The Funny Thing about Testicular Cancer

[bean19]

. . . I've just found out I've got it.

[Agnostic Pope]

Chemo is a bitch. Early stages? It CAN be cured man.

[BeardedSonOfNel]

Good luck with that man. Cancer is a fucking bitch.

[Anenome]

Oh damn, I thought you were young, how old are you??? Good luck man. Shit.

[Agnostic Pope]

Testicular cancer is common among 15-43 year olds man.

[Mr. Lake]

Hopefully they've caught it early enough. I haven't dealt with it myself but I've had a number of friends and family go through various cancers - breast, thyroid, skin... but I know it's not a big deal until you actually have it. We'd all be lying if we claim to know what you're going through.

Cancer treatments are rough, but so long as you have friends and family to support you they'll really help you through. Just know that cancer isn't the end of anything - it's a temporary detour from normal life. Allow yourself to laugh at it - as a friend of many cancer survivors, that's the best advice I can give you.

[spdiscus]

Sorry to hear/read that. Best wishes with the treatments.

[Suicidal ShiZuru]

There is a certain level of irony here in relation to a recent thread discussion...

[bean19]

Yeah, the doctor says that it usually shows up in slightly older people in their early 30's. I guess I have a hyper-mature (and cancerous) testicle. Also, the doctor says that it is curable in 90% of patients - especially if it has not moved to the lungs or brain, but even then it responds well to chemo.

Thank you all for your concern.

Edit: My doctor is awesome and resolved the issue I was whining about.

[revelation]

If you don't mind me asking, how did you find out? From a blood test, something didn't feel right...?

[bean19]

If you don't mind me asking, how did you find out? From a blood test, something didn't feel right...?
I felt discomfort and tenderness in my right ball last week but thought it was just an ache. . . you know, the kind of weird ache everyone gets every once in a while (though I'd never had one here before) and I expected it would go away.

Yesterday, it got more tender and swelled a great deal more, so I began to worry more. I talked to a friend who is a doctor and she stated that she worried that it could be a tortion, infection, or possibly cancer but she stated that no one can tell without an exam and an ultrasound. She told me to go to an emergency room because a tortion can cause necrosis within 12 hours and cancer you want to catch as early as possible.

So I actually don't feel that sick. I have a slightly achey ball.

[revelation]

I felt discomfort and tenderness in my right ball last week but thought it was just an ache. . . you know, the kind of weird ache everyone gets every once in a while (though I'd never had one here before) and I expected it would go away.

Yes I do. Thus my question. And my rising paranoia now and probably inability to sleep until I get to a doctor who'll tell me to stop wasting the tax payer's money. :(

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you.

[Sion]

I take lecithin as a supplement and it makes me ejaculate about 1/3 more volume of cum. After you recover you should do the same. Use the extra ejaculent to punish and degrade feminists for sucking up all the funding for male related cancers.

[Kragg]

Oh man. I am really sorry to hear that.

I have known others that have gone through the same thing, and hopefully it will be quickly treatable for you, as there is a really high success rate with it.

Luckily you did the right thing getting checked out, because I've known other people that have ignored "aches and pains" thinking they will just go away.

Sincerely man, get well and try to stay in good spirits.

[Hagetaka]

I take lecithin as a supplement and it makes me ejaculate about 1/3 more volume of cum. After you recover you should do the same. Use the extra ejaculent to punish and degrade feminists for sucking up all the funding for male related cancers.

Heh..

/Sorry for your future loss

[gzsfrk]

Holy cow! So sorry to hear about this bean. Keep us posted and let us know how the treatment is proceeding. God willing, you'll be back to your cranky forum ways in short order, hopefully with both the boys still intact. :) <prayers>

Since you've got me thinking about it, I need to go do a self-exam. If I just think about it hard enough, I'm sure I can feel a tingle, if not an outright ache.

[Anenome]

Can't they just lop the offending testicle and be done with it? >_> Of all the places to get cancer, that's a reasonable expendable one I would think. Least it's not dick cancer <_< Course, I don't even know if that would cure you so.

[Technidon]

Sorry to hear that bean.... I have one question for you. Did the tenderness go away after a couple of days? Because if that is true I need to go to the doc ASAP.

[Agnostic Pope]

Do your balls feel heavy? If so go get them checked by a judgmental doctor whos wife is fucking the mailman.

[Anenome]

Sorry to hear that bean.... I have one question for you. Did the tenderness go away after a couple of days? Because if that is true I need to go to the doc ASAP.
That depends. Had anyone kicked or otherwise mishandled your manhood prior to the soreness >_>

[bean19]

Update:

I've had a chest X-ray, bloodwork, and a CT on my abdomen to check for other types of cancer. The bloodwork seems to show cancer as they believed from seeing the ultrasound of my balls. I had surgery yesterday to remove my right testicle and I'm now recovering.

From here, the doctor will get a biopsy to find out which cancer it is and where it is known to move. We'll follow up with bloodwork and ultrasounds to make sure it is all gone. My outlook is quite good.

