I usually tick the "for members" bit on my blogs, but this one is something I think that the more people read it, the better; hence the "for anyone" tag this time.

Ive been in Poland for a wee while now, and I just got back last night. Whilst I was there, the scariest thing in my life, without question, took place.

Normal day, woke up, scratched my arse, and lit a fag. Took out my washkit, filled the bowl and cracked on with my morning routine. Whilst washing down below, my gentlemans area, I noticed a lump on the side of one of my balls. At first I thought, nah, its nothing. Then I payed it a little more attention, and thought shit, I need this seeing to! I went to speak to my medical officer, who, after checking himself, agreed that this was something which could not be ignored.
Obviously, my mind was going through every possible scenario at thisa time, but I kept coming back to the same one- this must be testicular cancer.
I ended up going to another, more senior military doc, who referred me to Walcz hospital for ultrasound scans. I had them done in the morning, along with blood tests, and then was told to wait whilst they assessed the results.
Shitting it is a total understatement to my condition at this time.
Matters werent helped when, in broken English, I was informed that I was to be kept in overnight for more tests and observations. Sitting on a hospital bed in the pyjamas, in a foreign country, with no better understanding of what was going on, its the first time since I had my appendix out I can remember really, really crying.

A doctor came back to see me, and gave me the news that I had two seperate growths, both cysts, and neither of them cancerous. Relieved? What the fuck do you think! Cue another private crying session...

Im now getting antibiotic treatment, and all should be sorted within 2 weeks, going well. Chuffed.

I havent written this looking for sympathy, I know where to find that (in the dictionary between Shit and Syphillis, in case you wonder), I am writing this to encourage every man on this site to take a few seconds to have a quick check after reading this. Likewise ladies, TELL the man in your life to do so.
Most importantly, if you do find something,
GET IT FUCKING WELL CHECKED OUT - IT WONT SORT ITSELF

I used to think, as Im sure many of you do, that only happens to other people. Ive realised now that its just not that simple. Lets face it- you are one of the other people that I used to talk about.

Have a check lads, just in case.

PS= To the guys I was chatting to on the phone whilst in hospital, thanks. You really helped lift my spirits up. You know who you are, so pat yourselves on the back for being good "real" friends to me, it is really appreciated.