Darrell Garza is no stranger to the operating room. Born with a genetic eye disease that eventually led to blindness, he has undergone 30 procedures related to his condition over the course of his life. As a young adult, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer twice, leading to even more surgeries. Today, at 36 years old, he is quick to joke about how many times he’s gone under the knife.
“I’m like a medical miracle,” he laughed.
Throughout his life, Darrell has faced every obstacle with resilience and humor, and his journey — from his pursuit of fatherhood to his efforts to start a small business — tells the story of a man who refuses to be defined by his diagnoses.
A Christmas Eve Curveball
While taking a shower on a December day in 2012, 24-year-old Darrell Garza felt it: a lump, about half the size of a BB gun pellet. He didn’t know what to expect, and two weeks later on Christmas Eve, he received a diagnosis that left him stunned: testicular cancer.
What followed was a whirlwind of treatments and tough decisions. “They caught it very early,” Darrell shared. He had surgery to remove one of his testicles and, shortly afterward, was treated with radiation therapy at a clinic in San Antonio. Prior to undergoing treatment, he preserved his semen in the hopes of one day becoming a father, a dream he refused to see squashed by cancer.
The emotional impact of losing a testicle hit hard. “I was devastated but didn’t show it. Losing a testicle was psychologically tough,” Darrell admitted. Nevertheless, he pushed through, focusing on recovery and the path that lay ahead.
A Second Diagnosis
Over the next eight years, Darrell’s life went on, but thoughts of a second cancer lingered. His worries were realized in March 2020, when he found another lump. His blood work showed no signs of cancer, but in September 2022, imaging during a follow-up appointment revealed a second cancer diagnosis — this time, three tumors. Amidst his diagnosis, his partner’s mother faced her own battle with multiple myeloma and passed away. “It was like fighting cancer on two fronts,” he shared.
After undergoing surgery to remove his second testicle in December 2022, he was referred to Kyle T. Keyes, M.D., urologist at Texas Urology Specialists–Austin, Austin Midtown, and South Austin, and together, they came up with a cancer game plan. “Testicular cancer is almost always treatable, and as long as patients work with their doctor, they can get through this cancer type,” Dr. Keyes said.
urologist at
Texas Urology Specialists-Austin
Austin Midtown, and South Austin
Under Dr. Keyes’ care, Darrell underwent two rounds of chemotherapy in January 2023. Treatment took its toll both physically and emotionally, but Darrell’s resilience shone through, bolstered by a strong network of support that included his partner, Yael, as well as his parents, brother, sisters, niece, and in-laws. He also found strength in learning about the experiences of other cancer patients online through a support group on Facebook.
Of his experience with Dr. Keyes, Darrell said, “I felt like I was being listened to and taken care of. I wasn’t just a number on a page, I was a person. Every appointment felt like catching up with a friend.”
Humor in the Face of Adversity
“Cancer sucks,” Darrell said plainly. “But you’ve got to find the positives in a negative situation.”
Throughout Darrell’s cancer journey, humor remained a bright spot in an otherwise tough situation. One particularly funny memory was Yael’s reaction to his second surgery, when she said, “You have no balls now. You’re the perfect man.” His best friend, too, cheered him up with jokes and unconventional gifts, like a can of nuts and a brass testicle keychain.
Darrell’s experience also helped him get even closer to his loved ones. His relationship with Yael deepened, and he became more of a father figure to his 10-year-old niece, who he says, “provided joy and routine during tough times.”
Perhaps the most significant outcome was Yael’s newfound interest in growing their family, inspired by Darrell’s close relationship with his niece. “I consider that the best thing to come out of all of this,” Darrell said.
The couple’s journey towards parenthood is complicated by their own health challenges, but through Darrell’s battle with cancer, they came to the powerful realization that, “No matter what you do, you can’t protect your kids from everything, but you can guide them through it.”
A Bright Future Ahead
“Darrell is a fun guy to talk to. He has been through so much, yet he has such an awesome, fun view of life, and he is still trying to make the world better,” said Dr. Keyes.
Today, Darrell stands tall, a two-time cancer survivor with a zest for life that’s infectious. He recently turned a 15-year hobby of leatherworking into a small business, Blind Man Industries, which creates high-quality leather collars and leashes for service dogs. He has also discovered a love of gardening, an interest he shares with Yael. When he’s not helping tend to their garden or working on a new project, he can often be found outside with his meat smoker, indulging in his newfound passion for barbecue, or spending time with Cyrus, his new service dog.
Darrell’s outlook on life has also profoundly shifted. “Cancer has made me appreciate my life more,” he reflected. “I’ve learned not to take things for granted. A lot of people will make a big deal out of little things, but they’re much more trivial when you’ve faced death.”
To those on their own cancer journey, Darrell offered this hard-earned wisdom: “Take it one day at a time. Take care of yourself. Don’t think so far into the future. Don’t push loved ones away.”
Darrell’s story is more than a tale of survival. It’s a testament to the power of laughter in the face of fear and the unexpected gifts that can emerge from life’s greatest challenges. He may have lost his testicles to cancer, but Darrell’s heart — full of hope, humor, and an unyielding resolve — proves that true strength comes from within.
In 2024, Texas is expected to have 860 new cases of testicular cancer and 46 deaths. For more information, visit TexasOncology.com.