Hey everyone,
Since my diagnosis, I’ve found putting my experience out there, together with the feelings and emotions I’ve felt as a 25 year old cancer survivor immensely comforting. Really hoping that this reaches out to everyone who needs to hear it, whether it be wisdom, advice, perspective or whatever! I’m a 25 year old currently in remission for a Stage 2 mixed Non-Seminoma.
I’m still a bit of a newbie - it’s not been a year since I first found the lump in my right testicle, but within 5 months from my orchidectomy (don’t worry I still contain nuts), I’d been told I had sentinel lymph node metastases, required 3 rounds of BEP chemo’ and then a post chemo block lymph node dissection leaving me with a rather elaborate scar down my torso. Not exactly what I had planned for being 25, especially when I joked on my birthday that I was now going to lose 1.5% of my collagen each year.
Little did I know I’d be losing a lot more than that (hair, a ball, 33 lymph nodes, muscle, normal energy levels, a few friends etc) I would say that I lost my confidence too, but as I sit here and type this, I do feel a certain kind of rebirth. I’m not the same person I was pre-cancer, and given all the experiences and resilience that I’ve gained, it feels good to definitely celebrate those kind of wins, within what is otherwise a pretty gruesome time. It’s difficult living with cancer and after cancer.
Not a lot of non-cancer folks understand that. Sure, they can imagine it; but that requires effort, and not everyone in my age group can be that bothered to do that. I can’t help but feel a bit fed up when there’s no patience for me, a cancer survivor in some social circles that expect me to be ‘fine’. The main crux of what I’m saying here, I think, is that when you have someone in your friendship groups, or family even, who is battling cancer - be there for them. If you didn’t make much of an effort with them previously, make it now. What better time could there be to care and love someone than when they are going through a diagnosis and living with cancer? How can you be there for them? Why don’t you think about that yourself? Cancer patients like me didn’t have the patience or time to set boundaries or list expectations. Listen to them and adapt to them. Really that’s the least you can do for them, isn’t it? Nevertheless, I’ve had some supportive figures throughout my journey including my family. Something I’ll hold close to my heart is how supportive I’ve been by those who support me. It’s strength like that which keeps you going. To all my cancer warriors/survivors/slayers, you got this. And I got you! ~Jonny
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