Surgery on Sept 8

[Hippie]

opps sorry no he didnt say how large the lympnods was, I think is words was looks a little inflammed.

Hippie

[Hippie]

Reading more on here, I see where a lot of people didnt do much for the first weekish from pain and/or swelling.. Surgery is tommarrow and I was planning on heading back to my company(just to be there no work really) on Tuesday .. Is this wishful thinking??? Doc keeps saying it will be like my hernia operation I had 21 years ago and I remember that I was moving pretty good after the first 3 days.. but I was also 17 and not 38.. I also found out yesterday that he said I can probably go home the same day and not have to stay overnight, the hospital pre-op nurse a couple days before said I would spend the night. So I hope as long as all goes well tomarrow morning I can come home and be in my own enviroment where I can be more comfortable. did most here go home same day or spend the night in the hospital ?


Hippie

[Scott]

I followed that schedule, and it was bearable, though I was still pretty sore. Don't feel bad about giving yourself a couple more days at home if you can.

I arrived at the hospital early in the morning for my orchiectomy and was home by lunchtime.

[Fish]

For my orchiectomies --- In 1988, they kept me overnight. In 2003, it was outpatient and I was home about 5 hours after the first cut, although I felt like crap that night. Mostly side effects of anesthesia. I was back to work in about 1 week, but still wearing sweat pants. Driving was painful.

Seminoma tends to be more common in older men. Not that 38 (or even 45) is old, but you probably have a greater chance of pure seminoma than someone who is 28.

I hope you surgery goes well. I know having a testicle removed sounds pretty unpleasant, but it's not a highly complicated operation.

Best wishes.

[Hippie]

hey thanks for the replys, I feel better knowing it is possible for me to be back at my company on that time frame if I feel up to it, Fish, I know it isnt going be be a cake walk per say but the pain with swelling I have dealt with over the last 3 weeks I told the doc either he gets it out or I will.. I am actually looking forward in a lot of ways to knowing after tomarrow that the pain will now start going away with time from the surgery to waking up every morning with this staying or getting worse as the days go by withe the pain and discomfort.

Hippie

[QuantumSheep]

Hey Hippie,

I had my orchiectomy on Tuesday August 1 and planned to take the rest of that week off. By the following Monday morning I ended up calling into work and saying "Don't expect me to come in today, and while we're at it, don't expect me to come in tomorrow either ..." However, I did return on Wednesday the 9th, missing a total of 6 work days, including the surgery day itself.

You know what saved me in those first few days at work? (Depending on whether you sit a lot at work) ... you know those "U"-shaped pillows they sell for travellers, the type that you can bring on the plane and wear around your neck? I got an inflatable one of those and sat on it at work for about a week after returning. It was perfect because the "U" opening allowed for an area where nothing was pushing back up against any sensitive areas -- strongly recommended!! (Plus the inflatable one was good because I could adjust it to a comfortable thickness).

And best of luck with the surgery!! Be sure to check in with us when you're up to it ...

P.S. In answer to your question of "is it a good thing that my blood work is clean", what you're probably referring to is that the markers indicating non-seminoma were NOT present in your bloodwork results, leading your doctors to believe that you may have a pure seminoma. This is indeed good news because even if (emphasis on "if") tomorrow's surgery doesn't remove all of the cancer from your body, whatever cancer may remain is very susceptible to both radiation and chemo treatments, meaning that the cure rate approaches 100% with a likelihood of no further surgery required. (Scott et. al., feel free to clarify anything I might have misstated as I'm still new at this )

[huckchef]

Good luck tomorrow. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers. Things will get better soon. The back pain sounds like what I had when my scrotum swelled after surgery. When the swelling went down the pain went away. It was pulling muscles from the back because of the extra weight, I was told. The surgery should be simple and quick. I would say if you tolerate pain easily you shouldn't have a problem with going to work soon after. Not alot of physical stress but sitting for a little while shoudn't hurt. I would advise to take the pain meds for the first couple of days, especially at night. This will help you sleep comfortably. I was off the pain meds, except nightly after the first day. It's great news that it looks likes seminoma. It is the easiest to treat. Be strong and be informative. Knowledge will help the anxiety. Best of luck!
Brian

[Hippie]

Hey Everyone, I am home have been home for a couple or hours or so. Doc said all went well. In a little pain but not to bad. I had to get up for a sec and just move to losen up for a sec so I thought I would check in. thanks for all the thoughts from everyone it was easyer going to do this knowing what was going on and what to exspect and such..

thanks for the thoughts and prayers today everyone.
Hippie

[QuantumSheep]

Welcome home, Hippie! I hope your recovery goes well. Did you have them put in a prosthetic or did you opt for "single occupancy"?

[Mom]

Nice to know you're home and on the mend. Take it easy. Dianne

[Hippie]

flying solo genaric never good as the real name brand so I dont want one. I also thought they did that at a later date if you wanted one not same time as removel ???? which either way didnt want anyhow..


Hippie

[Karen]

.....women think we can't handle pain too well so they don't want to make it worse Brian

Oh darn, the secret's out!!!!!

Hippie,
Glad you're back home and resting!!! Post your path report when you get it....one step close to cured!

[IowaBrian]

Welcome home Hippie get some rest !!!!!!!

Karen are you making fun of me????

Brian

[Karen]

Brian,
Yes , but anyone from a state with a life size anatomically correct butter cow has gotta have a sense of humor! Wheel that baby in to a room with steaming Iowa corn and it's pure heaven!

[Fish]

Glad to hear you're home and that things went well.