My son had testicular cancer and lost a testicle, He jokes about it and has never once felt sorry for himself. He is now 20 yrs old and getting ready to get married to the girl that stood by his side thru at all. We never hide the fact he had cancer,nor what type it was. He weekly cracks jokes about it to his friends and our family,EVEN STRANGERS...Example: Just recently a stranger said to him "you have balls!",his reply was "nope,just one!"...you should of seen the look on the strangers face,lol.
People talk about breast cancer openly and those who had/have it.,there is no difference in talking about testicular cancer...They both happen to people.
Have you had cancer or has a family member had cancer?
* If you want you may add what type of cancer and your story.
What is your strength thru it and/or what have you done to prepare if the cancer returns,ect.
***For those who find this thread breaking boundaries or is insulted by such a post need not reply nor stay in this thread.
I'm glad your son is in good spirits. I read that the body determines how much testosterone it needs to produce so one testicle will work overtime to make up the loss.
Cancer seems to present itself quite often in my family.
OMarkcompa wrote: I'm glad your son is in good spirits. I read that the body determines how much testosterone it needs to produce so one testicle will work overtime to make up the loss.
Cancer seems to present itself quite often in my family.
I had it, and lost one, back in 1981. Frankly, it's easier now then it was then. Time is one reason, and Lance Armstrong is another. he's done a lot, to bring awareness to it. Now I've been mocked for it, and been the butt of jokes, funny, nobody would do that to a woman who has had a masectomy, but with guys, it's different.
Back then, when I was asked what kind of Cancer I had, it was sometimes an akward moment, like at dinner parties, but IT'S NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF! So, from the beginning, I've always just stood up, and said what it was, and "Hey, I'm a Cancer Survivor."
Your son has the right attitude, laugh it off. The only person who puts me down for it, is my Stalker, and well, he has issues. As for everybody else, well, if they can't behave right, tell them to Grow Up.
The facts are, it's one of the most common cancers in young men 15 to 35, and it has a 90% cure rate if it's caught in time. For you Moms, if you want a delicate way to discuss it. tell your sons to squeeze them every so often, and if one feels hard as a rock, then get them to the Doctor Pronto.
I'm not joking. I got lucky, I read a magazine article one day, and the next day I was at a Doctor, four days later I was in the Hospital.
In Closing, Thank God, for M.D. Anderson Hospital, in Houston, Texas.
and OP, if for any reason you want to ask me something, or anybody else for that matter, PM me, and I will answer anything, if it will help somebody.
OMarkcompa wrote: I'm glad your son is in good spirits. I read that the body determines how much testosterone it needs to produce so one testicle will work overtime to make up the loss.
Cancer seems to present itself quite often in my family.
Funny thing, I was 23, when I had it. they told me that my remaining testicle would grow larger. I said, "No way." Turns out, when you lose one, the other grows, no matter your age, to almost twice as big.
Also, if you lose one, the cancer would have to spread through your entire body, and you'd die, before it ever got to the other one.
It sounds like your son has a GREAT attitude about what happened and the joking is his way of empowering himself and not being a "victim". I had a friend that ended up dying from testicular cancer. He waited too long to go to a doctor after the symptoms appeared. Unfortunately that's pretty common since young guys aren't exactly thrilled about having someone look at their balls.
My family went through a very difficult time over a 5 year period as my sister battled and lost to lung cancer. I think it made it more difficult in some ways that she got lung cancer and yet she had never smoked a single cigarette. My nephew was just 14 when she was diagnosed and I don't think he's really ever gotten over her death even though it's been 3 years.
The lesson I learned from my sister's death is that the greatest gift you can give your family after a terminal diagnosis is to prepare them for your death and living once you are gone. My sister didn't do that.
John Edward wrote: I had it, and lost one, back in 1981. Frankly, it's easier now then it was then. Time is one reason, and Lance Armstrong is another. he's done a lot, to bring awareness to it. Now I've been mocked for it, and been the butt of jokes, funny, nobody would do that to a woman who has had a masectomy, but with guys, it's different.
