Hey everyone! Sorry it's been so long. Been on my back for a week and went back to work Thursday & Friday. I really did want to post anything without having solid information. So here it is.
Wednesday 3/23 I had a blood test ran to see if my cancer markers dropped. This same appointment I found out cancer markers have a 1/2 life. Got a call from my Oncologist on Thursday 3/24 with the results stating that 1 marker (HCG - pregnancy hormones) has gone completely down to normal (I'm NOT PREGNANT) and the other marker level dropped down to 25! I was at 127!
Sometime the beginning of next week I'll have another blood test ran to see where I stand. This will also help in making a decision on therapy or no therapy.
I'm so thankful for all the thoughts and prayers!
3.25.2011
3.16.2011
Surgery
I'm back home! Surgery was a success! Poor nurses & anesthesiologist couldn't find a vein to put IV in. I gave my recommend based on what the people who took my blood samples said "right down the middle there is a vein wide enough for a freight train." 6 pokes later all along BOTH arms they finally took my advise and it was a success. Surgery was suppose to start at 2pm but because of finding a spot for an IV took so long we were late. I remember walking into the OR and talking with everyone in the room. They game me some oxygen and told to take deep breaths and then it was lights out for me...
I woke up in the recovery room fighting to wake up. I had to take a peak at watch just happened. Lets just say I got a bad shave, a bandage, and missing a testicle. I actually choked back tears cause it's gone. 29 yrs of good times and now its gone. :( Oh well. They got Kacie at 3:45pm when I woke up. Kacie and I got to "kinda" see the tumorous testi. It was in a biohazard jar and filled with liquid. Hard to really see it cause of the liquid but it took up most of this jar. Only way I can describe the jar would be a small Ben & Jerry's tub. Not the individual ones but the next size up. It took up the whole bottom of the tub but not to the top. Pretty big! So now I have more material for jokes if someone says "I don't have balls" or "I have big balls."
Anyway, super happy they had Ritz Bits crackers for an after surgery snack. Once I was cleared we headed home. Very gingerly walk might I add. On our walk to the car we had an elderly couple with a walker pass me! Yeah, very gingerly walk! Car ride was ok. Costco Pharmacy filled my prescriptions in 20 mins and only cost $6 bucks! Another reason we LOVE Costco. While Kacie was waiting for these she did some food shopping just for me. I'm a very luck man! Don't worry, I didn't walk into Costco. I hung out in the car and played Angry Birds on Kacie's I-pad and called my Mom & Dad to let them know I am ok.
Once I got home I showed my kids my bandage. No, I didn't show them my private! Sickos!!! Just kidding. How do I describe my incision? Well, it is above my groin and just below my waist line. Dr went in where all the "plumbing" and muscles meet and took it out from there. Nothing near or on the scrotum. I've some some of the best kids EVER!!! They both made me Get Well cards. Very sweet. Both were gentle with hugs and kisses. In fact Miles even announced that after he kissed me. He's at that stage in life announcing what he's doing.
Recovery? Gotta keep wound clean & dry for 2 days. Yeah, come Saturday I might be stinky. But that shower will sure feel good. Dr said take it easy and lay down for 3 days. Wednesday March 23rd is follow up with doc and I should be back at work on Thursday March 24th. I'll have more to follow when I know it. I'll also know on Wed for sure if tumor is cancer. I'm guessing we'll talk therapy then too.
Thank you Kacie for taking good care of me. Thank you Kathy for watching our kids today. Thank you Erin for a warm dinner that wasn't fast food. And a special thanks to those who prayed and sent positive thoughts my way. I truly feel blessed for having such great family and friends.
Oh and thanks Ian for my great text, "Good luck! See you 1 nut later!!!" Classic Ian! Thanks for the laughs and keep them coming!
I woke up in the recovery room fighting to wake up. I had to take a peak at watch just happened. Lets just say I got a bad shave, a bandage, and missing a testicle. I actually choked back tears cause it's gone. 29 yrs of good times and now its gone. :( Oh well. They got Kacie at 3:45pm when I woke up. Kacie and I got to "kinda" see the tumorous testi. It was in a biohazard jar and filled with liquid. Hard to really see it cause of the liquid but it took up most of this jar. Only way I can describe the jar would be a small Ben & Jerry's tub. Not the individual ones but the next size up. It took up the whole bottom of the tub but not to the top. Pretty big! So now I have more material for jokes if someone says "I don't have balls" or "I have big balls."
