Dad, 35, who was told he had an STI despite being faithful to his wife is diagnosed with testicular cancer - and had a tumour the size of an AVOCADO
- Hayden Baker was told he likely had an STI before being diagnosed with cancer
- The linehaul truck driver from NZ first developed symptoms in December 2016
- Mr Baker, who is married to wife Leah, was 'stunned' by suggestion it was an STI
A father who was told he had an STI despite being faithful to his wife later learnt he had a cancer tumour the size of an avocado.
Hayden Baker, from Whangārei in the Northland region of New Zealand's North Island, was diagnosed with testicular cancer about six weeks after first presenting to hospital in December 2016.
Mr Baker has now been in remission for three years and has a healthy son with his wife Leah.
The 35-year-old linehaul truck driver told Daily Mail Australia he first knew something wasn't right when he hit a bump in the road and 'immediately felt dizzy, like a concussion'.
'Got to my unload point and went straight to the bathroom. It didn't look right at that early stage and felt real uncomfortable,' he said.
But when he took himself to the emergency department at Whangārei Hospital, Mr Baker was told it was likely he contracted a sexually transmitted infection.
Hayden Baker, from Whangārei in the Northland region of New Zealand's North Island, was diagnosed with testicular cancer about six weeks after first presenting to hospital in December 2016
'The first time I went to hospital it suggested it was an STI and no other options explored or explained,' he said.
'When I was referred back to the urology department by my GP it was still suggested it was an STI.'
Mr Baker, who is faithful to his wife, said he was 'stunned' by the suggestion it was an STI.
'My wife grabbed my hand pretty hard and was looking at me sideways,' he said.
Share this article
'I immediately thought, ''What dirty bathroom have I used while on the road for work?'''
'I felt worse when they continued to ask the second time went to hospital. I felt very awkward.'
Ms Baker is a flight medic so the pair decided to conduct their own research.
'We had been reading all her medical journals. We had an idea it wasn't what they thought but didn't expect cancer,' he explained.
Mr Baker is now three years clean from cancer and has a healthy son named Harry (centre) with his wife Leah (left)
'The tumor was growing and getting bigger. It ended up been 11cm long and 6cm wide.'
Mr Baker said he was 'incredibly disappointed with the health system and doctor's involved' before his cancer diagnosis.
'My quality of life at that time was terrible,' he said.
Northland District Health Board told the New Zealand Herald they stand by their first decision to send Mr Baker home with antibiotics, as patients who present symptoms while alongside their partner are unlikely to confess to infidelity.
According to medical records, Mr Baker was diagnosed with epididymo-orchitis, an infection usually caused by an STI.
Northland District Health Board chief medical officer Dr Michael Roberts apologised for the delay in diagnosis.
'I want to front up and own up to what we did which was miss a diagnosis at a time where it would have been very difficult to make the right diagnosis straight away,' he said.
'The thing that I'm pleased about was that he was told if things didn't settle down then he should see his GP and he took that advice.'
Mr Baker, who is faithful to his wife, said he was 'stunned' by the suggestion it was an STI. 'My wife grabbed my hand pretty hard and was looking at me sideways,' he said
When Mr Baker was eventually diagnosed with cancer, he stayed in hospital for the tumour's removal and recovery.
'We were able to join the national fertility organisation because we were considering having kids and there was no guarantee after chemo we could still conceive naturally,' he said.
Mr Baker underwent 42 days of chemotherapy and was fit enough to return to work five weeks after his final treatment.
'The company I work for were amazing, they parked my brand new truck up until I came back,' he said.
'Now I'm three year's clean, I have check ups every three months.'
Hayden Baker is pictured with wife Leah. The couple are parents to Harry, who is almost two years old
After surviving cancer, the Bakers were able to welcome their first child into the family.
'There was absolutely no guarantee that after chemo my fertility system would be okay,' Mr Baker said.
'After talking with my oncologist, he said to wait six months for my body to clear any chemo drugs that may be residual in my body and we could try.'
Mr Baker said his wife fell pregnant almost 'straight away'.
'Harry is nearly two and is a happy and healthy little boy. Exactly what we needed after everything.
'We thought we had missed our chance. We were to busy chasing money and careers, then cancer could've ruled kids out all together.'
