Seth Camp Writes About His Journey with Testicular Cancer
“If I can get one person to examine themselves, talk to their doctor and find their testicular cancer early, it’s worth it.”
Something was different.
Something was different. I had been having pain and swelling in my testicle for years. I saw my doctor a few years back and was told it was most likely a varicocele. This pain however, felt different. The left testicle was much larger and firmer than the right. The pain was more severe and worst of all…I felt a lump. I was scared, I think deep down I knew it was cancer.
My doctor’s first thought, statistically, was that I was outside the age range for Testicular Cancer. However, during my visit with her, the energy in the room quickly changed when she felt the lump. She then referred me to urology and sent me for an ultrasound. The ultrasound was easy, waiting for the results was agonizing! The evening after my ultrasound, my results came in. I could view them on an app called MyChart. The first thing I saw was “ALERT!!! Testicular Mass suspicious for Malignancy.” The report stated that the mass was taking up more than 2/3 of the testicle. My heart sank. I immediately called my doctor, and she said the word nobody wants to hear. Cancer. She did her best to assure me that this is one of the most curable cancers, but the truth is…it was still cancer, and my world was about to change.
For two LONG days I waited for a call from urology to learn what would happen next. You can imagine the thoughts that go through one’s mind and the limitless internet searches that took place. When the call finally came, I was glad my wife made me put it on speaker so she could help me process what was being said. Afterall, I was 43 and had never even had my blood drawn and suddenly, I was facing that AND surgery…in 2 days!!! I explained that I would prefer to have this done in a couple of weeks, but he insisted we move quickly because Testicular Cancer can be very aggressive and can double in size in a matter of a week. I froze…my wife looked at me, nodded her head and told me to agree to the plan. As I hung up the phone I started sobbing. I lost it. My wife was strong and relieved to get the cancer out right away. I on the other hand was petrified.
I was so nervous for the blood draw I don’t think I slept a wink. Thankfully, they prescribed me some medication to help calm my nerves and the phlebotomist was incredible. I was able to make it through the blood work without passing out. I was surprised at how many tests they ran on that blood. But then again, I had never had a blood draw, so my primary care doctor had also ordered numerous tests. The tumor marker tests they ran were HCG, LDH, and AFP. I knew nothing about Testicular Cancer before this so when “HCG Pregnancy Test” appeared on the list, I was confused so I turned to the internet. I didn’t realize that HCG levels can rise in men with Testicular Cancer. I found a story of a man who decided to take a home pregnancy test with his wife to find out if she was pregnant. Her test was negative but his was positive. Thankfully, he reached out to his doctor and through further testing found out he had testicular cancer.
Surgery day! The surgeon did a quick exam, and explained the process and oddly enough, the one thing that registered the loudest was that I would not need a catheter. I told the doctor I was terrified and had never even had a blood draw till 2 days ago. I informed him I have a severe Vasovagal response to stress on my body and pass out. Still, had one request…I told him I wanted a picture of the bastard that was trying to kill me! He thankfully understood as he chuckled. Surgery was strange. I remember being wheeled into the O.R. and thinking it was very busy with quite a few people. I took a couple deep breaths, and I was out. I remember waking up and asking for my wife multiple times. I was in pain like I have never felt in my life, but I was determined to go home.
Pathology results following surgery showed I had Pure Seminoma cancer. Next, I needed a CT scan with contrast for staging and to see if the cancer spread. The scans showed a retroperitoneal lymph node that was enlarged and an unusual shape. This meant I was a stage 2A and would need chemotherapy. I was devastated, though thankful, to have a few weeks to heal before jumping into treatment. A couple of weeks after surgery, I was referred for another ultrasound as there was a lump in the site of the former left testicle that turned out to be a post-surgical hematoma that might resolve on its own.
Chemotherapy. Another word no one wants to hear. Reluctantly, I agreed to a port so my first day of treatment consisted of a quick procedure to place the port and then my first round of chemo. I was afraid of the port. First, it was another surgery. Second, it’s a foreign body inserted into my chest and third, a catheter is fished through the port into a vein in my neck and down into my jugular. As terrifying as that sounds, I am glad I had the port because they could do ALL of my chemo through that and ALL of my blood work. And there was a LOT of blood work!
I received the standard chemo regimen for Testicular Cancer which is BEP (Bleomycin, Etoposide, and Cisplatin (Platinum)) in 3 cycles. Each cycle consisted of 7 days. Monday was all 3 BEP. Tuesday through Friday was just EP. Then the following 2 Mondays were just B. They also administered oral steroids and several different drugs to help with nausea. Since each bag of chemo took about an hour and was only started after the previous bag finished, the days were very long. Plus, I couldn’t leave each day until I produced so much pee because the Cisplatin was hard on the kidneys, and they wanted to make sure I was functioning before I left. There was so much fluid pumped in me and water I had to drink through the process, I had never felt so bloated. I do remember a couple days where my kidneys didn’t want to work, and they had to administer Lasix to help me go to the bathroom.
I had to complete a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) prior to chemo as the Bleomycin can cause lung toxicity in some patients so they wanted to establish a baseline. Thankfully, I did not have any pulmonary concerns during or after chemo. In fact, the first few days of chemo were fine. Other than fatigue, I was feeling well and ready to kick Cancer’s Ass! That all changed the day following my second dose of Bleomycin. I remember feeling exceptionally tired and had a low-grade fever. The following day, I ended up in the ER barely able to hold myself up. Thankfully, it was just the effects of the chemo and nothing more serious. A few days later, just before the last infusion of my 1st cycle, my hair started coming out in clumps, so I shaved my head. Chemo got harder with each day and each cycle. When I look back at photos we took during treatment, I can see the toll Chemo took on me. It wasn’t easy but I was able to get through the treatment and the last infusion with a smile on my face and rang the bell to signify I was done!!! I finished the week of Thanksgiving and was thankful to be surrounded by with family and friends.
My 1- & 3-month post chemo scans and labs confirm the treatment is working! The lymph node is now normal, and my tumor markers are within “normal” range. I will have blood work every three months and a CT with contrast every six months for the next three years. I have already experienced what I’ve heard called “scanxiety,” An anxious feeling every time you go for another scan or blood work. Unfortunately, I am also dealing with permanent side effects from chemo: Tinnitus, hearing loss, and neuropathy.
Looking back on my experience is very strange. On one hand, I’m proud. Proud that I beat it. Proud that I made it through the hardest fight in my life. Proud to know that when push comes to shove, I can keep going and not give up. On the other hand, I don’t think it has completely sunk in. The gravity of everything. Everything I went through. It all happened so fast. If I let myself and my mind go there, it’s overwhelming. I break down. I feel like I could cry and never stop.
I have to keep pushing forward. I find myself wanting to help anyone going through this awful disease. I remember feeling alone even though I had an amazing support system because no one I knew had Testicular Cancer. I had no one to talk to. I hope I can help others by being there to talk through their journey. I want to break the uncomfortable stigma of talking about your testicles. Even though testicular cancer is on the rise, there is not enough good information out there yet. We need to teach all boys and men to examine themselves monthly. And if you feel that something is different, say something. Don’t be embarrassed or frightened. I waited too long, and I live with that regret. If I can get one person to examine themselves, talk to their doctor and find their testicular cancer early, it’s worth it.
Connect with Seth Camp at scamp9998@gmail.com