First off, I’m not writing this up to gain sympathy or try to start a pity party for myself. I’m writing this up in hopes that someone will read it, heed my advice, maybe tell some friends to do the same. If one person reads it and discovers they have the same issue and gets medical care, it’ll be worth it to me

On April 7th, i was in a hot shower and decided to do a self testicular exam. Something seemed off, some asymmetry on one side, felt like a lima bean attached to a plum to be completely honest. I called my GP and she just scheduled me an ultrasound. A few days later I was resting on the table while the ultrasound tech took a few pictures and a few hours later it was determined I had a mass, and was promptly scheduled with a urologist. The diagnosis was 90% chance it was cancerous. They then scheduled a chest x-ray and cat scan. Testicular cancer typically moves to your lungs or pelvic bones first apparently. The chest x-ray was clear but the cat scan showed two bone islands that had the potential of being osteosarcomas. They then did an MRI to get a much closer look and it was determined the bone islands were just dense calcium deposits, likely from old micro fracture injuries. (not surprising given my strong history of falling down).

Yesterday I had an orchiectomy, yep, the whole thing was plucked out. Some people may laugh and make a uni-ball joke at my expense, but frankly, I could care less. That’s the beauty of a cancer diagnosis. Your capacity to care about what other people think goes out the window. I prefer Team Uno myself. Now I am waiting on pathology results, I elected to have it removed prior to biopsy given that less than 10% of testicular masses are benign and it was obvious that 3/4 of it was eaten up by the tumor from the ultrasound.

So spare me your uni-ball jokes. I don’t need a pity party. I don’t have a go fund me page. Just google how to do a self exam and do one in a hot shower, then go to the doctor if something is amiss. Then tell your son, brother etc to do the same. Men don’t talk about issues in their nether regions, but we need to. I didn’t want to write this post but over the last 6 weeks it’s become apparent to me that it needs to be talked about. It is the most common cancer for men aged 15-35 and I only know of one other guy that has had it. I’m 35, so don’t think if you are older you are out of the woods on risk, that’s just the most common age range. The mortality rate is near zero when caught prior to metastasis. I feel lucky at this point, there are much worse types of cancer to have and other people have it way worse than me. All my blood tests and body scans have been nothing but positive in terms of no evidence of metastasis. I feel fortunate right now but also want others to know. It’s a serious issue if you don’t seek medical treatment. You don’t lose your manhood. You still have the other one to father children and produce testosterone.

That’s all, give the ol plums a tussle in a hot shower tonight.

Hang in there.

My youngest son (at 21) had same cancer. Had testicle removed. More tests showed spots on lungs. He underwent chemo.......several infusions over many weeks. He struggled but handled it like a champ. Lost hair and sick. Handled all much better than Dad would have. Lungs spots disappeared. Thank God he is still cancer free.

Thanks for sharing your story Swampwolf, amazing outcome even with the chemo. If you don’t mind me asking, how did he discover it? And how long has he been cancer free now?

PSA appreciated cancer is nothing to joke about. Had a friend long ago who’s brother went through about the same as you he caught it soon enough, happy endings.

Cancer sucks! Mother lived in fear of it having lost her mother to breast cancer. She checked herself regularly had regular mammograms, ate right did everything she was supposed to and it still got her in the form of pancreatic. I hate cancer!
Come to find out breast and pancreatic share the same gene thanks to my first cousin who just had a double mastectomy at the same time her brother was also diagnosed with cancer.

It'll probably take me out as well.

There are no jokes to be told about this. It's serious and I hope the best for you.

He trying to lighten the mood playing with yourself in the shower may have just saved your life !!!!!
But hang in their sounds like the prognosses is good. !! One question are you going to have a silicone implant? Friend of mine had the same thing and they put plastic testicles in to fill the void.

I elected to not go with the prosthetic, didn’t see the point. At my age, I got nothing left to prove. Looking forward to the extra space. The middle seat on an airplane will be that much more comfortable now and I can start wearing tight wranglers with increased comfort.

Less crotch rot in the heat, maybe. LOL

Seriously, great attitude to have about it.

RockCrick, you’re more man than most because of your willingness to talk about this. Keep that head high and thank you.

Speedy recovery Prayers. Cancer is no joke. Thank you for sharing.

Several years ago, one of the twins got sick and was removed due to Agent Orange issues, did Chemo and am OK now. The stupid jokes are mostly an attempt to help you deal with it, but I didn't appreciate them either. Self exams, Colonoscopy's, VACINATIONS etc can keep you alive. Cancer is a very hard way to die.

Wow what a journey. I'm glad you're on the mend.
I've known a buddy with it. He got it in high school.