Back then, when I was asked what kind of Cancer I had, it was sometimes an akward moment, like at dinner parties, but IT'S NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF! So, from the beginning, I've always just stood up, and said what it was, and "Hey, I'm a Cancer Survivor."
Your son has the right attitude, laugh it off. The only person who puts me down for it, is my Stalker, and well, he has issues. As for everybody else, well, if they can't behave right, tell them to Grow Up.
The facts are, it's one of the most common cancers in young men 15 to 35, and it has a 90% cure rate if it's caught in time. For you Moms, if you want a delicate way to discuss it. tell your sons to squeeze them every so often, and if one feels hard as a rock, then get them to the Doctor Pronto.
I'm not joking. I got lucky, I read a magazine article one day, and the next day I was at a Doctor, four days later I was in the Hospital.
In Closing, Thank God, for M.D. Anderson Hospital, in Houston, Texas.
and OP, if for any reason you want to ask me something, or anybody else for that matter, PM me, and I will answer anything, if it will help somebody.
Thank-you,and glad you are doing well today. My son is awesome as is his girlfriend and his friends...All them stood by his side thru it all.
When I was 12 my aunt (my dad's sister) passed away with (I believe) Breast Cancer.
Just after I turned 17 my dad passed away with Pancreatic Cancer.
In both cases they found out far too late to do anything. I don't know much about my aunt's cancer since I was young but I was living with my father when he found out he had it. He passed away about 6 months later. It was a horrible, horrible 6 months. I wish cancer on no one and I feel so sorry for those who have to deal with it. In both cases it was very swift and very brutal.
- - - - - -
On a lighter note my campus recently started a Mini-THON modeled after Penn State University's THON. The THONs are dance marathons to raise money for children with cancer. The Four Diamonds fund runs it and these dance maraTHON's take place all over Pennsylvania to benefit Hershey Medical Center's pediatric cancer patients. They help pay for the treatments, transportation costs and bills associated with the child and their family. The boy who brought the Mini-THON to my campus is actually a Four Diamonds child and has been fighting cancer for a number of years. I now help them with Marketing/PR and will be doing photos at the actual Mini-THON.
If you're a resident of Pennsylvania interested in helping with the cause, feel free to let me know. FTK! (For The Kids!)
Grandfather - Lung cancer - deceased
Father - Prostate cancer - doing well
Niece - Leukemia - deceased
Nephew - Cancer - surgery last week, doing well
Brother - Basal Cell Carcinoma - doing well
Wife - Basal Cell Carcinoma - doing well
I had an undescended testicle from a hernia operation. It wasn't noticed until I went through the windshield in an auto accident. Nodules made them fearful it was cancerous so it was removed.
The doctor asked me if I wanted a marble as a replacement. I laughed but there is a stigma in this particular circumstance.
Instinct Images wrote: It sounds like your son has a GREAT attitude about what happened and the joking is his way of empowering himself and not being a "victim". I had a friend that ended up dying from testicular cancer. He waited too long to go to a doctor after the symptoms appeared. Unfortunately that's pretty common since young guys aren't exactly thrilled about having someone look at their balls.
My family went through a very difficult time over a 5 year period as my sister battled and lost to lung cancer. I think it made it more difficult in some ways that she got lung cancer and yet she had never smoked a single cigarette. My nephew was just 14 when she was diagnosed and I don't think he's really ever gotten over her death even though it's been 3 years.
The lesson I learned from my sister's death is that the greatest gift you can give your family after a terminal diagnosis is to prepare them for your death and living once you are gone. My sister didn't do that.
Sorry,to hear about your losses. My son had to get some of his Lymph nodes removed to hopefully prevent recurrence/return of cancer.
I was very afraid, I think my subconscious was preparing me incase the worst happened. I would get visions of him bald,pale and at home on his death bed, Of course he don't know that.
OMarkcompa wrote: The doctor asked me if I wanted a marble as a replacement. I laughed but there is a stigma in this particular circumstance.
It's not a marble. I told them no I don't need one, then went back a year later, and had them install one. Without going into detail, it affects your sex life, nuff said.
