dakotagraves

Fellow Testicular cancer survivor here. Left testi to my lungs and liver when I was 16. Right testi with the same spreading when I was 19. 26 currently.

It is a lonely process man. I was miserable, I had some other social issues anyways and it escalated the problems dramatically. I felt like I lost all of my friends and that I would never be able to connect with anyone again. I got really depressed both times. After the first time I was diagnosed with PTSD, which didn't help when the second time came around.

Don't ever forget about your mental health in all of this. Therapists and mental health professionals are available to you and should be easier to cover under insurance during this time. Your emotional state absolutely effects the way you'll feel about your progress. I didn't believe that the first time and as an angsty teenager I wallowed in my anger and self pity. The second time I sought out help and even though the chemo was much harder, the experience was emotionally much less draining and destructive. Chemo will destroy your body, but it doesn't have to destroy your spirit. Take the time, what little energy you have, and the money to care for your mental state. You will thank yourself.

Most importantly, don't forget people love you. Even those of us who don't know you. Other cancer and Testicular cancer survivors and fighters are only a message away, including myself.

Edit: Thank you for doing this AMA and bringing more light to this issue. Men need to know about the dangers of prostate and testicular cancer.

I completely understand. Stay strong. Where are you located?

Ha. I was thinking about stopping by if at all possible but that may be a bit out of budget right now. I will man.