A Father's Fight
Three months after surgery, Brett celebrated feeling better by going blueberry picking with his daughter Zoey.
I received my cancer diagnosis in August 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. I was diagnosed with stage 2B testicular cancer, a diagnosis that turned my world upside down. The fear and uncertainty of the pandemic were overwhelming enough, and the added burden of a cancer diagnosis only amplified my anxieties. My thoughts immediately turned to my daughter: What would happen to her if I didn’t survive? How would my family cope? What would happen to my job? Would everyone else be okay?
I knew something was wrong early in the year, but like many men, I delayed going to the doctor. By the time I realized I truly needed to see someone, the pandemic was in full swing, and most doctors weren’t seeing patients in person or accepting new ones. Getting a cancer diagnosis is stressful and scary enough without the seven months spent knowing something was really wrong in January to finally get a diagnosis in late August.
In October, I started chemotherapy. Due to the pandemic, I couldn’t have visitors during my treatments. The isolation was suffocating; the hours spent alone in the treatment center felt like an eternity. My usual support system of family and friends was reduced to phone calls and video chats, which, while comforting, couldn’t replace the warmth of having someone physically present.
The wonderful nurses and staff at Moffitt were a lifeline during this time. They not only cared for me medically but also took the time to get to know me, helping me stay mentally strong.
A testicular cancer diagnosis can be terrifying, anxiety-inducing, and even embarrassing for men.
Brett poses with his rescue dog Rosco
Testicular cancer is not openly and widely discussed like other cancers and going into my treatment I didn't know who I could talk to or lean on. The complex mix of emotions I went through from the time of my diagnosis through multiple surgeries, chemotherapy and finally months of recovery took a heavy toll on me.
Thankfully, like many who are diagnosed with testicular cancer, I survived. My hair, and most importantly, my beard grew back. My daughter didn’t lose her father, and I gained a greater perspective on life and what is truly important. Seeing the world through new eyes, I’m filled with gratitude for the daily chance to keep moving forward.
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This story was originally published in the PARTNERS newsletter. Visit Moffitt.org/PARTNERS for more stories and to learn more.