Anyway, super happy they had Ritz Bits crackers for an after surgery snack. Once I was cleared we headed home. Very gingerly walk might I add. On our walk to the car we had an elderly couple with a walker pass me! Yeah, very gingerly walk! Car ride was ok. Costco Pharmacy filled my prescriptions in 20 mins and only cost $6 bucks! Another reason we LOVE Costco. While Kacie was waiting for these she did some food shopping just for me. I'm a very luck man! Don't worry, I didn't walk into Costco. I hung out in the car and played Angry Birds on Kacie's I-pad and called my Mom & Dad to let them know I am ok.
Once I got home I showed my kids my bandage. No, I didn't show them my private! Sickos!!! Just kidding. How do I describe my incision? Well, it is above my groin and just below my waist line. Dr went in where all the "plumbing" and muscles meet and took it out from there. Nothing near or on the scrotum. I've some some of the best kids EVER!!! They both made me Get Well cards. Very sweet. Both were gentle with hugs and kisses. In fact Miles even announced that after he kissed me. He's at that stage in life announcing what he's doing.
Recovery? Gotta keep wound clean & dry for 2 days. Yeah, come Saturday I might be stinky. But that shower will sure feel good. Dr said take it easy and lay down for 3 days. Wednesday March 23rd is follow up with doc and I should be back at work on Thursday March 24th. I'll have more to follow when I know it. I'll also know on Wed for sure if tumor is cancer. I'm guessing we'll talk therapy then too.
Thank you Kacie for taking good care of me. Thank you Kathy for watching our kids today. Thank you Erin for a warm dinner that wasn't fast food. And a special thanks to those who prayed and sent positive thoughts my way. I truly feel blessed for having such great family and friends.
Oh and thanks Ian for my great text, "Good luck! See you 1 nut later!!!" Classic Ian! Thanks for the laughs and keep them coming!
3.15.2011
Pre Surgery
I FINALLY got a surgery date!!! I'm going under the knife tomorrow (Wed 3/16) at 2pm. Feels GREAT to know this thing is almost out! I'd love to post before and after pics but don't feel that is appropriate... even for family history reasons.
Don't know what all post-op surgery will entail but I'll be waiting to find out. If I'm still drugged out tomorrow Kacie will be doing the next posting.
Thanks again for all the prayers and happy thoughts. We really appreciate all the support we have felt and received.
Don't know what all post-op surgery will entail but I'll be waiting to find out. If I'm still drugged out tomorrow Kacie will be doing the next posting.
Thanks again for all the prayers and happy thoughts. We really appreciate all the support we have felt and received.
3.14.2011
Update #1
I, Dan, saw the Urologist today. Basically said it's cancer and that it will have to be removed. I've already come to terms with that so nothing new there. He said that the inflamed lymph nodes WERE concerning cause as a fetus in the womb our ovaries/ testis are created next to the kidneys & lungs. This is where they always drain to and not the lymph nodes in the groin like most people think. As the genitals form and continue to "drop" to the common location the rest of the genitals drain to those lymph nodes closest to it. This leaves the fact that IF cancer is going to spread it will leave the testis' and head to my lungs. So, Dr had me off to do a chest CT scan and another blood draw. I was suppose to get an update on what my lungs look like but didn't get a phone call with results. They wanted to do surgery tomorrow but the anesthesiologist did not confirm with doctors office. Now we are shooting for this Wednesday. We have to wait for yet ANOTHER update to find out when exactly I'll be having surgery. Rest assured if this doc can't get me an appointment for surgery confirmed by tomorrow then I'm off to another Urologist who will get the job done this week. Every doc I've seen says this needs out now!
Not much for recovery news. He said that each person is different but I should be 3 days to a week. Since I have an office job it shouldn't be too much longer then that. As for Radiology or Chemotherapy it depends on what my cancer marker levels in my blood look like after removal. He said that if they do not go down then I'm looking at Chemotherapy. No need to start worrying about that until we get this surgery done and go from there. Dr didn't mention anything about Radiology but either of these treatments is up to my Oncologist.
Wish I had more to tell but this is where I stand at then end of the day.
Thanks again for all the thoughts, well wishes and prayers. I continue to be more worried about Kacie and our baby then for myself. Just want baby to come when he wants to and not cause of added stress on Kacie.
