Don't forget chaps... check down below occasionally

[Hades]

Well it has certainly been an interesting few days. I'm not looking for medical advice as I've had plenty of that in the last week A week ago I was happily enjoying life with no health issues (or so I thought).

Thursday Last Week

Last Thursday I happened by chance to notice a lump down below. Somewhere no man wants to have a lump. I realised instantly that it didn't feel right and it took me a little by surprise. I was working from home that day so I managed to get one of my doctors emergency slots that day. I didn't mention it to my wife at this point as I didn't want to worry her unnecessarily until I knew more.

The emergency doctor was a lady who politely asked if I needed a chaparone for my examination. But quite frankly I just wanted to get it looked at and didn't care whether it was a man or woman. She's a doctor and I'm sure she's seen far more interesting sights than mine. After a short 'shuffle around' she agreed that it didn't feel right and recommended I have an ultrasound.


Monday This Week

Luckily I have private medical insurance through my employer. So I managed to get a very quick appointment on Monday (the equivalent NHS appointment would take several weeks). The ultrasound technician confirmed straight away that he had found something. He also scanned my kidneys and lymph nodes and couldn't find anything obviously wrong.


Tuesday

Back to my normal doctor the following day (Tuesday this week) and he confirmed the results that the ultrasound technician had given me; a probable tumor. Not good news. He also had a good 'shuffle around' for good measure. He recommended seeing a consultant 'urgently' and, again due to having private insurance, managed to get an appointment locally for me that evening. So I rushed home and drove straight there.

The consultant took one look at the ultrasound results, then donned his gloves for the obligatory 'shuffle around'. I knew things wouldn't be great when he asked if I had kids and whether I wanted any more. After that question you kind of know what's coming next. He confirmed a tumor and recommended it be removed 'immediately' and booked me in for surgery this Friday morning. We won't know for sure if it is indeed cancerous until it is removed but the risk is too high to ignore. It needs to be done.


Today

...and today I had some blood tests and a CT scan of my torso from my neck right down to my pelvis. The CT scan is painless of course but the bucket of water they make you drink beforehand means you're bursting to go to the toilet! I already knew I needed an operation but the CT scan was to get an early indication of whether there were secondary tumors visible elsewhere. In other words had it spread? Waiting to get the results this evening was quite nerve wracking. My wife wasn't taking it well at all and I think she was more nervous than me. Knowing you need an operation is one thing but waiting to hear further bad news is another.

Luckily there was no sign of it having spread; the result was good. That was a great relief. I can deal with surgery but waiting to hear if it was more serious was the bad part. I still need to get the result of the blood test in a week (they check for cancer markers) and of course the biopsy on the tumor after it is removed on Friday. But, on the assumption it does turn out to be cancerous, at least it has been found early.


Next Steps...

The next steps are the operation on Friday. This is a day procedure but under a general anaesthetic. Then follow ups with the consultant and a referral to the Royal Marsden to decide whether chemo is necessary.

Having held my fathers hand 9 years ago when he died of cancer I am probably more sensitive than most people to how destructive it can be if not acted on urgently. It made me act as soon as I suspected something wrong. Luckily this type of cancer (again assuming the biopsy confirms it is indeed that) is very treatable, especially if caught early.

I've always worked very hard and had fairly stressful jobs. I rarely take any sick time off; the last sick leave I had was two days off when I broke my leg a few years ago. So my natural instinct is to just get back to work as soon as I can. But my wife is trying to persuade me to take some time off. The doctor is prepared to sign me off for two weeks if I want. For once I might just accept it and take the time off. I'm convinced the stressful jobs has at least contributed to this, and it does make me reconsider whether I want to continue in such jobs in the future.

So the moral of the story chaps, is check yourself down below regularly. It may just save your life one day.

 

[Hades]

Thanks all. To answer a few questions; My wife has been very supportive but has been a nervous wreck. The prognosis is very good at this point and it looks like it has been caught early. I am 42 years old. This is actually outside the typical age for this type of tumor. The typical age of people getting it is sub 40.

