Featured Survivors - Testicular Cancer

Supportive friends and second opinion were keys to survival

Name: Eric Age: 42 Hometown: Bethesda, Maryland Type of cancer: Non-seminoma testicular cancer Date of diagnosis: December 1993 Stage at diagnosis: Stage 2 Current date: June, 2009 Current status: Remission

1. How was your health when you were diagnosed?
I was a healthy, happy and vibrant 26 year old man when I was diagnosed. Getting cancer was for old people and the furthest thing from my mind.

2. Where were you initially diagnosed?
I was diagnosed in December 1993, a couple of days before Christmas. I was helping a friend move and I went to lift a box and couldn’t. You know when you are a kid and get hit in the stomach, and five minutes later, you still feel a little winded? That’s what happened to me. The next day, when I woke up, I noticed that one of my testicles was significantly larger than the other one.

On Christmas day, my testicle was even larger and it was growing rapidly. Thank goodness my friend was my doctor. I went over to his house that day, and he agreed that something was wrong. He referred me to a urologist, who after an ultrasound, told me that I had a tumor. It had to be removed right away - within days - and that they would do tests after they removed the tumor to determine if it was benign or malignant.

3. What treatment was initially recommended?
The removal of my testicle (inguinal orchiectomy) was done by Dr. Edward Gilbert at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland.

My lymph node dissection was performed at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Rockville, Maryland. Dr. Brent Berger was my coordinating primary care physician. I underwent chemotherapy at the office of my hematologist/oncologist, Dr. James Brown.

4. Which treatment protocol did you choose and for what reason?
When they tested it (the removed testicle), they discovered that it was malignant, and also that the cancer had spread to my chest and lymph nodes. Long story, short - that meant another surgery in four weeks.

The second surgery was a lymph node dissection, where they go in right below your chest all the way down to above your groin area, and clean out your lymph nodes. After the surgery, more testing showed that the cancer was still there, and now I would need chemotherapy. The chemo was scheduled to last nine weeks. I knew it would be tough, but I had no idea what I was getting into

5. Did you get a 2nd or 3rd opinion? If so, where?
Yes, I got four opinions from different doctors. It’s the obsessive compulsive side of me. Believing I had a tumor which was malignant was the furthest thing from mind. All the doctors said the exact same thing. The protocol from my cancer was very specific and my comfort level was increased each time the doctors shared with me there treatment plan.

6. Did you change your diet? How is it different from before your diagnosis?
After my treatment, my taste for certain types of food disappeared. It took nearly six months for me to regain my taste for pizza, meatballs and Coke. 

7. Did you change your exercise program? How is it different from before your diagnosis?
My exercise regimen is the same and hasn’t changed. 

8. Do you take any nutritional supplements? If so, what do you take?
Yes, the doctors recommend I drink meal/vitamin shakes to get all the nutrients needed into my system. I had a minimal appetite and was not eating much. These shakes really help me and gave me energy.

9. Did you change your stress reduction program? How is it different from before your diagnosis?
Never had a stress reduction program. Being self employed can be very stressful. But, I did not start my business until 1999.

10. How long have you been disease free?
15 years

11. What are you doing to stay disease free?
Nothing special.

12. Are you willing to have a newly diagnosed patient contact you?
Absolutely, I often speak with folks in the very beginning stages and do my best to be an ear, calm their fears, etc. 

13. Brief Additional Narrative
Going through cancer is not fun and going at it without having someone who has “been there and done that” made a huge difference for me. I often called them and leaned on them. These two friends gave me an idea of “what to expect.” Feel free to e-mail me at ericu@yahoo.com if you want to talk.