“Just before Christmas, a few months after marrying the love of my life, I was told I had cancer.”

What should have been the happiest time of Michael’s life, quickly turned into a nightmare. Only a few months after marrying the love of his life, with their 2-year-old son by their side, Michael was diagnosed with testicular cancer. With just a few weeks until Christmas, the Omagh man was left spiralling, panicked that this could be the last Christmas with his family at just 30 years old. 

Michael describes the moment he first noticed something wasn’t right. He said: “I first noticed a painful lump on my testicle around August 2023, only two months after I got married. I kept a close eye on the lump and realised it was growing and getting more painful. I started developing severe back and stomach pain and the growth was getting larger. The pain was unbearable, and I was terrified. I had no idea what was happening to me.”

After many trips to his GP and A&E, Michael was finally referred for a scan at Altnagelvin Hospital and was told he had a tumour. A radical orchiectomy further confirmed the unimaginable, and on 14^th December 2023 Michael received the phone call that changed his life: ‘you have cancer.’ Michael reflects on this time: “Everything became so uncertain. One moment we are planning our first Christmas as husband and wife, thinking of Santa presents for our son, to now dealing with the complete unknown.”

Michael attended his first oncology appointment in Belfast on the 2^nd January 2024, hand in hand with his wife and with support from his dad at the appointment, Michael’s consultant told him the news he was hoping for, that the cancer was curable. Things moved quickly from there and Michael started chemotherapy, and after nine gruelling weeks, rang the bell to signal the end of his treatment. 

He noted: “The chemotherapy was extremely difficultand the staff at Belfast City Hospital were first class,always taking the time to explain every aspect of my treatment and were always there for reassurance. I still had a major surgery ahead of me planned for May 2025 in London to remove my lymph nodes. This was one of the toughest parts of my cancer journey, having to leave my young son, and my wife was constantly back and forth between London and home. The support from Cancer Focus NI during this time for my whole family made this process that bit easier.”

Throughout all the unknown, Michael’s wife Emilyreached out to Cancer Focus NI, which turned out to be a game changer for the family. He said: “My wife contacted Lisa, and from that very first phone call, she offered us so much support. We felt like we weren’t alone.”

He continued: “My whole family have benefitted from the support of Cancer Focus NI. I can often find it difficult to talk about my feelings, but just to know there is someone there to talk to about my diagnosis or anything I was worried or nervous about, was so reassuring. My wife found counselling a huge benefit and even our now 4 year old son received support from Lisa to help explain why Daddy had to go away for surgery. I couldn’t imagine going through this journey without the support of Cancer Focus NI.”

Michael continues to recover from his surgery, noting the importance of his family and asking for help throughout his recovery. He said: “My family have been an incredible support. My wife, parents and in-laws were there with me through it all. Our son was like our light at the end of the tunnel, because of him I was able to get out of bed and be “happy Daddy” even if it was only for a few minutes. He always brought a smile to my face even when I was feeling so weak and unwell.”

He concluded: “I feel so grateful that my cancer was curable and that I’m here to see my little boy grow up and enjoy life with my wife. Cancer has changed who I am forever, I don’t think I will ever be the same carefree person I was, but I am determined to live life to the full and appreciate all the little things in life. I can’t thank Cancer Focus NI for the gift of support and would encourage anyone to support the charity this Christmas, and make a lasting difference to families just like mine.”

Give the Gift of Christmas this year to families just like the Sheridan’s, who are dealing with a devastating cancer diagnosis that impacts the whole family. Just £53 could pay for 1 hour of family support to a local family in need.