Ryan's Giving Page

First of all I’m a twin. I was diagnosed back in September 2017 with stage 4 testicular cancer. I had tumour markers of over 170,000, with a tumour of 7cm in my groin and one of 12cm in my stomach. I didn’t get the chance to bank any sperm and started a starter course of BEP chemo straight away. A week after being diagnosed my twin brother felt a lump in his testicle, only to be checked and find that he also had testicular cancer. Luckily for him (we thought), his was caught early and had surgery to remove it and was placed under observation. I went through months of POMP/ACE chemotherapy spending a week in hospital then a week at home, repeat. Then I had a cycle of GEM/TIP chemotherapy whilst waiting to see if stem cell was an option. As soon as I started this cycle the chemo leaked in my hand meaning I had to have hand surgery immediately to flush it out. My veins were non existent at this point and they fitted me with a picc line. I was then told that stem cell was an option and had to have a Hickman line fitted for this process. Once that was confirmed I then had a cycle of high dose chemo in preparation for the stem cell transplant. When a bed was free, the stem cell transplant started. 3 weeks of genuine hell. Finally after thinking all was over, scans showed that although my markers were normal there were still tumours inside in my groin and stomach. I was informed that i would have to have surgery. I underwent RPLND surgery to remove the remainder of what was left, losing a kidney in the process. A week after surgery i received a phone call from my brother informing me that his had spread and now he had to start chemotherapy. Luckily the amazing treatment we have today kept us alive and now we’re slowly getting back into work and sports and would like to raise awareness of testicular cancer. I have been left with quite bad neuropathy in my hands and legs, significant hearing loss, chronic pain, extreme fatigue and infertility, but I am here. I want to push myself to get fitter and prove that you can do anything you put your mind to whilst raising awareness and money towards an incredible cause.