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Well, after spending an hour typing a previous post and losing it, I'll try again.
New to the forum obviously.
I'm 41, married for 18yrs with 3 kids 12, 10, 8.
Brief history.
Since I was a kid, I have had what i believe is called a retractible testicle (right) , that is after it decended, it would pass back into the abdomen and then back into the scrotum. Usually when I would sit down it would pass back up, then back down when I stood. Don't know why, but that was the way it was. Since it would pass back and forth, apparently, it never developed properly. I has been about 1/2 the size of my "normal" left testicle, and always sensitive and tender to touch and pressure. About 13 years ago, when the wife and I first tried to have children, we had difficulty, so we had fertility testing. I had a scrotal ultrasound and sperm testing. My sperm count was low normal, and my ultrasound showed "calcium deposits" but otherwise normal. End of that episode, then about 12 years ago I had right side inguinal hernia repair, which I had had almost all my life. Why I waited so long I have no idea, but I had a mesh put in, repaired the hernia, and at that time the surgeon removed an enlarged pelvic lymph node he noticed, biopsy came back clear.
Fast forward to about 2 weeks ago.
First, let me explain that I have tried to keep myself educated, I have some minor medical training, my wife is in the medical field, so I understand the basics. And most of my adult life I have know that having this uderdeveloped testicle put me at a higher risk of TC. I have always done self exams, unfortunately not daily, but at least every week or so in the shower when I would remember. So anyways, I reach down, and to my absolute shock, my right testicle had doubled in size in what I would guess to be a months time. Now I beleive about 2 weeks prior to that I had noticed it slightly larger, but must have disregarded it as feeling more "normal" or maybe thought it was finally starting to grow to more normal size (yes I know, stupid). I noticed it was firm, oval in shape (not bean shaped my my left "normal" testicle. Definately not good. I fret about it for a day, then told my wife, who of course immedialy insisted I call the Dr. I waited another day then called a urologist for an appt. Now, my medical plan is fairly good, I don't have to go see a plan primary physician and get a referral, although it is recommended, I can pick any participating physician and go straight to them. I started researching and quickly found there are no uroligists I can find locally that advertise or state they handle or specialize in TC. Prostate specialists are everywhere, but not one mention of TC. So, I looked for the largest urology practice in the area, and then picked the physician who seemed to have the most experience. (practiced for 20 years, on board of this, that, and everything, and practices some newfangled surgery on prostates.) At least he should be able to refer me to someone who is a specialist if he doesn't I thought. So I call the office, and they are able to give me an appt in about 5 days. I go in for the appt, give the doc a brief history as I have here, and he gives me the exam. Yep, feels abnormal, gonna have to do some more testing. He has me get a blood test for markers, and an ultrasound. He briefly explains the procedure (if they find anything, the testicle comes out, biopsy, etc.) I am able to drive straight to the lab and get the blood test, but I have to wait 4 days for an opening for the ultrasound. Anyhow I have the ultrasound last friday, and they tell me to call the doctor on tuesday for the results (he in in the office on Tues and Thurs and Friday mornings, does surgeries all other days). I go through the anxiety of having to wait, and yesterday (tuesday) I call. He is with patients, but calls me back about 2 hours later. The blood work came back normal, but the ultrasound was not, it must come out. He seems strangely unconcerned, well, not unconcerned, but seemed to already have it figured out in his head what it was and how it would play out.? He explained that it was probably a seminoma, but I did the right thing and cought it early before it got worse. He stated although it was probably a seminoma, it could be anything, they needed to biopsy it to be sure. After the surgery, he stated they would get pelvic and chest xrays to be sure I was clear, but the surgery would probably clear me. This seemed odd to me. I thought that if cancer was suspected, all the stops were pulled out, every precaution was taken, and nothing would be taken for granted. Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself.
Then he advised me his office would call me to schedule surgery, they would call me within one week. He gave me the option of 2 hospitals he works out of, an stated his schedule is determined 6-8 weeks in advance, but I would not need to wait that long...
So, today I sit here in a panic. My mind races with every possibility from a quick recovery to my family mourning me at graveside. I sit here typing with this dull ache in my groin, knowing that this diseased thing grows inside me, every passing minute a chance for malignant cells to find their way elsewhere in my body. I want to run in the garage and grab the pruning shears, the way I feel is hard to describe. I have done my part, I have tried to stay in shape, I lift weights, run 3.5 miles every other day, don't smoke, drink once a month socially, and have a protien shake for breakfast, a protien shake with lowfat milk, bananas, and strawberries in a blender for lunch, and a healthy dinner for breakfast. Try to eat very few sugars, no caffiene, drink bottled water like crazy, all to stay healthy for my family and myself, wanting to enjoy my retirement when it comes (5 years). And with all that, here I sit with the realization that this thing could snuff me out regardless. All around me are folks who get no excersize, smoke like chimneys, eat what they want, and go on oblivious and without problems. Whatever. I'm a tad bit bitter. I work with about 220 folks at my employer, and my job puts me in touch with all of them, like a large family. Over the last 20 years, 2 coworkers have been diagnosed with cancer. It killed both of them, quickly. I know more non-survivors than survivors, and it does not make me feel good. I am scared, no denying that. I apologize for the long rant, I had to get these things off my chest, a catharsis of sorts I guess.
So, should I just wait? Should I try and find someone else to cut me quicker? What should I demand, a cat scan? If it is seminoma, is protocal to do a round of chemo to be safe? Should I have my testosterone level checked pre surgery to have a comparison? Should I be referred to an onchologist if it is cancer? I have the feeling he's going to give me xrays and send me on my way if they are clear.
