In July of 98 I was diagnosed has having testicular cancer. I had three different types of cancer encapsulated, for how long, I don't know. In 1989 I was on the junior varsity basketball team and I had to have a required physical. The doctor that performed the physical found the lump, and seemed curious as to why it was there, but never said anything else about it. This was the first time that I had noticed the lump. Nine years later my fiancée wanted me to get it checked out again by my new family doctor. I went to the doctor and he seemed rather anxious to get me in to a urologist. I made an appointment with the urologist and he didn't think that it was cancer because the lump had been there for so long. He sent me to get an ultrasound and that very day I was told I needed to have surgery as soon as possible to have either the lump or testicle removed. I was extremely nervous because this was going to be my first surgery. A friend that worked in the hospital helped me in many ways in dealing with my nervousness about the surgery. After the surgery I was in serious pain. I just wanted to get home; since this was an in and out surgery. I was nauseous all night, vomiting and in pain. The pain was consistent for about two weeks after the surgery. I couldn't sit up for two long, because liquid would start coming out of my incision. It was one week before I found out that it was cancer. I didn't take it to hard at first but about four months later I developed a severe depression. The reason for not taking it very hard was because I was told that even though I had three different types, they were all encapsulated in the testicle, meaning that there was a very slim chance that the cancer spread. One thing that NO ONE understands until they have had cancer is that ANY pain you have is always second guessed. Could this be cancer? Could it be something caused by my surgery or medication? This is what led to my depression. I am currently on four types of medication for my depression and anxiety. I have had many anxiety attacks and they are no picnic either. To get back to the cancer, I was sent to see a urologist at the University of Michigan hospital by the urologist that performed my surgery. I was presented with two options in Ann Arbor. One was to complete a five year plan with the hospital that included CT Scans, chest x-rays and blood tests. Basically they would keep a sharp eye out for anything that could be caused by cancer. The second choice was to have a severe surgery to take out my lymph nodes in my chest to be for sure that the cancer did not spread. After a week I decided that the surgery wasn't worth the extra pain and possible horrible side effects that it can cause. I found out the hard way that I was allergic to CT dye, even on the steroid prep! I had a reaction one night in Ann Arbor and the doctor on standby sent me to the emergency room for about three to five hours. After this reaction I am not taking the dye again! I am currently in my second year of therapy at UofM and my doctor says everything looks fine. The new problem I am having is a sharp pain in the right side of my abdomen. Twice I have had blood work done in the past two months that showed I may have a liver dysfunction. I am waiting for more results on this.
If anyone would like to talk about any of these things that they may be going through currently, please e-mail me. Sometimes talking with someone, even a stranger, can be comforting.