Yes there are normally certain bumps down there. But this is a hard lump where I've never felt one before. Also, the back of the testicle felt more solid that it has felt in the past. I think it is important to check regularly so you get used to exactly how they should feel. To be honest I don't normally check and mine was a lucky chance finding. I don't have any other symptoms.

I don't post here much but always read daily. I would like to to wish you luck with everything as I know what you are going through.
In July this year I was diagnosed with bowel cancer with knocked me for six, especially when I found out by accident from the head nurse whilst going for some pre op checks. I have already been through 3 sets of Chemo, been rushed into hospital with a dangerous blockage which meant I had to have a stent fitted to allow things to pass and have an operation booked to remove a 3rd of my bowel on the 10th of November.
After my operation I have a recovery time of approx 5-6 weeks then have 18 more weeks of Chemo.
I have fully come to terms with it and thankfully it is what they class a cureable, my wife, kids, family and friends have been a brilliant support and they also appreciated that i didn't want to be smothered and just to get on with life as best I can.
My treatment is also at the Royal Marsden and I cannot believe how good the hospital is in every way. The staff have been outstanding and never rush you when they are with you.

If you need a chat, PM me sometime but if you are similar to me, chatting about issues isn't something I need to do as my mind is set that this will be sorted by some point around May next year (fingers crossed).

One last thing that may help is that Chemo really isn't as scary as it's made out to be on TV, the worst side affect I have had is a sickness feeling but never ill.

Sorry just read you post again and seen that the tumors are not confirmed as cancerous, so I hope that results come back clear after your op.

Thanks for your offer. No they aren't confirmed yet but the consultant said he would be very surprised if it wasn't. Best of luck with yours. Mine is trivial in comparison.

 

[Hades]

As a matter of interest, who is your consultant?

Also I have worked hard for the past 20 years and have a stressful job working in the family business. I hate taking time of work and this year due to my side affects of the tumours I have had to take a lot of time of work and it has driven me mad. Fortunatly over the past 3 weeks I feel very good and have returned to work full time which feels great.
The one thing I have noticed about being back to work is that my energy levels have increased greatly because sitting around at home in my mind does not help my mind and body through this illness.

Mr Stephen Gordon at the Ashted in Surrey. He's been great so far and really driven things forward as fast as he can. He even intervened to get the CT scan done today when the department told me they didn't have any free slots.

Like I said previously I am convinced that stress might have contributed to it. And it tallies with your story too. Yes I think it's important to get back to work (after a rest) as mental attitude is just as important as the physical side. Really hope you get some good news soon. It comes as quite a shock when you're told.

 

[Hades]

Wow so it takes you what two weeks to go from that to an op, while I've had two months of intense pain, two trips to a&e a dosage of morphine and i still have another two weeks just to wait for a camera down my throat. Then a specialist in a month.

There ya go, go private as the nhs don't give a ****

On your side of things, well done you and good for you for getting it seen to pronto

Best of luck. Any idea what's wrong?

 

[Hades]

Thanks for the comments all. I've now had the op and am back home (it's a day procedure under general anesthetic). It's quite sore and I'm walking like a cowboy for a few days.

 

[Hades]

I thought it was time to post an update on what has happened since I started this post.


The Operation

Well as explained in my opening post I was due to have an operation to remove the tumour (which obviously meant remove the testicle too). That took place as planned. It was a day procedure under general anaesthetic. I probably returned to work a little too soon as it took longer than I'd hoped to heal and I had a minor infection. But that's probably because despite being signed off work for two weeks I returned after one (I'm simply not the type of person who takes sick leave when I can avoid it). A biopsy confirmed it was a stage 1 seminoma. That was great news because that type of cancer is one of the most treatable if it had spread. There was some sign of spread into the tubes but very little so it had indeed been caught early.


Observations

I was referred to the Royal Marsden for follow ups and a decision on whether further treatment is necessary and it has been decided that they will adopt a wait and see policy. Chemo isn't required at this point. Apparently I have an 85% chance of no further re-occurrence from the original tumour and if it does return elsewhere in the body then they expect it to be very, very treatable ("near 100% although nothing is guaranteed").


