Survivor Spotlight: Nathaneal Saucier

Hello, my name is Nathaneal Saucier. I’m a survivor myself and have been cancer-free ever since I was 22. I’m 28 now, so it’s been six years since I was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

I had it surgically removed, and now I have one testicle. It was a hard experience to go through, of course, but after treatment, you take it day by day. Luckily, I caught it before my testicle became any bigger — my ex-girlfriend was actually the one who noticed something was wrong. I went in, got the bad news, and was told it needed to be removed.

Once I healed, I went back to work and never really told anyone what had actually happened. My father thought it would be fun to make fun of me for it. I cut ties with that man — don’t let people like that get to you. He’s not a real man in my eyes.

It takes a real man to say, “Hey, one of my testicles is bigger than the other. I should check it out.” Usually, one testicle is slightly bigger than the other, but when it reaches a size that it shouldn’t, that’s when you need to get it checked. Mine grew very quickly — within just a couple of months. It all happened so fast that it even started affecting my relationship with my ex-girlfriend at the time due to sexual performance and other issues.

But here I am, typing this story. I could’ve died at 22, yet every day I wake up grateful and blessed to walk this earth.

If you’ve been recently diagnosed, you are not alone. There are men out there, like me, who have been through it. Things do get better. With God’s healing and the care you receive, you can make it.

I won’t lie — it will hurt your pride a bit, because that’s an important part of a man’s body. If you need to tell someone, make sure it’s someone you trust. That’s the first step of the experience. If you keep it all in, you’ll hurt yourself even more. You’ll have to set aside your pride and ego and say, “Hey, I’m sick. I have a lump in one of my testicles. I’m worried.”

Getting it off your chest is the hardest part, because it makes it real. But you won’t face this alone. I’m glad I found a community of men who have experienced the same thing.

I want men to know that it’s okay. You’ll cry, and you’ll have nights where you sit alone asking, “Why me?” as you face the reality of cancer inside you. But you are a lot stronger than you think. Take care of yourself and get the right treatment — that’s what I did.

Always check the boys for any lumps. Stay strong, brother. You’re about to fight a battle that feels impossible, but like I said earlier: here I am, typing this letter to any man who has experienced the same pain.

Much love and care,
Nate