GUEST BELI-BLOGGER FORD CHURCH: THE 'BOYS' ARE OK!

I wanted to share a frightening experience I had about two weeks ago, which, in the immortal words of Chuck Berry, had my nerves reeliní, rockiní, and rolliní. I have to say, I am a healthy, active, white male. Doctors say that folks in my age/health bracket should get a physical every 2-3 years, but with a friend from high school who was diagnosed with testicular cancer at 24, Lance Armstrong who was diagnosed with testicular cancer at 26, and my uncle who is battling prostate cancer at 57, I didnít want to take any chances.

Two weeks ago, I went in for my yearly physical and the doc discovered a BB sized lump on my right testicle. While the doctor was very comforting saying that it was common for cysts to form in the human body, he was recommending a testicular ultrasound just have to make sure that everything was ok. While it would be another week before they could squeeze me in for an appointment, I was concerned, but tried not to let the negative thoughts and ìwhat-ifsî consume me. Luckily, I was going in a million directions trying to finish my thesis before Christmas, and was going insane coordinating the logistics for my winter camping overnight with the Community Adventure Program. However, as I sat in the doctorís office awaiting my testicular ultrasound exam, the anxiety slowly began to set in.

After an awkward 45 minutes of having an older woman fiddling around with the 'boys', she was able to provide the Radiologist with enough pictures to analyze for a diagnosis. It turns out that I indeed had a cyst on the epididymis, which was not cancerous and would never be cancerous. It was fantastic news and I rejoiced thanking my lucky stars that it was not a tumor. The moral of the story, for men and women alike, is to get checked out once a year, become more aware of your body and its intricacies. Take special notice of any lumps, bumps, or things that seem out of the ordinary. The 'boys' are OK, so there is only one thing to do at a time like thisÖ strut!

I can agree enough with you. My nephew was only nineteen when they found out he had melanoma ( skin cancer ) and it had spread to his lymph nodes already ( Called Stage Three ). After three years on Interferon treatments he was free of the cancer and it has been five years that he has now been cancer free.
When I told my dermatologist about him, her first words were ?And he still alive?? I guest my nephew doesn?t realize just how lucky he is.
Get annual physicals and check any moles that change color or shape.

Ford, I'm very happy to hear that your boys are OK and, again, I thank you for the call the other night. It meant a great deal to me. Thanks and have a wonderful Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanza or solstice, just recently passed.