Anyway, I don't know what it's made of, but I think it's ceramic, the damn thing is indestructible, and I don't set off metal detectors.
They wire it into place and for the first few years it doesn't move, then it gradually loosens up, and after enough time it moves like the other one.
I mention this only because it's knowledge, and if anybody else, or someone you know is going through testicular cancer, tell them I said you should take the option and get a prosthesis, that's what it's called.
BTW, if some jerk tries to kick you down there, he'll hit the fake one first, and it might break his toe, don't ask how I know.
It's not a marble. I told them no I don't need one, then went back a year later, and had them install one. Without going into detail, it affects your sex life, nuff said.
Anyway, I don't know what it's made of, but I think it's ceramic, the damn thing is indestructible, and I don't set off metal detectors.
They wire it into place and for the first few years it doesn't move, then it gradually loosens up, and after enough time it moves like the other one.
I mention this only because it's knowledge, and if anybody else, or someone you know is going through testicular cancer, tell them I said you should take the option and get a prosthesis, that's what it's called.
BTW, if some jerk tries to kick you down there, he'll hit the fake one first, and it might break his toe, don't ask how I know.
lol. Great post. My doc said marble so I was kind of hoping for a cat's eye. I have serious doubts to one of your statements but you could always PM me the details.
AllisonRPhotos wrote: Unfortunately I have family experience with it
When I was 12 my aunt (my dad's sister) passed away with (I believe) Breast Cancer.
Just after I turned 17 my dad passed away with Pancreatic Cancer.
In both cases they found out far too late to do anything. I don't know much about my aunt's cancer since I was young but I was living with my father when he found out he had it. He passed away about 6 months later. It was a horrible, horrible 6 months. I wish cancer on no one and I feel so sorry for those who have to deal with it. In both cases it was very swift and very brutal.
- - - - - -
On a lighter note my campus recently started a Mini-THON modeled after Penn State University's THON. The THONs are dance marathons to raise money for children with cancer. The Four Diamonds fund runs it and these dance maraTHON's take place all over Pennsylvania to benefit Hershey Medical Center's pediatric cancer patients. They help pay for the treatments, transportation costs and bills associated with the child and their family. The boy who brought the Mini-THON to my campus is actually a Four Diamonds child and has been fighting cancer for a number of years. I now help them with Marketing/PR and will be doing photos at the actual Mini-THON.
If you're a resident of Pennsylvania interested in helping with the cause, feel free to let me know. FTK! (For The Kids!)
Sorry to hear about your loses and Awesome thing you are doing with the Mini-THON
Grandfather - Lung cancer - deceased
Father - Prostate cancer - doing well
Niece - Leukemia - deceased
Nephew - Cancer - surgery last week, doing well
Brother - Basal Cell Carcinoma - doing well
Wife - Basal Cell Carcinoma - doing well
I had an undescended testicle from a hernia operation. It wasn't noticed until I went through the windshield in an auto accident. Nodules made them fearful it was cancerous so it was removed.
The doctor asked me if I wanted a marble as a replacement. I laughed but there is a stigma in this particular circumstance.
Sorry to hear about the lose of your loved ones but glad to hear many others are doing well in your family and glad you are doing well also. I wish you all great health.
I am currently trying to get the Mods to close this thread now due to: there isn't any more responses and this thread contains sensitive posts by all who posted.
Thanks to all that posted.
The thing that bothers me about my son is he suppose to get check-ups still but hasn't been to get a check-up but once!, Him being 20 there isn't much I can do about it...I tell him he should go and he says o.k. but he doesn't follow thru.
Kelly Anne-Marie wrote: The thing that bothers me about my son is he suppose to get check-ups still but hasn't been to get a check-up but once!, Him being 20 there isn't much I can do about it...I tell hi he should go and he says o.k. but he doesn't follow thru.
He may just be worried about getting bad news. It's pretty common with survivors.
Try talking to him about his fears and if he thinks about his cancer coming back. Get him to think about it and hopefully you will be able to convince him to get a check up.
