Very Worried

[Coach Russ]

I am 31 years old, and my wife and I just got back from my Doctor. I have to get an ultrasound tomorrow. I am scared that I may have TC. I have been having a dull pain, in that area, and my testicles have been very tender. I did find a pea sized ball on it and the Dr. felt it as well. She says it could be possibly a calcium build up. But I am truly scared. My biggest fear is that it has spread all over. I have one daughter and another child on the way, and I want to be able to see them grow up. What is next after the ultrasound? Can they tell me something right away?

[Scott]

Welcome to the forums, Russ. The ultrasound will tell you whether it is a solid mass or a fluid-filled cyst. A solid mass is very likely to be cancer.

Even if it is testicular cancer, you will almost certainly be cured.

You should also have blood drawn to check for tumor markers.

[Scott]

Be sure to check out the Testicular Cancer Resource Center, too. You may want to start with this list of questions.

[Coach Russ]

So after the ultrasound should I ask my doctor these questions? She will most likely refer me to a urologist. Should I ask the urologist these questions?

Scott I dont mean to pry but did you have TC? What was it like for you? DId yours start like mine? I have been coughing a whole lot, and I am worried that it has spread to my lungs or a reaction to a medicine I have been taking. How can you be so sure it most certainly be cured? I think living in houston is a plus, this way I can go to MD Anderson if it is this way.

[Scott]

Yes, I had testicular cancer. You'll find the beginning of my story at this link and the more recent twists and turns in this thread and this thread.

Cure rates for testicular cancer are 98-99% when it's caught early, and very good even in advanced cases.

Get to the urologist as soon as you can and ask lots of questions there.

[Coach Russ]

So has your cancer come back? Should I try to see the urologist before I get the results back from the ultrasound. My ultrasound is tomorrow at 11 am. Should I try to see the urologist before next week? I am afraid my dr. wont have the results back to her office until monday or so.

I wonder if i caught it early?

[Scott]

I had a recurrence earlier this year. If we had known it was seminoma rather than teratoma, I would have had chemotherapy instead of surgery. We're holding chemotherapy now in case of another recurrence. If it comes to that, it should be the last treatment I'll need.

I would hope that you'll be able to get the results from the ultrasound this week. It's still quite possible that your lump isn't cancer.

[Coach Russ]

How can I find the best urologist to go to?
These are some that accept my insurance and are at MD Anderson Cancer Center:
CORRIERE, JOSEPH N, MD
Christopher G. Wood
Louis L. Pisters
David A. Swanson

If any of you have heard good or bad from them please let me know
Thanks

[Coach Russ]

It's still quite possible that your lump isn't cancer.

My wife keeps telling me that. I need to have stronger faith in God. It's tough though.

[Scott]

Stay strong. We have faith in you!

[huckchef]

try and stay as positive about this as you can. i know its very hard but this waiting game will be the hardest to deal with. get all your questions answered and do alot of research and be knowledgeable about whats going on...it will help ease the stress!!!! there are alot of great people here willing to answer any questions you may have so dont hesitate to ask. i hope all goes well and our thoughts and prayers are with you! Brian

[Anders]

From Sweden

Hi coach!
I was in the very same situation two years ago (Christmas time -03) when I was diagnosed. I had almost the same family situation that you are describing and it felt like my world went down the drain. BUT after I had read all the facts about TC I turned my anxeity into something else, namly an urge to be cured. TC is one cancer-form that you can get completly cured of today!
In Sweden (my native country) where we have almost the same way of treating tc-patients as in the US, the survival rate is 99% (in overall, including both semionoma and non seminoma)

When it comes to your family, you got to be strong! IF and I say IF this turns out to be tc. The only thing that should be in your mind is "I will be there for my family" and that's it! No negative thoughts. I (and the rest of the members of this board) have been there so hang in there.
Please let me know what happens

Regards
Anders

[Mom]

You should insist on getting your ultrasound results immediately. They should be able to tell while you are still in radiology. Don't let them put you off. My son had a symptom on a Sunday, at the doctors on Monday, ultrasound on Monday afternoon, urologist on Tuesday and surgery on Friday. The reason we waited until Friday was because we wanted his urologist to do the surgery. My husband and I just celebrated our 35 wedding anniversary. He was diagnosed in 1980 with a non-seminoma, a seminoma and a teratoma. He has lived a very full life. Our son was diagnosed last November. He finished chemo January 29, got married on May 28, bought a house a couple of weeks ago and his biggest challenge now is trying to figure out what to do with all of the leaves! If it is TC, you will get through it and next year at this time you will be posting on this site encouraging others. Hang in there. Dianne

[Scott]

Best of luck with your ultrasound this morning, Russ. The technician will most likely defer to your doctor to tell you what it shows, but be sure to ask how quickly you can expect the results. Be politely persistent. Please let us know what you find out!

[Scott]

Any news yet?