We're tumor buddies!

I had a tumor removed in 2013. It was on the back of my jaw on my salivatory gland and it was about the size of a ping pong ball. I had it checked out before, and was told it was just a swollen gland.... Nothing to worry about. Well it got bigger when. I got back from Afghanistan, and people kept asking me "what's that on the side of your face?" So I decided to get it checked out.

"Well it's definitely a tumor. Whether or not it's cancer, well we will have to do some tests."

I thought I was going to pass out. I didn't know what to do. Cancer? A tumor? I'm only 24. What the fuck?

Couple this with the fact that my grandmother had over 50 surgeries from when she was thirteen until when she died in her 70s, my mom had breast cancer, and my aunt had breast cancer, and needless to say I was freaking the fuck out.

Well after the longest two weeks of my life, a time where no matter what you're doing, who you're with, whether you're laughing, chatting, smiling or whatever, "hey you might have cancer" is always popping into your head, after that long ass two weeks, I found out it wasn't cancer.

And thank god or whoever, because that cancer that I could've had has a very very low survival rate. (Roger Ebert died of it.)

I'm here for you buddy! I know first hand how it feels. The sinking feeling you feel all the time, the dread, all of it.

The good news for you is that testicular cancer is VERY survivable. Even in the latest stages, the survival rates are something like 70-80%!

I know this doesn't make you feel completely better, but just know that we will get through this brother!