The good thing is that it's a very survivable cancer when caught early. In Lance Armstrong's case they didn't even catch it early and he still survived.
Instinct Images wrote: Try talking to him about his fears and if he thinks about his cancer coming back. Get him to think about it and hopefully you will be able to convince him to get a check up.
The good thing is that it's a very survivable cancer when caught early. In Lance Armstrong's case they didn't even catch it early and he still survived.
Greg Kolack
Posts: 17,242
Downers Grove, Illinois, US
I have given a great deal of thought into whether I would post here or not. It has helped that I havn't been able to post here for a week so I have had time time to think about it. I have given a lot of thought into it, because I don't want to post for attention or sympathy, as unfortunately, some people tend to do no matter what the subject is. I have decided to post this to make a point.
The remarkable woman I have been seeing for a few months found out a week ago she has breast cancer. Luckily, she takes good care of herself, and it was discovered very early. It is in her right breast, but there are also suspicious spots in her left that the surgeon thinks could very develop into cancer. She would lose about 1/3 of her right breast if she had a lumpectomy, and she is pretty small as it is. She has decided to have a double mastectomy with reconstruction. Her surgeon thinks this is best (she brought it up before he did) and of course, I support her 100%.
Her outlook and attitude is remarkable. She is an extremely strong woman, and is very sure of this decision. She is facing this with dignity, strength, and intelligence. She is inspiring to me and I am gaining strength from her.
The hard part is, she is in the beginning process of getting a divorce.Because of this, we have to be very discreet, partially because of custody issues. We both accept this as part of the situation we are in based on our own decisions and no one else's. But it means I can't be there when she goes into surgery or when she comes out, and I can't help her thru the recovery. I know I can't be selfish because this HAS to be about her. But that doesn't mean its not tough. This situation will put the legalities of the divorce on hold for a month or 2.
I literally may not know for a couple of days how the surgery went. She has already thought about this, and has decided in moments when she is alone, if she doesn't have the strength to hold the phone to her ear, she will ask a nurse to hold the phone for her so she can talk to me. And she is thinking about once she is home and can move around where she can walk to so we can meet, since we can't meet at her home. We have talked about the future together, and know this is a speed bump, but not a dead end for us. I honestly think this will make us stronger.
I am not looking for sympathy or attention or anything. But my point? Given the extremely personal nature of this disease for her and I and others who have posted in this thread, and how it turns people's lives upside down and changes them forever, I would be EXTREMELY upset and disturbed and angry if this thread was started for attention. I am not saying these things cannot be discussed or joked about - her and I are already joking about it, and that's part of the healing process. But if ANYONE uses a subject like this as an attempt for attention, that would be a sad, pathetic choice.
Perhaps I am risking an extended brigging with this, considering I am already under the microscope. But this is extremely personal to me and others, and I am going to speak my mind on this no matter what the consequences. Her dignity and her fight is worth anything to me.
I've lost many family members to cancer, and it's heartbreaking every time. What's given me strength is being open about. Acknowledging that it sucks seeing the pain, it sucks watching the effects of chemo/radiation, but it's good being there for them. It's good appreciating the little moments and seeing someone's inner beauty shine through their trials.
Saedcantas
Posts: 389
Saint Saviour, Saint Saviour, United Kingdom
I had cervical carcinoma in-situ (a tiny amount of cancerous cells restricted to a single layer of tissue that haven't begun to affect surrounding tissues yet) diagnosed in October 2011.
Those weeks where I knew my smear was going to be abnormal (I'd gone in with suspicious and the doctor confirmed it looked odd) but I didn't know how bad. Then hearing it was level CIN3 and having a chunk of my cervix removed and having to wait to hear the detailed reports. Literally wondering if I could get a call saying I was starting chemo next week or something... Those weeks are a reference point for the rest of my life, they put everything right into perspective!
I told everyone and anyone, I still tell new people I meet now after I had the six month check up and all clear. I wrote a note on my FB despite it being such a private area and gory details, I shared it on countless forums and I urge everyone I know to get all of their bits and pieces checked.
