Just got RPLND

[rusty009]

Schhhhwweeeeeeeew! That was a royal pain in the arse. On March 8, I successfully had nerve sparing RLPND. Spent 5 nights in the hospital (U of Penn).

The first 3 days were quite hellish... epidural, morphine, pain, more morphine, catheter, stomach tube thru my nose, overworked and understaffed nurses. The doctor staff and my surgeon were excellent however. Luckily, I kept my pudding-making ability.

Just had my 38 staples removed, revealing my new 12 inch scar! On the beach this summer, I'll tell people it was a shark attack. So now I'm home with constant dull ache in my belly. I can't lift my 4 month old baby.

Path results reveal 1 of 21 lymph nodes removed contains 100% embyronal carcinoma, no sperm cord invasion. This is inline with my right orchiectomy 100% embryronal.

Going to area 'expert' oncologist this week. What do you guys think? Chemo or surveillance?




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[Scott]

I think there's a good chance the RPLND was enough to cure you, and you can save chemotherapy in reserve, in case of recurrence. What are your doctors advising?

[dadmo]

Surveillance would seem the route to go. Just make sure you don't miss any appointments. You will be watched so closely that if you should have a flare up it will be well under control.

[Fish]

I would also opt for surveillence if I were you. Also, be extremely careful not to overexert youself or lift ANYTHING over about 5 lbs, until your doc gives you the OK. I was too active after my RPLND and ended up with multiple hernias along the incision line that had to be repaired a number of years later (this surgery was worse than the original RPLND).

Best wishes for a quick recovery,

Jim

[Chris'Mom]

I am a little confused, if someone has cancer in the lymph node, wouldn't the AFP be elevated and chemo needed before RPLND, its been a while and maybe I am forgetting, but Chris had chemo then RPLND, AFP was about 45 at time of chemo I think...why did Sloan say chemo first and not RPLND, maybe Chris' cancer could have just been in the nodes and then they were removed.I thought that if AFP is still up...cancer is systemic and chemo is always needed...when is only RPLND needed.....sorry to ramble.....Mary Ellen

[rusty009]

Thanks for the replies. Today my oncologist recommended surveillance. He said a condition like mine (1 of 21 nodes contained metastasis) has a 20% chance of relapse in the lungs, and that chemo for me now doesn't make much sense compared to surveillance.

to Chris' mom: I'm no expert, but my AFP was normal at the time my docs recommended my RPLND. They said if my markers were elevated after i/o, chemo was the way to go.

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[Chris'Mom]

Thanks Rusty, that answered my question....I am glad to know you are doing great...Mary Ellen