Testicular Cancer Patient Questions

[LFDaddy]

Been a long while since I've posted here and just recently re-joined the forum, so trying to connect with people again.

On July 11th, I went into the ER that with excruciating pain in my right testicle and left that afternoon with one less nut due to a cancerous mass growing in it. Saw my surgeon on the 23rd of July and it was found to be a non-aggressive form of testicular cancer with a 100% success rate on curing it, with three weeks of radiation. I didn't require chemotherapy due to the stage and the fact it was still in the nut and hadn't started to spread.

In August, I started my radiation treatment, finishing out on September 3rd. Since then I've been back once for a checkup in October and everything was listed as fine. The radiation was applied to my lymph nodes due to the fact that had it started to spread any, it would go directly to my lymph nodes and go from there. Preemptive strike in the event anything had traveled.

My reason behind this thread is to connect with anyone else that has gone through this or possibly if anyone knew of patients that went through this. I also wanted to hear from them about any side-effects they've experienced or if they've had an recurrences. I've come to find that I had severe acid reflux since finishing out my radiation and some serious issues with temperatures. The weather being so inconsistent here lately doesn't help, but just wanted to hear some others insight on if they've experienced heat/cold sensitivity. I've also realized a big difference in my sex drive. Some days, I'm insatiable. Others I don't find any interest. Granted, it could be in part due to loss of the right testicle, but I'm not sure.

Overall, I'm doing fine. Acid reflux is manageable with some otc acid blockers or the use of tums. It's infrequent, just kind of comes and goes. The sensitivity to heat or cold is becoming an issue. Sex drive isn't a real issue to me, just curiosity getting the best of me since I'm 23, a month shy of 24..

I've already scheduled my follow up appointment for the 25th, so I'm going to bring these points up to my doctor once again, but as started previously: Just looking for some insight.

Thank you all for your attention.

Regards,
Cody

 

[Benvolio]

I doubt if either the reflux or the sensitivity are related at all. When you have been through something like that there is a tendency to wonder if every symptom after that is connected.But it is a mistake to jump to the conclusion that they are connected. It is winter, and cold sensitivity goes with the season. By all means ask the doctor, but I think he will tell you there is no connection.

 

[palbert]

Congratulations on catching it early and getting the proper treatment. I wish you all the best.

 

[Georgiadude]

Glad to hear you're going to win this fight. That's great.

I hope guys use this as a reminder to do a monthly self exam. The vast majority of testicular cancers can be caught and treated successfully by doing a self exam.

Steven.

 

[LFDaddy]

I doubt if either the reflux or the sensitivity are related at all. When you have been through something like that there is a tendency to wonder if every symptom after that is connected.But it is a mistake to jump to the conclusion that they are connected. It is winter, and cold sensitivity goes with the season. By all means ask the doctor, but I think he will tell you there is no connection.

It's a matter of having it looked at regardless of it will be deemed unrelated. I haven't had any prior trouble with acid reflux, so it makes me question it. The sensitivity has gotten worse FOLLOWING the treatment, so it's also something I'd rather have looked at and be written off as me not being used to a more humid climate than the one I grew up in and the ones I've lived in. I lived in the mid-west last year and dealt with snow and never did I have this much grief. Could just be harsher winter weather, who really knows.

Congratulations on catching it early and getting the proper treatment. I wish you all the best.

Thank you!

Glad to hear you're going to win this fight. That's great.

I hope guys use this as a reminder to do a monthly self exam. The vast majority of testicular cancers can be caught and treated successfully by doing a self exam.

Steven.

Thank you.

The part I forgot to add to the beginning, which I will do now, is I definitely wasn't doing regular checks up until I noticed tenderness and the swelling in my right testicle about 6 weeks prior to all of this taking place. I noticed my nut was pretty well hard and solid. I was treated for epiditimytis, which some of the inflammation had gone away but the testicle remained solid. That went on until the event on the 11th.

It's definitely important that if you notice something, you have it looked at. It could be nothing, or it could be something like what I've gone through. I know I'm not the first and not the last to deal with this, this is why I'm reaching out. I'd like to hear from others, if there are others registered here that have dealt with it or know of anyone that did.

Regards,
Cody

 

[LFDaddy]

Just an update.

I saw my surgeon again yesterday (May 13) and all results came back fine (blood work, ct scans with & without contrast, and my xrays) so, I was given a clean bill of health once again. Supposed to follow up again in August.. Big sigh of relief, been so nervous about the follow ups. Minor illnesses here and there kind of screwed with me and then a research paper going further into the topic of testicular cancer for a communications class spooked me, I suppose. Now, I can get back to being less worried.

I talked to him about the acid issues because they've only gotten worse with time and he said it's not uncommon that there are some patients who experience issues with acid reflux flare ups after a course of radiation, typically those that receive it in areas around the abdomen (my course of radiation was applied to my lymph nodes in the abdomen). I was referred to a specialist to see what they can do, but they have a long wait for appointments, so now to wait until I can get into see them. For now, I take ranitidine twice a day to keep it under control and it works quite well!

