Remission Doesn't Mean Back to Normal

Physically, I was on an upswing, but emotionally, things weren't looking great.

BY Justin Birckbichler

PUBLISHED April 10, 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.

Oct. 26: I was told I most likely had cancer.
Nov. 2: The cancer was confirmed.
Nov. 7: I was told the cancer was stage 2.
Nov. 28: I began chemo.
Jan. 30: Chemo was completed.

March 2: the day I was told I was in remission.

On this day, I met with my oncologist, Dr. Maurer, to go over the results of my most recent CT scan. He began by pulling up my scans from November and comparing them to the scan from Saturday, Feb. 25. I am not a doctor, but even I could see that things had vastly improved.

"Robin's egg-sized tumors” that lined my spine in November were now small specks. (These specks are normal-sized lymph nodes.) My scans were clear. I was officially on the road to being cancer-free. (No word on when I get my official monogrammed "Cancer Survivor" letterman's jacket. That's a thing, right?)

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