Currently pretty drugged up on pain meds. These really just relieve my pain though. I don't feel "high" at all and wonder why people take Vicodin recreationally.

I know that talking about money is gauche, but for those who've asked, I am going to make it. The bills will be high, but I can't pay them if I'm dead, and I do have insurance that is helping. My family is helping me with money so I can pay bills during recovery too.

[bean19]

Sorry to hear that bean.... I have one question for you. Did the tenderness go away after a couple of days? Because if that is true I need to go to the doc ASAP.
It did not go away but grew steadily worse. A cancerous mass will not grow bigger and smaller, but will just get bigger. It may also feel much harder than the other ball.

Generally, if it goes away you're fine. That could have been a tortion, but if that goes away, then it is gone. More likely than not, you had an infection that got better.

I'd still see a doctor about it, but with a regular cheaper appointment. You may have an STI that is curable.

[gzsfrk]

From here, the doctor will get a biopsy to find out which cancer it is and where it is known to move. We'll follow up with bloodwork and ultrasounds to make sure it is all gone. My outlook is quite good.

Really glad to hear that things are moving in a positive direction with a positive outlook. You're in my prayers, buddy. Keep on with the updates when you're able!

[bean19]

Really glad to hear that things are moving in a positive direction with a positive outlook. You're in my prayers, buddy. Keep on with the updates when you're able!
Thanks dude.

Started chemo today. Going to bed. Going to be online less for a while.

[Major Dan]

Sorry to hear this bean, hope you get better soon. Don't push your self.

[Mr. Lake]

Update:

I've had a chest X-ray, bloodwork, and a CT on my abdomen to check for other types of cancer. The bloodwork seems to show cancer as they believed from seeing the ultrasound of my balls. I had surgery yesterday to remove my right testicle and I'm now recovering.

From here, the doctor will get a biopsy to find out which cancer it is and where it is known to move. We'll follow up with bloodwork and ultrasounds to make sure it is all gone. My outlook is quite good.

Really good to hear that you're recovering.

Out of sheer morbid curiosity... will you be getting a prosthetic?

Currently pretty drugged up on pain meds. These really just relieve my pain though. I don't feel "high" at all and wonder why people take Vicodin recreationally.

Vicodin does different things to different people. For example, I can only take the low doses (500mg) of it because for me it causes shortness of breath and I don't get any of the pain-releiving benefits. I'm better off taking 600mg+ of Tylennol.

Hydrocodone (the real active ingredient in vicodin) is a mild narcotic - roughly a 20th the power of opium - and is the base narcotic prescribed for pain relief after minor surgery. There's much more powerful stuff that they can give you, but usually 800mg of Acetametaphine/Hydrocodone is enough for the large majority of patients. Oxycodone and Morphene is the good stuff... you should tell them to quit holding out on you. =)

I know that talking about money is gauche, but for those who've asked, I am going to make it. The bills will be high, but I can't pay them if I'm dead, and I do have insurance that is helping. My family is helping me with money so I can pay bills during recovery too.

THAT right there is a HUGE help. Friends of mine who recovered from cancer had a harder time recovering financially without help, so good to hear that your family's got your back. Good luck, get well soon.

[Anenome]

Oxycodone is the generic drug also known as "Oxycontin" heyooooo!

[bean19]

Really good to hear that you're recovering.

Out of sheer morbid curiosity... will you be getting a prosthetic?
Hello no.

It's a problem area that I will have to keep getting looked at to see if cancer comes back. I don't want a fake ball in the middle of the imagining, possibly obscuring cancer while it's small. Also, surgery costs money even with insurance. I can live without a fake ball.

[Trickyicky]

Update:

I've had a chest X-ray, bloodwork, and a CT on my abdomen to check for other types of cancer. The bloodwork seems to show cancer as they believed from seeing the ultrasound of my balls. I had surgery yesterday to remove my right testicle and I'm now recovering.

From here, the doctor will get a biopsy to find out which cancer it is and where it is known to move. We'll follow up with bloodwork and ultrasounds to make sure it is all gone. My outlook is quite good.

Currently pretty drugged up on pain meds. These really just relieve my pain though. I don't feel "high" at all and wonder why people take Vicodin recreationally.


bean19 - a distant relative of Chuck Norris.

Not once did you complain this whole thread. Good luck with everything.

[bean19]

So I've been through with the chemotherapy and cancer free for about a week now, and I'm taking a trip to see family who were too tied down to work to see me for long while I was going through this. Shouldn't be posting much until I get back on the 19th.

After I get back, it's time to seriously get to work finding a job. Please private message me if you can network anything in the Austin, Texas area (or if you read this before the 19th, jobs near Ft. Smith or Russelville in Arkansas as I'm going to continue looking for work even on my visit to see family). I have a General Studies degree that is really a Computer Science/English degree aimed at my becoming a game designer. I also have years of experience as a paralegal. My only goal right now is to find work that pays over $30,000/year and has medical insurance. I'm basically just wanting to be able to easily pay my bills and regrow my emergency funds as cancer and lack of work due to cancer have sapped me of all savings.

[lockwoodx]

. . . I've just found out I've got it.

