His cancer was producing clots, which usually would have lodged in his lungs; however, medical professionals discovered what Ford called \u201cthe worst hat trick ever;\u201d he had a condition called patent foramen ovale (PFO).<\/p>\n
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Ryan before his orchiectomy, the surgery where he had to have one testicle removed.<\/p>\n
Affecting 1 in 4 people, often unknowingly and without symptoms, PFO is a small hole between the heart’s upper right and left chambers. This hole lets blood flow between the atria. According to the American Heart Association, PFOs are normal before birth and usually close once a newborn takes their first breath. Even for individuals whose foramen ovale flap never closes, \u201cyour body just deals with it and people can go about their lives without ever knowing, as I had,\u201d explained Ford.<\/p>\n
\u201cExcept, my lower half was throwing clots, and they went up through the heart and crossed over into my brain. That\u2019s what caused the stroke.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ryan receiving chemotherapy.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Frank Cackowski, M.D., Ph.D.<\/p>\n
After his testicular cancer diagnosis, Ford was transferred to Karmanos Cancer Center<\/a> in Detroit. Further testing indicated that Ford\u2019s cancer had spread to one lymph node behind his abdominal organs. Under the care of Frank Cackowski, M.D., Ph.D.<\/a>, medical oncologist and member of the Genitourinary Oncology Multidisciplinary Team<\/a> at Karmanos, Ford underwent three rounds of bleomycin, etoposide and platinum (BEP) chemotherapy. BEP chemotherapy is a combination of three drugs, commonly used for the treatment of testicular cancer that has spread outside the testicle.<\/p>\n \u201cFor testicular cancer, medicines are traditional chemotherapy drugs,\u201d said Dr. Cackowski. \u201cTesticular cancer is very sensitive to chemotherapy drugs, and we can cure this disease with these therapies – even in advanced stages. Every person diagnosed with testicular cancer has a chance of a cure.\u201d<\/p>\n Though Ford could not finish watching the game the day of his stroke, the Tigers won the opener 1-0, and swept the series. Ford\u2019s chemotherapy treatments concluded just as the Tigers were wrapping up one of their best seasons with an 86-76 record. With just eight weeks left of the Tigers’ 2024 baseball season, Ford waited to hear how his future in sports writing would look. It was any Detroit sports fan\u2019s dream: the Tigers won a playoff series for the first time in 11 years, and Ford was there to experience it.\u00a0<\/p>\n Since August 2024, there has been no evidence of testicular cancer in Ford\u2019s body. He returns to Karmanos every six months for an evaluation with Dr. Cackowski, but Ford could not be more thankful for the care he received.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think I could have gotten a better doctor than Dr. Cackowski. He did an excellent job of putting together an individual health plan for me,\u201d praised Ford.<\/p>\n In addition, he noted the significant difference the infusion center staff made in his experience.<\/p>\n \u201cI saw these same people almost every day at the infusion center, and they were excellent – trying to make everything as painless as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n How fitting it was that Ford was receiving his treatments at Karmanos\u2019 Wertz Infusion Center, named after a former Tigers star, Victor Wertz. He and his wife, Lucille, left a generous donation to Karmanos in their estate, which led to the naming of the Wertz Infusion Center and the Wertz Clinic.<\/p>\n As a 45-year-old Detroiter by choice, Ford lives in remission and has returned to writing for the Detroit Free Press, specifically covering the Detroit Tigers. Over a year since his stroke, Ford has been busy watching sports, building intricate Lego sets, and living life to the fullest with his beloved wife.<\/p>\n Ford\u2019s advice to men is simple: \u201cDon\u2019t ignore changes in your body, even if they\u2019re not creating a problem; you never know when they will present a problem down the road.\u201d<\/p>\n He experienced this first-hand. Ford had been noticing that his testicle was enlarged, but he didn\u2019t really think anything of it.<\/p>\n \u201cI put it on my list to ask my primary care physician at my next physical because it was starting to get bigger,\u201d he shared. \u201cI had skipped talking about it in my two previous physicals. I also went a few years without getting a physical, which was not smart.\u201d<\/p>\n Ford\u2019s stroke happened before he was able to go to his next primary care visit.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I\u2019d been a little more diligent, I think they might have caught the testicular problem earlier, and hopefully, I wouldn\u2019t have had a stroke.\u201d<\/p>\n One of Ryan’s completed Lego sets.<\/p>\n Being one of the youngest stroke patients, while also being one of the oldest testicular cancer patients, Ford\u2019s outlook on life has changed because of the start of the 2024 baseball season.<\/p>\n \u201cThe best thing that people can do is to bring anything concerning medical attention to their physician earlier on,\u201d advised Dr. Cackowski.<\/p>\n Because of his testicular cancer diagnosis, Ford is seeking to be more diligent in life, which begins by taking his health seriously. His challenge is to stay current with regular screenings and intentional in annual exams.<\/p>\n Testicular Cancer: What is It and Who Develops It?<\/p>\n Testicular cancer<\/a> is the growth of cancer cells in one or both testicles. Although testicular cancer is considered rare, the disease is one of the most treatable and curable forms of cancer. Men ages 20-54 are the most likely age group to develop testicular cancer. While some testicular cancer cases have no signs or symptoms, signs of this disease can often be caught during a routine exam.<\/p>\n \u201cThe absence of symptoms in the early stages of testicular cancer is one more reason I encourage males to get their annual wellness checks with their primary care providers. And just as important, do not hesitate to see your provider if something is abnormal,” recommended Dr. Cackowski.<\/p>\n Symptoms may include swelling of the testicle, a lump, a feeling of heaviness or pain in the scrotum, and aches in the lower abdomen. In rare cases, breast growth or soreness may occur. Certain testicular tumors may cause early puberty in boys.<\/p>\n About one in 250 males will develop testicular cancer at some point in their lives. Many men who develop testicular cancer do not have risk factors. However, the following may cause a higher risk of the disease:<\/p>\n An HIV infection. Learn more about testicular cancer here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\n An undescended testicle.
\n Being of a certain race or ethnicity \u2013 White men are four to five times more likely to develop testicular cancer. Americans and Europeans have the highest risk.<\/p>\n