Testicle Removed Today

[Matt_24]

Hi everyone.

I'm new to the forum.

One month ago my testicle felt ODD to me. I really can't explain it. It was smooth, round with no bumps...but something kind of told me something wasn't right (really strange I know), but I felt like there were no signs of anything - but I'd stay on top of it.

Sunday I did a self-examination. The testicle was still smooth, round, with no bump - but it was HARDER overall than the other testicle. I gave it a lot of thought, and found/read this forum and on Monday went to my ER on base (Andrews Air Force base). They immediately did a sonogram, saw a mass, and scheduled me for removal today.

The DR said it did have two leisions on it which was atypical and asked if I had had any trauma. I thought he meant recently so I said no....but in the past as a kid I played sports and probably banged up my testicles a few times...but nothing major that I knew of. Possibly these could have left something? I honestly don't know.

So - incredibly frightened I went in this morning. I opted for the spinal which was great. Totally painless....I didn't get knocked out, but don't remember anything...and was nice and awake immediately afterward. In about 2 hours I was walking around, although still really number. In about 4 hours I was able to urinate so no catheter! I did have to push it out....at first, but it worked! So - my Dr ordered CT scans of my abodomen, more blood work, and chest x-rays. I'll find out Friday the results of the chest x-ray/ct scans, and Monday the results of the pathology.

Frustratingly the DR is very de-tached, but I understand. He wouldn't give me any straight answers because he couldn't without results. I undertstood he couldn't make predictions without data. The only thing he did say is that after reviewing the testicle - it did *appear* to him that the mass had not spread outside of the testicle. He said this with a poker face...but I guess that is a good thing. Thoughts?

Ok - so I went home the same day. I only took one percocet today and didn't feel like I needed it, but took one just-in-case. I'm really in no pain...just have a few days to worry about the results..LOL.

The DR said it was a really good find, because after doing the exam he said that evidence of a mass were so subtle...and that I found it as early as humanly possible. Again, no addition of "so you'll be fine..."...lol. but ok.

Anyhow, my testicle is gone...and hopefully all cancer along with it. I'm tired, but really felt compelled to get on here and share my incredibly recent story! They are working very fast! I'll keep everyone posted, and I'd appreciate your opinions.

Please keep me in your prayers that the mass was benign, or that the CT scans are all clear! Time to go to bed.

Thanks
Matt

[Scott]

Hi, Matt. You'll fit in well here with just the one testicle! So far, so good. As you've already said, you really need all your test results and the pathology report, but be poised to declare victory.

[Already Bald]

Welcome Matt

Matt,
You are right- that is quite a story. Sounds like you probably got it out in time- the pathologosts will be looking for "vascular invasion", as well as identifying exactly what was the mass. This may take a few days, or week and I suggest you get a second opinion on the path, from a center of excellence.
Even though you don't feel you need them, you should probably take the percs- it is best to keep the medicine at a constant level in your body.
I can't believe you went through your IO with just a spinal- you are a stud!
You will kick any cancer right back to where it came from.

[Matt_24]

Matt,
You are right- that is quite a story. Sounds like you probably got it out in time- the pathologosts will be looking for "vascular invasion", as well as identifying exactly what was the mass. This may take a few days, or week and I suggest you get a second opinion on the path, from a center of excellence.
Even though you don't feel you need them, you should probably take the percs- it is best to keep the medicine at a constant level in your body.
I can't believe you went through your IO with just a spinal- you are a stud!
You will kick any cancer right back to where it came from.

Thanks guys. I was reading another story before bed, and saw that I already had two responses. Wow.

I'm active duty...so I'm not sure I have an option for a second opinion, but depending on what they find I'll keep it open. I've heard that the two urologists at Andrews are really good. Also, my friend's wife is a urologist who said I can ask her anything at anytime! Perhaps I'll take her to an appointment with me if necessary (if news is bad).

The spinal was a piece of cake, truly. I was frightened of being put UNDER...and they gave the spinal option. Here is all I remember. He gave me an injection of something he called Valium's big brother. We rolled into the operation room, and I leaned forward "crunched" over. I felt the needle go in - but it really didn't hurt besides a small sting, and a felt a muscle twitch. Needles don't freak me out (thankfully, because I was stuck,poked,cut about 10,000 times today). Anyhow, as SOON as they pulled the needle out of my back, snap your fingers and I suddenly find myself in a conversation with two cute nurses in recovery. Go figure.

I'm hoping I found this fast enough. I guess it is good that no BUMP was found..(or I caught it ahead of that)...but whatever they find, I'm going to kick it's ass. I'm too young to do anything else. Thankfully there are no signs physically that I'm sick...so - I'm just being positive. Ok..now, really..I'm going to bed.

You know what is funny? I was close t not re-enlisting. I re-enlisted a few weeks ago and discover this. Can you imagine if I did not have med insurance and found this? Yikes...I doubt I would have had this fast, excellent help! I'm very blessed.

[Fed]

Hey Matt,
Welcome to the club! Wow, that definitely sounds like a good find if indeed the ultrasound found two masses. What I find even more impressive is that you are taking it all in stride, and that's a good way to start. Once the collection of radiology and blood tests is in, you treatment team will determine what comes next. In the meantime, take it easy and don't over-exert yourself (and no heavy lifting!).
You will find plenty of experienced people here in the Forum, so feel free to fire away with any questions or concerns you might have. Get some rest!

[Matt_24]

OK. Remembered one more thing. He said that they did receive ONE report back from the blood - and that the HCG was negative (which I assume is good). Negative is good, right? Anyhow, I'll find out more later.

And..he did say there was one mass - two lesions (does lesion=mass?). Time after time it was only referred to as one small mass. He never gave me a size,etc.

