Bad News

[papa_smurf]

Heres to a full recovery, hope to god I never find a lump down there. Athough I did have a scare last year when I felt lumps under my left arm pit, went straight to my GP and fortunately it was just my lymph nodes were inflamed and went after a few days - still feared the worst and glad it wasn't cancer.

[Torvald Von Mansee]

Good luck!!!

[ReFaN]

i wish you well, and hoping it turns out well.

[Garion]

Keep yer chin up, think positive thoughts and stay strong. Easy to say I know, but it's a must.

My thoughts are with yoo.

Cheers

Garion

[Penguin]

Feuer Frei,
First of all: my respect goes to you for posting this deep and sad story here. You're crazy to apologize for it - GT is somehow like real life, the funniest picture in the world and a saddening story are next to each other.

I am not ashamed to say that I had wet eyes when reading this. I can only underline Magic's words: never give up, don't even think about it.
The human mind and its inner will is amazing, it is just as important as the physical therapy. Even if, what nobody hopes, the docs put the thumb down on you: "Niemals aufgeben!" The new wife of my father once got the diagnosis lung cancer with the prognosis to have only a few months left. She made it 10 more years, because she had an amazing willpower.

Many people, including me, are sloppy regarding visiting the doc, so this is also a reminder to us all. So I'll close with a semi-funny story: I once also noticed a strange structure on one ball, the size of a pea. I was worried and went straight to the doc. She examined my testicle and I was anxious to hear the result. It took too long for me, so I pressed: "Come on, doc, tell me what it is. Is it cancer?"
She replied: "no, it's just a shaving accident. A hair grew in and cartilage grew around it!" Man konnte den Stein der mir vom Herzen fiel, kilometerweit hören!
I was more than glad and my previous nervousness resulted into deep, happy laughter. I felt stupid for panicing and running to the doc who has to treat real illnesses. Well, in hindsight I now say: better one check-up too much.
Good that you finally went to the doc and as it looks now, the diagnosis does not sound hopeless.

So: Alle meine besten Wünsche gehen an dich!
Viel Kraft für die nächsten Monate!
You're a good guy, don't kick the bucket before we met us and had a few pints! We all support you here!

Cheers!

[August]

Good luck man. Hope you beat it.

[CaptainMattJ.]

this is a very wierd thing to ask, but how big was the lump?

I have something similiar, except its a tiny bead (slightly hard) that just floats around in there. I dont think much of it, because it hasnt gotten bigger, and based on my knowledge, cancer needs blood vessels to pump directly into it to feed itself, and since its just floating around i didnt think it was attached to vessels.

[Herr-Berbunch]

Originally Posted by CaptainMattJ.

this is a very wierd thing to ask, but how big was the lump?

I have something similiar, except its a tiny bead (slightly hard) that just floats around in there. I dont think much of it, because it hasnt gotten bigger, and based on my knowledge, cancer needs blood vessels to pump directly into it to feed itself, and since its just floating around i didnt think it was attached to vessels.

If you have any doubt whatsoever - go to the Docs! Soonest! Better to have your mind at rest than ANY other option.

[Reece]

Only a couple of days away, I wish you the best!

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by CaptainMattJ.

this is a very wierd thing to ask, but how big was the lump?

I have something similiar, except its a tiny bead (slightly hard) that just floats around in there. I dont think much of it, because it hasnt gotten bigger, and based on my knowledge, cancer needs blood vessels to pump directly into it to feed itself, and since its just floating around i didnt think it was attached to vessels.

GET 'EXPERT OPINION' simple as.

[Growler]

Originally Posted by CaptainMattJ.

this is a very wierd thing to ask, but how big was the lump?

I have something similiar, except its a tiny bead (slightly hard) that just floats around in there. I dont think much of it, because it hasnt gotten bigger, and based on my knowledge, cancer needs blood vessels to pump directly into it to feed itself, and since its just floating around i didnt think it was attached to vessels.

Matt, from previous experience, that sounds like an infection and not cancer, but you absolutely MUST see your GP soonest for a proper course of antibiotics to treat it. (I hate antibiotics, but I hate being unwell more.) Over time, that untreated infection can really mess a guy up, and some Docs believe that a tendency for infection there is a contributor to cancer later on.

[Feuer Frei!]

Update. 03/08/11.

