Testicular Cancer: Michael's Story

Chapter 15: Testicular Cancer: Michael's Story

Description:

This chapter relates the story of a young man who suffered from testicular cancer. Michael was 22 years old and had just gained a position as an engineer when he visited the doctor and was diagnosed with testicular cancer. In the weeks that followed surgery to remove his testicle, Michael had chemotherapy and suffered many unpleasant side effects that are associated with the poisoning of cancer cells. This chapter also explores the issues that arise when a man is faced with a diagnosis of testicular cancer.

Topics:

• Testicular cancer: Michael's story

Author:

Tom Laws
Registered Nurse, Registered Midwife, Opthalmic Nursing Diploma, Bchelor of Economics Lecturer, Faculty of Nursing, University of South Australia

Tom Laws wrote the following introduction to chapter 15:

From time to time, as a lecturer in nursing, I have had the privilege of meeting students who extend themselves that little bit further in order to grasp more firmly the complexities of life and add a deeper meaning to what they do. Elise was one such student. She would occasionally drop into my office to discuss issues connected with her assignments or topics of interest. It was through this rapport that Elise became aware of my work on men' health and it may have been this factor that prompted her to tell me of her boyfriend's plight. She had been going out with Michael for more than a year. He was 22 years old and had just gained a position as an engineer when he told her of his visit to the doctor and the diagnosis of testicular cancer.

In the weeks that followed surgery to remove his testicle, Michael had chemotherapy and suffered all the unpleasant side effects that are associated with the poisoning of cancer cells. During this time Elise would call by and let me know what was happening and how she was coping. I gave what support I could and all the literature I had on the subject but we both became aware of the lack of material to help people like Michael and those supporting him. It was from these events that the idea for this chapter arose. After Michael had recovered from the treatment and was back at work he and I met for lunch to talk about his experiences. This is his story.

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