new member, just had orchiectomy

[dcaffoe]

Hello, I'm new to the forum and just wanted to introduce myself. The last few weeks have been crazy, confusing and scary. On Monday Dec 19 (one day after my 37th birthday) I noticed a hard pea sized lump on the bottom of my right testicle. I was immediately shocked and called my GP that morning. I was lucky enough to get in the next day. He was not overly concerned based on location and size, but ordered an immediate ultrasound to be sure. That night I picked up my kids and was driving home when I spoke with my GP. He was surprised by the results and mentioned the C word (cancer). My heart dropped!! He had already set up blood work tests, Xray, CT scan and a consult to a urologist. To make a long story short, after meeting with the urologist I was scheduled for an orchiectomy that Friday (2 days before Christmas). It wasn't until right before the surgery that the urologist had my test results and expressed it was looking like the best case scenario, negative tumor marks and the CT scans showed no spread to the lymph nodes. Its know 6 days after surgery. I'm tired and my incision is a little sore and swollen, but I'm up walking around and doing normal light activity. I will find out next week if it's cancer (which my urologist says there's a 99% chance it is), and more importantly if its seminima or nonseminoma and what the next steps will be.

I'm feeling pretty good that I caught this early enough. Everything went so fast and its just now sinking in that I most likely have (or hopefully had) cancer, which is an overwhelming concept.

I've read quite a few threads in this website and have found it very helpful, and felt compelled to join and share my story.

[Scott]

I'm glad you found us and shared your story. We'll be eager to hear more news as you get it. May the New Year bring you good things!

[dadmo]

dcaffoe:
Welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing your story. Hopefully you will keep us updated as to how you are progressing, it really is a big help for people who are in active treatment to share their experiances.

[Kman99]

First, I am sorry to see what you have been through over the last few weeks. But welcome to the forum. There is an incredible level of information here and more important, tons of support from good people.

It is great to see how quickly your GP was able to get in for tests and eventually the I/O. A good GP is hard to find. After discussing the path report, one piece of advice is to consider a 2nd opinion, espec if the urol you went to has limited TC experience.

Wishing you all the best in the difficult period of waiting on results. We've all been there!

[huckchef]

welcome and best of luck. please don't hesitate to ask questions! i was diagnosed on my 32nd birthday, not really looking forward to the next one.....just kidding! be knowledgeable of whats going on and keep a positive frame of mind. things will be better soon! bets of luck, brian

[dcaffoe]

Thanks everyone. I'll find out my results later this week, and am anxious to find out the next steps.

I do have a question, my incision from my surgery has healed up (been 10 days now), but its pretty swollen directly behind the incision and feels very hard. It almost feels like a thick pencil is under my skin. Its pretty sensitive to the touch and is soar especially when my clothes rub against it, but other than that there's not much pain. Is this normal? I've never had surgery before, so I'm not sure what the normal healing signs are.

If anyone has any insight that would be great. Thanks,

[Scott]

Completely normal. The description of the "healing ridge" on this page, although it's from a site about hernia operations, explains what to expect.

[dcaffoe]

Thanks Scott. You really help put my mind at ease.

[ramfan13]

Welcome to the forum

Hi. Thanks for sharing. I had a similar story. I had my surgery in 8/05. what you have is normal. I remember it well. It does soften up by the incision and you eventually hardly know its there. Let us know when you find out about the pathology and what your facing.

[dcaffoe]

Well my pathology report came back after waiting for over 2 weeks, and it was the best news possible. I have an adenoma benign tumor, which my urologist was quite shocked but very happy to share with me. He explained that is extremely rare, and that I just fell into the very low percentage of people that come back with a benign tumor. No further course of action is required. I feel very fortunate. My advice to anyone that is facing a difficult situation is to never give up hope, regardless of the statistics. There's always possibilities.

Thanks to everyone for their support.

[dadmo]

dcaffoe:
Congratulation on the test results. That really is great news.

[63bgi]

Hello, I'm new to the forum and just wanted to introduce myself. The last few weeks have been crazy, confusing and scary. On Monday Dec 19 (one day after my 37th birthday) I noticed a hard pea sized lump on the bottom of my right testicle. I was immediately shocked and called my GP that morning. I was lucky enough to get in the next day. He was not overly concerned based on location and size, but ordered an immediate ultrasound to be sure. That night I picked up my kids and was driving home when I spoke with my GP. He was surprised by the results and mentioned the C word (cancer). My heart dropped!! He had already set up blood work tests, Xray, CT scan and a consult to a urologist. To make a long story short, after meeting with the urologist I was scheduled for an orchiectomy that Friday (2 days before Christmas). It wasn't until right before the surgery that the urologist had my test results and expressed it was looking like the best case scenario, negative tumor marks and the CT scans showed no spread to the lymph nodes. Its know 6 days after surgery. I'm tired and my incision is a little sore and swollen, but I'm up walking around and doing normal light activity. I will find out next week if it's cancer (which my urologist says there's a 99% chance it is), and more importantly if its seminima or nonseminoma and what the next steps will be.

I'm feeling pretty good that I caught this early enough. Everything went so fast and its just now sinking in that I most likely have (or hopefully had) cancer, which is an overwhelming concept.

I've read quite a few threads in this website and have found it very helpful, and felt compelled to join and share my story.

Welcome to the site, everyone here is very friendly and informative, I'm sure you will be fine! stay strong and keep up a good attitude!

[amorgan74]

dcaffoe: Wow, Good Deal! That's great news. You'll get to feeling better with your incision soon. I am sure that your good news will help speed it along. April