I’m not on a crusade here or anything, but I read a horrible story this evening while browsing around the internet. I’m sharing it below:<\/p>\n
A teenager waited an agonising eight months before finding the courage to mention he had found a lump – and died of testicular cancer just two weeks later.<\/p>\n
Now the heartbroken of family of Michael Rushby, known as Mikey, has urged young men to check themselves after the death of the much-loved 16-year-old.<\/p>\n
His mother Patricia, 52, said today: ‘He was my baby. I loved him to pieces. I want other young people to know what we have gone through. I wouldn’t want any family to go through what we have.’<\/p>\n
Mikey, the youngest of six brothers and sisters, was having a drink with older brother John, 22, at the family home on April 17 when he finally spoke up.<\/p>\n
‘He said he had a problem and showed me one of his testicles,’ said John.<\/p>\n
‘The lump was obvious so I took him straight to A&E. The doctor said just by looking at it there was an 80 per cent chance it was cancer.’<\/p>\n
Mikey, of Grangetown, Teesside, went home for the night and went back to Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital the next day for tests.<\/p>\n
Testicular cancer was diagnosed and it was also found the cancer had spread to his abdomen and chest. He was then transferred to Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary for treatment.<\/p>\n
Despite the eight-month delay in diagnosis, Mikey was still given a 75 per cent chance of beating the disease.<\/p>\n
He had a week of chemotherapy and was allowed to go home on Friday, April 26 at his own request<\/p>\n
He was due back at the hospital on Monday April 29 and had got himself up, had a bath, and was heading down the stairs when he lost his strength and collapsed four steps from the bottom.<\/p>\n
He was taken by ambulance to James Cook hospital, where he died later that day, it is believed from an infection.<\/p>\n
His mother said: ‘I think he knew himself he was dying. He was adamant about coming home and he never complained.<\/p>\n
‘I want to say to anyone who ever thinks they might have a problem, go to your mam, go to your dad, go to someone. Mikey could have come to his mum – I wouldn’t have been embarrassed.’<\/p>\n
Mikey is survived by his father Michael Rushby, 61, his sisters Lisa, 30, Jacqueline, 27, Michelle, 26, and Leanne, 21, and his six nieces and nephews.<\/p>\n
They described him as a ‘little charmer’ who would always play jokes on people and had nicknames for everyone.<\/p>\n
Jacqueline said: ‘Words can’t describe how much he will be missed. The house is so different, so quiet.’<\/p>\n
His brother John said: ‘He will never be replaced. He wasn’t just a brother, he was a mate as well. A best mate.’<\/p>\n
An inquest into his death has been opened and adjourned at Teesside Coroner’s Court.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Please make sure you check your testicles regularly.<\/p>\n