Randy Herring - 3-time TC Survivor Shares His Story
“One should be happy at the thought of the others, comparing one’s life with that of those who are faring worse, and should congratulate oneself when one thinks of what they are suffering, and how much better one is doing and living than they are.”
Randy Herring has been a fitness coach since 1999, philosopher instructor since 2013, and writer since 1989. His first book, The Fitness Mindset, was published in 2021. His philosophy book, Existential Essays, is forthcoming this year in 2024.
Randy is a 3-time testicular cancer survivor. Rewind 12 years to 2009. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer. His left testicle was removed. Fast forward 10 years to 2019. Randy was struck down with a second recurrence of testicular cancer. His right testicle removed and underwent 1 bag of chemotherapy. At this time, since Randy had no testosterone, he had to undergo testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Randy gives himself an injection every week. During this time, he had his regular CT scan follow-ups.
But in October 2021, a large mass was revealed in the back of Randy's abdominal cavity. His heart sank. He was struck down with a third recurrence of testicular cancer. Randy underwent 40 bags of chemotherapy in 10 weeks following a one week on, and two weeks off regimen. He continued to exercise when and as he could.
Then Randy had to deal with the side effects of chemotherapy: (1) an enlarged prostate (because of this, his doctor took him off TRT temporarily for 4-6 months), (2) blood clots, (3) decreased oxygen blood levels, (4) estrogen regulating his body, (5) fat gain around the belly (due to estrogen), and (6) multiple hot and cold flashes throughout the day (due to estrogen and no testosterone, i.e., TRT).
Randy had to adjust his training variables to accommodate this change and exercise nearly every day to counteract this unwanted change to stay on the path.
When Randy thinks about his own life and health challenges he thinks about the words of the Greek philosopher Democritus, “One should be happy at the thought of the others, comparing one’s life with that of those who are faring worse, and should congratulate oneself when one thinks of what they are suffering, and how much better one is doing and living than they are.”