Me, my prosthesis and I - My experience with Testicular Cancer - Ch.2

FormerMember over 7 years ago

13 replies
8 subscribers
12310 views

Hi this is the second chapter of my experience.

You can read the first part where I talk about the discovery and the surgery here:

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/testicular-cancer/f/163/t/154885

Today I would like to tell you why I have decided to have a prosthesis and how it feels today after three months after surgery.

When I was told that I needed to have my left testicle removed I was worried about many things some more serious then other.

One of the less serious one was my physical look.

So I was given the option to have a prosthesis in place of my left testicle and I knew straight away that I was going to have that done.

I am happy about my choice as it helps forgetting that you are missing one testicle when you have a shower, at the gym changing room, when I am with my wife etc.

I have to say that it helps to trick my brain into not feeling any different.

For two to three weeks after surgery the prosthesis feel a bit alien and a slight nuisance as it finds its "place".

But after that initial period I almost forgot about it and it does not feel in any way wrong at all.

I was a bit worried as I have read that it might hinder surgery recovery, but it was not the case for me.

The only time that it was giving me a similar alien feel and being a nuisance it was just after my session of carboplatin and for few days after that. I cannot possible explain the reason, but that is how I felt.

I reiterate that I am happy with my choice. It helps with forgetting and it did and does not give me any problem.

I will keep talking about my experience in future posts about my post surgery and the session of chemo that I underwent.

All the best !

Regards,

Simon

FormerMember over 5 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Hi Simon,

He found a lump, went to the doctor the next day. The GP couldn't feel it but referred him for ultrasound anyway (purely because of his history) and the ultrasound I think was relatively alarming. There are apparently 3 or 4 which I find quite scary but I don't know if that's common.

It's a pretty shocking time but NHS response so speedy so far.

My husband says he was told that there's a connection with engineers who have used diesel/chemicals without gloves (hands then in pockets) which he certainly did in his younger years but I've not read anything myself about that.

Thank you for your response - I think I got mixed up as there may be another Simon on this thread who had testicular cancer return?

Thank you,

Mlewolfe8 over 5 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Hi Katja,

Would you mind talking about the fertility side of things through a message? My husband and I are very much struggling with the fertility side since his diagnosis in Sept/2018 and I would like to hear your side (chemo treatment / timing). Please let me know if we can message directly, we would have to be friends through the site first.

Thanks in advance,

Meredith

FormerMember over 5 years ago in reply to Mlewolfe8

Hi Meredith,

Of course. I know he was told not to have children until a certain amount of time after treatment, and he had banked sperm before chemo (after the op).

Our first child was two years after his chemo. I'll have to ask what the chemo was but I know he was on a trial (just about dosages I think).

Keep strong and try not to worry too much.

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Me, my prosthesis and I - My experience with Testicular Cancer - Ch.2