Greetings and Intro

[CharlieFL]

As with most everyone here (I pressume), I found this website in search of info on TC as I have been recently diagnosed. I'm 44 yrs old (a late bloomer in TC terms as I've come to learn). I'm still digesting it all but I'm scheduled for a right I/O next week. Waiting on CT Scan results right now but my markers (both AFP and HCG) were at zero, so hopefully the scan will shed some more positive light on the situation. I am thankful that I live in an area with a top teaching hospital and my doctor is a Urologic Oncologist, (and he teaches both at the University) which means he will be doing the surgery and also follow up on my treatment - yet to be determined. I hope this will work out for me and yes, I'm scared out of my wits about it!

Anyway, just wanted to say hi and to be here for anyone who needs me for the long run......

[Scott]

Welcome to the forums, Charlie! You wouldn't be human if you didn't feel some fear in facing cancer, but your news so far is encouraging. The most important thing right now is to get that orchiectomy over with and get the pathology report back. Keep us posted.

[Fed]

Charlie,

Welcome to the TC-Forum! Indeed what you have mentioned so far seems on the right track (well... with cancer progression there really is no right track, but you know what I mean). The fact that you show no markers and your age suggest that you may have a seminoma. Of course, you won't know for sure until the pathology is done after the I/O.

You've probably heard all about this, but the operation is fairly straightforward. The procedure is about an hour long, and you will likely be walking again the same day (with a wobble). You will feel sore, mostly due to the swelling, but a bag of frozen peas do the trick here. Don't do any heavy lifting for 4-6 weeks, and take the pain meds as needed, but try to wean yourself off of them because narcotics like those will constipate you (and the last thing you want to do is strain while going to the bathroom). Waiting for the pathology is a drag and always nerve-racking, but rest assured that you are well on your way to being cured... heck, the I/O alone can potentially cure you if everything was caught early enough.

Enjoy the holiday weekend, and don't worry. You will be fine. Best,

[Margaret]

Welcome Charlie...sorry about having to deal with TC but we will all support you and help you in any way we can.

M

[Jay68442]

Hi Charlie,
Some of us are late bloomers and some of early (i was 16) but we are all in the same club. To be scared is normal. But do try to relax and remain clam. We are all here for you and all of us truly understand what it is you are going through.
Good Luck
Jason

[CharlieFL]

With Gratitude

Many thanks to all of you who welcomed me. I appreciate your thoughts and words of encouragement - they meant a LOT to me and I REALLY needed that! My CT results are back now and I am thankful most everything seems to be OK. My Chest CT did show a tiny nodule in one of my lungs but I've had that for 20 years - resulting from a bad infection way back when. Abdominal CT and everything else is clear. My I/O is scheduled for - of all days - Sept 11th! So, as you remember that fateful day for other reasons, please think of me as well. I've never been to a hospital as a patient before -so I'm the first one to admit that I'm pretty scared about the whole thing. Anyway, again my deepest gratitude to all of you!!!

[dadmo]

Charlie:
I know it's hard to relax but the I/O really is quite a simple procedure. What you really should be releived about is that everything points to being cured with the I/O. Let's hope for continued good news.

[Karen]

Belated welcome, Charlie. Excellent news on the markers, CT and X-ray. Fed is correct that age and markers point to seminoma. Caught early, you have an 80% cure from the I/O alone.

I/O tips from someone lacking cajones (physically anyway):
Lay off the narcotic pain meds ASAP. They decrease bowel motility and you do NOT want to strain during the good ole #2. Get a few bags of frozen peas and rotate then as ice packs. Get up and moving as best you can and as much as you can. If you feel a cough, sneeze or laugh creeping up use the palm of your hand to apply pressure against the incision and prevent that "OMG, I just ripped out my sutures" feeling (you won't rip them out). Do NOT lift anything heavy for as long as your doc instructs or you will wind up in the hospital a second time for a hernia repair. You really will be fine, so try not to worry too much.

[Fed]

That's all great news, Charlie. I am sure the I/O will go with flying colors. Just follow the advice everyone has given here, and it will go without a hitch. The anxiety is normal, but look at it this way: it's your road to a cure. Best of luck,

[fuse929]

Another little tidbit that helped me out in the days following the I/O........instead of eating solid food drink SlimFast or Carnation Instant Breakfast. That will keep you nourished with vitamins and protein, and also keep you off the toilet.......you don't want a number 2 for at least a few days.

The I/O itself really isn't bad. There was minimal pain afterwards, and as everyone has been saying, you are up walking around within an hour or so after the procedure. Try to sit in a recliner for an extended period of time on day 2 to get your insides moving a bit, and keep away from comedy and funny friends...........laughing is the worst. You will do fine.

Bobby

[mercyriver]

Just had to chime in to let you know, my husband was diagnosied and had his I/O on September 11th of last year. The 5 year anniversery.

It didn't change a thing but did make for an interesting conversation piece and a lot of comments on the irony of the situation. Lots of "of all days....."


It was quite a day to remember without that hanging over our heads, but it did add to it.

But take hope, everything will go smoothly for you, regardless the date!

Becki