Tomorrows orchiectomy

[Matt_24]

Good luck.

I opted for the spinal w/ a bit of valium for my anesthesia. Worked like a charm. I remember them injecting me in the spine (which I hardly felt) and the next thing I know I'm laying in recovery and I had been in conversation with some nurses for some time. No clue what I was saying. That is always fun. LOL

I had to urinate before being allowed to leave and I "willed" myself too right away. I couldn't feel anything, but I just pushed really hard and it started flowing. Strange though, as I couldn't feel anything. I *really* didn't want a catheter, LOL.

Also, walk around as soon as you can. One of the orderlies took me on a nice walk for some laps and it was strange being so numb, but kind of fun. I probably stayed in the hospital around...9 hours or so altogether, but I also got my chest x-rays and CT scan done soon after my surgery, so a lot was accomplished that day.

My docs worked fast. I was diagnosed on Monday 9 April 07, and in surgery the morning of 10 April. Talk about scared out of my mind. I didn't know much more than I probably had cancer and needed surgery. I didn't get much of a briefing initially. I appreciate their expediency though.

[Margaret]

Matt, I am glad that is behind you...and I must say you sound so much better today . Let us know how the results turn out!!

[Ampaman]

I'm home!

Hello everyone, i'm doing fine except for some headaches I guess the sideeffects of the meds and all. First of all the hospital staff at Christ hospital were way beyond professional exceptional to the orderly that was pushing my wheelchair to the preadmission surg nurse that was asking me infos and consoling me that everything will be fine and sharing her story that she had mastectomy, survivor - and the tips she was giving me to file all my doctors reports, slides, diagnosis -to be in control of my health situation.
Here is my report from my Doc 5mm tumor, malignant lefty orchiectomy, he said I was lucky that I felt it coz it was small. I have an appointment nextweek to discuss more I guess on the pathology report on what kind of cancer it is and after treatment etc.
For the meantime i'm taking it easy i'm telling my single speed commuter bicycle that he will be on leave of absence and won't beeing seeing the streets of NYC for awhile till I get well.
Thanks for all your tips and support.

[fuse929]

Glad to hear all went well! Take er easy a few days and you will be back to normal in no time!

[Ampaman]

update

Hello all- hope everybody had a nice bbq (hotdogs n burgers) 4th of July.

Just went to my urologist today (staples removed) path results is not complete yet but he got a call today from the lab they said that the cancer is embryonal carcinoma full report would be nextweek, by the meantime my doc will refer me to MSK in NY as soon as he gets the full pathology report.

[Margaret]

Hello all- hope everybody had a nice bbq (hotdogs n burgers) 4th of July.

Just went to my urologist today (staples removed) path results is not complete yet but he got a call today from the lab they said that the cancer is embryonal carcinoma full report would be nextweek, by the meantime my doc will refer me to MSK in NY as soon as he gets the full pathology report.

Great to see you again. If you do choose MSK, they are wonderful. Let us know what we can do to help

[Fed]

Can't go wrong with Sloan. There and Indy are the epicenters of TC expertise. I'll be waiting to hear the details of your full path report. I take it you have recovered well, considering your mention of hot dogs and burgers .

[MRMRSU]

Glad to hear it went well!

Hi Ampaman, Glad to hear that your I/O surgery went well and that you're recovery is going smoothly. Happy thoughts!

[Ampaman]

Got the path report today finally.

Konnichiwa to all~
Here you FED can you explain it to me in laymans terms, appreciate thanks!
Finally I got the path report today: FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Left radical orchiectomy
specimen showing embryonal carcinoma with focal germ cell intratubular neoplasia and foci of hemorrhage, necrosis and lymphocytic reaction. The tunica albuginea, epididymis, spermatic cord and margins are clear. T1.
interpretation: Embryonal carcinoma. Focal germ cell intratubular neoplasia is identified.
comments: There is a minute component, less than 1% of the tumor, showing immunoreactivity consistent with yolk sac differentiation(AFP+, CD30-,OCT3-4-)

I'm still waiting for the slides to bring it to MSK for my apointment next week to DR. Sh.

Domo arigatou

[Already Bald]

That path is not to bad- (T1 is great)- that means it is very likely that you are already cured by the I/O.
Dr. Sh will probably recommend RPLND, and I am of the school that supports RPLND if there is even a sligt chance it will help you avoid chemo later on.
Remember, the MSKCC Pathology Lab may see something different in your slides, they did with me.
Best,

[Fed]

Kombanwa!
This is a very promising report. The good items here are that the tumor was confined and that there is little evidence of spread. It's great, though, that you are getting the slides read again at Sloan. Sheinfeld's pathologist (Victor Reuter) is the bomb; when I had my second read at Sloan, he called me at work to explain his assessment and was very thorough.
As far as what to do next... by being pT1 (stage I non-seminoma) you are a candidate for surveillance just as long as you keep up with all of your follow-ups. Embryonal carcinoma is one of the more aggressive forms of TC, and sometimes it tends to skip the lymph nodes and make a bee-line to the lungs, hence the importance of a strict follow-up schedule (markers and chest X-ray every 6-8 weeks plus abdominal/pelvic CT scans every 2-3 months). Under surveillance, you have a 70% chance of already being cured by the I/O alone. As AlreadyBald said, the RPLND is also an option. Have you had any CTs done lately?
Be sure to talk with your oncologist about all of your options, and ask many questions. You have decent choices, but a choice you must make, so be sure you make an informed one. Many here have similar pathology to yours, so I'm sure they will chime in.
Gokouun o inorimasu!

[Ampaman]

Hello guys and gals bonjourno,

Went to MSK today got my ID reg. etc by the way (4 5 6 trains are already running due to that steam pipe prob. in the city). Had blood drawn and also appt. for CT scan this week. Hopefully everything turns out well on my second phase. ( I will be praying harder tonight) : )

Ja mata

[Margaret]

I will be praying with you!

[Karen]

Ampaman,
I have been lurking on your thread...trying to come up with something in an exotic foreign language that wasn't a curse word. No luck. So I will wish you best of luck with your CT and appointment. You join a large group of Jersey guys and gals...and we've got your back!

[Ampaman]

CAT scan clear Blood results normal.

Shikamoo- Konnichiwa- Mabuhay! to everyone, (swahili)(nihonggo)(tagalog).


Just came back from MSK NYC my CATs scan are clear and blood results are normal i'm still absorbing this because I was not expecting this positive news and I guess from all the muscle joint aches and pains, weakness fatigue low energy being tired and headache that I have been experiencing I was already assuming everything with cancer since being diagnosed with TC. I swear this big C really messes your mind psychologically. It has no bounderies whether your white yellow or black nor skinny or fat or if you exercise or not. One thing I learned from this is that I clung to my faith more for divine strength and profound courage in prayers, every single day I always try to cherish it no matter what, I have more patience nowadays and always count my blessings since I know out there in other countries there are poorest of the poor that are less fortunate ones that have no access to healthcare and people who have critical situations than mine for that I will always pray harder than ever.

My RPLND is scheduled next week! (wife and I tossed coin, it was heads).
any tips???????

ps. On pain mgt anybody had that morp/methdone thing?.

Domo arigatou...


100% embryonal carcinoma
no lymphatic invasion
CAT scan clear
Blood clear
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