From Courts to Recovery: Mark’s Story of Strength and Survival

My cancer journey started when I was doing one of the things I loved most: playing basketball at a competitive level. By day, I was a professional tree climber who loved the thrill of working high in the canopy. At night, I chased the dream of making it to the next level of professional basketball.

A Life-Saving Decision

During a game one night, I took a hard hit to the groin, an injury often referred to as being “racked,” and experienced extreme pain and swelling. It was far more intense than any typical injury I had overcome during my athletic career. After a day of rapid swelling, I made what turned out to be a life-saving decision: I went to see my doctor.

My physician performed an initial check and left the room, only to return minutes later with an appointment for me to see a urologist the next day. He did not provide many details, only stating that my condition required a higher level of examination from one of the best specialists in the city.

The Diagnosis

The next day, I was seen by the urologist exactly at my scheduled time. After a very brief examination, the doctor’s tone was urgent. He scheduled testing for that same day and surgery for that Friday. “You have testicular cancer,” he told me. I received that news on my 30th birthday. My primary doctor visit was Tuesday, the specialist was Wednesday, and my surgery was Friday. My head was spinning.

My initial reaction was total shock and anger. The doctor explained the aggressive nature of this disease and the absolute necessity of acting quickly.

The Path Through Treatment

The surgery was successful, but the pathology found several aggressive forms of cancer. It had already spread to my lymph nodes and my lungs. My recovery from surgery was followed immediately by a schedule of at least six rounds of intensive chemotherapy.

I do not need to go into great detail for you to understand what heavy chemotherapy does to a person physically, mentally, and spiritually. By the sixth round, I truly did not know if I could endure any more.

Throughout this process, the support of the oncology doctors and nurses was amazing.
From the first treatment, when I was given an experimental anti-nausea drug, to the final rounds when I was at my lowest, there was constant encouragement and prayer.  There was love, prayers, and belief that ‘we’ will do this together.

Finding a Community to THRIVE!

Finding ThriveWell Cancer Foundation has been an amazing experience as I continue my recovery.

I am inspired by the other survivors I have met and shared time with.

There are so many opportunities to participate in activities that keep me on the path toward a healthy and balanced life. ThriveWell provides free classes, support activities, and useful information to keep me fit and engaged. I especially enjoy the recipes that are shared, and it is my goal to attend a wide variety of the many classes.

Thank you ThriveWell for everything you do to make our lives better in recovery!!!

Mark Bird
Survivor and ThriveWell Cancer Foundation Dude