While most people dread chemo, I was oddly excited.
PUBLISHED April 03, 2018
Justin Birckbichler is a fourth grade teacher, testicular cancer survivor and the founder of aBallsySenseofTumor.com.
From being diagnosed in November 2016 at the age of 25, to finishing chemo in January 2017, to being cleared in remission in March, he has been passionate about sharing his story to spread awareness and promote open conversation about men's health.
Connect with him on Instagram @aballsysenseoftumor, on Twitter @absotTC, on Facebook or via email justin@aballsysenseoftumor.com.
One month and 18 days since my testicular cancer journey had begun in October 2016, the first day of chemo finally arrived. While most people dread chemo, I was oddly excited – partially because it meant that an end was in sight and also because I get weirdly fascinated with new experiences.
The first thing I had to do was to numb my port with a cream the oncologist gave me. If you're not familiar with the concept of a port, it's a medical device that was implanted in my chest. A thin membrane on the opening allows them to administer the chemo drugs or draw blood. A catheter runs from the opening of the port and into a vein. The whole purpose of having it is so I don't have to get stuck with a needle all 21 times I receive chemo. The port is on my upper right side of my chest and feels like a little bump. It's not so much painful as it is just bothersome. Essentially, it is something that was surgically implanted and connected to my heart to help keep me alive. That's right - I am Iron Man.
The first thing I had to do was to numb my port with a cream the oncologist gave me. If you're not familiar with the concept of a port, it's a medical device that was implanted in my chest. A thin membrane on the opening allows them to administer the chemo drugs or draw blood. A catheter runs from the opening of the port and into a vein. The whole purpose of having it is so I don't have to get stuck with a needle all 21 times I receive chemo. The port is on my upper right side of my chest and feels like a little bump. It's not so much painful as it is just bothersome. Essentially, it is something that was surgically implanted and connected to my heart to help keep me alive. That's right - I am Iron Man.
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