RICHLAND, Mich. — For some, the sound of a bat hitting a baseball is a sign of spring — especially if it's your team's first RBI of the season.
For Julian Harris, it means he's won.
"Today actually marks three months cancer-free so for me to be here today is spectacular," Julian said at his team's Friday night game against Harper Creek.
The Gull Lake High School Senior was diagnosed with testicular cancer in October of 2023. The diagnosis came after he felt severe pain coming from his stomach while at work.
"It's just something that you would never think about as being a kid and being so active and so ongoing day to day that it's life-changing when you hear that news," said Julian.
Julian was treated by the same doctor as Lance Armstrong during his testicular cancer diagnosis.
On Jan. 1, after months of Chemotherapy in Indiana, Julian rang the bell announcing he was cancer-free.
"I didn't feel great the day of but it was a godsend to be able to get out of the hospital," said Julian. "I didn't want to be there anymore."
That ringing also symbolized that was time to get back to work.
"The last three months has been basically just work, just getting my body right again, feeling getting right with my teammates, making sure that the people around me are close to me," said Julian.
For his dad, Damian, it's a miracle that he's back on the field.
"Literally three months ago, we didn't know if he was going to be able to play or not he was he was gung ho about being out here," said Damian. "Literally three months ago, we didn't know if he was going to be able to play or not he was he was gung ho all about being out here."
The cancer could have derailed Julian's plans to play for Western Michigan in the fall. His dad is proud to say that it hasn't.
"When he stepped on that mountain the first time, you know, I had butterflies," Damian said. "My heart was in my throat, you know, and I'm like, 'Okay, alright. It's alright.' But I tell myself, you know, just the fact he's out here is, is everything."
Julian hopes his story can help give others the strength they need to get checked out if they feel something is wrong.
"You don't ever want to have something lingering, and then it's a three-month-long sickness," said Julian. "And that's what happened for me. So I would just say it's best for everybody if you have an issue anywhere in your body. So check it out as quick as possible."
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