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  • #1

    Update

    Well,

    Precisely 3 months after my first day of Chemo on March 26th, Dr. Vaughn told me that my CT scan was clear, and he was putting me on surveillance.

    During those 3 months I endured 9 weeks of BEP, and all of the hair loss, nausea, fatigue, and emotional trials that go along with it.

    Also during those three months, I got married to the love of my life as scheduled, and had a blast on our honeymoon in St Barth.

    I have a chest X ray scheduled for August, but for now I feel like I can relax. I try not to even think about it coming back, I prefer to think I've won.

    I'm still figuring out how this thing has affected me as a whole. I'm not angrier, happier, more appreciate, or a cyclist yet... so maybe it wont change me that much... I wonder if thats a good thing?

    At any rate, I thought some of you might be interested.
    Diagnosed 3/6/07, Left orchiectomy, 100% Embryonal Carcinoma with lymph nodes detected via CT. 3x BEP started 3/26/07 at UPenn (Vaughn), "all clear" on 5/28/07. Surveillance since.
    Life is what happens when you're busy making plans.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Great hearing from you Joe, looks like you're getting on with life and it sounds great. Congratulations on the wedding. In just no time you will be celebrating your first wedding anniversary and a year cancer free!
    Spouse: I/O 8/80; embryonal, seminoma, teratoma; RPLND 9/80 - no reoccurrence - HRT 8/80; bladder cancer 11/97; reoccurrence: 4X
    Son: I/O 11/04; embryonal, teratoma; VI; 3XBEP; relapse 5/08; RPLND 6/18/08 - path: mature teratoma

    Comment

    • #3
      Glad to hear that your life is getting back to normal, Joe. Congrats on your marriage! And since it's just about fall, LET'S GO STATE!!!!!!!!
      4/26/07 - mass confirmed w/ no elevated markers
      4/27/07 - left I/O
      5/2/07 - Dx: 100% seminoma stage 1A
      Surveillance: CT/blood (6 month cycle)
      4/27/13 - 6 years cancer free!

      Comment

      • #4
        Joe!!! So wonderful so see you and so happy your wedding was nice.
        Co-survivor with husband Boyce, Diagnosed 7-11-06, orchiectomy right testicle on 7-12-06- Stage 3A: Mixed germ cell tumor with inguinal seminomatous and kartotypic carcinoma. One tumor over 10 cm, second tumor 4 cm, Chemo 4xBEP: Bi-lateral RPLND Dec 2006, nerve sparing but left sterile.
        Current DVT
        Current testosterone replacement therapy, Testim.

        "You must abandon the life you planned, to live the life that was meant for you" ~wisdom I have learned from my family on this forum

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        • #5
          Penn State Joe!!

          So great to hear that you've been faring well, and many congratulations on your wedding and honeymoon! What a ride, eh?

          As far as feeling something, there's really no "should-be-this-or-that-way." Cancer hits everyone differently, and the "emotional trials" of chemo as you mentioned it are a prime example that it has affected you somewhat. The most important thing is that you are still you. You're moving forward with your life. Don't look back. Keep being vigilant, and keep taking care of yourself.

          I'm just glad to hear that your life has gotten back on track after this little bump on the road. Cheers, my man, and Go Lions!
          "Life moves pretty fast; if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." -Ferris Bueller
          11.22.06 -Dx the day before Thanksgiving
          12.09.06 -Rt I/O; 100% seminoma, multifocal; Stage I-A; Surveillance; Six years out! I consider myself cured.

          Comment

          • #6
            Good to hear from you Joe, and I'm thrilled at your post!
            This forum needed a shot of good news this week, and an "All Clear" and Wedding news is just TERRIFIC!!
            We anxiously wait for the announcement of your heir!
            Stage III. Embryonal Carcinoma, Mature Teratoma, Choriocarcinoma.
            Diagnosed 4/19/06, Right I/O 4/21/06, RPLND 6/21/06, 4xEP, All Clear 1/29/07, RPLND Incisional Hernia Surgery 11/24/08, Hydrocelectomy and Vasectomy 11/23/09.

            Please see a physician for medical advice!

            My 2013 LiveSTRONG Site
            The 2013 Already Balders

            Comment

            • #7
              Originally posted by Already Bald
              Good to hear from you Joe, and I'm thrilled at your post!
              This forum needed a shot of good news this week, and an "All Clear" and Wedding news is just TERRIFIC!!
              We anxiously wait for the announcement of your heir!
              An heir wasn't in the plans for a few years before this all started. I big part of me hopes I never have to use the frozen samples, but I am glad they are there just in case....

              I still can't believe I have frozen sperm out there. I look back on the past 4 months and I can't even believe it happened. 4 months and that much about my life is changed forever.

