on the same path

[Fed]

It's great to hear that you are on the mend. Likewise, the diagnosis of seminoma bodes well for your recovery. Did the remainder of your pathology show anything else (i.e. L/V invasion and such)? As you probably already know, adjuvant radiation is quite well vetted as subsequent Tx for seminoma, so it looks like you will be fine.

[slimjim]

forgot to mention that BCBS did cover the prothesis's after a lil' discussion, which made the decision to complete "the pair" a little easier....i think a similair discussion will take care of the Androgel Rx as well......

[slimjim]

Slimjim1,cancer0

Well, I've got great news to share....with a week's worth of postsurgery recovery behind me I can say ....no too bad. Pathology was pure seminoma.

We've made 3 trips to Gainesville already....have met with Endocrinologist and started Androgel. I had to "out-of-pocket" my Rx, because BCBS denied my initial claim...can you believe that? However, I feel very comfortable this is a battle I'll eventually win back my bucks. The gel is as easy to use as putting on sunscreen. Also met with an oncologist and have scheduled a round of radiation next Monday. I ended up choosing to have a second prothesis installed to match the one from 1983, and despite an uncomfortable anchoring stitch that I'm waiting anxiously for it to disintegrate, I'm healing well. Although I don't expect to be riding my motorcycle to work soon, I do expect to be back supervising by Thursday.

Thanks to everyone here who helps others through this process. The solid information offered here has provided me a foundation on which I could manage this process both mechanically and emotionally....

[Margaret]

Hi SlimJim, I hope you won't mind a woman butting in on the prosthesises topic. My husband asked me what i thought about him getting one after his ot and I have to be honest and tell you that he does not even look that different with only having one instead of two. I have talked to othe women who also share my feeling. Also, I would hate the thought that something plastic or silicone was rolling around in my body. After everything you have been through....get your jeep new rims and walk tall.

[slimjim]

Well, I found out over the weekend that my insurance doesn't cover the prosthesises (or whatever plural of prosthesis is) ...."elective surgery" sounds like I'm upgrading the rims on my jeep rather than fixing a flat...neverthesless, at $2k each I've decided I'd rather upgrade the rims on my jeep....they get seen a whole lot more anyway......I guess I won't be able to say I'm freeballin' anymore when I leave my boxers at home, but I'm sure I'll be able to create some new expressions while I'm recovering.....I'm going to take others' advice and begin liquid meals today to prevent any unnecessary and uncomfortable "movements". Bought my frozen peas and white vinegar... I think I'm ready! Thanks everybody for the knowledge and the advice....I couldn't imagine how I'd be going through this without the aid of this site.....

[slimjim]

Thanks Gary! I think I'm going to reschedule that Endocrinologist appointment...some posts have suggested that there wouldn't be any harm in waiting a week so I'm going to try and coordinate my surgical followup with my Endo appt on the same day........

I'm glad to know your surgery went well.....I'll be checking in to hear about your pathology and your next steps...I'm sure glad to know there are others out there surviving the same ordeal....

[The Prospector]

Hi Slimjim,
I had my I/O surgery just over a week ago and it was no problem, but I would definitely get a hotel room or see if they can keep you in the hospital for an extra night if you just have to come back the next day. They did this for me because I live about an hour from the hospital and I was grateful. you wouldn't want to be broken down at the side of the road and not have the strength to change a tire!

I'll be waiting to hear how it goes,
Good luck,
Gary

[Scott]

Does this mean no invasion? No metastisis? No spreading?

A clear CT scan and normal blood markers are great signs -- no spread detected! ("Invasion" refers to whether your primary tumor had spread into the blood or lymphatic system, which increases the chances that the cancer will spread. That would be in your pathology report.)

[slimjim]

some good news...i think

Well, some good news..i think...CT's "clear" and markers as follows;
afp March=2.1....afp now=2.4
bHCG Mar=2......bHCG now=3
didn't have LDH in Mar, but now it's 176.

Does this mean no invasion? No metastisis? No spreading?

Additionally, I've finally gotten an appointment with an Endicrinoloogist...unfortunately,..the day after surgery...how did everybody do traveling the next day? I'll be logging about 240 miles between going home from surgery and returning the next day. Maybe a hotel would be good idea?

Regarding the HRT...how soon after surgery does the replacement need to begin?

I didn't have any success in moving the surgery, so Monday is the day!