The Trial

It turns out that the Marsden is running a trial on how to observe this type of cancer. Standard practice is seven CT scans over 3 years. However a CT scan exposes you to radiation and while the risk of that is low it's still a risk. So the trial is looking at alternaive observation patterns including reduced numbers of CT scans or alternatively using MRI scans instead. MRI is magnetic and so removes the radiation risk.

I elected to take part in the trial and I've been allocated into the "three MRI scans" group (the groupings were: 7 CT, 3 CT, 7 MRI or 3 MRI). While it is a little unnerving to be in a trial I feel that with a low risk of further spread I would be helping others for the future by taking part. Afterall there have been trials in the past which have indirectly helped me and I felt it was time to try to give something back.


Risk of Another Tumour

Unfortunately I've also been advised that I have a statistical 1 in 20 risk of a separate and unrelated tumour appearing at some point in the other testicle (not everyone has this risk but see below for why I am more at risk than others). This would be bad news because they would have to remove that side too. While I have no future plans for children (I have two beautiful kids already) it would mean my body would be unable to produce testosterone. There are testosterone treatments such as injections but I don't fancy that much.

So I saw the Marsden again today and have elected to have a biopsy of the other testicle. Apparently they can detect pre-cancerous cells up to five years in advance. The biopsy is 95% reliable (but again not a guarantee). The procedure is again a day case but under general anaesthetic and I will be sore for a few days (I bet that's an understatement!). However if they do find anything of concern then they can treat it with radiotherapy while it is in its early stages rather than remove the testicle. This is likely to prevent me having further children (not an issue for me) but would mean that my body can still produce testosterone. So it seemed the obvious route to take. There is no rush for this because there is nothing detected on scans on that side right now. It's simply a preventative measure for the future. So it is likely I'll have the biopsy in January or February.


Risk Factors

I've learned a lot about testicular cancer over these couple of months. Most importantly it is eminently treatable. No-one wants cancer but nowadays this is the type of cancer that really can be treated. It is not a death sentence in most cases and in fact, assuming you find it, you've probably got more chance of being run over than it killing you. The most famous case being Lance Armstrong who had advanced stage 3 and still recovered and go on to be a world class cyclist.

However there are certain indicators that I've been told by various consultants. No-one really knows what causes it but statistically the following issues are found in patients who develop it:

* If you had an undescended testicle when young then your risk is higher.
* If you have fertility issues then your risk is higher.
* If you have a family history of it then your risk is higher.
* You are more at risk below the age of 39. It is a young mans disease. I am at the upper age range (42) and it's less common at this age.

In my case, being completely open and candid on a public forum, I did indeed have an undescended testicle when young. My wife and I also had difficulties conceiving our first child and we never knew why (we also had a round of IVF which failed but then conceived naturally the following month - maybe this is why I am so close to my children as I know how precious they are).

I don't have a family history of testicular cancer although I do have a family history of the other forms. It killed my father and my grandfather. Right from the start I was determined that I would be the first in my family to beat cancer and I'm very lucky that it is the treatable kind.

Unfortunately, because I have had it, my son is at the high statistical risk of having it at some point in the future. We haven't yet told them what has happened to me (one of their school's teachers recently died of cancer so we took a decision not to mention the word in the house as they are too young to understand that there are different types). So they know I was ill but not what it was. But I have been advised to tell my son before he's 9 or 10 so that he can start checking himself.


Why Am I Being So Open And Candid?

I've explained quite a lot of personal information on here but I feel that I am lucky to have had this when I am 42. I am mature enough to not panic and mature enough to deal with it. In the scheme of things it really is a minor issue compared to people with more serious cancers or other illnesses. Yet a few months ago when I found it I didn't know much about it and it does hit you like you've just walked into a wall. So any information for people in the future has to be a good thing. Some of you reading this will discover a lump in the future which may or may not be a problem. But hopefully you will check yourselves as a result of this thread, and if you do discover it is cancer then this information will show you that there really isn't too much to worry about. It is treatable if you act on it.


Some Thanks

I cannot stress how good my doctor, consultant, nurses, and the Royal Marsden have been. And I thank them all.


