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**Scott** · 10-22-07, 08:33 AM

Hi, Ad Mans Mom. Rest assured that the cure rate for testicular cancer is excellent, approaching 100% in early stage cases. Today's surgery should be pretty quick. Sweat pants and a bag of frozen peas for the incision site should get Adam through the evening.

Do you have any blood test results yet to know whether tumor markers (AFP, hCG) are elevated? That may provide some additional clues about what to expect next.

**Ad Mans Mom** · 10-22-07, 08:43 AM

No the blood work was done on Thur. along with a chest X-Ray we have not heard the results yet.

Adams pain in his groin is still coming and going. Adams Urolgoist says its nerves. But nerves didn't bring him into ER with severe pain.

A friend recommended getting a journal and writing down Drs visits- when,where and who he saw and what was said. Helps she said down the road to have your own Medical records. I thought that was great advice.

**dadmo** · 10-22-07, 08:54 AM

Ad Mans Mom:
Certainly write down everyword. It's not a bad idea if you compare notes with what others in the room. Todays operation will be quick (usually less then a hour). He will be sore for a few days but the recovery will be quick. My son had his I/O on a friday and was back at school on Moday. Get copies of everything and a second opinion is always a good idea. As Scott mentioned this form of cancer is quite curable but it needs to be treated early and correctly. I know you won't rest but try. Let's hope it's not cancer but if it is feel free to ask anything and I do mean anything and if you're unsure about the answer ask it again. Don't ever think you're asking to many or stupid questions, we have all been in the smae spot as you and we all understand. If you son notices a lump on his scrotum tell him not to worry. Quite often a large blood clot will form and it scares the heck out of m ost guy's but it's common and will go away with time.

**Kev332** · 10-22-07, 09:19 AM

Like others have said, today should go pretty quick.. The surgery itself doesn't take too long at all. Once he is in recovery, and is able to urinate on his own, he should be all set to go home. I remember being a little sore, but it really wasn't too bad. Just make sure he takes it easy for a few days and doesn't over do it.

Like Dadmo said, get copies of all reports, and yes, taking notes is a great idea! You might want to get one of these notebooks,, it's free (you only pay for shipping) and a great way to keep things organized:

LAF Notebook

Hope things go well today.

-Kevin

**Fed** · 10-22-07, 09:51 AM

Hi Ad Mans Mom,
Allow me to join in welcoming you to the Forum. The guys have given you great advice with regards to Adam's care. One thing I want to add is to make sure that he uses the pain meds as needed, but to try to wean himself off of them. These narcotics can cause constipation, and that's one thing he won't want to deal with while recovering. Also, he should do no heavy lifting for 4-6 weeks (nothing heavier than a gallon of milk or a six-pack of beer).
On the side, I am happy to hear that you are very well-organized with all of this and are planning ahead for everything. I'm not sure whether all of the details on sending stuff to Sloan for a second read on the pathology are in the public forum, but if not, drop me a PM and I can pass that info to you.
Best of luck to Adam in the surgery today. I'm sure things will go very well. All the best,

**Jay68442** · 10-22-07, 10:04 AM

Welcome Ad Mans Mom. Good luck to You and Adam today.

**Karen** · 10-22-07, 10:15 AM

Ad Man's Mom,
Welcome. You've been given great tips by the guys, all I can add is at this point is http://tcrc.acor.org as an exellent resource, and a hug! Let us know the results when you get them.

**CharlieFL** · 10-22-07, 10:22 AM

Welcome to the Forum... all that has been said is indeed what you can expect - I had my I/O last month so I remember it well. The only thing you might want to be prepared for is that although it is an outpatient procedure, if they take him in after 3pm like you said, it is entirely possible that he may spend the night - depending on how he is handling it and whether he has been able to urinate. I say this because staying in the Hospital overnight may have more serious overtones for some people, but rest assured it is nothing to worry about - it's just a timing issue. Let us know how it goes....

**Ad Mans Mom** · 10-22-07, 11:47 AM

Thanks for all the great information. I've called my Insurance plan they said I could get a second opinion out of network with a 30% out of pocket copay-best news of the day.

As far as the late surgery- Adams watched football yesterday-only thing he said is keeping his mind off today, he said imagine I will be home tonight for Monday night football.

Will the urologist have an opinion after removal- visually, that he will be willing to share???

**Karen** · 10-22-07, 11:55 AM

My husband went in a 6pm ish and was home by around 11pm...surgery started later than scheduled and they wanted him to pee before he left, or he would have been home sooner. The urologist may comment on the size and if there apprears to be gross invasion...but it's the patholgy you want and the urologist can't comment on that. Keep in mind that with younger guys, non-seminoma is more prevalant, and it is usually a mixed cell type, so microscopic examination ans staining is really needed to nail the type and percentage. If you have the bllodwork results please post them....that can give the first clue of that you're dealing with.

**dadmo** · 10-22-07, 12:52 PM

In my son's case the doctor told us it was cancer the minute the operation was over and well before any pathology was done. He probably shouldn't have but he did.

**Fed** · 10-22-07, 01:12 PM

Sometimes you can tell from the gross specimen whether the masses are cancerous (and for TC, 95% of the times they are). When I went to the histopathology workshop, the professors brought real gross specimens. For the male GU lab, the prof grabbed this thing out of a bucket that reeked of formaldehyde and gave it to us to hold, examine and identify. The one that was handed to me?... a testis and a retroperitoneal lymph node with non-seminomatous masses

.

**Mom** · 10-22-07, 02:22 PM

All you have to do is switch the letters around and Ad Man's Mom almost becomes Adam's Mom. Well, I sure your not happy about joining the crew of Moms around here but welcome. You will see we have a lot in common, we love our sons, are terrified of this disease, we live day to day until we hear news, sometimes good and sometimes bad, along with fear we experience hope, sadness, happiness, anger, joy, you name it, a real roller coaster ride. But the main role we play is advocate for our sons and this is critical. You're in a good place to learn about this disease and gain helpful advice through the experience of others as to his diagnosis and treatment. Almost three years ago, my son was diagnosed. I had gone through this disease with his father and to think I had to live it again with my son was pretty awful. But one thing I did know and that was you can have this disease and be cured and go on to live a very happy, healthy, fulfilling, successful life. Also, three years ago, I dispaired of ever being a grandmother, and guess what, a little miracle will be born hopefully within the next couple of weeks. So, Adam's Mom, you're going to have to tough this out, but we are here to help you do it. Hang in there, stay strong, stay positive. Dianne

**Russell's Mom** · 10-22-07, 02:38 PM

Hello, There is not too much else to add, but just another with you. It sounds like you are holding your balance and off to a very strong start! One thing that was helpful along with the journal, I asked for print outs of all of the labs, pathology etc. I am working on a long term care plan (history of events and possible concerns) for Russell that he can carry throughout his life. Hopefully he will have any and all information "if" needed when he is 105 years old.

Take care, Sharon

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