Post Orchiedectomy Recovery

Hey Stu,

Fellow uniballer here!

My name is Huw and I had my testicular cancer diagnosis around 5 years ago now - I’ve been meaning to get back on these forums for a while as I didn’t know where to turn during those early days and found the community here so caring and supportive so I really wanted to make sure I could give back in any way I can. I read an awful lot on here and it really helped me feel less isolated and less scared about the whole thing so yeah happy to reply with my own experience and how things are going now.

Some of the things I worried about, (aside from the scariness of the word cancer) were what would it all feel like after the operation and would things all still work down there and how would I feel in my relationship etc. The operation was incredibly efficient and while it did take a while to get comfortable moving properly again I was back to work in a couple of weeks and on the road to healing up. Definitely had a few days just resting as much as possible with minimal movement but donning some comfy loose trousers it wasn’t too long before getting back up and hobbling around a lot more. The wound felt huge to me at the time and I was scared it would leave a massive scar but happy to report I can barely see it these days. During the cleaning and healing process I did have a couple of moments where the stitches partially came apart right at the end and the wound seemed to get worse for a week or so but then kept healing up afterwards. Cleaning wasn’t too bad once you get into the routine of it but the discomfort did last quite a while for sure.

I was also nervous about things all working as they used to, but again happy to report that beside some areas of numbness around the scar where I guess they separated some nerves during the op, that’s all good too. Still enjoying a very active sex life which was definitely a relief - the only main difference in my case (without trying to sound too graphic) is the ‘moment of release’ which has now definitely lost its power - all the pleasure feeling is still there which is the most importabt but just the physical release is very different now and no longer fires out triumphantly .

I was also curious how I would feel having only 1 testicle remaining and would I be really self conscious or anything but again this is something I’ve totally gotten used to now and don’t really think anything of any more. No noticable difference day to day and my girlfriend doesn’t think anything of it - in fact didn’t notice at all until I told her which made me feel good

Not sure if any of this is any help to anyone at all but I know this is the stuff I wanted to read when I was feeling down or worried about myself so wanted to make sure I replied here!

take care on the recovery and look after yourself. You also get used to the routine of blood tests and scans and all the rest of it and before you know it, hopefully you’ll be feeling back to normal again

big love,

Huw

Hello fellow mad baller (pool ball inside a sock) well that's what I call it now haha

I had my diagnosis 3 years ago now. I did not need any chemo after the surgery but that isn't the case for everyone so that could still be something you are yet to face and unfortunately I cannot help with any info on that. As for the recovery of the surgery it's fairly straight forward. Take it easy for a couple weeks. First few days are the worst so you are getting through that. Don't cough or laugh or sneeze too hard for the first wee while as that's agony. Feels like your ripping your inside open. Not fun I can tell ya. No one told me this. The scar itself will soon go away and you will barely notice it. Mines is all but hidden away behind pubes now. Cleaning is straight forward too, be gentle and take your time. As the other person said, sex life hasn't been affected. I was so anxious about this that I had sex as soon as I could to make sure, still with a big black and blue member haha. Bit of discomfort to begin with with the moving around in the bed but everything down there worked and felt fine. 3 years later and I don't notice I've even had an op. I opted for no prosthetic and now I have forgotten the difference to having 2. Only thing I experienced long term is during surgery I got epididymitis which is a infection of the tubes on the remaining ball. This went away but has left swelling on them tubes. Sometimes it causes discomfort but mostly it's fine. On a side note, I noticed after surgery that my (load) has increased in size and thickness. I think that is because my remaining one was the one mostly unused before surgery as you tend to use one for the most part anyway haha. Didn't know this before. So wee plus side for me but I think the Mrs disagrees haha. Any questions you have just reach out. These posts helped me alot during my recovery so I'm here for others now

Hey Huw, thanks for taking the time to reply, really good hear from someone who is out the other side.

If you don’t mind me asking, how did you stitches come apart? I’m taking laxatives at the moment to try and get some bowel movements as I’m struggling with that too and I feel like straining could do some serious damage to my wound.

Glad to hear everything still works and that you and your girlfriend adapted to the new norm, I’m finding it a bit horrible to look at my lonely ball in its bruised and shrivelled home but I know that time will be the key for that.

Thanks for sharing your story, I really appreciate it Huw.

Cheers

S

Hey Andrew, thanks for replying on here.

The no coughing/laughing had definitely been difficult as I’ve got great people around me trying to make me feel better.

Glad everything is working down the line, I’ve also opted for no prosthetic. Hopefully I’m going to be shooting big shots soon, I guess time will tell, although definitely not up to it yet haha.

Thanks for sharing your story, really appreciate.

Cheers

S

Yeah no worries - as I said it’s the stuff I wanted to read when I was in the thick of it so wanted to try to help now I’m on the other side 

in my case there was nothing specific, I think just stretching and general movement that caused one side in particular to split apart and get a bit more red/swollen. Probably simple things like getting up a bit too quickly you know? I was also a fan of laxatives to help with discomfort, straining certainly wasn’t fun for a fair amount of time but again it does heal up and get better so hang in there!

yeah I feel you on the sad lonely ball vibes, definitely went through that for a while but honestly that diseased neighbour was much better moving out and leaving our healthy fella intact! Genuinely think nothing of it these days - not even a second thought. Didn’t opt for prosthetic as didn’t really fancy something else living in there and really happy with my choice now. Looking in the mirror it might look a bit more compact and less balanced but really barely noticeable until you get a hand involved and yeah the scar is really really hard to see even though it felt huge at the time. 
Hope you’re doing good - just keep up with the rest and enjoy waddling around like an old man for a bit!

Huw x

In reply to your concern about bowel movements, I tried pushing too early and had my scar bulge out about an inch or more. Was a horrible feeling but had no long lasting problems. Just eat lots of fruit and veg and wait till your body sorts everything itself

When you are ready. I think I waited like 2 or 3 days to try it out hahaha. Probably too soon but I couldn't wait as woke up with a morning glory and I was happy about that. Had to try

Nice one thanks.

I am a bit more mobile today but trying not to get ahead of myself.

I think once it’s less bruised and looks a bit healthier I’ll feel better about it, I never even considered the prosthetic due to the additional risks of rejection/infection, just didn’t feel necessary for me.

Doing well otherwise though, I’m getting quite good at waddling! 

Cheers mate

S

I feel I may have done something similar yesterday to a lesser extent which made the pain worse. Think I just need to be patient now!

Haha can’t blame you