And Lastly The Most Important Advice of All...

Keep calm and carry on





.

 

[Hades]

It's good that you can be open. Im sure it will be helpful to a lot of people. Keep getting better.
It's not nice being diagnosed with something potentially life changing especially if it threatens your well being. I had that about the time you made your post. Much the same as you I'll probably be fine but its on my mind.

ps. nice 'rado. vr6? Lovely grey.

Sorry to hear you've got some health issues too. Really hope it's as treatable as mine?

Corrado - Thanks Yes, it's called "Storm Grey" and I recently managed to find a very rare set of original black cloth electric recaros for it. VR6 with modified cams and mapped. I absolutely love this car to bits
http://the-corrado.net/showthread.p...-and-electrical-bits&highlight=storm+grey+vr6

 

[Hades]

Yeah, perfectly treatable. Probably been through the worst.

I have Mk2 golf 16v. Got a 1.8t sat in the garage waiting to go in! just collecting parts.

Mint Recaros cost a fortune, those must have been even more. you got a thread somewhere with pictures of the car? im being nosy, sorry!

Glad that you're on the mend.

I had a mk2 16v when they were almost new. It was a great car (Atlas gey - is there a pattern here?). Apart from the Corrado that was one of my favourite cars. I've had all sorts since including new cars but there's something about old Golf's and Corrado's that I love. I had my 16v on 3 wheels many a time on a roundabout That will be a rapid car with a 1.8t in it. If I didn't have this then a mk2 would be on my list again

Yes the recaros cost a small fortune but they are almost immaculate and I'd get the same money back if I sold them.More pics of mine on the link above (site seems to be down right now). Ping me if you find yourself at GTI Inters or another show this year

Had the mk2 long? Pics?


EDIT: Recaros here: http://the-corrado.net/showthread.p...lectrical-bits/page5&highlight=storm+grey+vr6

 

[Hades]

Another couple of months and another quick update...


Letting A Surgeon Near Your Plums With a Knife And Syringe

Well I have now had the biopsy of the other testicle. As mentioned previously this was to be a day case under general anaesthetic and I took the rest of the week off from work. A few weeks later and it's still feeling quite sore. I'd describe the feeling as "being kicked in the nuts". Or nut (singular) in my case


The Results

Tonight I had the results of the biopsy and unfortunately it wasn't the result I wanted. There are signs of pre-cancerous cells on the other side too. This isn't a disaster because the whole point of the biopsy is to detect the problem before it becomes a tumour.


The Options

So now I have two options; I can either wait and see for a few years or I can have radiotherapy. Neither option is ideal. If I wait and see, then there is an extremely high probability of another tumour on the that side in the next few years. The tumour would be very treatable but it's better not to have it at all and it would mean removal of the second testicle.

The other option is for radiotherapy on the testicle before it develops into a tumour. This has a few side effects; It would certainly make me sterile (not a problem as I already have kids) but slightly more concerning would be that testosterone production would drop off over the next few years and I would likely need testosterone suppliments in a few years time. There is also a a small but theoretical chance of the radiotherapy causing a skin cancer. It's a low risk but something to consider.



It isn't the news I was hoping for. But it doesn't alter the long term prognosis which still remains very, very, very good and I still consider myself very lucky to have found it in time. Knwledgs gives you options My wife, however, is taking the slight setback quite badly and has found it fairly upsetting

My next follow up is at the end of May for a set of regular checks. As I am part of the TRISST study this will be via xrays and MRI scans. By this time I will have decided my next course of action although I am fairly certain I will opt for radiotherapy.

Throughout this I have nothing but praise and gratitude to all the consultants, nurses and other staff involved.

 

[Hades]

Thanks all

Man, tough choice. My partner had breast cancer recently and is currently having chemo. Sort of know what your going through. No chance of the pre cancerous cells metastasizing?

No, because they aren't cancerous yet. But they could when they become tumours. What has been found are abnormal cells that could (and probably will) change further. The radio will stop that change happening.

Best of luck for your partner.