I went into today's consultation with some trepidation, as you can imagine.
Thoughts of : "Has this spread to my vital organs"? "Has this spread to my stomach"?
The answers were surprising and a rather big relief.
Nothing of the sort.
No signs of spreading, kidneys, lungs and liver all in good repair.
The Doctor said that this type of cancer does not spread to the stomach, or the liver or kidneys.
The way it travels up is through your lymph nodes. Then it can invade your Lungs etc.
Now, the lymph nodes was the other thing i thought of. From the last scans done a month ago, no visible signs if enlargement. What they look for is if the lymph nodes are 1 cm or larger, that is abnormal and a sign of concern. However in my case, no enlargement, which is bloody fantastic!
The road i travel now, from today is the following:
On the 8th i have an Education session, on the 10th a Doctor's appointment at 14:15 and then the same day at 15:00 1, yes, 1 cycle of Chemo.
The Doctor said that in my situation, with this type of cancer and where i'm at currently, i had 2 options:
1) no treatment and continual monitoring every 3 to 4 weeks then less to monitor any concerns with the lymph nodes enlarging.
Or, 2) 1 Cycle of chemo with 1 drug.
I chose the latter.
In the hope of killing this sucker now, before it has a chance to spread or do further damage.
The only really worrying thing that i found from today's hospital trip is that i have lost 2kg's in 7 days!!
Bloody hell, i'm wasting away here.
I asked Doc and he said it can be because of the cancer cells present in your system.
He advised that i have this cycle of chemo, wait 3 to 4 weeks and see if there are any signs of improvement.
If not, see GP and go from there.
We will see.
But i hope this is going to improve, with the chemo, because i've got no idea how to stop this wasting away.
Overall, i'm still alive and in good fighting spirits.
I forgot to mention, the procedure for the next 5 to 10 years is to keep on being monitored, via ct scans, xrays and tumor markers.
Actually the other good news is that the blood tests done last week showed that the tumor markers haven't increased from last time.
Tumor markers are a sign that the cancer has increased, or stabilized. Also a good measuring stick for chemo treatment, to see if cancer cells are responding to the treatment.
Anyways, once again Gentlemen, thank you for your ongoing support and thoughts and well-wishes!
Very much appreciated.

[Rockstar]

Feuer Frei! It pains me to no end to have to hear this. I wish there was some magic pill which take it all away but there isn't one, yet. But modern medicine believe it or not is getting close to those things.

My wife had a very rare form of stage 2a uterine cancer, a type that IF a women gets it normally happens around the age of 80, she was 39 then. It was an aggressive cancer with a piss poor survival rate. She passed the five year mark two years ago.

From watching her deal with it. My advice would be to get on with life, don't let this upset your routine. As an example, my wife is a swimmer, loves it, in her younger days she set the Dolphin Club record in the Alcatraz swim she also used to do the Lanai to Maui swim. Anyways, the nurses would get on her about swimming because as they said there are germs in the showers and pool therefore a greater potential for infection. She told them to pack sand, she never stopped doing what loved to to do. The Dr at the time a wonderful man who took care of her very well told her to just keep on doing what you're doing and don't let others stand in the way. He now recommends swimming to all his cancer patients.

During chemo you lose your appetitie YOU MUST EAT whether you want to or not. It's been found so many people fail during this time not because of the cancer but from malnutrition. Trash the candies, donuts and sweets these will not help and only feed the cancer.

EAT HEALTHY!

Stop researching how bad this is and start researching things on how to combat this on your own like vitamin C, foods, exercise, attitude, and yes even prayer to YHWH.

Didn't Lance Armstrong have a form of testicular cancer? It can be beat don't withdraw, don't give up. Approach this with your fangs out and hair on fire!

Finding a support group may help too, encourage one another, you will find it is much easier to speak with people who have gone through or going to go through the same thing you are. Others (though they mean well) you will find out shortly cannot truly understand what you are going through.


REMEMBER **** FANGS OUT! **** HAIR ON FIRE!


.

[Feuer Frei!]

Originally Posted by Magic1111

Hi FF !

Es tut mir so unendlich leid für Dich, wünsche Dir von Herzen das aller, aller Beste ! Und ich bete für Dich !

Jetzt mach bitte genau das, was immer auf Deiner Signatur steht:

"Niemals aufgeben" !!!

Viele Grüße,
Thomas ("Magic")

P.S.: Wie alt bist Du eigentlich ?

Ich bin 39 Jahre alt. Eigentlich recht jung, aber habe gehöhrt das das ganz normal ist in dem Alter.
Niemals aufgeben, tja, da haben Sie recht. Anders werde das nich gehen mit diesem Fall.
Danke für Deine Worte. Jetzt im Moment bin ich shell-shocked. Weiss nicht was ich machen soll.
So viele Gedanken rennen im Kopf herum.
Ich bete zu unserem Herrn, der kann mir bestimmt helfen! Ich brauche Seine Hilfe jetzt.
Ich halte Dich am Laufenden. Danke nochmahls.

Originally Posted by Flaxpants

All the best to you mate, I will watch for news of your progress- lots of support around here.

A friend of mine had the same thing, he's all over it now and is back to his usual life, got a clear bill of health- look forward to you telling us the same.

Thanks m8, did your friend go through chemo? How long for?
3 months is the minimum i have heard, and the fact sheet i linked earlier indicates that too.
Was there any weight loss? With him? The Doctors said that that is one of the side effects. But then i don't know what to believe, because in some people it makes them gain weight. That is due to the steroid tablet/injection.

Originally Posted by Castout

Oh man you are in my thoughts now and will be in my prayer.

Stay strong. Somehow I got the impression that you're a good person.

Stay cheerful with what life throws at you mate. I really do hope all will be okay in the end.

Sorry to hear about your mother condition. Nevertheless do visit her. You can't if she was gone.

