Symptoms returning..................

[1984bayliner]

Hello everyone,

Four years ago this month I had a right side orchiectomy and in July of the same year I elected to do the RPLND. I have been blessed and have recovered 100%, all my checkups have been just great.

I am one of those special people who does not show any change in the markers in blood tests, I tested the same before, during and after my cancer event.

Now I am having the same symptoms that I remember from before. My journey started with a dull stomach ache which at the time I did not know was related to my cancer. I have recently began having the same symptoms that I remember from before.

I have always been faithful at doing the self testical check, not as often as I used to but the "experience" never completely leaves your memory. Today I located what I am pretty sure is a dreaded lump or mass in the remaining testical.

I am scared to death......., I have not told anyone about my fears including my wife as of yet. I have a appt. with Dr. Birhle at the IU Cancer Center on June 23rd for a regular follow-up and I am afraid to wait until then to find out if my fears are correct.

I am having a rough time thinking about losing both of the boys. I had the nerve sparing procedure done with the RPLND and have had normal sexual function. I don't know how my wife and I are going to deal with the possibility of losing the other functional testical.

Can any of you offer me any council and or advice on what to do next and how to deal with my fears? Any help would be great, and thanks for alowing me to share my thoughts.

Ron

[RyanSeattle]

Ron, You should try to have your appointment moved up asap. If the other one has to go then so be it. It's better to be alive. From what I read is that you will be on testosterone replacements for the rest of your life but who cares. You can also get fake ones put in. Please deal with this asap. You know the risks of not taking care of this right away. Good luck ! Don't worry you can still have sex but no children.

[Scott]

Hey, Ron, I'm with Ryan. I'd ask to move up your appointment. It's quite possible that the lump you're feeling isn't cancer and that your mind is playing games with you, but you definitely don't want to wait and worry for the next couple weeks if you can avoid it. Hang in there.

[1984bayliner]

Hey thanks guys,

I agree with everything you said, I know I must move up my Drs. appt. and that is what I am planning to do as soon as I get up the nerve to tell my wife what's going on.

Thank you both for you concern and kind words.

Ron

[TommyTwoTimes]

If you can get in early...go for it. I just lost my 2nd and I'll tell you the aftermath is not bad at all. In fact, my testosterone was horrible with only one left, and since I have started replacement therapy a few weeks ago, the hydrolics work just fine and I am noticing small improvement in my mood and "attentiveness".

That being said, the peace of mind getting this checked out as fast as possible is worth it. Best case and realistic chance this is a false alarm. Worst case, you have battled before and know most of the drills.

Good luck.

[Fed]

I know these scares all-too-well, having had one myself last fall. As soon as I noticed something seemed wrong, I enlisted the help of my medical team ASAP and ended up having an ultrasound done the same day (and it was a false alarm). I concur with everyone above that you should try to move your appointment forward if at all possible, if anything, to relieve yourself of the burden of stress.

[Aegean]

I can't possibly add anything more to what already has been said except to say that you have to tell your wife tonight and get on that phone tomorrow. You don't know it is cancer, you do not know it is not, but you do know you have to deal with it asap.

[mahalomom]

Ron,

Seeing a loved one deal with this is completely scary. That bieng said, your wife would probably want to worry with you, rather than finding out later. You will get through this and if it is TC again, you will know how to kick its butt!!

[dadmo]

My son had a scare about a year ago. The best thing he did was move his appointment up. He had lots of symptoms that all went away after he visited the doctor.

[Karen]

Ron,
Did you get that appointment moved up? Good luck for this being just a scare and the symptoms being caused by nerves......

[Itsadeepbluesea]

I definitely agree with everything that was said. If you can get it moved up it can either help set your mind at ease or get things started right away as early detection is crucial. Also I would tell you wife. This isn't something you should have to deal with alone.

[Smartie]

On many occasions since I had cancer in 2001/2, I have had symptoms which have scared the hell out of me. There have been times when I've been certain that I have relapsed. The one and only thing that stops the worry is an appointment with the doctor.

Just like dadmo's son, on each occasion my symptoms have disappeared after the appointment.

[Kiwi]

I am scared to death......., .

Hey Ron

Scared to death – yip know how feel.

That week or so was about the hardest in my life, especially after the ultra sound and the walk back to the doc, I knew the result from seeing the scan.

First time I was in a ‘what ever’ mood and it hit me a bit but not in a huge way. Second one shattered me.

Ron we are a ‘rear’ breed so hears hoping you don’t need to join the club.

But in a really weird way I am now happier and more active that I have been for quite a long time. Also things work better than before.

Cheers

Kiwi :) :)

[MRMRSU]

...as soon as I get up the nerve to tell my wife what's going on.
As a general rule, we little ladies would much rather prefer to know sooner rather than later!!! Don't be afraid to share this news with your wife...you may find that some of your fears may be better shouldered by two people rather than one. After all, you are facing this together.

I do hope that you will have much success in getting an appointment prior to the 23rd.

[mmmmmbarb]

Good luck and stay brave. I hope you don't have it X2, but if you do, it's not the end of the world. There's always banking if you want more kids, hormone treatment, and prosethetics. Just be thankful you have a cancer that is easily diagnosed and quelled by the current treatments. Good luck again!