Testicular Lump

EvilMerlin

I found one on me. I have two lumps now actually, one in my chest as well, that I'm not as worried about, because it's painful and feels more like a tissue growth, but my doc wants it checked out anyway due to my first biopsy about 5 years ago, family and personal history etc.

So anyway, back to the testicular one, that one scares me. But my situation right now is that I'm on a job assignment in bumfuck nowhere and for something of this nature, with two lumps, they want me going to my personal doctor at home, and I'd be most comfortable with that as well. Basically they said they have no places for me to go up here that'd be authorized for a full procedure with the visits, and anything that leads to a biopsy and beyond if necessary.

So my question, as I have no personal experience or know anyone with any knowledge of testicular cancer...how quickly does it move if it does mestasize? I understand that it's an easilly curable one, but even if it's nothing, how long is it safe, well not advised safe, but just okay to wait? Because I've got about two months, that's when I can go to someone and get released to go home(hopefully). That's when I'll be able to tell them I have personal issues that need to be attended to and need to be released from the job. If I were to pull the personal problems excuse right now, I'd probably burn a bigger bridge than I can handle and probably get laid off pretty soon after this.

Any first hand knowledge on the beginning steps would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

meistereder

I have no personal knowledge, but based on what you said, if it were me, I'd get the biopsy done now. Good luck.

norm

dude get it checked NOW!!! lance armstrongs cancer started in his balls and spread throughout his body.....can't you go to seattle? i can't believe you can't get a day to check this out?

EvilMerlin

I went to Seattle for an initial. But with the second lump that I just found now, they want me to go home. I basically miss a full day's work here by hitting my appointments in Seattle. And they were pissed off at the first one I went to already. And now they want me to do another initial for my chest, an MRI, and also a mammography will come out of the chest. Then probably two biopsy's beyond that.

If I drop that bomb up here, who knows how they'll respond, because they're a bunch of inconsiderate fucks here. So the best agreed option was to get home. So basically that's when I can use my personal issues for an early release. Which I was already planning on doing because of my grandmother's illness since it's turned for the worse now and they're not expecting her to make it through the year. So I'd like to spend some time with her.

Rygar

Hope everything turns out ok, get it done asap.

meistereder

Dude, honestly, I hate to be cliche here, but if these guys are going to be pissed at an employee for getting a biopsy, that is not a job that I would put above your health. I guess that is as simple as this issue is for me. I realize it's a job, livelihood, etc. But is it worth risking your health for?

pearljamjen

EvilMerlin wrote:

I went to Seattle for an initial. But with the second lump that I just found now, they want me to go home. I basically miss a full day's work here by hitting my appointments in Seattle. And they were pissed off at the first one I went to already. And now they want me to do another initial for my chest, an MRI, and also a mammography will come out of the chest. Then probably two biopsy's beyond that.

If I drop that bomb up here, who knows how they'll respond, because they're a bunch of inconsiderate fucks here. So the best agreed option was to get home. So basically that's when I can use my personal issues for an early release. Which I was already planning on doing because of my grandmother's illness since it's turned for the worse now and they're not expecting her to make it through the year. So I'd like to spend some time with her.

I'm so sorry to hear about this!

And honestly, it's not worth it! You need to get it checked out. You need to tell them you are going home to go to the docs, whether they like it or not!

Cree Nations

money means lots especially if you have a family but ones health means everything. If you aint healthy, you aint making money. If your body is giving you negative feelings, get it checked out asap. I believe (and I aint not Doc) that cysts and boils are very common though when people hit a certain age.
good luck

norm

meistereder wrote:

Dude, honestly, I hate to be cliche here, but if these guys are going to be pissed at an employee for getting a biopsy, that is not a job that I would put above your health. I guess that is as simple as this issue is for me. I realize it's a job, livelihood, etc. But is it worth risking your health for?

that's my thinking....can't they transfer you back to a job here?

comebackwoman

Please don't wait to get these tests done. They're a bunch of assholes if they're even making you think twice about getting this done right away. Just take care of yourself. I hope everything works out ok.

EvilMerlin

cutback wrote:

that's my thinking....can't they transfer you back to a job here?

That's my whole thing, I'm on a temporary office release. Well you know that whole story. So these people I'm working for are temporary bosses, but they're higher up than my original supervisor, so if I get fired from this temp contracted job, I'd be gone from the company. So I'll try to get my release, but I can't do that until after labor day weekend. Which is what...four more weeks? Well, about 3 1/2. Then I can be back at my home office if they'll let me go, which if anyone comes up to you and says I need to get home for personal medical issues, and a dying family member, I'm pretty sure nobody in their right mind would say no you can't leave.

As far as it being something else, I'm pretty sure of that as well, but again, you can never be 100% sure. But from my self examination it doesn't feel attached. Which would lead me to believe it's something else.

All in all, I have no problem with my employer, just these people I'm doing this job for right now is who I'll never work for again. Chances are I'll never come across them in my life anyway after this. My home office, I love it there.

EvilMerlin

So yeah, that's my whole thing, if I find a place to get it done up here, I'll more than likely have to pay out of pocket, AND put my job in jeopardy. Which I can't afford to do either. If I get home somehow, I get my job and my insurance still. Ugh...fucking life sucks after high school.

I worked my way through college, so that's when it started sucking. I suppose for others life started sucking after college.

Black Diamond

This might be a good message board for you to check out (Not that this place is not good for discussions, but this might help you more)

http://www.ontopofcancer.org/testicular_cancer_support_group.php

Also, google testicular cancer message boards and there are others.

I hope you get this checked out as soon as you can and all the best.

EvilMerlin

Black Diamond wrote:

This might be a good message board for you to check out (Not that this place is not good for discussions, but this might help you more)

http://www.ontopofcancer.org/testicular_cancer_support_group.php

Also, google testicular cancer message boards and there are others.

I hope you get this checked out as soon as you can and all the best.

Thanks, I knew somebody here would have a place for me to head to. That's what I was looking for.

Red Burrito

Definitely get it look at as soon as you can. I felt a little lump down there a few years back and it scared the shit out of me. I went and got it checked out and the doc said that is was perfectly normal. He said that is was a normal soft lump of the epididymis. Needless to say I was thankful but if I hadn't had it looked at I would have worried myself sick.

Go get it looked at...it may be nothing, but if it is something more serious, the sooner found the better.

Good luck and I wish you the best.

mookie blaylock 10

EvilMerlin wrote:

I went to Seattle for an initial. But with the second lump that I just found now, they want me to go home. I basically miss a full day's work here by hitting my appointments in Seattle. And they were pissed off at the first one I went to already. And now they want me to do another initial for my chest, an MRI, and also a mammography will come out of the chest. Then probably two biopsy's beyond that.

If I drop that bomb up here, who knows how they'll respond, because they're a bunch of inconsiderate fucks here. So the best agreed option was to get home. So basically that's when I can use my personal issues for an early release. Which I was already planning on doing because of my grandmother's illness since it's turned for the worse now and they're not expecting her to make it through the year. So I'd like to spend some time with her.

yeah, inconsiderate fucks sounds about right. sorry to hear about this and the troubles with work. they should be understanding, but as others have said, health comes first.

as cree mentioned above, it is possible to get cysts. i have had a few. they're very painful, as one might imagine. so are you feeling pain along with the lump? does it swell when you stand and then reduce size when you are laying down?

i ask because these were some of my symptoms. some days were worse than others. they would last at the most up to two weeks or so and then just go away, or i would have to get an injection to freeze it and the swelling would go down usually a couple of days after that.

anyway, like you, i was scared when i got the first one. it happened while i was at work and it was the most intense pain. i went to the ER to get it checked out and when i wasn't standing the pain and swelling would go down a bit. they told me just to wait on it for a week or two, try to keep the blood flow to a minimum by not standing or walking too much and see how it progressed. the first one did start to get smaller after four days or so and was eventually gone after about two and a half weeks.

it's weird, but i was also getting them on my collarbone at the same time. found about eight in total over the period of a few months. they all just turned out to be cysts that went away on their own.

so, i hope that this is all it is. just cysts that you are getting and nothing more serious. get away from that work and get it checked out for sure! keep a close eye on them. can't say that i've had two at the same time on the testicle, but have had one form right after the previous one faded. not fun.

i hope it all turns out well. i don't know if that helps you a bit or not.

Poncier

EvilMerlin wrote:

So my question, as I have no personal experience or know anyone with any knowledge of testicular cancer.

I unfortunately have vast personal experience with this particular disease.
Do not wait, get checked immediately.
It is very curable if caught quickly, waiting is only gonna cause you further risk and more intense treatment (you can likely avoid chemotherap if its detected in early stages, so its wise to check things ASAP).

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions or concerns.

Black Diamond

One more thing. Medical message boards are sometimes really good at getting you facts and data. However sometimes a lot of people on their are very depressed and angry and might bring you down. I had a pretty serious illness that lasted for a couple of years and the boards helped me understand what the doctors were telling me but since it took so long they also got me down reading about others issues.

Listen to everyone else and check it out early.

patrickredeyes

EvilMerlin wrote:

I found one on me. I have two lumps now actually, one in my chest as well, that I'm not as worried about, because it's painful and feels more like a tissue growth, but my doc wants it checked out anyway due to my first biopsy about 5 years ago, family and personal history etc.

So anyway, back to the testicular one, that one scares me. But my situation right now is that I'm on a job assignment in bumfuck nowhere and for something of this nature, with two lumps, they want me going to my personal doctor at home, and I'd be most comfortable with that as well. Basically they said they have no places for me to go up here that'd be authorized for a full procedure with the visits, and anything that leads to a biopsy and beyond if necessary.

So my question, as I have no personal experience or know anyone with any knowledge of testicular cancer...how quickly does it move if it does mestasize? I understand that it's an easilly curable one, but even if it's nothing, how long is it safe, well not advised safe, but just okay to wait? Because I've got about two months, that's when I can go to someone and get released to go home(hopefully). That's when I'll be able to tell them I have personal issues that need to be attended to and need to be released from the job. If I were to pull the personal problems excuse right now, I'd probably burn a bigger bridge than I can handle and probably get laid off pretty soon after this.

Any first hand knowledge on the beginning steps would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Go see a doctor ASAP. That's the best advice I can give you.

Trailer

hope it's nothing serious!

mca47

As someone who works in cancer research I would advise you to seek medical treatment/care as soon as possible.

From experience and the hundreds of patients that have walked through our clinic's doors, get checked out sooner than later!

Testicular cancer is not my expertise (renal cell and melanoma are my focus) but it is very treatable if caught early.

Where is the lump on your chest?

If you want some advice or help "off-line", feel free to PM or IM me.