Interview 147
Testicular cancer (teratoma) diagnosed in 1997. Orchidectomy, followed by active monitoring (surveillance). Then secondary tumour found in the spermatic cord. Surgery to remove the tumour and 4 cycles of chemotherapy, each cycle with 7 days in hospital and 14 days at home.
He was 29 years of age and engaged to be married. Looking back, he felt uncomfortable wearing tight trousers for a few months, but put this down to strain from exercising. One day he had severe pain in his left testicle and surrounding area, and went to his GP. His GP found a lump and told him that he suspected testicular cancer, and arranged for him to see a consultant the following morning. The consultant operated on him that afternoon to remove his left testicle, and he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He felt shock and disbelief as events had proceeded quickly, and felt very uncomfortable following the day surgery. A wait and see’ approach was adopted and his blood was tested weekly. After four weeks, he was distressed when a nurse let slip that his blood tests were generating concerning results, and this was confirmed by his consultant. Further investigation of the removed testicle showed that the cancer had spread up the spermatic cord he wondered why this was only investigated four weeks later, and not during the initial analysis that confirmed his diagnosis. A further operation was conducted to remove more of the spermatic cord, and he was informed that he would need chemotherapy, having four courses in total. Before starting the first course, he had sperm frozen and stored as he wanted to start a family in the future.
When his hair began to fall out he had his head shaved. At the start of the chemotherapy he did not feel too unwell, but increasingly experienced sickness and fatigue. He did a lot of research on the internet about his cancer and treatment (and found Lance Armstrong’s website helpful). He found that brushing his teeth and using mouthwash after every drink or meal prevented him from getting mouth ulcers. He found he was only able to eat soft foods, and lost three stone in weight. What he did find upsetting was seeing the reactions of his family and friends when they saw him, and his wife asked people to focus on usual topics of conversation, rather than focus on his illness. By the final course of chemotherapy he experienced low mood, and found the uncertainty of whether treatment would work difficult to deal with. He had seven months off work but received full pay for six months. He was keen to return to work, and also made an effort to go out during his treatment if he was feeling well enough. At the time of interview it had been four years since his treatment. He had tinnitus for two months following chemotherapy but this passed. He still has numbness in his fingers and some pain where his testicle was removed, but has received help from a psychologist in rethinking his response to pain. He has annual blood tests to see whether the cancer has recurred, and he finds the possibility that it could come back causes him to worry at times. He was very happy with the care that he received throughout his illness, but does feel that the NHS should devote more attention and resources to the psychological impact of cancer on patients.
He is a member of a patients council which raises issues with local hospitals and politicians. He feels that patients being treated for cancer should be given a booklet with commonly asked questions and answers, based on questions that previous patients would have liked to know (such as side effects of chemotherapy and an idea of chances of success of treatment). He also encourages patients to ask as many questions as they want, and not to feel as if they are wasting the doctor’s time. He feels fortunate that he had pain, which he was told does not happen in most cases of testicular cancer, as it made him go to his GP. He is now exercising and keeping fit, and avoids eating dairy and yeast products. He started taking vitamins after his treatment but has reduced the amount he takes now. He visited a Chinese medicine practitioner who recommended a detox diet to try and remove toxins from chemotherapy from his body. He is pleased that surgery and treatment has not affected his ability to have sex.
During chemotherapy, he found taking one day at a time a useful strategy, and appreciated the days that he felt well. He says his attitude to life has changed, as he believed he would only become ill when he was much older. He feels that he is now more open in talking to others, and really appreciates the relationships that he has with family and friends.