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Firstly I'd just like to say hello, and say what a great place I think this is. It’s really nice to see such warm people to give support to those that need it.
In October 2005 (I was 19 at the time), I discovered a suspect lump in my left testicle, while in my first year of university. I got it checked out, and I was told it was cancer, which was devastating, but I didn’t want it to affect my studies, as I worked hard to get there. I had the ochidectomy (lymph node removal isn’t common practice in the UK) and the prosthesis was put in place (which looks awful btw!). As the CT scan was clear, I was put on surveillance, without any chemotherapy.
The cancer was found to be a teratoma (they didn’t give me any more details). I continued university, and I haven’t done too badly, considering everything, and got on with my life. The whole event passed by so quickly, that I didn’t even tell my friends, as I didn’t want any special treatment. I only visit my urologist once a month for a blood test and quick inspection, which isn’t too bad either.
It’s been 9 months since I had the testicle removed, and my blood levels (ADF? - or something like that) are as expected, but over the last few days, to my horror, I have found a small nodule (a few mm max) toward the back of the other testicle. It could be my imagination, but I think the testicle has grown in size, and become a little harder. There isn’t really a dull pain, as I found with my previous lump, but I sometimes feel a little bit of discomfort.
I am terrified of the prospect of being diagnosed with TC again, and having my only other testicle removed, leaving me in an infertile sex-less state. I would undoubtedly have to have a high course of chemotherapy too, which from what I’ve read, is a horrifying. I humoured myself for a few hours today, convincing myself it just a cyst. But cysts don’t occur at my age, and they aren’t hard. But I guess I won’t know for sure before I have a scan.
I will be contacting my consultant urologist tomorrow morning, and making an urgent appointment.
My family have been amazingly supportive so far, and I know they will continue, whatever happens, but to lose both testicles at 20, before I have established a proper relationship, and had children and having to drop out of university (which I love) because of treatment, is a prospect nearly as bad as death for me.
I’m sorry for the negative post, but as I’m sure you can appreciate, it not been the best few days.
In October 2005 (I was 19 at the time), I discovered a suspect lump in my left testicle, while in my first year of university. I got it checked out, and I was told it was cancer, which was devastating, but I didn’t want it to affect my studies, as I worked hard to get there. I had the ochidectomy (lymph node removal isn’t common practice in the UK) and the prosthesis was put in place (which looks awful btw!). As the CT scan was clear, I was put on surveillance, without any chemotherapy.
The cancer was found to be a teratoma (they didn’t give me any more details). I continued university, and I haven’t done too badly, considering everything, and got on with my life. The whole event passed by so quickly, that I didn’t even tell my friends, as I didn’t want any special treatment. I only visit my urologist once a month for a blood test and quick inspection, which isn’t too bad either.
It’s been 9 months since I had the testicle removed, and my blood levels (ADF? - or something like that) are as expected, but over the last few days, to my horror, I have found a small nodule (a few mm max) toward the back of the other testicle. It could be my imagination, but I think the testicle has grown in size, and become a little harder. There isn’t really a dull pain, as I found with my previous lump, but I sometimes feel a little bit of discomfort.
I am terrified of the prospect of being diagnosed with TC again, and having my only other testicle removed, leaving me in an infertile sex-less state. I would undoubtedly have to have a high course of chemotherapy too, which from what I’ve read, is a horrifying. I humoured myself for a few hours today, convincing myself it just a cyst. But cysts don’t occur at my age, and they aren’t hard. But I guess I won’t know for sure before I have a scan.
I will be contacting my consultant urologist tomorrow morning, and making an urgent appointment.
My family have been amazingly supportive so far, and I know they will continue, whatever happens, but to lose both testicles at 20, before I have established a proper relationship, and had children and having to drop out of university (which I love) because of treatment, is a prospect nearly as bad as death for me.
I’m sorry for the negative post, but as I’m sure you can appreciate, it not been the best few days.
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