New Here some Questons

[engage]

I'm 20 and I found out I had TC on 2/10 I had my right teste removed 2/14 and get my first CT scan on tuesday 2/28. My doctor said I caught it early and most likely it has not spread. But he said to do chemo just to be on the safe side. Thats where my questons start. How long does chemo take days, weeks,or months? What are the main side effects? When can I go back to work(my job is labor no desk job)? Can I go back to work between sessions? How long do I have to wait after the surgery(to remove my teste) before I can start chemo(21st b-day on april 17th )? I don't mean to be pushy but I don't want to forget to ask the doctor when I get my first CT scan. Any info would be great. I don't know if this will help but I had 1/3 enbryonal, 1/3 yolk sac, 1/3 immature teratona. I also don't want to forget to thank my friends (for calling me UNI ) and family for there support if it wasn't for them I know It would be hard time getting though this .


Thanks in advance
Sam

[Scott]

Sam, if your blood tumor markers normalize -- I assume your AFP at least was elevated by the yolk sac -- and your CT scan is clear, surveillance should be an option, as there is a 70% chance you were cured by the orchiectomy alone. You should also have been told about retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND).

Read up here and at the Testicular Cancer Resource Center. Ask lots of questions. Don't be too quick to accept that chemotherapy now is your only choice.

[engage]

Thanks scott yes I was told about RPLND but I think I'd rather do chemo if it came down to that. I was given surveillance as an option if my CT scan was clear. I guess now its just a waiting game for my CT scan. thanks again scott

[Scott]

Whatever you decide, you'll almost certainly be cured. Stick around and let us know how things are going. You should see some answers to your questions about chemotherapy soon, from other members who have been through it.

[nzsteve]

Hi,

As Scott said, try not to get too stressed that youre going to have chemo right now. Hopefully your CT will be clear, markers will normalise and you'll have surveillance as an option. IF you do end up needing chemo:

- you'll probably get 3 cycles of BEP. each cycle lasts 3 weeks, so 9 weeks total. Week 1 of a cycle is 5 days at the hospital, mon - fri, either in patient or outpatient (I was inpatient, but it depends largly on the docs preference, how close you are to the hospital, and how you cope with the chemo). Weeks 2 and 3 your'll be at the hospital on the Monday only, for a couple of hours.
- I have a lazy desk job so managed a few hours at work here and there in weeks 2 & 3 of the cycles, but I certainly wouldnt have wanted to do anything physical. You will probably want a couple of weeks off after the end of the third cycle before being back at work full time, so be prepared for about 3 months off, start to finish.
- theres lots of side effects, and different people react differently. The main ones to be prepared for would be: hair loss (around the end of the 3rd cycle); naseau (they give you pills to help control); general tiredness (especially during week 1).

Feel free to ask more questions if you have them, but try not to be too worried about chemo until you have the results from the CT and blood markers. (I know thats easier to say than do )

Good Luck,

Steve

[MRM]

You should know that most doctors in the US in your case--if markers drop to normal--recommend surveillance or the RPLND instead of chemo. Chemo isn't easy and those who have had the operation say they are back to mostly normal within a few weeks.

The side effects of chemo could last a lifetime. Do what is best for you, but you might want a few more professional opinions.

[ktmetzger]

Hi there...I had the RPLND on 2/8 and am able to get around the house with no assistance, eat a normal diet and am totally off pain killers. Given the lack of long term side effects associated with the surgery (esp. if performed by a skilled surgeon), I would recommend it over chemo if given the choice. Good luck.

[Chris'Mom]

Welcome Sam...my son had both chemo and RPLND in NY...and he recovered quite easily from the RPLND.....keep us posted....Mary Ellen

[engage]

thanks guys for responding I just hope everthing comes back negative and can do surveillance for away. I have learned a lot about TC though this forum and probably looking into RPLND a bit more before my results come in thanks again.

[MommaBeth]

Sam, My son Patrick was just your age when he was diagnosed in August and turned 21 in October, 3 weeks before his RPLND surgery.

[justinsmom]

Welcome, (sounds kinda funny since no one ever REALLY wants to be found here-but once you are diagnosed it really is a good place to be) I am the mother of a TC survivor (20 at diagnosis last year-spent 21st bday in chemo and emergency room for blood clot treatment-certainly not where he dreamed of being) and wish I had found this place to ask questions BEFORE alot of his treatment-so you are definitely in a good place. Main thing is be informed-take a notebook, take a friend or family member, and not only ask questions, but get answers-remember you may have options. And remember TC is the most curable of cancers so keep the faith- Praying for you-Lanette ><>