Lots of questions

[KevinGC]

I luckily did not have to deal much with depression. But, I am typically always a very upbeat person. The doctors and nurses I have dealt with have all commented what good spirits I was/am always in considering. They mentioned to me that I was unusual in this regard because most people do in fact suffer from some anxiety or depression.
I did take about 2 weeks to recover enough from surgery to return to work and lead a more normal life. This may have been in part due to my age at the time (53). I did deal with a lot of fatigue during my radiation therapy. Never had to go through chemo due to my type of cancer. (100% Seminoma) The strange thing was, my fatigue progressively got worse after my therapy. By January/February timeframe, I was not able to stay awake past 7 to 8 at night, and took naps on weekends frequently, even though I normally hadn't done this. When I went back for 6 month checkup in February, the doc put me on 5 grams of TRT daily. (Testim 1%) This has helped with the fatique quite a bit, but I think I made need a slightly higher dose. I go back to doc in June for bloodwork to check for reoccurence and also to get the testosterone levels checked. Once again, let me know if I can be of any help. If your son would like a visit when he is in the hospital from another fellow testicular cancer guy, I would be more than willing.

[worried Mom]

thanks

we are mid scare right now. He couldn't take his bleo today as his blood work sucked....white and red blood cells are really really low. And he started a fever. They wanted to do a pulmonary test today but he was too weak. He is in the hosp now getting a transfusion and they just called to say his fever has spiked again.
Once this scare is resolved I'll ask about testosterone levels. That is very interesting!!
He isn't ready to talk to anyone yet...I used to be the one he opened up to but he has shut me out ...feels I nag too much...but he does still talk with his wife
I did tell him about this sight and how I thought it would help him and he did seem interested....just need to get over this latest hump first.
Next Tuesday he is scheduled to start the battery of tests to check for sucess....just hope he starts to get some energy back. And of course we need to find out where the infection he has now is coming from. :-(

[Karen]

worried Mom,
Sorry to hear about this setback...prayers are out to you for it being VERY temporary? Any improvement today?
Karen
PS...tell him nagging is a requirement for moms..they don't give us pain meds during childbirth unless we sign on the dotted line agreeing to nag!

[worried Mom]

Well he back staying with his step Dad and I . The Drs wouldnt let him go back home...didnt want him that far from the hosp. They kept him overnight to watch him. He got a transfucion...but his temp stayed up. The Dr has decided not to do the last bleo treatment...and he needs to concentrate on the healing process. He still has a nasty nagging cough that makes wears him out
He is getting shots for red and white blood cells, and is on an antibiotic for the infection ( but we dont know where it has settled). He isnt keeping food down right now....but is still drinking...but water only. He goes for his pulmonary test Friday morn. And more tests Tuesday.
I am keeping fingers crossed that we have hit the bottom and will start back up from here
Thanks for your concern!

[worried Mom]

good news!!

I haven't been on this sight for a few weeks. Last time I was so worried about how the treatment was affecting my son.
Wellllll....he is doing much better now. His lungs are still very weak due to the bleo. But he recently had an MRI and CAT scan and the Drs have advised him that they feel he is in remission. There are still some suspicious spots in his chest and brain but they feel fairly certain it is scar tisse ( he had 4 clusters of tumors in his brain which was causing the headachs and loss of eyesight that brought all this to light)
His energy is gradually coming back and he is able to drive!!! His tumor markers have been normal for the past several weeks.
I am absolutely amazed at what he has gone through in 4 months....from being diagnosed with TC (12/12/05), advised he had tumors in his brain, chest, abdomen. His left testical was removed on a Wed (12/14/05) and started 15 rounds of radiation on Sun 12/18/06 and 4 rounds of chemo on 12/19.
He has suffered from blood infections and blood clots in his lungs. Deep depression and loss of appetite. His blood count has been in the toliet several times...but all is returning back to normal.
But the last 2 weeks he has made a complete turn around...once the chemo was over. His biggest challenge now is building his strength back and rebuilding the muscle tone he lost ( he was able to do nothing but get treatment and climb back into bed for 4 months) and getting his lungs stronger ( luckily he never smoked)

But to anyone who has just been dealt with this diagnosis and treatment....I can say THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL!!!

We know he has a way to go but I wanted to let all of you know that he has received goods news and is improving very day!! :-)

[Scott]

That's great news! I'm so glad things are looking up!

[Karen]

Excellent, thanks for the update!!!!

[Don]

So glad for you all. Keep the good news coming!!!!!!

[Mom]

Boy, your son has been through a heck of a lot. So nice to hear that things are looking up for him. I am sure you are a bit relieved. Keep the good news coming! Dianne

[huckchef]

just wondering what the pathology showed? like scott, i was curiuos why radiation first? if pure seminoma, why chemo? it didnt seem to follow "the track" they use for metastasis. so is it possible for spread to brain w/o spread to lungs and liver with seminomas? just curiuos?

[worried Mom]

Couldnt sleep tonight so I thought I would jump on the website.
Chris has been released from the cancer center here in town where he was getting is chemo and is back living with his wife and kids. He is now in followup care at Ohio State with the Drs that diagnosed and set the treatement plan.
What they have told us is...they "think/hope" he is in remission ( after just being diagnosed on Dec 12th 05).
They are concerned about the spots that are still showing on his brain ( they did tell us that it is very unusual for this type of cancer to travel to the brain...so perhaps that is why they jumped on the radiation so quickly after the diagnosis...in fact, he was diagnosed after being sent by ambulance from his home towm ER with headaches and loss of vision to Ohio States James center on Mon evening Dec 12th...removed his testicle that Wed nad started his radiation that Sat and chemo that Sunday)
I regress...
They hope the spots on his brain are scar tissue, as they are actually larger than when this started...which could mean that the radiation killed to tumor but also distroyed the surronding tissue.
Still has spots on his lungs...but are hoping they too are scar tissue.
Abdomen is clear
They discussed the surgery to remove the lymph nodes in his abdomen but Dr Monk feels he has gone through so much and his body can't take another hit.
They are sending him to a pulmonary specialist due to his lungs being so damaged...they hope it is just from the bleo and time will heal.
His tumor markers have stayed normal for the past several weeks!
His coughing has mostly stoppped....states he can actually yawn now without it sending him into fits of coughing.
Since I go weeks now without seeing him I can see the marked improvement in his coloring, stamina and strength.
Past posting I talked about how worried I was about his depression and lack of energy but I see that all coming back now....thanks to those of you that responded and gave support.
Just yesterday they noticed that his hands shake and he is not able to control...so back to the radiation Dr Monday to do more followup
I am just now feelng the effects of the past months and am wiped out...cn't sleep
Glad to have the site to read what others have to say....lets me know I am not alone...and that I can share when I have good news.
This has blown me away...first the diagnosis and then to see what the treatment can do TO you and then For you in what now seems like a short period of time!
Thanks again for this website!!

[Scott]

I'm so glad to hear that Chris is home with his family and on the mend. Hang in there and keep us posted.

[Don]

Glad that we can give you some sort of comfort in this trying and hard time.. This disease takes a massive toll on not only the survivor but also has the same effects on each and every co-survivor and care giver.. Hang in there and stay as positive and strong as you have always been.. Remember we are always here to help .... Take Care!! DON