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

Thank you for taking the time to share and I'm so glad that you managed to catch this so early on. It really can change so quickly.

A reminder to all I think.
 
best of luck and health to you looking forward.
Prompted by previous threads on here and another member I'm friends with's experiences I've been keeping regular check and found a lump a couple of weeks ago. Got near enough straight to the docs to get the once over and she said it felt like a (something) cyst and I shouldn't be too worried, but has referred me for an ultrasound to be safe. Got that a week tomorrow, so fingers crossed for the results.
 
Hades said:
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 :D 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
Click to expand...

I love corrado's. square lines look purposeful.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v478/JoeMalone/?action=view&current=golfatcfh.jpg

Couple of years old. Unsure where other pictures are!

I htink the golf conversion is going to take a while as I've got some rust to deal with so it'll be off to the body shop soon.
 
Good advice Hades...im always checking my jewels, have had a few scares but after going to the doctors its been clear but still you can never be too sure.
 
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.
 
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?
 
Thanks all :)

Spit said:
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?
Click to expand...

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.
 
Last edited:
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.
 
Tingle said:
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.
Click to expand...

I was thinking this as well. I was trying to think what I would do in the situation and I couldn't get away from the phrase "better safe than sorry". As an added plus, it'll be less likely you'll get caught in a zip afterwards. :)

Good luck.
 
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.

Tingle said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.

corrado_garage_polished.jpg


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

 
Last edited:
Glad to hear all is going well, and wish you all the best.

While I was away in the summer I found a lump, which made me go to the doctors. Luckily it was only "epididymitis", but still worried me! So as Hades has said, always check and don't be afraid.
 
Hope it all goes well for you from here on chap.

Appreciate your having the... guts to open up to us about this, the potential danger really hit home when I read your original post. Needless to say thesedays I have a good check on a regular basis.

Chin up, all the best.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom