The following article was taken from a speech I gave at Penn State University’s “Relay for Life” Cancer Foundation benefit on April 9, 2070. It was 9:00 a.m. on April 3, 2009. I was healthy., Or so I thought. By lunchtime, I was not healthy. The roller coaster of life was about to take some major turns. I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. The doctor gave me an interesting perspective when he said, “if you have to have cancer, testicular cancer is a good one to have. lt is virtually one hundred percent curable.” On one hand, I felt extremely fortunate and relieved of the prognosis. However, on the other hand, I was shocked. I had the BIG “C.” Several thoughts ran through my head: “Oh my God! This can’t be happening to me.” “l never get sick.” “No one in my family has had it.” “why me?”
Then I felt guilty for feeling sorry for myself. I tried to “motivational speaker” myself into sucking it up and dealing with it.”