I Had A ‘Legitimate Cancer’

I am not a cancer survivor, but i have participated in Relay for Life for the past 5 years as a team captain. (My team is a small group of teenagers, so we raised as much money as we could, just trying to make a little difference.) this story is wonderful. I strongly encourage anyone to go check out their community's Relay, whether or not you are a survivor. It is such an eye opener and makes you feel so good for helping out in any way. It is a fantastic event.

Thank your mother for making you join the "Cancer Club". I am a breat cancer survivor and have for three years joined the Race for the Cure which raises money for breast cancer. My first one I felt very embarrased also and didn't want to wear the pink but like you said, it was an instant of awakening when I put it on. I no longer felt embarrased, rather I felt proud. Proud to survive, proud to share and proud to be a part of the cure...I hope.

I have been involved in Relay for Life for a number of years. My view is the Relay is in part for the SURVIVORS. You should be proud that you beat this horrible disease not embarassed. My husband felt the same as you, but he didn't even have all the treatments. He was lucking with skin cancer caught early any only had to have the (mole) removed. He has walked twice now in the event and I am sure he will do more with my persuasion.

Steve, what a beautiful story! I was laughing and crying at the same time, you are an inspiration even if you are wearing a purple shirt. My favorite aunt died of cancer a couple of years ago and her humor was just as uplifting as yours. I miss her. May God bless you and yours!

I am captaining a team for my local Relay for Life for the second tyear in a row in May 2009. I do this in memory of my mother who lost her fight with ovarian cancer 1 year ago tomorrow. Being a survivor is such a gift and participating in Relay is a wonderful way to celebrate life, remember those we've lost and raise awareness so other people don't suffer through what any of us have had to endure. Whether you are fighting the disease yourself or caring for someone in the fight or are one of those loved ones left behind Relay is great way to find hope and courage. Never be embarassed by cancer. Stand up to it! Be proud! And thank you for raising more awareness of this wonderful program by telling your story. Please everyone, get online and find your local Relay and support the fight to cure cancer!

Thank you, Steve Tuttle. You have lifted my spirit.

Thank you to Steve Tuttle. You have lifted my spirit.

In 1988 I discovered I had testicular cancer. I went through surgery and radiation. At the young age of 28 I thought I would breeze through the treatment - I went to work everyday after my radiation treatments trying to act as if nothing was wrong. The following year during a check-up another cancerous tumor was discovered on my remaining testicle. This time I felt like I had the wind knocked out me. Having testicular cancer twice is VERY rare! Back then there was no support groups, Lance Armstrong's or much literature regarding the cancer. Today I embrace the fact that I remain cancer free and encourage anyone fighting any disease to seek the support of friends and others. Just knowing that you are not alone makes a world of difference. Be it a cancer walk, a support group or speaking with another person who has expereienced the same thing will make all the difference.

I just love short stubborn mamas. They do make the world go 'round. And somehow, as we're traveling the terra firma, those short stubborn mamas know all the chances we need to take, and all the rules we need to break. Thanks for being, in the most lovely of fashions, a mama's boy.

Excellent story Steve. I walked in my first Relay last year . I am a stage 4 Melanoma survivor going on my second year with it in complete remission after going thru 6 months of IL2 treaments. Everyone in this country is affected or will be affected by Cancer in someway shape or form. The relay for life is a vital part of anyones recovery, It is truly life changing . Thanks for explaining it perfectly!!!

Mark W

Thanks for sharing Steve. I had the same cancer this spring, and so far my surveillance looks good. I must say, though, that I'm no fan of Lance Armstrong. Having read his book, I don't care for him as a person. Nor do I agree with his foundation's stance that we should destroy baby embryos in order to find cures. I would never sacrifice a baby to save my own life. I have started a website re: www.SurvivorsForLife.org to support cancer research w/o destroying embryos. Good luck on your surveillance.

Steve, What a wonderfully intimate story. I have never had cancer but have lost a close childhood friend from it when she was only 35 and a dear dear friend from ovarian cancer when she was only 54.
Cancer survivors are very special people and should stand tall for beating it, their loved ones and our lost loved ones.

Thanks for giving me hope!

"It was sort of like what a shy person like me might think going to hell would be like, only there you wouldn't have to wear purple t-shirts." I loved that line. It made me feel exactly the way you were feeling. My identical twin sister's husband is a testicular cancer survivor and if it did nothing else, it made him a much better person. He doesn't take anything for granted and cherishs his wife.

One of my proudest moments was watching my mom walk in her first Relay as a survivor. I was 4 months pregnant with her first grandson. The following year my family and I walked in her memory and in honor of her father, who is a 26 year survivor. Thank you for sharing a wonderful story and congratulations!

Thanks for sharing your story and being so genuine (and humorous) about it. I also survived testicular cancer, and I'm thankful to God for bringing me through it and hopefully helping others that have to deal with it. My first opportunity to share in detail was for a class of aspiring radiation therapists, and I plan on participating in Relay for Life later this fall. Thanks Steve!

One of my proudest moments was watching my mom walk in her first Relay as a survivor. I was 4 months pregnant with her grandson. The following December, her grandson and I walked in her memory. Congratulations on being a survivor and thank you for sharing a wonderful story.

My family and I have been participating since last year. My 8-year-old son looks forward to wearing the purple shirt and is thrilled to receive the medal that he proudly wears around his neck and shows off to family, friends and even strangers, as he declares victoriously that he beat cancer and is a survivor. He was 2 when diagnosed with leukemia, and is in remission.

thanks for sharing steve, my mom passed away a few years ago from cancer..we walked many walks, i was proud of her and how she handled it all. she always commented on how lucky she was to have had a great life, never felt sorry for herself..If cancer comes my way can i borrow your mom, i'd give her back! hug her often, you only get one....god bless and take care

What an wonderful story. I am a Mom of 2 sons and a breast cancer survior. Both of my sons didn't know how to act around me or what to say. They are technically adults, not boys. They just kept saying I would be fine and they were right. I know how hard it is for males to deal with cancer, it was hard enought on me. They couldn't comprehend me not being around. I was always the "strong" one in the family and if they admitted I had a problem, then what were they going to do.
I love your Mom. She sounds like me. I would do the exact same thing if it were one of my sons, but they would try to avoid me and and be embarased to let anyone know I was their Mom and making a big deal out of something they would want to keep provate. Don't ever keep cancer provate. Tell everyone you know and maybe someone will find a cure. Congrats!!!!!!