Stay tuned for tomorrows update...
Not much for recovery news. He said that each person is different but I should be 3 days to a week. Since I have an office job it shouldn't be too much longer then that. As for Radiology or Chemotherapy it depends on what my cancer marker levels in my blood look like after removal. He said that if they do not go down then I'm looking at Chemotherapy. No need to start worrying about that until we get this surgery done and go from there. Dr didn't mention anything about Radiology but either of these treatments is up to my Oncologist.
Wish I had more to tell but this is where I stand at then end of the day.
Thanks again for all the thoughts, well wishes and prayers. I continue to be more worried about Kacie and our baby then for myself. Just want baby to come when he wants to and not cause of added stress on Kacie.
Stay tuned for tomorrows update...
3.13.2011
Rated MA. Not suitable for young children due to graphic content.
On Monday March 7th I, Dan, found out that I have what could be but not yet confirmed until under a microscope Testicular Cancer. Shocking I know but I fit the age demographics (15 - 35) and it's important that we caught it. This effects my right testicle and will have to be removed.
So lets backtrack. On Thursday March 3rd I had an ultrasound test done on my scrotum. I got the ultrasound results on March 7th. The ultrasound report stated that a "complex, primarily solid mass with no visible testicular tissue left." I'm ok with the fact that I'll have this testicle removed. I did ask several questions to the Dr about how this effects me. Basically, everything works like normal. No testosterone issues to worry about. Completely functional penis. Only thing missing will be 1 testicle. If I wanted more kids not need to worry, left testicle works just fine and can handle the task. Dr compared this removal to getting a crown on your tooth. Yeah, it feels weird for a few days but then it becomes the norm. Considering I've never had a cavity, not sure I can relate.
Also on March 7th Dr had me off to the Hospital for blood work to look for cancer markers and a CT scan of my abdomen and pelvis. I received these results on Wednesday March 9th. Blood work confirmed cancer markers and CT scan did not find any other masses other then my right testicle. They did see an inflamed lymph node near my stomach but they think it was inflamed due to a respiratory infection. Dr thinks that it's highly unlikely that this would have jumped that far up my system. If the cancer was going to spread it would have gone to the lymph nodes closer to the groin region. Only way to know is to get a sample under a microscope to confirm or deny. Only thing he could really say was "if it acts like a duck and sounds like a duck... it's probably a duck." So, I guess I have Testicular Cancer.
So, what now? Tomorrow Monday March 14th I meet with a Urologist (male genital Dr) to talk about surgery, recovery, if I need treatment afterward and he will also be able to confirm or deny cancer. Again, cancer cannot be confirmed until a sample of tumor is under a microscope.
Stay tuned for new developments and results...
So lets backtrack. On Thursday March 3rd I had an ultrasound test done on my scrotum. I got the ultrasound results on March 7th. The ultrasound report stated that a "complex, primarily solid mass with no visible testicular tissue left." I'm ok with the fact that I'll have this testicle removed. I did ask several questions to the Dr about how this effects me. Basically, everything works like normal. No testosterone issues to worry about. Completely functional penis. Only thing missing will be 1 testicle. If I wanted more kids not need to worry, left testicle works just fine and can handle the task. Dr compared this removal to getting a crown on your tooth. Yeah, it feels weird for a few days but then it becomes the norm. Considering I've never had a cavity, not sure I can relate.
Also on March 7th Dr had me off to the Hospital for blood work to look for cancer markers and a CT scan of my abdomen and pelvis. I received these results on Wednesday March 9th. Blood work confirmed cancer markers and CT scan did not find any other masses other then my right testicle. They did see an inflamed lymph node near my stomach but they think it was inflamed due to a respiratory infection. Dr thinks that it's highly unlikely that this would have jumped that far up my system. If the cancer was going to spread it would have gone to the lymph nodes closer to the groin region. Only way to know is to get a sample under a microscope to confirm or deny. Only thing he could really say was "if it acts like a duck and sounds like a duck... it's probably a duck." So, I guess I have Testicular Cancer.
So, what now? Tomorrow Monday March 14th I meet with a Urologist (male genital Dr) to talk about surgery, recovery, if I need treatment afterward and he will also be able to confirm or deny cancer. Again, cancer cannot be confirmed until a sample of tumor is under a microscope.
Stay tuned for new developments and results...
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