Asimovian, have you had the CT scan yet, or is it tomorrow? Hoping it was today so you might get results from your doc before the weekend.
I think research is important, and Dr. Google is fine IF you stick to medical journal articles and the occasional site you really trust not to exaggerate. That’s what I did when I got the cancer diagnosis, and I learned a lot. I also found online cancer-specific support groups helpful in ways docs and medical journals can’t be.
Going in Tuesday, but this is essentially considered an out-patient procedure, not complex surgery, despite its invasiveness. The operation itself is supposed to take roughly an hour, with maybe two to three hours of recovery time and checking to make sure everything that’s supposed to work still works before they send me home.
Actually, I’ve had a number of questions come up during the week (since I wasn’t aware I was going to have surgery when I met him on Monday, I really wasn’t prepared to ask intelligent things at the time). He called me early this morning, and I was able to chat with him and get those questions answered. I feel as good about it as I can under the circumstances.
The CT scan is actually later this afternoon. In talking with my doctor this morning, he said that if he got the images in time, he’d try to call me this afternoon/evening to discuss, but it may not be until Monday morning.
On the positive side, he said that my blood tests came back with normal levels of markers. Essentially, this means that I’m likely to have seminoma, which is the “preferable” type of testicular cancer to have in that it allows for more treatment options and is easiest to cure (assuming it is still Stage I).
I think I over-Googled yesterday and got myself unpleasantly wound up. Even sticking to journals and reputable sources, there can be such a thing as too much info when you’re in the middle of something. I was not having a good day yesterday. I will try to behave myself today.
I just went through the surgery in July. Getting ready to start chemo, s my markers have actually gone up since surgery.
I was in the surgery center for about 4 hours, total. That included check-in, paperwork, etc.
As for recovery, the first two days were excruciating, but by day three I was up and about and no longer taking the pain meds. The pain was all from the incision, btw.
Feel free to pm me of you have questions.
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golly. I would have thought you’d at least be kept in for a couple of days.
It’s fabulous that there are no markers, and nothing on the ct scan. You really have been very lucky to have found this so early in the circumstances. You should thank your other ball for having that suspicious lump.
I appreciate all of the insights and well-wishes in this thread for Asimovian. The real question is whether he can survive me as a caregiver. After all, my first husband didn’t make it out alive…
Hang in there, Asmovian! Cancer is always a big, scary deal, but not by any means a death sentence. Glad you caught it in time, and hope your ballectomy goes well. Could be worse; you at least won’t have to wear the Cone Of Shame afterwards.
I’ve had ultrasound on my heart, once, and legs a couple times looking for circulatory issues. I would joke that if the tech turns pale and dashes from the room for a doctor, you’ve got problems.
Heh, heh.
You can beat this; sending positive thoughts your way.
Well Asmovian, that’s why god gave us two of them. I’d be sorely tempted to write on my lower stomach in sharpie “not the one with the lump!”. Good luck tomorrow.
I’d be sorely tempted to write on my lower stomach in sharpie “not the one with the lump!”. Good luck tomorrow.