I'm sorry to hear the news man. My roomie had it and had to have a ball replaced by an implant. He's on viagra for life and constantly bitches about it.

edit: I should add he's lived another decade and a perfectly normal life except for his sexal one.

[Johan]

So I've been through with the chemotherapy and cancer free for about a week now

Good news! Good luck with the job search. Of all the areas to be looking, it is my understanding that the job market in Dallas/Fort Worth is pretty good. You might consider looking up that way from Austin.

I was checked for testicular cancer during college. Not to get too nasty, but I had a hard nodule down there that was a concern. The doctor at the college clinic asked me if their resident could participate in the exam, I believe because this kind of issue was/is rather unusual in someone as young as I was at the time. It turned out to be negative. The resident turned out to be a woman. I turned out to be a bit uncomfortable, but I got a date out of it!

Just kidding about that last part. They were very professional.

Wish you the best!

[lockwoodx]

The resident turned out to be a woman. I turned out to be a bit uncomfortable, but I got a date out of it!

Just kidding about that last part. They were very professional.

I see what you did there. ;)

[bean19]

I'm sorry to hear the news man. My roomie had it and had to have a ball replaced by an implant. He's on viagra for life and constantly bitches about it.
He has sexual issues as a result? I have had none whatsoever and the oncologist said that only people with prostate cancer have trouble with erections or weak orgasms. Losing a testicle causes you to produce less sperm, so it will be more difficult to impregnate someone, but getting hard and enjoying orgasms - completely unaffected.

Your roommate must have had it move to his prostate or had complications.

@Johan - Testicular cancer is a young adult's cancer (15-33 y/o) the way leukemia hits hardest in children and breast cancer hits women around 37 y/o to menopause. I also found myself being handled by several people each time I went to the doctor including two different (and attractive) young nurse practitioners. The fear is that you'll get hard in that situation, but there's nothing like hearing you may have cancer to stave off boners.

Also, thanks to you both for the well wishes and the grats. :)

[Johan]

The fear is that you'll get hard in that situation, but there's nothing like hearing you may have cancer to stave off boners.

No kidding. I wasn't in the least bit aroused to be there checking on the possibility of cancer. Nothing exciting about it.

I didn't know it was a young person's cancer.

[lockwoodx]

He has sexual issues as a result? I have had none whatsoever and the oncologist said that only people with prostate cancer have trouble with erections or weak orgasms. Losing a testicle causes you to produce less sperm, so it will be more difficult to impregnate someone, but getting hard and enjoying orgasms - completely unaffected.

Your roommate must have had it move to his prostate or had complications.


You know I honestly never got into the details over it because it's not that fascinating a subject. The pranks done with his viagra however...

[gzsfrk]

Fantastic news, bean! Really glad to hear that you have a good prognosis. Enjoy the time with your family, and best of luck in the job hunt!

[Orphiuchus]

*edit* I'm way behind. Congrats on the good news.



This just reminds me that I've got to get myself back on a health insurance plan... fucking pricks keep denying me for pre-existing injuries(which are covered by the VA, so I don't see the issue).

[spdiscus]

...I have a General Studies degree that is really a Computer Science/English degree aimed at my becoming a game designer. I also have years of experience as a paralegal. My only goal right now is to find work that pays over $30,000/year and has medical insurance. ...
Check Robert Half Technology (http://www.roberthalftechnology.com/Home).

After leaving my first tech job I took on a contract-to-hire via Robert Half Technology. You can get insurance through RH while a contractor and then insurance through the new place if you're hired full-time. They had plenty of QA and Dev roles that averaged $20/hr and $30/hr, respectively. People shit on it, but QA is a great intro role in any tech company. You'll quickly know the software better than any other position, and that domain knowledge (and relatively low wage/salary) is generally beneficial when the higher-ups do their semi-annual fat trimming.

[Anenome]

Wouldn't losing one testicle leave you with half the testosterone production? That could indeed affect your desire levels. Although my sense is the other one would go into overproduction to compensate. The body likes a certain level.

[gzsfrk]

QA is a great intro role in any tech company. You'll quickly know the software better than any other position, and that domain knowledge (and relatively low wage/salary) is generally beneficial when the higher-ups do their semi-annual fat trimming.

I was transitioned from a developer & systems support role into a QA position back in 2007, and it was probably the best move professionally I've made. I'm now a Senior QA Analyst and fill roles including Project Test Lead, Senior Performance Tester, Security Tester, and even do some occasional functional testing when hands are needed. The performance testing (http://www8.hp.com/us/en/software/software-product.html?compURI=tcm:245-935779&pageTitle=loadrunner-software) in particular really scratches my developer itch as I have to code virtual user scripts which "use" the applications we're testing, allowing me to execute load test scenarios up to the tens of thousands of users. It's a bit like being an evil genius, programming your minions and then sending them wreak havoc upon some poor, unsuspecting system in the QA or UAT environment. MUAHAHAHAHA!!! :)

Demand is good too. Our company has been hiring folks into the QA group at a steady clip for the past year and a half or so now.