New Member w/TC

[jmac]

Hi everyone,

I just stumbled upon this site and it looks like it might be a good resource. I was diagnosed on 10/1...had surgery on 10/23 to remove my left testicle...seminoma. Yesterday was follow up visits with my Urologist and our first meeting with the Radiation Oncologist...found out that I am Stage IIC and have a tumor larger 7.6cm x 6.7cm in the Lymphnode are by the abdomen...I am new to this, so some of my "medical" terms may be off...tomorrow I meet with the Chemo Oncologist to find out next steps...needless to say I am a little scared about Chemo, etc...

More importantly, I am more concerned for my wife, who is a wreck, my sons...one is 18yrs and away at school (Purdue) and a 15 year old...they all seem to be struggling more than I am...I just don't let them know I am a little concerned.

Anyhow, I figured I would post and look for any advise and input about what the months a head look like...if I could get the "swelling" down I would be happy...it's gotten better, but my Urologist said it could be another couple of weeks...

I am using Univ. of Michigan..

[Fed]

Hey jmac,

Welcome to the Forum. I hope that everything you will find around here will be of help. First off, your II-C diagnosis of seminoma is quite straightforward: you will get either 3xBEP or 4xEP. The former takes 9 weeks, the latter 12. BEP exposes you to bleomycin, which can carry some pulmonary toxicity, while the EP regimen excludes this, but the extra platinum increases the propensity of developing peripheral neuropathy and possibly some hearing loss. Both are equally effective and will give you an excellent shot (>90% chance) at being cured.

The family issues are of a different nature, and it is understandable that they are concerned. At the very least, you should try to convince them that your prognosis with chemotherapy is excellent. A cancer diagnosis is hard for both the patient and the caregivers. Just know that we are here to help you navigate this as best as we can. Cheers,

Fed

[Scott]

I just don't let them know I am a little concerned.I'm sure "a little concerned" is an understatement, but welcome to the forums, where you'll find a lot of others who can relate. Hang in there. It probably doesn't seem that way now, but you'll get through the next several weeks before you know it.

[Already Bald]

I was diagnosed on 10/1...had surgery on 10/23 to remove my left testicle...seminoma.

Why the wait, I wonder?
I also wonder if Seminoma was the only germ cell in the path.
Best to you on your appointment tomorrow, let us know how it goes.
Joe

[Fed]

Why the wait, I wonder?

I'll venture a guess... no markers in the bloodwork drove the docs to the dangerous assumption that it was "only" seminoma. The path report may have proven them right, but that's not the way to deal with this.

[jmac]

Why the wait, I wonder?
I also wonder if Seminoma was the only germ cell in the path.
Best to you on your appointment tomorrow, let us know how it goes.
Joe

Thanks for the support...I moved the surgery date to take care of some pressing business issues...in hind site I wish I didn't...but I can't look back, just focus on getting through this!

[Paul54]

Jmac:
Sorry to welcome you. This sucks. There is no good time or age to deal with this. I assure you that seminoma is extremely treatable and curable for older guys. You need to let your family know that you intend to FIGHT this, you will SURVIVE this, and that life will get back to NORMAL. My sons are only slightly older than yours, so I understand the concerns and mentality. My wife, on the other hand, was always super-positive, like this was just a bad case of the flu (kind of drove me crazy).

From my research, it seems that the major TC centers of excellence use radiation as a second choice, or not at all. Preference is chemo. If I relapsed, I would be in your shoes (staging) and would go to chemo without hesitation. I wouldn't be happy about it, but the idea is to slam it hard.

Do your research, ask lots of questions, get copies of all reports. This has priority over work. Your job is protected. It will all be there after you beat this devil. Yes, even the stuff you wish would go away.:)

Best regards,
Paul

[Scott]

From my research, it seems that the major TC centers of excellence use radiation as a second choice, or not at all. Preference is chemo.I believe that's overgeneralizing. However, for stage IIC seminoma, chemotherapy is definitely the right treatment.

[LBu]

Hi
Just saying hello and that your not on your own with this.
There are many here that have been in a similar situation or that have gone through the same as you are doing.
My hubbys still awaiting staging of his seminoma -we get the results next week, but have been informed if scan not clear then chemo it will be.
I have been the same as your wife. Totally going to pieces. Our kids are little but its still been a nightmare. Just keep positive and stay focused on beating this. Echoing whats been said it is very treatable and you will all get through it.
Good luck for your appoinment.
Keep us posted.

[Margaret]

So many of us have been standing in your spot and we will be here to help you. You will get chemo and it will be in cycles. Normally they do a 3 week cycle, your first week, you will go Monday through Friday to get chemo and expect to be there for about 5-6 hours. Week two you will most likely go in for Bleo for one day, the rest of the days will be "off days" where you will not have to go in; week three is a repeat of week 2. That will complete one cycle. The next week you will start your second cycle and have the long week of 5 days on. I hope that made sense.

Normally you will get 3 to 4 rounds of BEP (chemo) with your staging.

If you wife needs someone to talk to, I am more than happy to provide my number. And if you need someone to talk to who has been through this before, my husband is always happy to call or have you call him.

I know this is a horrible thing to deal with, but I believe you can do it and a cure will be waiting for you.

Love, hugs and prayers,

Margaret

[jmac]

WOW!! Thanks everyone, I can't believe the support on this forum!!! I start Chemo on 11/17...not looking forward to it, but I know it is what has to be down...Margaret you are spot on in regards to treatment...3 cycles.

The prognosis is good...they feel confident that the 3 cycles should clean everything up...that certainly has my family feeling better...I guess I am a little more uncertain...for some reason I feel like there is more to the picture...I am being cautiosly (spelling sucks!!!) optimistic!!!

So now the big question, once the Chemo starts what should expect...I know what they told me, but you have lived it!