              I've recently started thinking that I want a testicular implant. Does anyone here have any modern experience with that? the TCRC stuff seems very outdated.

              I really fear the RPLND at some point. Would that be the next obstacle if something started growing again, or would it be salvage chemo? I don't even know what the treatment is for any future growths...
              Diagnosed 3/6/07, Left orchiectomy, 100% Embryonal Carcinoma with lymph nodes detected via CT. 3x BEP started 3/26/07 at UPenn (Vaughn), "all clear" on 5/28/07. Surveillance since.
              Life is what happens when you're busy making plans.

              Comment

              • #8
                It's amazing Joe, because your case is very similar to my husband. Except his didn't end up being 100% Embryonal Carcinoma....

                We still worry about the RPLND, in the backs of our minds, as well.

                And my husband hasn't changed any either. I would say he is a bit more appreciative of things...but not by much....he is still very much the same. He hasn't taken up cycling either. He won't even wear one of the yellow bands!!!

                He cracks me up. Stubborn and won't conform to anything! Even if it is for a good cause. It has to be his idea, not someone elses.

                But he is still the same wonderful guy he was before. Just no life changing realizations about anything, which really is OK.


                I am sure cancer really effects everyone differently.

                I hope everything stays clear for you.

                Enjoy surveillance and enjoy your new bride!

                Becki

                Husband Right I/O 09/06
                -70% Embryonal Carcinoma
                -20% Teratoma
                -10% Yolk Sac Tumor
                11/06- lymph nodes 1.8x1.4 and 1.9x1.4
                12/06-PET Scan confirms activity in lymph nodes, lymph nodes 2.2x2.2 and 2.4x2.3
                1/07-Start 3xBEP
                4/07-PET clear, lymph nodes down to 1.1x0.5 and 1.8x1.0
                6/07-lymph nodes 1.2x1.0 and 1.9x.9
                8/07-lymph nodes 1.1x1.0 and 2.0x1.2
                10/07-lymph nodes 2.0x1.5 and 2.7x1.8
                11/07- PostChemo LRPLND-found burnt out teratoma
                11/09-Enlarging lymph node 1.2 cm near renal veins

                Comment

                • #9
                  Hi Joe: Always interested to hear great news and uplifting stories. Congratulations on your "all clear" and on your marriage. What a great turning point in the year for you. Best wishes and continued happiness!
                  Maria
                  *Hubby Andy diagnosed 02/13/07, Left IO 02/16/07 *Stage 1A Non-Seminoma (65% Immature Teratoma / 35% Embryonal Carcinoma) *RPLND 04/27/07 Lymph Nodes-ALL CLEAR
                  *Complications from Chylous Ascites so Laparotomy 05/03/07 *No food for 10 weeks, TPN only *07/18/07 Removed drains, tubes, picc line *CT Scan 07/31/07-ALL CLEAR
                  *CT Scan 02/12/08-ALL CLEAR *Hydrocele surgery 06/19/08 *CT Scan 9/30/08 and 03/06/09 shows <cm left lung nodule - under surveillance

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Originally posted by JoePSU
                    I really fear the RPLND at some point. Would that be the next obstacle if something started growing again, or would it be salvage chemo? I don't even know what the treatment is for any future growths...
                    You'll cross that bridge if you get to it. In the meantime, keep up with your check-ups.
                    "Life moves pretty fast; if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." -Ferris Bueller
                    11.22.06 -Dx the day before Thanksgiving
                    12.09.06 -Rt I/O; 100% seminoma, multifocal; Stage I-A; Surveillance; Six years out! I consider myself cured.

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Originally posted by JoePSU
                      I really fear the RPLND at some point. Would that be the next obstacle if something started growing again, or would it be salvage chemo? I don't even know what the treatment is for any future growths...
                      That's a chapter I fully expect you'll never have to read. (In case of recurrence, though, you could expect chemotherapy, not RPLND.)

                      I suspect you'll find in time that cancer hasn't changed you fundamentally, but it may be the catalyst that brings out some traits you already had.
                      Scott
                      right inguinal orchiectomy 6/5/2003 > nonseminoma, stage I > surveillance > L-RPLND 6/24/2005 for recurrence, suspected teratoma but found seminoma, stage II > chylous ascites until 9/2005 > surveillance and "all clear" since

                      Your donation funds Livestrong services for people facing cancer now. Please sponsor my ride!

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                      • #12
                        Joe:

                        Congratulations on the ALL CLEAR and your wedding, from a fellow Penn Stater!
                        Fish
                        TC1
                        Right I/O 4/22/1988
                        RPLND 6/20/1988
                        TC2
                        Left I/O 9/17/2003
                        Surveillance

                        Tho' much is taken, much abides; and though we are not now that strength which in old days moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are; one equal temper of heroic hearts, made weak by time and fate, but strong in will; to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

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