|
|
 |
 |
| James, 19 from Bristol |
|
|
The prospects for testicular cancer is one of the best for all cancers…We were all quite positive, but I know that we all were a bit worried that dad was going to be in that 5% who are not OK.
My dad had cancer when I was 12. It was quite horrible at the time - I know I was scared for a while so he must have been petrified. We found out quite suddenly. Dad went to the doctors as he had been complaining that his testicles were hurting and swollen. The doctor was worried and sent him to the hospital to see a specialist. It was thought he might have cancer as he had had an undescended testicle when he was younger, which is linked to testicular cancer. He went to the hospital a week later and had tests for cancer - an ultrasound and some blood tests. It was found that he had a lump. Apparently they cannot tell if the lump is cancer or not without the operation so he had to have an orchiectomy to have his testicle removed. Dad said he had a fake testicle put in so that they still looked the same!
After the operation, his testicle was sent to the lab to see if it was cancer. This took a few days so dad came home. I remember me and my brother went to stay with my aunt for a few days as mum said dad needed his rest. When the lab results came back, it was found that dad had cancer. Dad had some more tests, a CT scan and blood tests to see if it had spread. It was caught early and the cancer was just in the testicle.
Mum sat us down in the kitchen of our aunt’s house and said that dad had a stage 1 seminoma. She explained what this meant and told us not to worry as the prospects for testicular cancer is one of the best for all cancers. More than 95 out of every 100 (95%) men diagnosed with stage 1 seminoma live for more than five years after diagnosis. We were all quite positive, but I know that we all were a bit worried that dad was going to be in that 5% who are not OK. Mum kept telling us to take one day at a time, and make the most of every moment.
Dad had to have radiotherapy to make sure that all the cells were dead, but was told that his prognosis was good. The radiotherapy made him sick and tired, but it was only for a month or so. It took him a while to get his strength back, and after that, he kept going for check-ups. The tests came back clear and things were OK. I remember I tried what mum said, to take things one day at a time. I did for a while but then as time moved on, dad got better and I just got on with things. Dad is fine now, and has been for the last 6 years. I always check my balls now though, for lumps. It is so worth it, if finding cancer early can make your chances of being OK 95%.
-
More stories >>
All the stories are based on real life situations. Some are written by our experts and others are stories from users of riprap. Why not send us your story and we'll publish it on the site? We may change it slightly to make sure that neither you nor anyone else can be recognised. |
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
| | History of Cancer | |  | | | Read about the history of cancer through the ages>> |
|
|
| | Support in My Area | |  | | | Find support near you>> |
|
 |
|
