Stage IIA Non-Seminoma (70% EC), Post Orchi - what to expect?
Hi all! I’m 26M and I recently had a right radical orchiectomy (like a week ago). I just got my final pathology and CT scan results back and I’m looking for some advice and experiences from guys who have been in my shoes or similar..
Here is my breakdown:
- Pathology: Mixed Germ Cell Tumor (tumor size approx 2cm), 70% Embryonal Carcinoma, 20% Yolk Sac, 5% Teratoma, 5% Choriocarcinoma, LVI is present.
- CT: Organs and lungs are clear of mets. However, they found enlarged retroperitoneal lymph nodes (the largest one is around 2cm). The CT scan also found some small, asymptomatic blood clots (pulmonary embolisms) in my lungs, so my doctors put me on higher doses of blood thinners.. (Fraxeparine 0,8).
- Stage: Officially Stage IIA (pT2, pN2, pM0).
Im meeting with my oncologist tomorrow to discuss the treatment plan, but as I already read here, a typical way to go is with 3 rounds of BEP chemo.
My questions for you guys:
What should I expect from 3x BEP? How did you handle the side effects?
Has anyone here dealt with blood clots / PE before starting chemo?
Any tips on how to prepare myself mentally and physically for the upcoming weeks?
Thanks in advance for any input. Reading the stories here has already helped me a lot to stay calm! I found out that I'm really mentally good on it, I was mostly worried of full anesthesia lol but it was quite an experience for me, post Orchi is chill, just a minor pain, gets reaaally better every day, like a miracle, feeling really well after a week. Just quite curious what awaits me in the upcoming months..
Perhaps some info for someone, who feels sus: I felt a very minor pain in my right tes for like 2-3 months. The right tes was also getting a bit harder and more sensitive to touch (it was still the same size tho). After 3 months I decided to visit urologist. Found out it was a tumor and now I'm here. It all went really quickly, which I'm grateful to the medical team.
Thank you all for such great community and hope you all doing well. Don't stop being positive!