Monday, December 2, 2013

Why I Love Prickly Upper Lip Kisses

     December is here!  In some cases this means that Movember or No Shave November is over.  I not only endured  several prickly kisses from my husband during this past month, I relished them.  However, I know that wasn't the case with a lot of my other friends.  Hairy lips were heckled and harangued all over the place!  My advice to ladies: Let it grow! 

     The Movember movement is relatively new, having its beginning around 2006.  It was founded in Australia by some gentlemen who began it in fun but ended up funding a movement to bring awareness to men's health.  Women's cancers, especially breast cancer have found increasing awareness and public education.  Men's cancers not as much.

     Why is this important to me?  Some of you know of my husband's battle with testicular cancer in 2006.  At the time of his diagnosis he was 27 years old.  We sat in the urologist's office completely unaware.  Our newborn son sat in his carrier sleeping peacefully.  We were there for test results which we expected to be something insignificant.  Instead we hear Allen's doctor bellow down the hallway "Does he know he has cancer?"  We turned toward one another in horror, half hoping he was yelling about another patient.  But no, he brusquely banged his way into the room plopped his 300 plus pound frame on top of his desk so his feet were swinging ridiculously back and forth and announced unceremoniously, "Mr. Tanner you have cancer". 

     So that's how life changed.  When you hear people say "in an instant" you can't fully comprehend what it means until you've had one of those "in an instant" moments. It was like we had stepped into a nightmare.

     We held hands tightly as this buffoon continued to earn first place for worst doctor of the year.  "It's good you have a child because you'll never have anymore.  We have you scheduled for surgery in 45 minutes.  We've already pre-registered you so you'll just need to head over to the hospital and take your registration form."

     After we returned home from the surgery I had an intense desire to find out what I could about this life altering disease. So my research ensued.
    
 Countless young men had fallen victim to this cancer that both of us had never heard of.  Not only that, the highest percentage of these young men were teenagers.  Baby faced boys who had not even graduated high school.  And their lives were snuffed out before they had a chance to figure out what was really wrong with them.  Testicular cancer is more common in young men with the majority of the victims falling between the ages of 15-40.  But no one was talking about this cancer to young men.  Most doctors weren't encouraging these young guys to check themselves.  The misconception was that they were too young to be affected by this disease. 

     I found an online forum for victims, survivors, and loved ones of individuals with testicular cancer and read it voraciously.  There were moms on this forum that had lost their young sons to this disease.  The stories were so similar and usually had a phrase similar to "he was too embarrassed to get it checked out." 

    Testicular cancer is highly curable if found early enough. But embarrassment has proven to be the nemesis of cure.  I had a horrible time getting Allen to the doctor when he began experiencing symptoms.  I know it's not a comfortable thing to talk about.  I know it's not a comfortable thing to have yourself subjected to intimate examination.

     Breast cancer awareness is everywhere with a tiny pink mascot heralding it's movement.  My mother was a victim of breast cancer and this awareness movement holds a big place in my heart.  Can we get that much awareness for men's cancers? 

     So having my husband growing a ridiculous moustache in November doesn't make me balk one  bit.  You grow that thing baby!  More than just No Shave November, this is a movement whose time has come.  Check yourself, guys.  Educate your young men. Learn what's normal and what's not.   Read more about Movember the movement.  Read more about  men's cancers. If I was more technologically inclined I'd post a link to the Ted talk from the Movember founder.  But you'll just have to google it for yourself.    

     For the reader who may not know the rest of our story: Allen has been in remission for six years.  His tumor was a stage 2C seminoma.  And as for that rude doctor and his proclamation that we would never be able to have any more children, he  may still just be surprised.  According to a fertility specialist, Allen is completely capable of having more children!  That's totally a God thing and worthy of its very own dedicated post.

 
     Yes, it's December and the moustaches are gone.  Be thankful for the healthy men in your life.  Ridiculous facial hair and all.