Worried about our son

[drom]

Hi,

My son, 19, was just told he has TC and in a matter of 24 hours he has had a testicle removed and a shunt put in to relieve the pressure of a large tumor pressing on his kidney.

The Cat Scans have shown the cancer has spread as high as the lungs and the tumor near the kidney is very large. We are meeting with the doctor on Tuesday and we are getting a second opinion.

We know there will be Chemo but as parents we are devestated by the news. We understand the survival rate is high so we have hope.

Please tell us what we can expect and of course as parents we pray everything will be fine.

Thanks
Domenic

[Scott]

Welcome, Domenic. I'm sorry to hear about your son's situation. As you said, chemotherapy is certainly coming, and its cure rate is excellent. If you haven't already seen it, this TCRC page is a good place to start. I assume you don't have the pathology report or tumor marker test results? Hang in there!

[Chris'Mom]

Domenic...you have come to the right place for support and info...my son was only 20 when diagnosed last March, and he endured four rounds of chemo and RPLND surgery in NY...and he is doing wonderful...I remember how scared we as parents were...and trying not to show that to Chris....learn as much as you can reading old posts and info sites....please keep us posted...your son will get thru this and even though right now it is a dark time....light will come...please e-mail me personally if you need to...take care.....Mary Ellen

[Mom]

Domenic, I was in your spot last year at this time. Your son's situation is not unlike others on this forum. You have to take it one step at a time. It is devastating for a parent but you are going to have to show strength and be positive. Make sure your son's doctors are experts in the field. Don't worry about hurting anyone's feelings, go where he will get the best care. Do not jeopardise his care for convenience. The chemo is described as a "silver bullet" (probably should say platinum bullet) and has a remarkable cure rate. You will all get through it. We are all here for you. Dianne

[dadmo]

Domenic:
I just want to add my assureance that your son will be fine. Yes it will be tough, yes you will cry more and amazingly you will also laugh again. I found that the most important things I could do were to stay informed and take action. Become your sons health advocate, do as Scott said and visit the TCRC page and Dianne is right get to an expert if at all possible. The chemo can be done locally but there is no harm in having a real pro call the shots. (Bad pun I know). Keep in touch with the forum and ask lots of questions. If you can please post your sons pathologhy results. Take care and focus on helping your son.

[huckchef]

be strong for yourself and your son, he will need it. always be informed and always ask questions and right them down, so you dont forget!! it will be a trying time but always remember that IT WILL BE OKAY and that there are many of us here to talk too. our thoughts and prayers are with all of your family and don't hesitate to ask for help. there are alot of people here who have had the same bouts as you all will soon face. good luck and god bless!! brian

[justinsmom]

Dominec, As you have already heard here, you are not alone. My son was 20 when he was diagnosed June 29, had his testicle removed July 1. He underwent 4 rounds of chemo and just had a second surgery to remove a very large tumor (21 cm) remaining in his abdomen. But now, praise God he is cancer free!!! It is a scary journey, but you don't have to travel the path alone. The Lord is there to guide you and so are a bunch of great people here at this site and they will help you with answers so be sure to ask. Keep us posted with updates when you can. Remember testicular cancer has a very high rate of curability......Take care-Lanette

[drom]

We are moving along

Thanks for all the responses. We consulted with Sloan and they wanted us to start chemo right away because of the pain he was in. We have finished the first round and just bought him home today. He is very tired and went right to bed. The pain seems to be better but nausea is a problem.

We have a great support network and we are hoping for a full recovery. Everyone telling us their story is a huge help. Is there anything we should expect next as the chemo continues.

Thanks to all of you.

Domenic

[dadmo]

Domenic:
Sloan is world class cancer care facility and your son will do wonderfully there. At this point the most important things you can do is stay ahead of the nausea, make sure he takes the medication even if he thinks he feels ok. He will lose his hair, that will be upsetting but take it as a sign the them chemo is working as advertised. By the middle of this week he should be feeling pretty good. The chemo is cumulative so each round will be harder on him (and you). I don't want to overwhelm you with too much but be assured he is in the hand of the best. What Doctor is he seeing? My son was at Sloan and we worked with Motzer and Sheinfeld. What was your sons tumor composition and what chemo is he on? Do they think he will need an RPLND? Keep in touch with this site, a lot of wounderful people are here to help you work your way thru this mess.

[Scott]

I'm willing to bet Sloan has him on 4xEP. It's good that he's already well into treatment.

[Chris'Mom]

Hi Domenic, you have your son in good hands...Chris also was treated at Sloan, he had his chemo here at home under their instuctions and his RPLND surgery with Dr. Joel Sheinfeld because after chemo he had teratoma left. As we speak I am scheduling his first cat scan since surgery next week and I am so scared about that, even though things are going great and his blood work has been great....chemo was rough, but he got through it and always took his meds to keep on top of the nausea...he was very antsy and wired, and Chris did not sleep much, even though I wish he had....keep in touch...Mary Ellen

[drom]

He is on Etopside (VP-16), Bleomycin and Cisplatin. We started chemo at our local hospital because the pain was so great Sloan felt the treatment should start right away.

The tumor is a mixed germ and the pain he felt is less since the chemo. Of course the vomiting is a constant affair.

Mary Ellen I know your son will be fine, he is in our prayers.

Domenic

[Scott]

I guessed incorrectly, but BEP is appropriate treatment. Are they planning three or four cycles?

They should be able to help control the nausea. What have you been told about that?

[drom]

They are giving zofran and compazine.

By the way his doctor at Sloan is Motzer.

Domenic

[Chris'Mom]

Domenic, I feel so bad hearing your son is vomiting...the meds should be helping, Chris also took Zofran and compazine, but he also took another med about an hour before we would go for chemo, and I will have to look back at what that was, and that seemed to help also.....tell your Dr. about his vomiting....they can try something else....I'm thinking Chris took something called Kytril, but its been awhile....keep us posted and make sure he drinks tons of water after his chemo sessions...Mary Ellen