incase it came back, didn’t want to have a do for my 40th cause it would turn into I beat cancer party and it didn’t felt like I had yet. It’s been 18 months since my operation and all my scans and blood tests since have showed no sign. I know I’ve still a lot more but I’m over moon.

Firstly would like to say if anyone does have any spare money The Christie is an amazing place and if I could raise money to help another family like they have helped mine.

More importantly I would say to anyone if you don’t feel right or are a bit worried go to the doctors don’t put it off. I honestly think I’m only still here cause I’ve caught it early twice. I’ll never know if that’s right but the only thing I do know is I’m still here.

Don’t be scared to talk about it to your partner, mum, dad, brother, sister or friend.

Thanks for reading hope this helps in anyway it can.