Uninsured and worried I may have testicular cancer.

[Cm12195]

I'm 22 years old and live in Florida. I'm currently unemployed and uninsured living with my parents.

About a year ago I found two lumps on my left testicle while taking a bath. I'm fairly confident they've not gotten any bigger, and if they have, then I haven't noticed. But the lump I'm most concerned about is a decent sized lump, I'd say probably about the size of a small marble. I found it located near the top back part of my testicle, and it moves with my testicle, almost as if it's attached, but it does feel like I can move it a bit when I've tried before, but not by much. The other one is much smaller, about the size of a BB located near the bottom of my left testicle.

I've put off going to the doctor for many reasons, but now I'm extremely worried, and I have a doctor's appointment scheduled for November 12th. Because for the past 2 weeks or so I've had heart palpitations and indigestion off and on for the first time ever in my life.

Since immediately after the first time I experienced the heart palpitations, I've had bad indigestion. And the first day this happened and the few days after, I was burping much more than normal, especially the first day immediately after the heart palpitations, I was burping like crazy. The indigestion seems to have died down a lot now though, and I'm not burping even as half as much as I was. I just can't help but think that the heart palpitations and burping are linked along with the lumps I have, and I'm extremely worried that if I do have TC, that it's spread and is causing these symptoms.

I have a doctor's appointment scheduled for November 12th, but I'm really thinking of going much sooner because my anxiety is driving me absolutely insane. I'm just worried, and not sure how much it's going to cost for me to get this checked out. Fortunately, my brother has offered to pay for me, but he's only going to be able to pay about $200-300 at the most, and I'm honestly clueless on how much it will cost, or what I should do without health insurance. And I've read a ton of stories about people who go and pay to get their lump checked out at their doctor, only to be referred to a urologist and have to pay even more.

So what should I do? I'm just looking for any advice from anybody. It would be appreciated very much.

For the record, I do have extremely bad anxiety, and worry very easily, so I've brushed off a lot of the symptoms I've been having recently as anxiety.

[StaticX]

Your health comes first, get it checked out. Most of us regret not getting it checked out sooner. Ask to be billed and pay what u can every month. Even if it's $5/month. Good luck

[Cm12195]

Thank you for the advice. I'll definitely have to ask to be billed.

[zmc257]

Can you sign up for medicaid?

[Mike]

For the initial ultrasound you cold always go to the ER. I hate to suggest that but they can't refuse service and may be able to help you get started on a Medicaid application. If it is indeed testicular cancer or suspected cancer then there should be no reason why you shouldn't be able to get treated. Feel free to contact me via our website at: http://www.testicularcancersociety.org/contact.html

I am not sure where you are in Florida but I worked down there for years and spent two decades in hospitals so I can see what we can assist with.

Mike

[Davepet]

At 22 & still living at home, you should be able to get covered under your parents insurance.

Dave

[Trekga]

hoping you get this checked out ASAP.

[Mike]

Not to be captain obvious, but if you are not able to be covered under your parents insurance, then it is open enrollment time. I realize that insurance isn't cheap but getting enrolled for coverage starting January 1st would be cheaper than having to pay full price for cancer treatments if they are needed. Just something to consider. Hopefully, you have had things checked out.

Mike