I am writing this post having been through a significant part of my Testicular Cancer journey already. Why am I writing it? Because I found that, during some of the darkest times, this site, and comments of members, was a huge help to me in coming to terms with my illness and understanding the implications.
What I found of particular comfort were those who I could identify that had experienced similar pre-diagnosis symptoms to me, and what their subsequent diagnosis and treatment had been. As such, I thought it would be useful for me to describe my symptoms and journey to eventual diagnosis. So here goes.
I like to think I am a relatively fit person, i'm not overweight or a heavy drinker or smoker (although I do like a few ales, I tend to limit this to weekends only). In the last two years I have cycled around 2,500 miles a year on average, I also do the odd bit of running, and help coach my son's rugby team at weekends.
Around October I started to notice I had a painful left testicle, especially noticeable during the daily commute on my road bike. I couldn't feel any lumps, and when I carried out initial internet research it seems to say that cancer usually doesn't present itself with pain, so I relaxed a little thinking the pain must be down to either...
1. Pain transference from a groin strain, or;
2. Some kind of strain in my testicle - I was wondering if it might be varicocele or even some kind of torsion.
As I had convinced myself that it was unlikely to be the 'C' word due to the pain, I didn't move straight away, I just started wearing the padded shorts when riding my bike and mentally thought I would give it a few weeks.
At the end of November, when the pain hadn't subsided, I thought I would finally get it checked, so booked a GP appointment. I saw the GP, and she had a feel and agreed there were no lumps or bumps, but she did say that it felt a little 'nobbly', so she wondered it it might be varicocele or something. She referred me for a Ultra-sound scan.
Two weeks later I had the scan (I think they have to progress this within two weeks if there is any danger of testicular cancer - so they were quite quick with the appointment). The lady who scanned me had a really good look and asked me questions like, have I experienced a trauma to my testicle? or have I been on anti-biotics for an infection? Answer to both was "no", although long-term light trauma was possible due to my cycling etc.
She went quiet and a little serious, and when I asked what she found, she said that she thought I needed a 'different test'. I don't think the Ultra-Sound doctors are allowed to say anything at the time, but you know when you're OK, because in my previous experience, they have said so if they think everything is fine. So the lack of this worried me.
I received a phone call from my GP the next day (more cause for concern) saying that they had received the report and I would be referred to a Urologist within 2 weeks. This was only 2 weeks before Christmas and we were due to go away to Devon for two weeks on 22 December. I was worried I wouldn't get seen in time. The GP said that they were concerned it might be a risk of cancer, but there were signs, like it presenting with pain, that could lead to something other than cancer.
Anyway, I needn't have worried about the timings, as three days later, on the Saturday, I received an appointment to see the Urologist on the following Monday. I contacted my boss at home immediately and told him I wouldn't be in.
Nee to go out now, and not sure if I can save this to come back before posting, so I will post this bit and do another post for the rest of the story.
