CT scan after testicle removed

[keepcouchfresh]

I had my orchiectomy last week, and late Monday I scheduled my CAT scan for tomorrow afternoon........the pathology came back as the embryonic carcinoma and my doctor will be out next week and was concerned about getting the CAT scan results asap, he hinted at the lymph node surgery as the next step but didn't want to get ahead of himself

early last week I had 2 testicles and I thought I was moving in a whirlwind..............should I be worried about the doctor being out next week and him not getting the cat scan results in time......I figured even if they got the results tomorrow i'd have to wait a while before the surgery or whatever is the next step could happen

it's nice to have a forum like this, as much pain as I'm still in from my surgery looking at the pictures of the lymph node surgery is terrifying

[Margaret]

Welcome KeepCouchFresh, but sorry you had to come in the first place

First of all, I think your doctor seems very interested in giving you great care..if you want your results sooner maybe you could address that with him..waiting is one of the worst parts of this journey.

In regards to the RPLND surgery, you will find lots of support here. Many of the men here, my husband included, has had the surgery and even though it is scary, you can do it...and most likely surprise yourself in how well you will do.

Lean on us for support and please let me know if there is anything we can do. My husband will be happy to talk to you over the phone if you think it might help.

[jaybird]

Welcome to the forum, sorry you have to be here. I don't think your doc being out next week will slow down any of the treatment schedules but that sucks you have to wait. In the meantime you may want to call your doctors office and request the report yourself so you will be well prepared when you do visit with your doctor. This will give you time to study and understand all your options so that you will be ready to make a decision fast. This is a very curable cancer; you will get through this. There are many people on this board that will bend over backwards to guide you in the right direction.

[Karen]

Welcome, KeepCouchFresh. (Ya gotta tell us where that name came from or some of us won't be able to sleep tonight! ).

The guys here are a wealth of information on RPLNDs. It is a whirlwind...the diagnosis, I/O, torture of waiting for the path, and then the next steps. In the meantime, http://tcrc.acor.org is a great site for information, as well as the main page of this site. Do you have more info on the path....size, invasion etc? A CT so soon after the I/O can sometimes show a bit of lymph node enlargement on the same side as the surgery from the surgical "insult".

We are one big family here, and you are not alone.

[Already Bald]

Hello Keep Couch Fresh,
Wow, Margaret, Jaybird and Karen have already given you terrific answers to your first post.
Your doc must have a covering doc that you can call?? Waiting is always the tough part, and I'm sure your surgeon will want to talk to you about the next options in person. Either way, the next steps in treatment will not happen right away and getting the primary tumor out may even have cured you.

If you are a canidate for the RPLND, don't stress about it. I got through it, and I'm a major wus!

[Fed]

Yo dude,
I have little more to add to what everyone else has said. Suffice it to say, you have gone through a lot in a very short period of time, and although the anxiety might be overwhelming, try to take it a day at a time.
That said, the quick way in which everything was done is quite exemplary, and will aid enormously in you being cured that much faster. Are there any further details on the pathology other than your Dx being that of embryonal carcinoma? Also, what do your tumor markers say? While an RPLND is a common course of action for non-seminoma, many variables come into play to determine the appropriate course of action. The full pathology, the CT scans, a chest X-ray, and the blood markers combined will give the full picture.
In the meantime, focus on recovering from the I/O. No heavy lifting! Get some rest, and keep posting your questions and concerns as they arise.
Best,

[MRMRSU]

Welcome to the forum!

Hi keepcouchfresh - Try saying that three times fast My guess is that you're an inventor who came up with a cool household product for dog fanatics like myself who can't seem to keep the four-pawed pups off furniture (I'm not anywhere close, am I?).

Welcome to the club...sorry you didn't have a chance to decline the membership. And I understand from your post that you've paid your entrance fee with your orchiectomy. I'm very happy for you that your recovery is going well, and I hope that you will find comfort here as my husband and I have these past few months.

Glad you have your CT scan scheduled for Thursday, but it's very possible that you may not get your results back until Friday or even after the weekend. Joe (Already Bald)'s question is a good one...perhaps there is another doctor covering while yours is out next week who can assist you with the results? Might be worth asking to help with the awful task of waiting. I can only imagine the heavy fog you must feel like you're in. Don't be afraid, you're not alone in this...and the promise of clarity will come soon enough. If you reach the point of RPLND as you mentioned, the wonderful guys here will have so much information to share with you, so feel free to ask away! Take care of yourself and good luck with your CT scan! Everyone here is pulling for you!