Thanks for lisening,
Loosing my mind in MI
Mike
New to the forum obviously.
I'm 41, married for 18yrs with 3 kids 12, 10, 8.
Brief history.
Since I was a kid, I have had what i believe is called a retractible testicle (right) , that is after it decended, it would pass back into the abdomen and then back into the scrotum. Usually when I would sit down it would pass back up, then back down when I stood. Don't know why, but that was the way it was. Since it would pass back and forth, apparently, it never developed properly. I has been about 1/2 the size of my "normal" left testicle, and always sensitive and tender to touch and pressure. About 13 years ago, when the wife and I first tried to have children, we had difficulty, so we had fertility testing. I had a scrotal ultrasound and sperm testing. My sperm count was low normal, and my ultrasound showed "calcium deposits" but otherwise normal. End of that episode, then about 12 years ago I had right side inguinal hernia repair, which I had had almost all my life. Why I waited so long I have no idea, but I had a mesh put in, repaired the hernia, and at that time the surgeon removed an enlarged pelvic lymph node he noticed, biopsy came back clear.
Fast forward to about 2 weeks ago.
First, let me explain that I have tried to keep myself educated, I have some minor medical training, my wife is in the medical field, so I understand the basics. And most of my adult life I have know that having this uderdeveloped testicle put me at a higher risk of TC. I have always done self exams, unfortunately not daily, but at least every week or so in the shower when I would remember. So anyways, I reach down, and to my absolute shock, my right testicle had doubled in size in what I would guess to be a months time. Now I beleive about 2 weeks prior to that I had noticed it slightly larger, but must have disregarded it as feeling more "normal" or maybe thought it was finally starting to grow to more normal size (yes I know, stupid). I noticed it was firm, oval in shape (not bean shaped my my left "normal" testicle. Definately not good. I fret about it for a day, then told my wife, who of course immedialy insisted I call the Dr. I waited another day then called a urologist for an appt. Now, my medical plan is fairly good, I don't have to go see a plan primary physician and get a referral, although it is recommended, I can pick any participating physician and go straight to them. I started researching and quickly found there are no uroligists I can find locally that advertise or state they handle or specialize in TC. Prostate specialists are everywhere, but not one mention of TC. So, I looked for the largest urology practice in the area, and then picked the physician who seemed to have the most experience. (practiced for 20 years, on board of this, that, and everything, and practices some newfangled surgery on prostates.) At least he should be able to refer me to someone who is a specialist if he doesn't I thought. So I call the office, and they are able to give me an appt in about 5 days. I go in for the appt, give the doc a brief history as I have here, and he gives me the exam. Yep, feels abnormal, gonna have to do some more testing. He has me get a blood test for markers, and an ultrasound. He briefly explains the procedure (if they find anything, the testicle comes out, biopsy, etc.) I am able to drive straight to the lab and get the blood test, but I have to wait 4 days for an opening for the ultrasound. Anyhow I have the ultrasound last friday, and they tell me to call the doctor on tuesday for the results (he in in the office on Tues and Thurs and Friday mornings, does surgeries all other days). I go through the anxiety of having to wait, and yesterday (tuesday) I call. He is with patients, but calls me back about 2 hours later. The blood work came back normal, but the ultrasound was not, it must come out. He seems strangely unconcerned, well, not unconcerned, but seemed to already have it figured out in his head what it was and how it would play out.? He explained that it was probably a seminoma, but I did the right thing and cought it early before it got worse. He stated although it was probably a seminoma, it could be anything, they needed to biopsy it to be sure. After the surgery, he stated they would get pelvic and chest xrays to be sure I was clear, but the surgery would probably clear me. This seemed odd to me. I thought that if cancer was suspected, all the stops were pulled out, every precaution was taken, and nothing would be taken for granted. Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself.
Then he advised me his office would call me to schedule surgery, they would call me within one week. He gave me the option of 2 hospitals he works out of, an stated his schedule is determined 6-8 weeks in advance, but I would not need to wait that long...
So, today I sit here in a panic. My mind races with every possibility from a quick recovery to my family mourning me at graveside. I sit here typing with this dull ache in my groin, knowing that this diseased thing grows inside me, every passing minute a chance for malignant cells to find their way elsewhere in my body. I want to run in the garage and grab the pruning shears, the way I feel is hard to describe. I have done my part, I have tried to stay in shape, I lift weights, run 3.5 miles every other day, don't smoke, drink once a month socially, and have a protien shake for breakfast, a protien shake with lowfat milk, bananas, and strawberries in a blender for lunch, and a healthy dinner for breakfast. Try to eat very few sugars, no caffiene, drink bottled water like crazy, all to stay healthy for my family and myself, wanting to enjoy my retirement when it comes (5 years). And with all that, here I sit with the realization that this thing could snuff me out regardless. All around me are folks who get no excersize, smoke like chimneys, eat what they want, and go on oblivious and without problems. Whatever. I'm a tad bit bitter. I work with about 220 folks at my employer, and my job puts me in touch with all of them, like a large family. Over the last 20 years, 2 coworkers have been diagnosed with cancer. It killed both of them, quickly. I know more non-survivors than survivors, and it does not make me feel good. I am scared, no denying that. I apologize for the long rant, I had to get these things off my chest, a catharsis of sorts I guess.
So, should I just wait? Should I try and find someone else to cut me quicker? What should I demand, a cat scan? If it is seminoma, is protocal to do a round of chemo to be safe? Should I have my testosterone level checked pre surgery to have a comparison? Should I be referred to an onchologist if it is cancer? I have the feeling he's going to give me xrays and send me on my way if they are clear.
Thanks for lisening,
Loosing my mind in MI
Mike
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