 

[Hades]

And back to the thread to give a quick update. A little drunk so excuse me if I'm not quite as fluid as previously.

If radiotherapy could cause lower rates in testosterone and possibly cause skin cancer, then why haven't you considered having the other testicle removed? It'd seem far more safer, and if you'll need testosterone supplements anyway... it seems like an option you should consider.

Good luck though.

I've just seen this. It's a very good point and my oncologist did suggest removal of the second testicle (he mentioned it after a couple of visits and expressed it as though it was something that had just occurred to him, but I think it was his way of easing the bad news in gradually). Everyone has to make their own decisions if they are in a similar situation. For me it wasn't a hard decision at all. Losing one testicle was not great news. Losing a second was not something I wanted to happen, even if it isn't performing a useful function. Short to medium term keeping it has the benfit that I have normal testosterone levels. Long term it will be the same as if I'd had it removed... however... reach down below and decide if you really want it all removed. My decision was to keep it. Everyone differs and if faced with that choice then they have to decide on their own. A lonely road. Sometimes we have to make serious decisions and it has to be our own choice. No answer is right and none is wrong.

Today I had my last radiotherapy session. For anyone who is going through similar, or might need it in the furture, it really isn't anything to worry about. You have a "molding" session where they work out the best size and shape of lead to protect the immediate area. Then a number of sessions each day for a measured dose of radiation to a local area. In my case I had 10 sessions over 2 weeks. On each day I've gone to the Royal Marsden Sutton and been "zapped". This really is a simple and very quick procedure. You lay on a table, they arrange some lead shielding over the nearby area, they all walk out the room, a small buzzer sounds, the machine whirs, then it's all over.

I've worked at home during that time. The only side effects I've had are a slight itchiness in the area and also feeling a little achey on one side. But really it is minor. There have been a couple of "uncomfortable" sessions; the first was a junior nurse who I felt was a little uncomfortable handling me "down there" (by now I honestly couldn't care less who sees me but she seemed a little embarrassed) and another time when one lady was talking to a nurse in a corner and was clearly upset that her treatment wasn't going quite to plan. That will stay with me forever. When you hear someone tell a stranger that they are scared then that tells a story That's a bad moon on the rise. And for that reason I haven't let my wife come with me or my children know what is going on. I wish that lady the best, I really do.

My 8yr old daughetr has started asking questions and simply answering "I have a doctors appointment" isn't really working now. I think I will have to tell her soon. That's fine but it also means telling my 5yr old son and while there really is a very little chance of further problems, young children don't see it that way. I don't really want to tell them because I think they will worry when there is no need to.

But I have to say that everyone. And I mean everyone at the Marsden has been wonderful. Every single person has treated me with such compassion and respect that I honestly couldn't have asked for more. It's hard to explain but it's the tone of voice and the way they make you feel like they are here for you that really does help.

When I was growing up there was a TV programme called "Angels". Honestly, everyone who works there are Angels.

So now it is back to the humdrum of occasional checkups and an MRI scan mid May.

All the best chaps... check down below every day

EDIT: A quick pic of the car thats kept me sane during the last few months. I've made a point of driving to the Marsden most days in it. I love the thing Excuse the messy garage.

And got to love this song, keeps me so upbeat:

 

[Hades]

Thanks for the comments. It's not so bad really. Many others have far worse problems. This is completely treatable.

I know exactly what you mean about the 'rado keeping you sane - I've got a metallic blackberry vr myself - yours looks a stunner

It's not quite as good close up

Are you on the corrado forum?

 

[Hades]

It's the anniversary of this thread so a quick update...

I continue to have 3 monthly meetings with my consultant and regular xrays, blood tests and MRI scans (I volunteered to take part in a trial of MRI scans instead of CT's so don't have those). Having had radiotherapy to my remaining testicle my testosterone level has dropped off quite considerably and I'm now going to have discussions with my doctor on the best course of repacement treatment (probably gel, patches or injections).

I'll be honest and say my level of drive and energy has dropped off to some degree and I'm hoping that this will help. I feel very tired all the time. My job is quite demanding, often starting at 7am and continuing for 13+ hours without a break and feeling tired isn't helping. Feeling tired doesn't describe it, it's more than that, a total feeling of being drained all the time. But this appears to be a testosterone thing and therefore likely to be treatable.

