A man devastated at being told it would be 'virtually impossible' for him to have kids is now expecting his first child.
Oliver Roper-Browning - who works at The Christie - ended up losing a testicle after his cancer was initially dismissed as a cyst.
The 27-year-old, from Cheshire, first noticed a small lump 'no bigger than a grain of sand' when he was in the shower in April 2018.
Doctors told him it was most likely a cyst, but scans later revealed advanced cancer that had spread to Oliver’s lymph nodes.
His tumorous testicle was removed and he froze his sperm in the hope that he could one day become a father with his partner Stef Hall, 31.
Oliver underwent a successful course of chemotherapy and was told his cancer was in remission.
The couple had been told their chances of conception were slim, but decided to apply for a course of IVF treatment.
Despite the odds, the IVF was successful on the first attempt.
“It was devastating to be told we couldn't have children naturally,” Oliver said.
“I did a sperm freeze and did a test after chemo and they told me it would be virtually impossible for me to have children.
“We have been in a great relationship and we were at the stage where we were ready to have children.
“I was devastated that I couldn't give the person I love something we both wanted and what most people can give their partner. I felt like I was letting her down.
“We did a pregnancy test and it came back positive. I almost didn't believe it at first.
“We had an ultrasound scan and there was definitely a baby there.
“It was up there with being told I was in remission. It was fantastic to give her something that she has always wanted.”
After first noticing the lump on his testicle and speaking to a doctor in April 2018, Oliver, from Warrington, took himself to A&E when the pain became unbearable.
Doctors referred him for an urgent ultrasound scan and he was diagnosed with cancer in his testicle and lymph nodes.
He underwent surgery to remove his testicle, followed by nine weeks of chemotherapy treatment at the Clatterbridge Hospital, in Liverpool.
Oliver added: “When I was told I had cancer it felt like the biggest kick in the face.
"The doctors started talking about things like chemotherapy, hair loss and infertility – and it was just so overwhelming and hard to take everything in.
"I was in the prime of my life and couldn’t help thinking ‘why me?’"
After beating cancer, Oliver and Stef tried for a baby this summer through IVF and were over the moon to be told it had been successful.
The couple are expecting a daughter in March.
Oliver added: "For most people 2020 has been a terrible year but for us it has been probably the best year because we had the best news ever.
“And 2021 will be even better because we become parents.
"We started the IVF in June and we found out at the end of that month.
"I've always wanted to have children. When the cancer happened, being told that I might not have children was the worst bit.
"We can look forward to becoming parents. I'm quite handy at DIY, so we've got a room ready and we just can't wait now."
Oliver quit his job in IT to become a support assistant at specialist cancer hospital The Christie in Manchester where he works with radiotherapy patients.
And now he is urging people to support Cancer Research UK which has been forced to slash £45 million from its research budget.
This comes on top of £44 million of cuts that were made to the charity’s current grants at the start of the pandemic, as well as not being able to fund any new clinical trials this year.
Oliver added: “Having cancer took a lot out of me both mentally and physically and was one of the toughest times of my life.
"There were days when I hit rock bottom as my appearance changed dramatically and I lost a lot of weight. At times I didn’t even recognise myself in the mirror.
“But thankfully the treatment worked and I’m here to tell the tale and will always be extremely grateful for that.
“After going through cancer treatment, I wanted to do something to give back and applied for the role helping cancer patients prepare for proton beam radiotherapy.
"Every day I get to share my own experiences of cancer and help those patients who are going through it now.
"It’s distressing to think the progress that could help more people like me survive cancer in the future is being delayed because of the effects of the pandemic."
Anna Taylor, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the North West, said: “The truth is, COVID-19 has slowed us down.
"But we will never stop. One in two people will get cancer in their lifetime, which is why we are absolutely determined to continue to create better cancer treatments for tomorrow."
Visit cruk.org/give to donate to Cancer Research UK.