Not much more to say, but look forward to hearing from others that have gone through this.

Thank you!

Regards,
Cody

 

[Craiger]

Good to hear everything is OK. It's always a relief when your doctor gives you a clean bill of health. Particularly after your experience. Keep us informed.

Craiger

 

[LFDaddy]

Figure I would update this thread once more after my good news post. This time, it's less than stellar news but something I am dealing with.

I was deemed still in remission on all of my scans in early May as well as in my blood work. However, I had a large knot on my forehead from what I thought was a result of me hitting my head. Partially right. The doctors did a full panel of bloodwork, ct scans with & without contrast, an MRI, a PET scan, and a biopsy of the mass on my head. The results were a little disheartening.

After a biopsy of the tissue, it was deemed seminoma, or testicular cancer (a metastases from the original tumor). But on top of that, I have two other small spots; a spot inside one of my vertebrae & a spot on a lymph node in my groin. While they're both still very very small, I am still at risk for other issues related to the one in my vertebrae causing issues if it grows anymore. I haven't been staged, but it would be likely to say I am Stage III or Recurrent because of the biggest spot being on my head & this is my second diagnosis in less than a year.

The references I am using are:
http://tcrc.acor.org/staging.htm & http://www.cancer.org/cancer/testicularcancer/detailedguide/testicular-cancer-staging

While I am in process of receiving radiation treatments to shrink the tumors as this type of cancer is really sensitive to radiation, I do have to go through chemotherapy beginning mid to end of July. My prognosis is still very good even with it having traveled so far from the original tumor, just a matter of getting me through treatment and ensuring I take care of myself. I will update with more once I know more.

Thanks y'all.

Regards,
Cody

 

[Craiger]

Hey Cody,
Sorry to hear about the setback, but with your positive outlook and you medical support system it sounds like you are in good hands. Sometimes the hurdles life throws us can, in fact, make us stronger. I wish you the best throughout your radiation treatments and the up coming chemotherapy. Be sure to let us know how you are doing.

Craiger

 

[LFDaddy]

So, an update.. I am happy to report I am once again in remission.

The four cycles of chemotherapy started July 14th and just ended on October 13th. I had a 3-day hospital stay due to neutropenia & stomacitis, but otherwise the only thing I dealt with was pain/nausea/hair loss.

In the process of healing now, so have an appointment once a week to check my blood counts to ensure I am recovering as I should be.

Regards,
Cody

 

[palbert]

Very glad to hear such good news. Your vigilance and outlook are commendable. All the best.

 

[KaraBulut]

Thanks for the update.

The chemo for testicular cancer is rough. The trade-off is that it has one of the better survival rates. Hopefully, you're on the road to recovery and the worst is over.

 

[Craiger]

Awesome news, Cody. After the long chemo sessions and their effects, it's really good to hear that you are in remission and recovering well. Be sure to keep us updated on your progress throughout your recovery.

Craiger

 

[medic1]

I am happy to hear this Cody, regards Adam...........

 

[LFDaddy]

I just went back to work this past weekend (part time only).. and damn, it kicked my ass.
It felt good being back, nonetheless.

My counts are getting back to normal and I do feel better everyday, just having issues with energy levels. I have my next set of scans scheduled for December 3rd (PET, CT) and bloodwork, getting all results on December 9th.

Staying optimistic that this will be my last run in with cancer and everything will remain in remission.

Regards,
Cody

 

[Craiger]

Great news, Cody. Your optimism will surely bring a conclusion to your situation. It's welcome news each time you give us an update.

Craiger

 

[LFDaddy]

Another quick update.

A PET scan I had done on December 3rd came back with high activity in the scalp lesion (the tumor that is on either side of my skull), but it was less than what it originally started with. The original thought when we got the resultsthat showed activity was to remove the portion of my skull that was affected and the remainder of the tumor. I was sent to UAB for a secondary opinion and they deemed it un-necessary that we operate. Their thought was everything was still healing, so the scans were premature.

I have my next PET scan on February 5th, then return to UAB on the 13th of February.

The good news is, the bloodwork done on December 19th came back with normal results. My tumor markers have returned to zero. Just waiting to go back to Birmingham to find out what the next step is.

Been back to work for a while, finally getting my hair and energy back (very slowly, mind you..) but things are slowly going back to normal.



Hope to update y'all in a few weeks with great news.

Regards,
Cody

 

[Craiger]

Hey Cody,

Your medical team sounds great. Happy to hear that the need for surgery was eliminated for the time being. Just a few short days and your next scan and I am confident it will continue to show your remission. Also nice to hear you are back to work. As far a the hair, bald and balding are in...

Craiger