Our story so far...

Thanksgiving 2011:  Felt good, but was having some odd sensitivity in my balls.  Didn't really think much of it, figured maybe one of my kids just kicked me while we were wrestling or playing.  A few days later I noticed that my left testicle was enlarged to the size of about a ping pong ball.  Went to the doctor and was treated for an infection with a round of antibiotics which did not solve any problems leading to the scheduling of an ultrasound.

Nov. 30th 2011: Had an ultrasound at the hospital, ultrasound lady wasn't so good at hiding the fact that something was not right.  Confirmed my suspicions that I may have TC.

Dec. 5th 2011: Urologist confirms that I have a mixed germ cell tumor that will require surgery and chemotherapy and schedules surgery for 12.9.2011.

Dec. 9th 2011: Cancer was removed by Urologist in a somewhat routine operation.  Recovery from the operation was OK for me.  Did not have a bad reaction to the anesthesia and the pain was tolerable, only used pain meds while sleeping for the most part.  Was able to return to work on Tuesday. Expect to have a 3-4 inch incision just below your waist.

Dec. 15th 2011: Follow up with Urologist went well, needed to repeat blood-work to see if my tumor markers have gone down but I have to wait 2 weeks so we don't get a false positive...waiting sucks.  Referred to Oncologist for Dec 30th appt.

Dec. 25th 2011: Merry Christmas!

Dec. 30th 2011: Oncologist appointment left me with a lot of questions. While my CT scan and bloodwork came back with good results, I was given 2 options (due to lymphatic invasion) but the doctor didn't really seem to care either way what I went.  Either go in for another Surgery (RPLND), or start Chemotherapy.  Sent my pathology out to Moffit Cancer Center for a second opinion.  Leaning towards Chemo because the surgery seems brutal. (Even more so than Chemo!)

Jan. 3rd 2012: Tomorrow is the big day when I will decide how to further treat my TC.  All my options suck, but suck a lot less than having the TC spread through my body.  Later posts will not include this many days at once, I just wanted to catch everyone up with what is going on.