Had the surgery, had the pathology results, now waiting to see the oncoligist

[scozzie]

Hi to all, firstly not glad to be here but oh so glad this site is here, you guys are a never ending source of inspiration. This is my first post although I have been veiwing since the day I was diagnosed. Not even sure if I am on the right part of the site. My wife and I are from Scotland but have been living the good life in Australia for the past 5 years until we came across the hurdle of TC about a month ago. Had been having a bit of discomfort in the testacles about a month ago and my left one shrunk to about half the size of the other so went to the docs, then an ultra sound, then back to the docs next day where he told me he was certain I had TC, that was the 27th may my wife's birthday. Seen the urologist the following week where he did a second u/s came back with an 11mm and a 5mm lesion on my left one. Had the surgery about 10 days ago and have almost made a full recovery although I am suffering a bit of a flu just now so the coughing fits do tend to hurt a lot. Had a vey anxious week waiting for the pathology as I am sure you have all went through. Anyway came back as seminoma stage 1, ct scan was clear and the blood markers good. I have an oncologist appointment this coming wednesday, it seems the way forward here is much like the uk with a single cycle of chemo before survailance. That I hope shall be the end of it all, I am kind of over being poked and prodded by doctors. There is a definite lack of these types of forum in Australia, this I hope is only down to the fact that TC is relatively rare here . Any othe Aussies on the site.

[Davepet]

Sorry you need to be here, but welcome anyway!

Keep us posted on your progress & feel free to ask any questions that might come up.

With your stage1, clear markers & CT, you are a good candidate to go directly to surveillance .

Dave

[scozzie]

Thanks Dave will keep the posts up.
Col

[Paul54]

I'll add my regrets that you had to cough up the price of admission. Surveillance for our type of seminoma is a good option, but you are stuck with surveillance for several years no matter what you decide. Single dose adjuvant chemo (carboplatin) is a good choice as well, especially if you intend to wander around the planet and sticking with a firm surveillance plan might not always be possible.

There are several Aussies hanging around. All are welcome. The ability to speak the Queen's English or reside in colonies are definitely not requirements.

[scozzie]

Thanks Paul, still a bit on the uninformed side mainly due to my urologist treating my results like a state secret. All he told me was that in was seminoma stage 1 and that in his opinion I would have one cycle of chemo before survailance,don't know what type as yet but I am hopefully the oncologist will fill in the blanks.

[scozzie]

Hi All
Just had the results of my first scan after my 1 x carbo and relieved to say its all good on the cancer front. Although my AFP from my last blood test in July was 2.4 and is now 4.1 not high I know and still within normal range and the oncologist is not concerned, my hcg has stayed the same at 1. The ct picked up that I have a hemangioma on my T 11 vertabrae which they say is nothing of concern. Also picked up that I have numerous collateral vessels over the right shoulder girdle, which have said relates to thoracic inlet syndrome. This I have researched an is normally caused by some kind of trauma and or repetitive work. I have had a far bit of shoulder pain for a few years, doesn't realy stop me doing anything so I think I will live with it for a little longer just to stay away from doctors for a while.

Best to all
Col

[DrOneBall]

Hi, Col!

That's terrific news! Hope it continues!

Matt

[scozzie]

Thanks Mat
Finally feels like I am getting past this crappy disease and like to think that I will be cured for good, next tests in 3 months but I don't plan on wasting any time thinking about it untill then, onwards and upwards I say.

Col