Greg Kolack wrote: I have given a great deal of thought into whether I would post here or not. It has helped that I havn't been able to post here for a week so I have had time time to think about it. I have given a lot of thought into it, because I don't want to post for attention or sympathy, as unfortunately, some people tend to do no matter what the subject is. I have decided to post this to make a point.
The remarkable woman I have been seeing for a few months found out a week ago she has breast cancer. Luckily, she takes good care of herself, and it was discovered very early. It is in her right breast, but there are also suspicious spots in her left that the surgeon thinks could very develop into cancer. She would lose about 1/3 of her right breast if she had a lumpectomy, and she is pretty small as it is. She has decided to have a double mastectomy with reconstruction. Her surgeon thinks this is best (she brought it up before he did) and of course, I support her 100%.
Her outlook and attitude is remarkable. She is an extremely strong woman, and is very sure of this decision. She is facing this with dignity, strength, and intelligence. She is inspiring to me and I am gaining strength from her.
The hard part is, she is in the beginning process of getting a divorce.Because of this, we have to be very discreet, partially because of custody issues. We both accept this as part of the situation we are in based on our own decisions and no one else's. But it means I can't be there when she goes into surgery or when she comes out, and I can't help her thru the recovery. I know I can't be selfish because this HAS to be about her. But that doesn't mean its not tough. This situation will put the legalities of the divorce on hold for a month or 2.
I literally may not know for a couple of days how the surgery went. She has already thought about this, and has decided in moments when she is alone, if she doesn't have the strength to hold the phone to her ear, she will ask a nurse to hold the phone for her so she can talk to me. And she is thinking about once she is home and can move around where she can walk to so we can meet, since we can't meet at her home. We have talked about the future together, and know this is a speed bump, but not a dead end for us. I honestly think this will make us stronger.
I am not looking for sympathy or attention or anything. But my point? Given the extremely personal nature of this disease for her and I and others who have posted in this thread, and how it turns people's lives upside down and changes them forever, I would be EXTREMELY upset and disturbed and angry if this thread was started for attention. I am not saying these things cannot be discussed or joked about - her and I are already joking about it, and that's part of the healing process. But if ANYONE uses a subject like this as an attempt for attention, that would be a sad, pathetic choice.
Perhaps I am risking an extended brigging with this, considering I am already under the microscope. But this is extremely personal to me and others, and I am going to speak my mind on this no matter what the consequences. Her dignity and her fight is worth anything to me.
I hear ya, I wish her the best of health and a fast healing time.
Greg Kolack wrote: I am not looking for sympathy or attention or anything. But my point? Given the extremely personal nature of this disease for her and I and others who have posted in this thread, and how it turns people's lives upside down and changes them forever, I would be EXTREMELY upset and disturbed and angry if this thread was started for attention. I am not saying these things cannot be discussed or joked about - her and I are already joking about it, and that's part of the healing process. But if ANYONE uses a subject like this as an attempt for attention, that would be a sad, pathetic choice.
Perhaps I am risking an extended brigging with this, considering I am already under the microscope. But this is extremely personal to me and others, and I am going to speak my mind on this no matter what the consequences. Her dignity and her fight is worth anything to me.
QFMFT!
After cancer, things are never going to be the same again. Ever. It picks you up, stuffs you into a blender and shreds you. My life will never be the same. My body will never be the same. I will never be the same.
While I can look at the bright side of things and understand that my life now is better than it was before, in some very important ways, my life will also be worse. I'm now at a much higher risk of developing other cancers, from the drugs and radiation. My lungs are damaged. My heart is damaged. My thyroid gland is damaged. I will never have the energy levels or metabolism that I did before. I will be on medication for the rest of my life. I will have a hard time maintaining a healthy weight.
The toll it took on my family is another matter. My husband left three weeks after I was diagnosed. My family was so strained by the stress of it that we are no longer on speaking terms and will not be resuming contact. I have about $10k or medical debt that I have little ability to pay. Thankfully, I have good medical insurance, or I'd be so far up shit creek.