[Sans rt1]

Just to add my two cents worth. I am an "old guy", who was taking low dose (81mg) aspirin when I had my ultrasound. It was Good Friday, so the main reason my surgery was postponed until Monday was the holiday weekend, not the aspirin. My surgery was 4 days after taking a low dose of aspirin, and my urologist was glad to be aware of it, but not overly concerned about it.

I agree with the others that it is not a good excuse to postpone your surgery further. I also can't understand why it is taking so long to get your CT results and bloodwork results.

Anyway, I hope your surgery goes well and the results of the bloodwork and CT come back clean.

[Mom]

Being born with one testicle or an undecended testicle are risk factors. Being born with a hernia is a risk factor. My husband was born with one testicle and a hernia. When he was five he was operated on to "bring down" the testicle and to repair the hernia. He was operated on at Philadelphia's Children's Hospital by a former US Surgeon General. We had fertility problems that stemmed from a low sperm count. Again, it was a sign. He was diagnosed at 35 with TC. We then learned that he was a "text book" case for TC. I guess no one read the book or paid attention to what it said. However, this was 1980 and no one talked about it. My son was diagnosed 24 years later, he had no risk factors except that his father had the disease. Had we known there was a genetic factor (which we were told repeatedly that there was none) we might have been able to spare my son a lot of pain, both physically and emotionally. I do not think having a prosthesis implanted has anything to do with your diagnosis. My husband has been on TRT since 1980 and he has done fine. It will take a while to get the right dose but losing this testicle will not make you less of a man in any respect. You are going to be okay, Slimjim. Dianne

[Margaret]

Hi Slim, glad you found us, but hate that you have to be here...if that makes any sense.

So many things to touch on in your posts. Many people here have struggled with the desire to have more children and your outlook is really something special. And there are some creative ideas out there for having another child if that is where your heart directs you. I am glad first that you are taking an active role in getting the surgery done.

I thought a lot about the fact that you were born with one testicle and then you also asked about the implant. I asked my husband's doctor about possible connections as to why some people get this cancer and he always told me that it was random. I am not sure myself. I know my husband had a hernia that he was born with and he had it operated on when he was in his late 20's. They said it was the worst one they had ever seen. It was on the same side as the cancer. They told me there was no relation, but I still wonder.

I hope everything goes well for you. This is a great place for advice and support (these guys are really smart )! You and your family will be in my thoughts.

Margaret

[Karen]

slimjim,
When the urologist told my husband it looked like he had TC from the ultrasound Ray also needed to wait for the surgery because of the 81mg aspirin he takes each day. The surgical team all wanted him to wait ten days but we ended up waiting eight....and that was hell, so I can't imaging how you feel with your wait. The doc said if it wasn't for the aspirin they would have taken it out the next day, but concerns about bleeds are very real.
Hope you can get the damn thing out soon and move to a cure!!!!

[slimjim]

I'm ready for surgery....I've been mentally and emotionally preparing for it since I intercepted my first CT's results in March. I hadn't questioned the urgency until I began reading this site last week. I expressed my concerns today about the aspirin because of something that I had read over the weekend and was met with grave concern. I also asked about my markers retest and CT from last week, but "no results have made it to them yet." They (Shands-Gainesville, Florida) don't seem concerned about the rescheduling. Until I read the threads of others, I thought I was moving through the process with normal progression....it definitely doesn't seem that way to me now. Although Monday was what was they said would be the day, I will call tomorrow to see if sooner arrangements can be made. Nevertheless, i remain "gloves up". Thanks for the feedback.

[slimjim]

update and questions

Well, my surgery has been moved to Monday instead of Thursday due to recent aspirin usage....(i saw something in a thread and questioned my Urologist's PA about my concern having taken apsirin prior to exercise on Sunday...good thing I guess, but just more waiting).

I have some questions that maybe someone can shed some light for me....

I have not heard or seen in many threads the term or involvement of microlithiasis in relation to ultrasounds.....am I common or uncommon? Is this an indication of anything in particular?

Also, I havn't seen many incidences where removed masses (I/O) were not cancer. Obviously, I feel that my surgery is the right avenue, but I can't help thinking about what else it could [email protected]#....

Lastly, having been born with only 1 nugget, I had a prothesis installed at 13 (1983), and up 'til now I have had no issues with it whatsoever, but I can't help wondering (after reading pros and cons from another site) if it somehow may have contributed to my condition....anyone have any insight, background or comments? My urologist and I have agreed to replace both my existing prothesis and my ill-nad, with replacements faux-nads, however I'm still digging for research/opinions etc...