Still got the 'rado though

EDIT: P.S. God bless every doctor, consultant and nurse and any other staff at the Royal Marsden including cleaners and cafe staff and anyone, absolutely anyone else working there..... Every single one of you. You have my thanks. The compassion you show to everyone is never forgotten by any of us.

 

[Hades]

Time for another quick update as I'm hoping anyone else who may go through this in the future will find it useful.

As mentioned before my energy level had been dropping off considerably with my testosterone level and I had a general lack of drive. I found I wasn't really concerned about much. I had also started putting on a considerable amount of weight. These are classic symptoms of low testosterone which is obviously the primary male hormone. The weight gain is partly due to lethargy and partly because the male body finds it hard to make muscle without the hormone. So however hard I worked down the gym I couldn't lose any weight and any surplus calories just turned to fat. Long term risks are depression, weak bones and other problems associated with weight gain.

So a few weeks ago I saw a specialist in testosterone replacement and a couple of days before Christmas I started taking it. I was given a choice of daily patches, daily gel or monthly injections which need to be administered by a nurse. I opted for daily gel although I can change this if I prefer. So now each morning I rub some gel onto my stomach or thighs. I started feeling better the same day and now my energy and drive have returned to normal. It really is quite surprising just how much of a difference a normal level of testosterone makes. For the first time in months I feel normal. I feel like I want to work hard, get down the gym, make progress in life and have fun. I feel like "me" again. But I will have to take it for life.

I'm still having regular checkups with blood tests and xrays and my next MRI scan will be around May (I'm on a trial with MRI scans rather than CT scans). I'll report back then but so far everything is normal.

Now to try to lose that weight...

EDIT: One advantage of being on testosterone treatment is that I now get all prescriptions for free, for life.

 

[Hades]

I thought a quick update on this was in order. I think that peoples experiences can be useful when others have to go through the same thing. If this thread can help someone in the future then it has been worth writing. Well it is all good news so far and I have been given as close to "all clear" as I will have for a few years.

Just before Christmas I had my final MRI scan along with the usual blood tests and xrays (I was taking part in a trial of MRI scans instead of the usual CT scans). It was, as expected, clear. At the start of all this in October 2011 I had expected to be given the "all clear" after three years but I don't think it quite works like that. I was previously on a three monthly xray and blood test cycle with annual MRI's. But this has now been reduced to a six monthly xray and blood test, with no more MRI's. I think what happens now is that the test frequency gradually gets longer and longer over time. I'm actually glad I'm still being monitored because although I have absolute confidence that I am totally free of cancer now, I like the reassurance of being checked in case I have something else in the future. People sometimes ask me if I ever get worried and my reply is that I know I am (almost certainly) free of cancer but no-one else in the room knows whether they are.

I still haven't told my children what happened although I will tell them before my son reaches puberty (this is when he becomes statistically at a higher risk due to family history).

At all times I have tried to approach this with confidence and aside from the shock at the start I have seen no reason to worry about something I can't change. The only time I did get a little concerned was when I had a kidney stone last year. No stone was showing on the ultrasound and the hospital were overly interested in my testicular cancer history, treatment and when I was next being seen by my consultant. It was the only time I let the thought of it returning briefly enter my mind.

So this will probably be the last update to this little log of my treatment as I am now entering a "business as usual" period of testing. I am grateful to my family and friends for the support they have given me and eternally grateful to the doctors, nurses and consultants who have, at every step, treated me with the utmost compassion and care.

Perhaps the last gift that my father gave me, as I held his hand when he died from lung cancer in 2012, was the experience to take this disease seriously and insist on being seen by a doctor the same day I found a lump. People who have had a similar experience often say that it has changed them. I can't really say that but it has given me a different perspective on life and I find it very hard to get worried about little things anymore. However one of the side effects of low testosterone is exactly that so perhaps that is the reason rather than some grand change in perspective. I do miss getting genuinely excited about things, which I now find hard to do. But is that because of my testosterone, or is it simply me getting older and wiser? I don't know the answer to that. But I do feel different and I do miss having a genuine passion in things I do. But most people affected by this disease shouldn't worry too much about that becasue they are likely to be affected on one side only (I was affected on both, hence low testosterone).