I had surgery for testicular cancer in 2006. I was 34 at the time. Mine was caught on a fluke as I had been having issues with the other one due to having hernia surgery on that side. That one swelled up and was painful. They think there's some scar tissue there. I went in for that pain and they scheduled an ultra sound which of course they scan both testicles and I had a spot inside of the testicle on the normal one. Cancer is supposed to be on the outside as a mass. They told me to come back in 6 months and have another scan done. Well I felt fine and kinda blew it off and wasn't sure if I was going to go back. I got reminded by my wife to go back for a scan so I go in and get it done. The ultra sound guy was taking longer than before and turns out there was a reason. I still had no outside lump on the testicle. I go home and get a call a couple days later to set up an appointment to go see a urologist in Lacrosse. When I went there my Dr. had my results and he said there was a change in between the ultra sounds, I now had 3 spots all internal and at opposite ends. I asked if it would be cancer and he said he doubted it and called in another older Dr. that had looked at my results as well. Both thought it would not be cancer but recommended it be removed.

Surgery day came and the nut was removed along with the cord and lymph nodes. A full week goes by and I had a message on my answering machine from my Dr. to call him back. When I did, he kinda hymned and hawed then said we got your results and I'm sorry to tell you it's cancerous. Then he said in all the years here between the Drs. they hadn't had a testicular cancer case that didn't have an outward sign. Then it was time to set up my radiation treatments which amounted to 17 trips to Lacrosse. Everything's been fine since and it hasn't returned. Follow up trips for scans and blood work are no longer required. It started out as every 3 months for a few years then every 6 months then annually until year 10. No reason to go after that.

All guys should check em and if you've got kids tell them what can possibly happen. Both the OP and I were on the older end of getting this. It's more common in teenagers through the 20's. Cancer's never a laughing matter. This cancer is very curable if caught early just don't dink around and wait to go to the Dr. cause you think it's nothing or you're too tough for someone to scope out the twig and berries.

BTW I had an implant put in. I didn't want to be lopsided.

Sorry about the long post but maybe it'll help someone out. Thanks RockCrick for starting the thread.

God be with you.

I am one lucky dude. My primary doctor was concerned about something and ordered an ultra sound exam right in his office. The girl doing the scan spent a long time in on area. She was scanning my right kidney, which had a carcinoma. Never had any symptoms. Doctor then scheduled a colon exam and is showed a cancerous spot. Colon surgeon and Urologist got together and advised that the colon surgery should be first because it grows much faster. Lost some colon but 19 lymph glands were all negative. Stage 1, no treatment required. Six weeks later my right kidney was removed. Again Stage 1 and no treatment required. Dodged two bullets.

I owe my good fortune to an annual Medicare exam and a caring doctor. Last year I had a large hernia repair where the colon surgery was preformed. This year I decided to have gastric sleeve surgery to get my weight, blood pressure, and kidney numbers under control. Have normal kidney test now and cut out a few meds. BP is well controlled with half the medicine I was taking.

Why am I telling this? Because early detection saved me from two cancers that were growing inside of me. The gastric surgery is saving my remaining kidney from dialysis and preventing diabetes, we hope.

We on Trapperman have said some harsh things about the medical community and their recommendations for our good health. Please trust you doctor’s training, education, and long hours. They can save our lives sometimes. Follow their advice when test are needed.

I'd just throw in here that, having had a Vasectomy, at around my early twenties; Couple of times since I've had Doctors getting familiar with my bits. Both Times they said like, " Oh. Hullo ..... "

First time sent me into a spiralling nightmare, as I awaited Ultrasounds, results, etc.

Second time? Different Doc. He's like; " Oh. Hullo ..... There's Something there. " And I'm: " Yeah. That's okay, Doc'. It's scar tissue from my vasectomy " And everyone starts breathing normally again!

But, here's My point: I can go over my bits with a fine toothed comb. Darned if I can Ever find what They felt!

So, the clear message is, gentlemen; If YOU can feel it? Share That Concern!

A friend of mine lost his nephew many years ago at only 19 years old. Detected it too late, dead the next week. Good luck with your recovery, Rock.
I had recurring pain in the right one years ago. I think if was more paranoia than anything. Doc said just a varicose vein, and that cancer is a younger man's disease. Haven't had pain since. Funny what a clean bill of health will do to your psyche.

Yea I had tons of swelling when I had 3 hernias fixed in March. They ultrasounded my fellows and all was well. Dang gorgeous blonde rubbing jelly lube on my junk!! But no woody to be found too much pain from the swelling LOL

Sad story about your friends nephew, I guess that’s why I wanted to make this post to bring something to light and maybe others will catch something early. Thanks for sharing the bad outcomes as others have shared good outcomes. I sincerely hope your friend and his family have been able to cope and heal from such a horrible situation.