Thank you Castout. Thank you for your prayers and kind words.
My mother is gradually getting worse.
The norm is nowadays that she sleeps until midday, she may get up before then and complain about pains and she says she has no hunger for food, so she goes back to bed.
It is a habit with her now. Repeating things often, loss of memory, not remembering what she said previously, or seeking words to describe something.
All signs of early onset of Dementia.
My father is fast coming to the conclusion that outside intervention is needed. He is not sure how to handle the situation anymore. She has lost a lot of weight due to not eating much anymore. Once that happens it is getting difficult.
I spoke to my Mother a week ago, and it was a harrowing experience, to say the least.
I was emotional but did not show signs of it towards her.
Inwardly emotional.
It really touches you when a loved one is slipping down a deep slope like this.

Originally Posted by papa_smurf

Heres to a full recovery, hope to god I never find a lump down there. Athough I did have a scare last year when I felt lumps under my left arm pit, went straight to my GP and fortunately it was just my lymph nodes were inflamed and went after a few days - still feared the worst and glad it wasn't cancer.

Good news sir! I'm happy it was a false alarm.
It pays to get things checked out doesn't it?

Originally Posted by Rockstar

Feuer Frei! It pains me to no end to have to hear this. I wish there was some magic pill which take it all away but there isn't one, yet. But modern medicine believe it or not is getting close to those things.

My wife had a very rare form of stage 2a uterine cancer, a type that IF a women gets it normally happens around the age of 80, she was 39 then. It was an aggressive cancer with a piss poor survival rate. She passed the five year mark two years ago.

My God, that is young. But, great news for you and your wife!
Good on her. She's a fighter.

From watching her deal with it. My advice would be to get on with life, don't let this upset your routine. As an example, my wife is a swimmer, loves it, in her younger days she set the Dolphin Club record in the Alcatraz swim she also used to do the Lanai to Maui swim. Anyways, the nurses would get on her about swimming because as they said there are germs in the showers and pool therefore a greater potential for infection. She told them to pack sand, she never stopped doing what loved to to do. The Dr at the time a wonderful man who took care of her very well told her to just keep on doing what you're doing and don't let others stand in the way. He now recommends swimming to all his cancer patients.

During chemo you lose your appetitie YOU MUST EAT whether you want to or not. It's been found so many people fail during this time not because of the cancer but from malnutrition. Trash the candies, donuts and sweets these will not help and only feed the cancer.

EAT HEALTHY!

Stop researching how bad this is and start researching things on how to combat this on your own like vitamin C, foods, exercise, attitude, and yes even prayer to YHWH.

Didn't Lance Armstrong have a form of testicular cancer? It can be beat don't withdraw, don't give up. Approach this with your fangs out and hair on fire!

Finding a support group may help too, encourage one another, you will find it is much easier to speak with people who have gone through or going to go through the same thing you are. Others (though they mean well) you will find out shortly cannot truly understand what you are going through.


REMEMBER **** FANGS OUT! **** HAIR ON FIRE!


.

Yes, all wise words indeed. I have read a bit about the side effects of these powerful drugs and it doesn't sit well with me at this present moment.
One thing i am really mulling over is the possible increase of weight loss which can occur with chemo.
Heck, i am already skinny. I was very defensive in the consultation with the doctors and replied upon hearing that i may lose more weight: "well, at least i can get rid of this f'in beer belly then".
Blank looks upon remarking this.
The other thing is the hair loss.
My self esteem has been shot a fair few months ago now. Losing all this weight i'm sure i look sick too, so i guess the hair loss is the double whammy really for me. Yes i know it grows back but where i am going with this is that the Doc said today: what work do you do"? "Hopsitality management, restaurants mainly"? He said after us ddiscussing, or rather me saying that my work can go stuff themselves because the last thing i want to have to deal with is some clown complaining about a well-done steak, when it's well done. So, he said to me, after me saying that: "you can then step back, being the manager, and delegate"! I looked at him, not sure what he was attempting to do.
I said: "no f'in way, f that, i'm not running around with a bald head, skin and bones and looking like a freak"! He replied: "well you can think of it this way, you can advertise this to other men/people, you know, tell them to check themselves regularly etc etc".
I thought to myself: "yea right, i'm gonna do that, at my work place, whilst i work"! Idiot.
I don't mind educating people in relation to this but. But when i know that i have beaten this. First things first, right?
The whole consultation disappointed me because it was rather impersonal, it was quick and the Doc that read the report hardly made eye contact with me, when he was mumbling med terms, he made more eye contact with the med student in the room, who sat in, than with me.
I felt like calling out to him and saying: "hey listen Pal. When you are discussing a possible curtain closer with me, at least make freakin eye contact with me.
Anyways, i've rambled on too much.


Too all who have replied since my last post with best wishes and messages of hope and strength and prayers, thank you!
You all seem like really nice people. I mean that.
And i will keep you all in the loop.

[frau kaleun]

I can only echo what others have said and add my own good wishes to it: stay strong, stay positive, you will be in our thoughts and prayers! Good luck to you, man.