Rub your nuts!
This is a public service announcement and reminder. Men: please make a habit of periodically feeling your testicles for new growths or lumps. Women: same for breasts. If you have close friends who can help you with the task, then it can even be fun. But please try to remember to check regularly. Once a month is good. And don’t think that you’re safe because you’re young. You’re not.
I bring this up because a one of my favorite people just got testicular cancer. I’m impressed but not surprised by my community’s reaction to the news — a hugely generous outpouring of support. An online support planning forum. Scheduled hang-outs and food delivery. The works.
For more information, the online Testicular Cancer Resource Center is fabulous. My friend is journaling his experience, themed as the uni-baller (pictured above). He writes both as a therapeutic measure for himself, and hopefully to provide support to others. It’s also chock full of TC humor. If you ever find yourself needing some orchiectomy jokes, read his blog. (Like this orchiectomy survivor theme song.) I hope y’all never do.
"Hang in there."
Leo is a professional geek who looks forward to the robots taking over. For more current, less coherent thoughts, follow him on twitter