[keepcouchfresh]

thanks for the words of support everybody, I just thought of a funny username at the time

the CT scan showed only 1 lump of concern near the kidney that wasn't too big, I had my blood drawn yesterday so the doctor can see the tumor level after the I/O and then next week the same blood tests again

the doctor explained if the tumor level comes back as low then the rplnd would be the way to go and if it comes back as high I would need to meet with an oncologist for chemotherapy

I've read about chemo online about the different ways it's administered and the many side effects, my question is the stories I've read make it sound like you live in the hospital for days when you get it but other things I've read make it sound like you just drive home at the end of the day and show up the next day for more and other things say you take an iv home with you..........so I'm trying to figure out how that's all gonna work?

about 10 days after the I/O I feel much closer to normal

[thedster]

Chemo Options

Hey Keep Couch Fresh,
There are many different ways of having chemo, and it depends on where you live and what you doctor thinks. I live in Japan and they wanted me in hosptial the entire time I had the actual chemo and waited for the white blood cell count to come right before letteing me out.

I had massive dives in my WBC and had to stay longer, or rather they let me out for nights at home but had to have blood tests every day.

Make sure that you talk with your Docter about anti nausea medication. I live in Japan and they pumped me full on anti nasuea constantly. I won't say it was pleasant but it really helped after a few days of the drugs. Also make sure if you are doing outpatient which seems to be the norm in western countries that they provide you with the very best anti nausia drugs available.

A friend of mine had breast cancer chemo in Australia and luckly her brother works in the industry and provided her with the best you can get. It made a huge difference for her.

The after affects of chemo will take ages to get over. I'm 4 months out now and just clearing all the drugs out, but I'm in great health with good blood tests, so yes its not nice. But its part of the battle that you will win.

david
shirokane
Japan

[MRMRSU]

Hi keepcouchfresh! The guys will surely be able to give you some info on your questions about chemo. Andy didn't have to go through it with his TC...and my only point of reference is my mom who had fibrosarcoma. From what I remember of her chemo, she had to go to the cancer center during the day but was able to go home in the evenings...she had a picc line in her forearm through which they administered the treatments. Like David (thedster) said, the anti-nausea is important, and it was a huge relief for my mom.

I'm pulling for you and that all your bloodwork comes back favorably. Happy thoughts from California!

[Already Bald]

I've read about chemo online about the different ways it's administered and the many side effects, my question is the stories I've read make it sound like you live in the hospital for days when you get it but other things I've read make it sound like you just drive home at the end of the day and show up the next day for more and other things say you take an iv home with you..........so I'm trying to figure out how that's all gonna work?

about 10 days after the I/O I feel much closer to normal

I went through 4xEP, all out-patient, and I came through just fine.
There are things you need to prepare for and be aware of during chemo- and if it comes to that we will help you through it.
In the meantime, try not to get ahead of yourself.
Let us know how things develop.
Joe

[keepcouchfresh]

hey all,

thanks for the words of encouragement, my doctor got back to me today and said the results of the blood tests showed the tumor markers didn't really budge and he's going to look into an oncologist who specializes in TC for me to get started on chemo, so...oh well

i'm thinking about working from home once it starts maybe to make life easier, I'm in a unique situation where I'll most likely be taking myself to and from treatment but from stories I've read online, people can lead productive lives on chemo.........but it's extremes, one story was about a 49 year old lady who got her blackbelt on chemo and the next is about a young guy who was confined to a bed on chemo

I think I will feel bad and sick but will likely be way more mobile and capable then I was after the I/O, I do like this little period in between the I/O and chemo because now I feel completely normal after the I/O

[DianeE]

Hi Couch,

Sorry you have to go through the chemo thing, but it will cure you. Everyone seems to react in their own way to chemo, so try not to
stress about how you're going to feel. The guys who went through
it will give you tips on how to keep your discomfort to a minimum.

If you can work from home, I think it will be good for you. That wayyou
can drink constantly (which you'll want to do) and eat and rest often.
I don't know about driving yourself to and from throughout the treatment.
I think some of the guys did, but as you get further into the treatment,
it may be difficult to concentrate on driving. See what the guys
have to say about it.

You'll get through it!!

Diane

Diane

[Fed]

Hey man,
Although it's a bummer you will have to go through chemo, the prospects of you beating this are still quite high. Keep your head up, and you will come out with flying colors. Many have gone through this, and I am sure people will chime in. All the best,

[Already Bald]

If you can work from home, I think it will be good for you. That wayyou
can drink constantly (which you'll want to do) and eat and rest often.
I don't know about driving yourself to and from throughout the treatment.
I think some of the guys did, but as you get further into the treatment,
it may be difficult to concentrate on driving. See what the guys
have to say about it.

You'll get through it!!

Diane

Diane

Couch,
I got pretty sleepy after my infusions, which lasted about 4 hours.
Sometimes I napped out in the car on the way home- which is uncharacteristic of me. I think that was from the Ativan I received via IV.
(My drive from home to HUP is almost an hour).
I would try to work on getting a driver if I were you.
And working form home would be best, both physically and mentally.
Start the habit of drinking water and Gatorade now, it is very important.
Keep positive! You will get through this