2018 - A Year of Life and Cancer

2018 has been a bittersweet year. In the space of a few months I found out I was having a baby and that I had cancer...

How could God give me such a beautiful gift then give me the disease that could rip it all apart. Thankfully I caught mine early! And my journey through cancer didn't impact the birth of my baby boy!

I found out I had testicular cancer in jan/feb 2018. I was living in New Zealand and nothing could touch me. I was living the dream! Great job, Great friends and two Great testicles... sadly that was all about to change. I was told I would lose one of my balls! So in good fashion I wrote a poem to express my feelings of the diagnosis. It was to be called "Ode to Thy Testicle." I don't know why I decided to write a poem as I never had before. One night in the bar we had our open Mic on. Some drunk American dude was on stage "trying" to do comedy! I sat at the edge of the bar sipping my rum and dry thinking please let this end... after a few more heckles and boos he announced he wouldn't leave an empty stage so someone had to get up... I don't know why I stood up and took that mic... but I did. And here's what came out my mouth:

Ode to Thy Testicle

So the day has come when I say goodbye to you

It will never be the same as it was always two

We've had our highs and we've had our lows

We've had good times and our fair few low blows

You've been there since birth always hanging out with me

Tom dick and Harry you were always number 3

Now Harry in times like this we need some humour

Its not everyday I find you carrying a Tumor

I've been to the docs and even a specialist

I've stayed sober even when I wanted to get pissed

Thursday coming you will see the knife

But for me it's a wake up call to life

The drinking will slow and the smoking is retired

I'm still thinking wether a prosthetic will be hired

So yeah thanks for being a good wee testie

And don't worry I'll look after your bestie

So goodbye and fairwell to you my friend

I'm so grateful for me it's not the end

The place erupted with cheers and applause... it was my way of telling everyone I was ok! I would be fine! At this point I didn't quite know how serious my situation was! That though is for next time! I have a book coming out with all my poems and all money raised will be given to the people who saved my life at the Beatsons Cancer Centre in Glasgow. Most of my poems are also on my insta :Itsacoreystory if you want a sneak peak.