Have the surgery on Wednesday

[BadTwin]

Hi all-

I was told on Friday that I have a tumor and have the surgery on Wednesday to take out my tumor. I was wondering if it is normal to think every ache and pain is the spread of this cancer thru my body.(itdoesnot help that idid strenuous yard work all weekend) I am probably just a bit paranoid, but I worry about being present for my 3 year old boy.

I use the term bad twin, because that is what I was joking with the lady running the US that I was going to name it. I appreciate having this board as a place to come to get feedback from those who have already walked this path.

-BT

[Scott]

I was wondering if it is normal to think every ache and pain is the spread of this cancer thru my body.

You bet those thoughts are normal. But very unlikely! Take it one step at a time. Did you have blood tests yet?

[BadTwin]

Just had the tests done today. Unfortunately, no results as of yet.

I think the waiting is the worst part of it. I would have let the urologist take this thing out this afternoon, if he would have done it in his office.

BT

[BadTwin]

Of course, the title should have read, Have the surgery on Wednesday.

Maybe I could have the doc take away the spelling feature from this iPad while he is removing things,

BT

[Scott]

Of course, the title should have read, Have the surgery on Wednesday.

Fixed that for you. Least I can do!

[BadTwin]

Thanks very much!

[1lessball2answr]

Ohhhhh yes. As soon as I read somewhere that a backache was a sign of spread, I suddenly had a backache. Of course, I then had my CT scans done that showed no spread, and my backache mysteriously disappeared...

You're right about the waiting, it's really tough. But you'll get through it.

Let us know how your surgery goes tomorrow.

Patrick

[frank1980]

Unfortunately it's common to think, when a pain appears, that it could be a symptom of a cancer spread or of another kind of cancer generating at the same time. I also think that the mind plays nasty tricks to us. Anyway, even if I know it's difficult in the moments before having the surgery and waiting for the first results, try to stay positive. I can assure to you that after the orchiectomy you will start immediately to feel better because the psychological weight of the surgery went away. Stay strong and keep us informed about your surgery and your test results!

All the best wishes for tomorrow!
Frank

[BadTwin]

Hi all

Had the surgery yesterday, and a ct scan the day before. The results of the ct scan showed no spread. It was a huge relief.

All went well at the surgery, had an awful nights sleep(if you can call it that). Trying to take the pain meds only for last resort. (been in recovery for 8 years for alcohol). Hoping today goes better, and wishing that I had a larger dvd collection as daytime tv really sucks.

The back pain has vanished magically.

BadTwin

[1lessball2answr]

Hey!

Great news about your CT scans -- and more great news about the vanishing back pains! The mind is a powerful thing, isn't it? So I guess now you wait to see what the pathology of the tumor is.

I also had an awful night of "sleep" after my surgery -- I think it was a combination of not being able to sleep in my normal position and mentally being pretty wound up from what had happened that day. Hope you are able to rest up more and glad to hear it went well!

Patrick

[BadTwin]

Hi All-

I just got the results of the pathology on the tumor. They said it was a spindle cell tumor, and was malignant. I am trying to look that up, as it was not one that i was expecting.

Does anyone have any info on this type of tumor, or has anyone dealt with a result like this before?

Thanks

[S P]

I don't know anything about that other than what I just looked up on wikipedia. Will let some of the moderators chime in, but this sounds like a completely different type of cancer (originates from connective tissue?)

[CW406]

From what I've read, it looks like that might be a synonymous or related term for stromal/Leydig/Sertoli cell tumors, which, while rare, are pretty well-known testicular malignancies. But I'm no expert. Hang in there, there are some true experts on this board (and hopefully you will find a good oncologist as well).

[BadTwin]

Thanks S P and CW .

They said they are sending some questions back to Johns Hopkins for further clarification. I hope it is around staging etc. On the positive side, i did read that they start staging this at about 5CM, anything less is considered stage 1(mine was 3CM on the ultrasound). But they also are looking to see if the cells had the ability to spread or if they were all encompassed in the tumor.

I am thinking positive thougths, and trying not to let the thoughts of 'Why do they need a second opinion on the classification?" weigh on my mind.

The reading I have done makes this sound like it is tough to find, but good results ensue if they get it all early.

BT