Health check reinforces family responsibilities

Sometimes it pays to be man enough to go to the doctor. File photo / NZ Herald

There's nothing like a wee health scare to make you ponder your life. You see, this week I had to go to the doctor for him to check out, well, just so I don't gross you out too much, let's call it a "man's health issue".

I know even that's probably a little too much information, but they say blokes should be more proactive when it comes to getting these things checked out, so there you go. I'm man enough.

Anyway, I got all gloomy, and I suppose a touch forlorn. You know how guys get when they are - or at least think they are - sick?

To make matters worse, the day before I went to the doctor there was a story in the paper about an increase in testicular cancer cases. Argh. I've read Lance Armstrong's book. Ouch.

So, the reason I'm sharing these things you probably don't want to know about, is that because of this health scare I started thinking about how I want to do everything possible to be here as long as I can for my wife and little girl (and perhaps sometime soon, her brother or sister).

I want to be around to see Mia - and the other one - grow up, go to school, get a job, and make their millions.

And I want to be there for them when they need me - even if they don't want me to be there for them, and I'm sure that time will come.

I hadn't thought about what life, responsibility, and fatherhood means as intensely as this since we found out we were having Mia. Back then I made a vow to pull my head in and stop acting like I was still 21. Which I have, apart from a few immature blow outs every now and then.

As it turns out the doctor said I didn't have testicular cancer, or a hernia, or a tumour - and that I should get back to him if the discomfort continues. It has already started subsiding.

But it pays to be a little melodramatic; a little bit sensitive; and to be man enough to go to the doctor because what if it was something more serious?

Catch it early, that's what I reckon, because I plan on being around for as long as possible.

Now all I need to do is find time to go for a jog - and get to a Zumba class or two.