Graham’s Story

When I was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer, I was a little shocked and lost. I didn’t know where to turn to get some information and support. The medical staff gave me all the information about courses of treatment and what could happen and would happen, and by the end of it my head was spinning so I didn’t know which way was up. It’s in the Bag put me in touch with men who had been through all the treatment and come out the other side. This was so important as it showed me that there was light at the end of the tunnel.

 

It’s in the Bag also supported my wife and family through my cancer journey. When you get diagnosed you become very self-centred as everything is focused on you, and you forget how much it impacts on those close to you. My wife was fortunate to go on a day organised by It’s in the Bag, where she got the chance to talk to other wives, girlfriends and mothers who were in the same boat she was. This allowed her to build a network of support with people who could relate to what she was going through.

 

It’s in the Bag helped me rebuild myself after my treatment, as going through the journey robbed me of a lot of who I was. I lost confidence, gained weight, and it felt like I forgot who I was before cancer. Through the support of It’s in the Bag, I have been slowly finding myself, rebuilding who I was, with improvements, and making me a better person. The It’s in the Banter events played a huge part in that, making me feel like a “normal” man, doing normal things with people who can appreciate how you are feeling, and also understand what you have been thorough. I made some really good friends and became part of a club because  we share a common thing – we survived cancer.

 

Without It’s in the Bag, I would still be cancer free, but I would not be the person I am now. I feel I would still be broken. It’s in the Bag’s support has been invaluable in making me, me again.