I can see the good things that happened. I'm much stronger, emotionally, than I ever thought possible. I proved a lot to myself. I have a renewed sense of life and what's important to me. I have an incredible boyfriend who all but carried me through the rest of treatment and supported me from the day he met me. I have some wonderful friends who I've become much closer to and wouldn't give up for anything. All things that I'm so incredibly thankful for.
But, I also know that I'm probably going to die much earlier than I would have. I know that I'm going to have a lot of physical problems. I've lost my entire nuclear and extended family, whom I thought would always be there and always be close to me. The final nail in the coffin of my fertility has been hammered in and I will likely never have children.
That's not something to fuck around with. It's not something to lie about. It's not a tool to be used for attention. While it's healthy to laugh and joke around during treatment, cancer isn't fucking funny.
Kitty LaRose wrote: I've lost many family members to cancer, and it's heartbreaking every time. What's given me strength is being open about. Acknowledging that it sucks seeing the pain, it sucks watching the effects of chemo/radiation, but it's good being there for them. It's good appreciating the little moments and seeing someone's inner beauty shine through their trials.
Instinct Images wrote: Try talking to him about his fears and if he thinks about his cancer coming back. Get him to think about it and hopefully you will be able to convince him to get a check up.
The good thing is that it's a very survivable cancer when caught early. In Lance Armstrong's case they didn't even catch it early and he still survived.
Saedcantas wrote: I had cervical carcinoma in-situ (a tiny amount of cancerous cells restricted to a single layer of tissue that haven't begun to affect surrounding tissues yet) diagnosed in October 2011.
Those weeks where I knew my smear was going to be abnormal (I'd gone in with suspicious and the doctor confirmed it looked odd) but I didn't know how bad. Then hearing it was level CIN3 and having a chunk of my cervix removed and having to wait to hear the detailed reports. Literally wondering if I could get a call saying I was starting chemo next week or something... Those weeks are a reference point for the rest of my life, they put everything right into perspective!
I told everyone and anyone, I still tell new people I meet now after I had the six month check up and all clear. I wrote a note on my FB despite it being such a private area and gory details, I shared it on countless forums and I urge everyone I know to get all of their bits and pieces checked.
Anna Adrielle wrote: I had tuberculosis. not the same as cancer, but a serious condition. my grandfather had it too (at the same time), and he died as a result from it.
Sorry to hear of your loss but glad you are doing better.
After cancer, things are never going to be the same again. Ever. It picks you up, stuffs you into a blender and shreds you. My life will never be the same. My body will never be the same. I will never be the same.
While I can look at the bright side of things and understand that my life now is better than it was before, in some very important ways, my life will also be worse. I'm now at a much higher risk of developing other cancers, from the drugs and radiation. My lungs are damaged. My heart is damaged. My thyroid gland is damaged. I will never have the energy levels or metabolism that I did before. I will be on medication for the rest of my life. I will have a hard time maintaining a healthy weight.
The toll it took on my family is another matter. My husband left three weeks after I was diagnosed. My family was so strained by the stress of it that we are no longer on speaking terms and will not be resuming contact. I have about $10k or medical debt that I have little ability to pay. Thankfully, I have good medical insurance, or I'd be so far up shit creek.
I can see the good things that happened. I'm much stronger, emotionally, than I ever thought possible. I proved a lot to myself. I have a renewed sense of life and what's important to me. I have an incredible boyfriend who all but carried me through the rest of treatment and supported me from the day he met me. I have some wonderful friends who I've become much closer to and wouldn't give up for anything. All things that I'm so incredibly thankful for.
But, I also know that I'm probably going to die much earlier than I would have. I know that I'm going to have a lot of physical problems. I've lost my entire nuclear and extended family, whom I thought would always be there and always be close to me. The final nail in the coffin of my fertility has been hammered in and I will likely never have children.
That's not something to fuck around with. It's not something to lie about. It's not a tool to be used for attention. While it's healthy to laugh and joke around during treatment, cancer isn't fucking funny.
I'm sorry to hear of your mishaps, that's really sad, But I'm glad you are a strong person and doing o.k., hopefully you will get even better.
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