Cancer Shutout

Disoriented and groggy from the aftereffects of anesthesia, Jordin Hood gasped as he awoke from surgery. The tiny white hospital room where Jordin took the first desperate breaths in the journey to save his life was like anyone else's who has had surgery for cancer. There were gracious parents and an array of medical equipment. But this was Jordin, a high school student with testicular cancer, who had a dream of playing professional baseball. Just three days earlier, Jordin had learned that his dream would take a life-changing detour. Testicular cancer is one that universally makes men cringe. It also is the most common form of cancer for men ages 15 to 35. If addressed when the abnormality is discovered, it usually is treated successfully.