A REAL BALLBUSTER: Untangling Testicular Cancer Together by Julie B. Hughes
Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation loves being able to support our testicular cancer community any way that we are able to. This week’s blog is written by author, Julie Hughes. This is an excerpt from her recently released book, A REAL BALLBUSTER: Untangling Testicular Cancer Together, re-written in third person for our blog. Be sure to head on over to her website and purchase a copy for yourself to hear the rest of the story.
“If you are walking this dark road, we pray our story gives you courage, hope, and a light. You are not alone.”
Julie imagined her and her family at mile 24 of Jeff’s chemotherapy treatments. They were almost to the finish! They were so close. Her children were missing their dad. She was missing her husband.
She hears, “He’s always on the couch, he’s got chemo (oops, they think it’s chemo and not cancer) and all he does is sleep.”
Sigh…all of this was true.
Julie’s gentle reminder to her children, “This is temporary. This will end. There is light at the end of the tunnel.”
Then an idea came to her. What timing.
“Hey, let's plan a party.”
Oh, they loved hearing this. Their daughter Delaney got out her notebook and started making a list of what they needed. Balloons, snacks, music…
It turned the entire mood around as they gathered in the kitchen to plan the celebration—Jeff enduring four rounds of chemotherapy. Julie found a cardboard sign in the closet and Brindsley ran to grab the markers.
“Let’s make a sign for Dad.” They smiled in agreement as they all got to work.
Brindsley worked on one side and Delaney on the other. Julie stood back for a moment thankful this was all it took to change the direction of the day.
They laughed as they looked at the finished product. Brindsley added his stuffed animal remarks to the poster board. “Jeff-Jeff (his stuffed animal dog) had been cheering you on the moment you started chemo!” and “Simba knew you could do it!” Delaney drew hearts and stars on her side with the words “The legend, the myth, Dad!” and “You are the best Dad ever!”
Julie was filled with joy reading what they came up with. The last time they made a sign was for her crossing The Boston Marathon finish line. Today, they made a sign for Dad crossing his personal marathon, finishing four rounds of chemotherapy.
Delaney hid the sign in her closet and Julie mentioned she would be in charge of the balloons. They smiled.
When Julie looked at the calendar for the week ahead, she saw Jeff added something. On May 9th, 2022, he wrote “Last day of chemo B—es!!” Jeff’s last chemotherapy treatment. Hallelujah! Julie was not going to miss the drive to and from his treatments. She was happy this was it for a while— a break.
She decided to get the balloons that morning after she dropped him off. He had no idea what they had planned. Balloons, a homemade sign, and some treats. They were going to celebrate.
Julie stepped into the Dollar Store surprised by how busy it was. She waited in line to order the balloons. She wanted to get a big bunch of them. When it was her turn, she told the cashier how many balloons she wanted. The woman paused and mentioned, “You should have ordered ahead of time.”
Julie was embarrassed. She didn’t think to call ahead. She told the cashier she would come back as she looked behind her to see a line, four deep.
The cashier replied, “No, no, it is fine.” Though Julie felt it wasn’t.
As she waited in line for her over-the-top order of balloons the woman behind her asked, “Are you having a party.”
Julie turned to her and smiled, “Yes, we are celebrating my husband's last day of chemotherapy treatment. My kids and I thought lots of balloons would help.”
When the words came out, the last day of chemotherapy, tears did too. She didn’t hold them back like so many times during this challenge. She let them come as she stood there in line. The four women behind her didn’t say a word.
Julie felt a sense of space being offered to her. She didn’t know how to explain it other than she knew God was with her. She felt safe. The lady who asked was kind and wished Julie and her family well. Julie stood in line tears on her cheeks as she watched the cashier blow up each balloon.
She took a deep breath, smiled, and thanked everyone for their patience. She was the reason for the hold-up as she gathered the balloons. Julie walked out feeling a little bit lighter. The red, blue, and orange balloons shined in the sun as she gently placed them in her car. They made it four rounds!
Deep breath.
She put her seatbelt on and started the car. They made it through this storm and she believed they would come out the other side wiser, stronger, and kinder.
It’s Your Move
During Jeff’s health crisis, Julie became very aware of her body’s niggles and discomforts. She recognized the importance of movement to relieve stress, calm her nervous system, and boost her spirits. At the end of each chapter, you will find a section titled— It’s Your Move. A movement will be listed with the link to Julie’s YouTube channel. Here you will find a playlist with her demonstrating each movement along with a description.
These are some of her favorite exercises and stretches for getting her body moving, even during hard times. Movement provides renewed energy and optimism. It helps uplift us emotionally and physically.
Try out the movements in Julie’s videos. Take what you find helpful and leave the rest. Keeping our bodies active can be an important act of self-care. Julie hopes these exercises provide a positive outlet for you like they did for her.
“If you are walking this dark road, we pray our story gives you courage, hope, and a light. You are not alone.” — Julie B. Hughes
To Connect with Julie:
Website: www.juliebhughes.com
Run to Write on Substack: https://juliebhughes.substack.com
Youtube: ‘It’s Your Move’ Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@juliebhughes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliebhughes