On September 16, 2011 Richard Hernandez was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Four months later, on January 24, 2012 Keith Hernandez, Richard’s younger brother by birth and fellow Marine Corp brother was also diagnosed with testicular cancer. (The most common cancer to hit men between the ages of 15-35)
Keith and Richard in Kuwait2008. Keith leaving Iraq Richard entering!
About Richard and Keith:
Richard (Dec. 2005-2009) and Keith (Aug. 2005-2009) served our country as United States Marines. During their four years of service, they deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Now both brothers are fighting another battle. This time the enemy is cancer, testicular cancer.
In Richard’s own words, “I must prepare for my third deployment. An enemy has invaded my body and I must prepare for war.” Being a US Marine, has allowed Richard to draw from his military experience to prepare mentally, physically and spiritually. Now his brother Keith must fight this same enemy.
Richard Chemo Treatment Seattle VA Hospital 10/19/2011
Richard’s chemo treatment where from Sept. 26th thru Nov. 25th 2011.
Keith Chemo treatment VA hospital Seattle WA 4/04/2012
Keith’s chemo treatment Feb. 23rd thru Apr. 24th 2012
How does this happen two brothers at basically the same time?
This is a question we can’t answer at this time. The doctor said he’s never seen or heard of this before. There is no family history of testicular cancer. There is only one in every 3000 men that are ever diagnosed with testicular cancer and for two brothers to get it at basically the same time is essentially unheard of. But there does seem to be an increase in the men serving in Iraq being diagnosed but there’s not a lot of information out about it at this time. Just like Agent Orange, sometimes it takes years of research and data before anything definite can be determined. But that’s not what’s important at this time. We have a battle to fight!
TESTICULAR CANCER AWARENESS
Testicular cancer: the most common cancer to hit men between the ages of 15-35
Richard hopes to spread the word so other men can detect testicular cancer sooner. “If I get one person to go to the doctor one week sooner, then I’ll be happy.” Richard said.
Symptoms to look for:
- Lump, swelling, or enlargement in the testicle
- Pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum
- An ache in the lower abdomen, back or groin
Please note you do NOT have to have ALL these symptons. Richard had no pain or discomfort. It is important to check for any signs of testicular cancer regularly.
2 Corinthians 4: 17-18
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweights them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the trouble we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.