Matt's shaving his hair off!

As some of you are aware, on the 9th September 2024 my incredible husband Matt was diagnosed with testicular cancer. At the time, we didn't know what to expect, or what journey we were about to begin.

Intense pain and swelling lead to a Sunday night trip to A&E. Blood tests and ultrasound scans meant that by the Monday afternoon we were told Matt had a cancerous mass.

What they don't tell you about testicular cancer, is that there is a higher risk of false results or metastasis if they take a biopsy. "we think it's cancer, but the only way to find out is to remove the testicle. There's no option, it must be removed."

So there we were, Matt's life started turning upside down. Just a month after our first wedding anniversary, a week after our IVF referral had been accepted, and 2 days after Matts 33rd birthday. What a present...and what happens now?

It all seemed so sudden and out the blue. Matt was thrown into the speed race of appointments, CT scans, more blood tests, sperm banking, zikka blood tests, pre-op assessments.

A new date was set for the op, 8th October. By now Matt couldn't drive, walk far and relied on daily pain relief. We were both counting down the days knowing it would provide some relief, but would also lead to more answers and a lot more questions.

In the two week wait for "operation womble (one-ball)" we found out that after years of trying, we had fallen pregnant! A little glimpse of light in our darkness.

Operation day arrived and we headed to the hospital. In true Matt fashion, it was 11am and he was already grumbling about being nil by mouth. Little did he know, he wouldn't be going under the knife until 4:30! I wasn't allowed to wait with Matt before his op. Cue pregnancy hormones! Thankfully, we both work with an amazing bunch of people and I headed to work to be surrounded by our work family. The support they have given both Matt and I has been unforgettable.

Matt sails through his op with flying colours and in record time. I get to the hospital, snacks and fluffy socks packed ready and get welcomed with a beaming smile and "have you got any food?" That's my Matt!

Recovery was slow and steady, but everything seemed to be going well. One week post op and we completed on our first home! Something to look forward to, and a project for Matt to focus on. Setting up bills, booking trades in, designing a nursery…

Everything sort of slowed down. We fell into the false sense of security that it was over until we met the oncology team.

Matt was diagnosed with a pure embryonal carcinoma, a rare, fast growing cancer that accounts for only 2% of all testicular cancers. By the time they operated, it had started spreading. We were told that without treatment, there is a 50% chance of the cancer returning or spreading further.

On Monday, Matt had a repeat CT scan, just over 2 months since his last one at the beginning of September. By Friday, the oncology team told us that the cancer had spread to a lymphnode behind his stomach and near his spine. Turns out this was the cause of the back ache he had been experiencing over the last few weeks, not all the bed rest.

On Monday, Matt will be starting BEP chemotherapy. His treatment will last a few months.

I said at the beginning that my husband is incredible. Anyone that knows him would agree that he has a heart of gold, and is a gentle giant. Well in true Matt style, of utter selflessness and finding a positive in the darkest of times, Matt has decided to donate his hair to the Princess Trust, a charity dedicated to providing wigs for young children who have lost their hair to disease or treatments.

Many of you will know how precious Matt is about his hair, all 24 inches of it! But rather than risk losing it through treatment, he wants to find a way it can help those in need. See, I told you he is incredible!

We may not do a big event, but for anyone that would like to donate to the cause, we have set up this page.

I have always been proud to call Matt my husband, and I count myself the luckiest person alive to have found such a genuine loving soul. He has been so brave through all of this.

Thank you for those that made it this far, and to everyone for the support, kindness, shoulders to cry on. They say it takes a village to raise a child, well it takes an army to fight cancer. And he will have an army behind him every step of the way.

Lili x