I can't say I took this in stride. When I got home last night and told my wife what happened, and looked at my beautiful daughter I was scared out of my mind. After my daughter went to bed...I immediately went to bed around 7 because I just wanted to sleep and no loner think about it for a while. It was a lot to digest so quickly, especially with such immediate surgery required. When I was checked into my room, pre-op I layed back down and slept for 3 hours....sleep seemed to be my way of hiding from it for a bit. I layed in bed and cryed my eyes out. I prayed a lot, but had such an easy surgery....I just have a great feeling about everything. Don't ask me why...but I just feel that everything will be ok now.

All I can do is pray that I caught it fast, and if I have to fight...I'm going to fight with everything I have. I'm hoping though, that it ends up benign...LOL...or that it has not spread anywhere.

I've been blessed to avoid close calls. I was supposed to start working on an "attacked" portion of the Pentagon on Sept 11 2001. They didn't have my parking situation worked out so I had to wait a day. Can you believe this? I did lose a good friend in that attack.

Did I mention I need some sleep? LOL...I'll check back tomorrow. Must...shut..down..computer.

[djmac]

Good luck Matt,

And don't worry, the statistics are definitely on your side, especially this early. And I would not rule out the possibility of benign lesions, especially with your history of injuries!

Best,

djm

[Fed]

OK. Remembered one more thing. He said that they did receive ONE report back from the blood - and that the HCG was negative (which I assume is good). Negative is good, right? Anyhow, I'll find out more later.

And..he did say there was one mass - two lesions (does lesion=mass?). Time after time it was only referred to as one small mass. He never gave me a size,etc.

Normal HCG is a good sign, but it doesn't tell the whole story. You'll need to know AFP, as well. You'll get the scoop on the size of the masses once the pathology report is available. Lymphovascular invasion is more important than size, though. Judging by your prompt finding, LV invasion sounds unlikely.

I can't say I took this in stride. When I got home last night and told my wife what happened, and looked at my beautiful daughter I was scared out of my mind.

Ah yes... facing the wife and the kid. I was diagnosed the day before Thanksgiving, and my wife was at work while I was getting all of the labs done in the ER. She couldn't find a sitter for my daughter, so I waited in the ER alone for a very long time. I brought with me a couple of journals to read, but I kept thinking about my daughter and my wife. At the same time, I kept getting looks of pity form the orderlies and the nurses (that didn't help). Although the attending urologist kept reassuring me of the fact that TC is highly curable, the shock was definitely overwhelming. The most important thing, though, is that you got the surgery taken care of promptly, and that bodes very well for you.

OK, now I need to get sleep. Take care!

[Rover]

So we're talking about reports, invasion and using lots of acronyms. You must feel right at home. Almost as if the military itself created TC. LOL.

In all seriousness though, strong work! at knowing what's going on in your body and not hesitating to act when you know something wasn't right.

Waiting for the results sucks, it just does. But it takes time to pull them all together and all that info is needed to know what's going on.

Get copies of all of your reports.

They will be used to determine what's needed from here out. With reports in hand you can focus on what the doc says. If there are any terms or phrases you're unsure of post them and the guys here will help out.

Heal up,
-chris

[dadmo]

It certainly sounds like you caught this early. Let's hope it's benign but if not you should still be fine. I do have one question, the odd feeling that lead you to the doctor was it a sensation of heaviness?

[Matt_24]

My doc called me at home today. He told me that CT SCAN results showed no enlargement of the lymph nodes which is good. He said that the mass appeared to be self-contained within the testicle. It sounded as if when he removed it he didn't physically "see" a mass on the testicle itself, but the testicle just still felt harder than normal. He basically said that so far, so good --- and just to sit back and relax until the final path reports come in. I'm scheduled for another appointment THURS of next week (yikes) to get all of my results, etc. Wow...what a long wait. But, so far it has been positive so I'm counting my blessings! Thanks for the encouragement!

Matt "Uni-Baller" Kimbro

[Matt_24]

It certainly sounds like you caught this early. Let's hope it's benign but if not you should still be fine. I do have one question, the odd feeling that lead you to the doctor was it a sensation of heaviness?

No, I can't say it was heaviness. It just felt slightly harder than the other. It was smooth, perfectly shaped..and still slightly squishy -- but not the same as the left one...and just harder. I can't really say, I just had an incredibly odd feeling about it. Even when it was perfectly round and showed no bumps...it truly felt "alien" for lack of a better term. And I just had this nagging feeling all day Sunday and early Monday to go to the dr asap.

The DR told me it was a great catch as well, and that I truly caught it as early as humanly possible. So - I still don't have my PATH report - but I would tell anyone....if something doesn't feel right - get it checked out early as possible. All they can say is, "Everything is fine."

OHHH...the Dr just called me AGAIN (as I was typing the previous paragraph) to tell me that he did a "wet" read of my chest x-ray with the radiologist and everything looked fine. Of course, a final report will be done that we will go over at my meeting next Thurs, but the hits just keep on coming, so that is good...right? I'm just ecstatic to keep getting positive news. I'm praying that the path reports will be just as good.

Thanks ya'll!

[dadmo]

Well unimat so far so good. No enlarged nodes is certainly good news. It sounds like you could be cured already.

[dadmo]

With a clear chest x-ray the only thing left is the blood work. Boy I wish that odd feeling could be quantified some how. My son described the same thing, it was simply the fact that he noticed that it was there, in a normal day you forget you even have them, at least at 56 you do .

[Matt_24]

With a clear chest x-ray the only thing left is the blood work. Boy I wish that odd feeling could be quantified some how. My son described the same thing, it was simply the fact that he noticed that it was there, in a normal day you forget you even have them, at least at 56 you do .

I'd just say, "When in doubt - get it checked out!"