Testicular Cancer

delacratic

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On Monday I’m having surgery to remove a testicular mass suspected to be cancerous. I’m losing one testicle. The CT scan didn’t show any spreading which is good.

Has anyone else had this surgery? My doctors haven’t been very encouraging or comforting. One says I may lose both, even though the other doesn’t show any signs of being cancerous. I have no idea what to expect Monday.
 

delacratic

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This is a tuff issue to think about. At least any hormone replacement will not be an issue if needed. Are you planning on having a prosthetic testicle implanted?

Yes I am. Unfortunately it’s considered a cosmetic surgery, and won’t be covered by insurance. I don’t understand why they just won’t put a fake on in while they’ve already got me opened up. But, for the time being I’ll be grateful for the one I do have haha
 

MisterVIP

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Damn, dude. How did you catch this? None of my last few primary doctors ever do any sort of physical exam for annual physical - they just review labs and send me on my way. Hell, even my last two urology appointments involved no physical exam at all and they were for prostate issues - again, doctor just reviewed lab results and sent me on my way.

Changed docs so many times recently because they're terrible, and they end up being all the same; no physical exams, just paperwork doctors.

Best of luck to you in recovery, man.
 

delacratic

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Damn, dude. How did you catch this? None of my last few primary doctors ever do any sort of physical exam for annual physical - they just review labs and send me on my way. Hell, even my last two urology appointments involved no physical exam at all and they were for prostate issues - again, doctor just reviewed lab results and sent me on my way.

Changed docs so many times recently because they're terrible, and they end up being all the same; no physical exams, just paperwork doctors.

Best of luck to you in recovery, man.

It was pretty hard to miss. My nut started to harden up and swell. It didn’t even hurt until the last couple weeks. I was an idiot and tried to ignore it. You just have to feel around down there periodically. If something feels hard or lumpy, get it checked out
 

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Best of Luck , may you have a speedy recovery. It's ridiculous that your insurance will not cover testicular implants. Women get breast reconstruction all the time with after mastectomies My sister is going through that right now.
It is a simple procedure. I had the opportunity to watch an testicular implantation at my Urologist. It's pretty cool.
 

Dave NoCal

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I recommend checking tc_cancer.org. It is a moderated site with a number of members who are physicians. They can provide you with support and knowledge. The time to decide how to proceed is NOW and you face important decisions. I am no expert but the first question is what type of cancer is it. Usually it is percentages of this and that with the composition being a major factor in the treatment approach. Don't worry about the prosthesis. Focus on getting the best and most informed care. The two best places in the country are Sloan-Kettering in NYC and Indiana University. From my understanding, Vanderbilt IS NOT to go-to place. Don't be proud. Let others help you do this right NOW.
 

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I meant to add this earlier... I had to have a testicular biopsy done on my right testicle. It had and still does have a small lump. Turned out is was a benign cyst. I was happy and relieved that is all it was. What surprised me most about that surgery was the route that took place in order to do the biopsy. It was done through an incision in my groin... Just one more health related battle scar.
@delacratic I truly wish you the best with recovery.
 
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364368

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On Monday I’m having surgery to remove a testicular mass suspected to be cancerous. I’m losing one testicle. The CT scan didn’t show any spreading which is good.

Has anyone else had this surgery? My doctors haven’t been very encouraging or comforting. One says I may lose both, even though the other doesn’t show any signs of being cancerous. I have no idea what to expect Monday.
Hey just saw this posting. I am a testicular cancer survivor. I lost one testicle to cancer. I have no problem functioning. It took me time to get over others seeing or noticing that one Is gone but no one ever noticed.
If you need to talk. Email me. Xo
 

delacratic

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Hey just saw this posting. I am a testicular cancer survivor. I lost one testicle to cancer. I have no problem functioning. It took me time to get over others seeing or noticing that one Is gone but no one ever noticed.
If you need to talk. Email me. Xo

Thank you for the support! That is the biggest issue at this point - appearance. I was very lucky in that it didn’t spread, and I don’t need chemo. It could have been so, so much worse.
 
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Thank you for the support! That is the biggest issue at this point - appearance. I was very lucky in that it didn’t spread, and I don’t need chemo. It could have been so, so much worse.


I'm glad you are ok n it didn't spread

I had chemo for 5-6 months after surgery. My cancer spread I to my lymphatic system.
 

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Damn, dude. How did you catch this? None of my last few primary doctors ever do any sort of physical exam for annual physical - they just review labs and send me on my way. Hell, even my last two urology appointments involved no physical exam at all and they were for prostate issues - again, doctor just reviewed lab results and sent me on my way.

Changed docs so many times recently because they're terrible, and they end up being all the same; no physical exams, just paperwork doctors.

Best of luck to you in recovery, man.

Your experience where you live is very much the same as I receive here in NM and even down in TX when I was working in TX. It seems to have got much worse since they introduced "The Affordable Care Act". Prior to this at my yearly physicals the Physician always did an actual check of the prostate by using a protective glove and lube to feel the size of the prostate(finger wave). The female Physicians I went to even did it. Today this has not been done by a primary care Physician. Usually the Primary Care Physician visit 2 time a years ends up being a somewhat bullshit session. I have also visited a Urologist in the past few months over concern of my prostate. The Urologist did give the actual Finger Wave procedure and told me my prostate was large and then started discussing procedure as TURP basically (roto rooter) of the prostate, but first he wanted to do all these other tests first. I discussed these with my Primary Care Physician and all then went ahead with some. Then he wanted a biopsy of the prostate. I even did that for him. This cost total close to $50,000.00 USD. This biopsy seemed very archaic for modern day medical science to me. I decided to never go back. The biopsy was on February 19, 2020 and I have not been back to see him. I recently discussed this on a phone appointment with my Primary Care Physician she did not say anything. I figured if there were something negative on the prostate biopsy they would have been calling to get me in to see the Urologist. They are not, so no news is good news. The health insurance provided by my the company I retired from and was supposed to receive health care the rest of our lives for my wife and my self as well as our dental insurance and replaced with a yearly fund they set up to buy our own thru the "Affordable Healthcare Act" but the amount we get does not begin to cover anything close to what we were use to prior the implementation of "The Affordable Healthcare Act". We were somewhat luck though my wife's employment she retired from it was done a bit different in that they provided 3 or 4 Healthcare policies we could choose from and the one you pick they pay a set amount of the premium for their retired employee and the employee has to pay the balance. Our cost on this has gone up every year and sometimes benefits are reduced. Our cost in 2020 for this is about $600.00 a month for the 2 of us. The Two of us are now on Medicare which we are required to be on but we paid for this during our working life and continue to pay as they deduct $139.00 a month out of our US Government SSI checks each month. This only pays about 80% of reasonable and customary charges not 80% of what Medical Industry charges. Medicare usually decides only about 50% of the billing rate is reasonable and customary and then pay the medical people 80% of that and we are responsible for the balance. The health insurance we purchase though my wife's past employment picks up usually the rest of what Medicare don't pay. We are very lucky to be able to acquire this kind of coverage. It does cost us about $900.00 a month we do have to pay dental but that is recovered through the Health Maintenance Account from my past employer along with $240.00 to help with the cost of the Health Insurance we purchase through my wife's past employer. I can very well see where many have a real problem with their health care.
 

japetty

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anyone who has questions can DM me i had one removed

Did you get a prosthetic replacement as your photograph as nearly as I can tell still shows 2? Also what I see in that photograph looks in very working condition and healthy.
 
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