I was diagnosed with testicular cancer in August 2015. The first two emotions I felt after being told were anger and relief. I wasn't angry because I was told I had cancer. I was angry because I should have been told almost two years earlier.
Over the previous 22 months I had seen two separate doctors and told them of the lump I had found. Both told me I was fine without carrying out any tests. The relief was because I now knew what I was facing and how we were going to deal with it.
Ten days after my diagnosis, I was admitted to Royal Glamorgan Hospital for my operation. I wasn't really nervous about the operation, I just wanted to get that bad boy whipped out as soon as possible!
I returned to the hospital at the end of September to see my oncologist to receive the scan results. He told me I had a 3.5cm Seminoma tumour, which was aggressive and invasive. The cancer had gone into my blood vessels, and there was a 30% chance of it spreading to my abdomen. To reduce this risk to just 3%, the oncologist sent me for a strong dose of Carboplatin chemotherapy.
The chemotherapy took place at Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff. I really hope I don't have to go through chemo again. The feeling of constantly thinking you're going to be sick is something I don't want to experience again. I have nothing but respect for anyone who has to go through 3, 4 or 5 sessions of chemo.
Right now, I'm cancer free. I had my first lot of blood tests at Velindre at the end of January and so far I have heard nothing back. No news is good news. My family, friends and fiancée have been amazing. It's been a difficult year with my father being diagnosed with prostate cancer and me with testicular just four months after the birth of my daughter.
I met Ben from Movember on Twitter the day after my diagnosis. Ben, who has had testicular cancer twice, runs a support and social group for other testicular cancer sufferers in his spare time in which we affectionately refer to each other as the "One Offs". For a complete stranger to be so helpful and generous is amazing. To be able to have someone to talk to for advice, and who's been through it themselves has been absolutely invaluable.
To raise awareness of the condition which could have taken my life, I took part in a 'naked' photoshoot ahead of World Cancer Day on 4 February. It was really bizarre being butt naked in a room full of strangers, but it was a good laugh!
If you think there's something wrong with you then you need to get it checked. Some men who find a lump can be a bit macho about it, but it could save your life.
Wear a Unity Band on World Cancer Day, 4th February 2016, and be a part of the generation that transforms the lives of millions who are affected by cancer. Specially designed Unity Bands are available now from Cancer Research UK, the Movember Foundation, Anthony Nolan and Breast Cancer Care for a suggested donation of £2. Find out more at www.worldcancerday.co.uk
