LOL Corky - it's not often you'll find a surgeon with a good bedside manner. It's not really their area because they rarely maintain any relationships with patients. They are "precision artists," and sometimes arrogant about their work. So, this might just be an indication he's a GOOD surgeon. I hope your relationship with the oncologist is more friendly and personable.

I keep you and your son in my daily prayers.

I've heard a couple of people say that they've had surgeons for various things that are actually a bit snotty, but that the surgeries went excellent and they healed quickly. This is going to be a long week, until the oncologist appt. I'm just thankful that I have many meetings at church as well as hubby's support on his evenings off work.

(((((Marilyn)))))

I continue to pray that the Lord's peace will keep you strong thru this and for a complete recovery for your son



Cheri

I just had to fill you all in on a true answer to a prayer and a miracle that happened last night. We were invited to a birthday party for our neighbor. It was a combined 60th birthday for him, and a 30th birthday for their daughter...held at a banquet room at a local restaurant with live music. We get there and the daughter comes up to us and says "Is your son Keith coming tonite because my friend Julie is dating a testicular cancer survivor and I thought perhaps they could talk and compare notes". Anyways...I talked to this guy who's name is Dave, his cancer was much more progressed than our sons is. Dave is now attempting to go thru different school boards around the area and get the ok to talk to boys in high school health classes about doing regular tests of themselves like us girls should do.
Our son came in a bit later (after I had talked with Dave) and they talked for probably half an hour, during which time Dave repeatedly said "you do NOT need this surgery on your chest, you need chemo but I'm not the doctors". Basically what Dave was saying was...his was more progressed, they didn't do that surgery on him, so why do it on our son!!!
We all felt like God had taken us to this party to meet Dave and learn that we are NOT alone fighting this battle and that there IS survival rate that is quite high actually. Dave just last month had a fertility test and said that even with just the one testicle remaining, he is well within the normal range 3 yrs after chemo!!! AMEN
We'll know more on Wedneday,

how very very encouraging to read that Corky

Praying for good news on Wednesday

Thats great Corky. I am so glad that you and your son were able to spend some time with this survivor.

Have you all in my prayers for Wednesday

Corky, what luck - that was advice of the best kind. Always be wary of surgeons - that has been my experience. Good luck, good wishes from
birte.

Hello to all...I'm going to ATTEMPT to cut & paste the email text that I sent to others in here instead of having to re-type everything....

Good Evening to all,
Today has been a day that all of us have waited and prayed about for several weeks. I'm going to try and include all of the details of Keith's visit with the oncologist, hoping that I answer everyone's questions.

He had the right testicle and tumor removed on January 29th. The urologist mentioned that there was some evidence of vascular invasion in the area surrounding the testicle itself.

The CT scan showed only one enlarged lymph node in the groin area.

The chest x-ray was clear, showing that the cancer had NOT spread into the lungs.

It is a non-seminomal embroynal germ cell tumor which is malignant. Cancer has NOT spread to any distant sites but HAS ianvaded blood vessels within the testicle.

The oncologist said that were it NOT for the pathology report, he would say "leave it be and do monthly blood tests". However the pathology report shows it into the blood vessels.

He gave Keith basically 3 choices= leave it alone and do bloodwork monthly, remove the lymph nodes(drs last choice), or have chemo.
Keith has chosen to do the chemo. Since it is a stage I-B level, the chemotherapy would not need to be that strong, and it would be for 2 sessions most likely beginning the first Monday in March. It would be one wk of chemo, two wks off, the second session of chemo, then bloodwork every wk.

Yes chemo. can be hard on the body, but we all feel like this big weight has been lifted and that the worrying part of this ordeal is over. There's a 95% survival rate with the chemo and the tumor being removed, so we are now feeling like Our Lord Jesus has him in the palm of His hand, and that the road ahead is going to be much easier to handle.
Keith seems very positive about everything at this point, it appears that there is NO need for the lymph node removal surgery at this time. We had the opportunity to meet a testicular cancer survivor last weekend. His was stage 3-A and had already spread to his lung. He is such an inspiration to others now, and Keith so enjoyed hearing his survivor story. Our whole family has purchased numerous items from the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and we feel that Keith shall join those that are not just LIVING as a cancer survivor, but will continue to LIVE STRONG !!!

Thank you all for thoughts, cards, prayers, phone calls...this is what's keeping us going right now,


Marilyn, Doug, Keith and Amanda


yippeee it worked!!!!! Anyways, you can all read the update. We just feel like a heavy weight has been lifted and now he can go on with the chemo and be a cancer survivor.
My love and hugs to you all....





and all the other cute icons!!!!! LOL

((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))). That is good news. I will keepyou all in my prayers.

corkybird Wow ! Good on you and your son &family.
I am glad to hear you and son got to meet and talk with that survivor.
I like Shelly , will keep your all in my prayers chemo takes allot out of you and I pray continued strength and many blessings... just like meeting that survivor,
blessings come disguised sometimes we can tell right away and other times we do not realize it till later. I am so glad to hear things are ending on a happy note
and HE WILL BE A SURVIVOR, that will inspire, give strength and courage to others. Thanks for posting this. I hope you are doing well also ...remember to smile and laugh take care of you
Peace and Love
BMW