Another side effect of low testosterone is putting on weight. That happened to me and I decided to get fit again in May last year. I'm now in as good a shape as I was when much younger and fit into trousers I never thought I would be able to again. But it does take hard work... again was that weight gain just due to age or the impact of low testeosterone? Probably a little of both.

So once again chaps... check yourself down there regularly and get seen by a doctor if you find a change. The same goes to you girls on the forum; check for lumps up there. And if you find something get seen immediately but be aware that it is indeed a disease that is treatable and very beatable. I was diagnosed with it at 43 years old. This is unusual and it is actually a young mans disease. So just because you are young don't put off checking; you need to check because you are young.

I wish you all the best...

 

[Hades]

Thanks all.

Hades, quite a read.

Kudos to you for sharing. And extra props for volunteering for trials!

If it's not too much of a personal question, have you had a prosthesis?

If I ever had to go through what you had (God forbid), I think I'd need a replacement.

No I didn't have a prosthesis. I was offered one but chose not to. I did think about it, but with silicone implants now rumoured to cause health issues in women I thought there was not enough of a reason to put something in my body that wasn't needed. I am married anyway and if I were ever to find myself single in the future then a lady would have to accept me as I am. If a woman can't do that then she's not the right woman. I am who I am and an extra piece of plastic or silicone or whatever won't change that.

However the one reason I would consider it is that being slightly "lop sided" down there is a little less comfortable and I find that I have to adjust myself occasionally. In hindsight I probably would have a replacement for that reason alone. Also if I was younger and single then I can see why it would be of benefit.

 

[Hades]

A quick update...

I've just realised that last Friday was my 6th anniversary of finding the lump. Time has flown so fast. I'm now down to annual checks but still being monitored because of the study I volunteered for. Everything is clear so far and, given my low risk, it's never occurred to me that it wouldn't be. It's odd looking back over the years how that one moment changed my outlook on life, mostly for the positive. I can still remember that day vividly. In that time I've seen several forum members die from cancer and while I can't really know what they were going through I'm very grateful I was able to beat it.

One challenge I think I have to face in the next year or two is telling my children. Back in 2011 my consultant advised me to tell my son before he was a teenager (he's now 11). He is statistically higher to have the same issue in the future because I had it. So it's only right I tell him before he reaches an age where he's at risk and can check himself regularly.

I put on testosterone gel each morning and they think nothing much of it as I've always said it's just medicine to stop me feeling tired (which is also true). But they've rarely questioned it much further as it's just normal to them now. I'm not sure why, but having not told them before, I now feel slightly uncomfortable telling them. I didn't say anything before, and hid it from them when they were too young to understand. But in the next year or two I have to tell them.

Six years ago I was looking forward to telling them because it meant I had beaten it. But now I don't want to and I'm not really sure why. It feels like something they don't need to know (but I know it is).

 

[Hades]

Thanks for asking

My health is absolutely fine. I am still having annual checkups (xrays and blood tests) and will be having them in a couple of months. I am still putting the gel on each morning but I haven't yet got around to telling my kids about it. Sadly my mum now has cancer and I have to break the news to them at some point that she won't be around for ever. So perhaps now isn't the time to tell them about my history as it will just worry them.

But in terms of recovery from it, I'm absolutely fine. So if anyone else gets diagnosed with similar then there really isn't too much to worry about as long as you seek help for it immediately

 

[Hades]

Another update. Today I had my annual follow up with the Marsden. They gave me the all clear again. Because it is now almost 10 years they have fully discharged me. I will no longer need a yearly checkup (I do still have yearly blood checks for prostate cancer due to taking testosterone gel for life).

So I can now say I survived it

Sadly I lost my mum to cancer in 2019 so I can't tell her the good news. But today is a good day.

 

[Hades]

Thanks all