Michael Sheridan (30), from Co Tyrone, had tied the knot with his wife two months before he noticed a lump on his testicle in 2023.
The father-of-one immediately knew something wasn’t right as he began to suffer from “unbearable” stomach and back pain, while the lump continued to grow.
However, it would be months before medics recognised the severity of the issue.
“I got a check and was panned off quite a few times, they said that it was nothing to worry about,” Michael told the Belfast Telegraph.
Freddie, Michael and Emily
“I just kept going back to different places and then, eventually, one night in the South West Acute Hospital up in Enniskillen, they finally took me seriously.”
The Omagh man received confirmation of the diagnosis over the phone on December 14 2023, changing the course of his life for the next two years.
“Everything became so uncertain,” he recalled. “One moment we are planning our first Christmas as husband and wife, thinking of Santa presents for our son, to now dealing with the complete unknown.”
A rapid chain of events was triggered to combat the tumour, with Michael being called to attend his first oncology appointment a short time later.
Michael received his diagnosis months after getting married
At the appointment, he received the positive news that the cancer was treatable.
But to be cured, the then-28-year-old would have to go through “extremely intense” bouts of chemotherapy, all the while navigating a new marriage and caring for a two-year-old child.
“The chemotherapy was extremely difficult and the staff at Belfast City Hospital were first class, always taking the time to explain every aspect of my treatment.
“I still had a major surgery ahead of me planned for May 2025 in London to remove my lymph nodes.”
He added: “The recovery is brutal — [chemotherapy], it’s extremely intense.”
Michael recalls the cancer treatment being ‘extremely intense’
Firefighters at scene of serious house fire in Bangor
The surgery and subsequent check-ups took him away from his family for quite some time and was “one of the toughest parts” of the experience.
Following the operation, Michael expects to make a full recovery and has returned to work as well as regular football sessions, where he plays for Omagh Town.
He’s now looking forward to celebrating Christmas with “no clouds” for the first time in over two years.
Michael also offered advice to anyone who faces a cancer diagnosis – his top tip is to “reach out to the support network around you.” He added: “If anyone’s offering you help, accept it. You will need help along the way.
“My whole family have benefited from the support of Cancer Focus NI.
“I can often find it difficult to talk about my feelings, but just to know there is someone there to talk to about my diagnosis or anything I was worried or nervous about, was so reassuring.
“My wife found counselling a huge benefit and even our now-four-year-old son received support from Lisa to help explain why Daddy had to go away for surgery.”