Waiting on results

Waiting on the results of the Ultrasound examination.

When anyone asks me 'How are you doing' my response is nearly always 'Trying to be good'. It's a philosophy I live by, try to better every day. I value every lesson that I learn and often dig into a subject if I feel it's worth digging.

However, I have not dug into the vast amount of knowledge that is out there on the Internet regarding The Lump.  

It's not that I don't want to know the extremes of how this might turn out, but more of an acknowledgement that my understanding of the lump would most likely change to the point where I think I know something that my Dr. does not. I have trust in Dr. Zagha, I'm absolutely certain that he will be straightforward and will act in my best interest. So I have not asked Dr. Google anything on this subject.

May 7th I called Dr. Zagha's office to find out if they have received the Radiologist's report, they had not but responded they would follow-up with AKUMIN. 

May 10th, I called again and same result, so I asked for a follow-up appointment understanding there might be another week or so before an appointment is available. They set an appointment for 2pm Friday May 17th - Today.

 

Today I called Akumin to find out if they had the Radiologist's report - could not speak to anyone, on hold for 10mins. 

Day 28 since discovery.

Am I loosing sleep over this? Yes! Do I think about it constantly? No - but if any reference to Cancer, Benign or anything to do with healthcare comes across my life, then Yes, I think about it. 

Dr. Zagha's office confirmed my appointment today and confirmed that the radiologist's report was 'Scanned in Yesterday'  

Try to be good.

 

Followed that up with a call to Dr. Zagha's office to confirm today's appointment and to ask if they had the Radiologist's report?

Dr. Zagha - 1st appt

 First Appointment - April 26th 11:45am

Not my first meeting with Dr. Zagha, last saw him in 2008 he also knows Peggy as she worked at Florida Medical Center for many years as a CCRN.

It was a quick visit. Dr. Zagha confirmed there was a mass but it's not actually on the Testicle. 

The good news:- He confirmed that it's probably just a cyst and if it is confirmed by Ultra Sound, then if it become uncomfortable then it could be removed easily. All dependent upon the outcome of the US.

2nd Appt. Wednesday May 1st 2pm at Akumin in Coconut Creek.

Today's cost: $35 for the office visit.

Concerns

How to deal with the Lump

We're lucky, we are both retired and have Aetna Health Insurance but where do we start, I really don't want to delay any actions.

Peggy looked up the contact info for an 'In Network'  Urologist - Dr. Ralph Zagha ( I was a patient of his wife for a skin issue years ago ) 

Calling: Dr. Zagha 945-652-0246 9am

First available appointment is 11.45am Friday April 26. But will be advised if a cancellation occurs before that date.

Eleven Days and counting.

Not much else I can do, so Stay Calm and Carry on!

First feel

Is it a lump?

Waking up around 1am Saturday morning, not unusual, naked, unusual, normally wearing tight briefs, rolled over and moved my bits around for comfort - what is that? Is that a lump? A little exploring and yep, it's a lump on the right testicle. Wow, this is going to be life changing.

Peggy, my wife, retired from Nursing eleven years ago, has seen most everything to do with Nursing, sometimes I think she has a bit of PTSD from some of what she dealt with working in Hospitals here in South Florida - how will she handle this? When and how do I load this thing up on her.

Early breakfast as we're picking up our granddaughter at the Ice Rink for a sleep over today. Still wondering how and when to tell her.  On the Turnpike heading North to Palm Beach, I simply say " I have something to tell you" but she doesn't hear, road noise. I have something to tell you - I found a lump on my right testicle this morning.

Practical as always, Peggy asks about the size and position. I'm not certain of the size, perhaps about the size of a sweet pea and position is not so easy, possible on the side, maybe nearer to the top, it's not like there is a 'this way up' marker.

While at the rink, Peggy asks Dr. Google and finds that it could be a build up of fluid or something like that. She didn't mention 'C'

That night I confirm the Lump, it's towards the left side of the right testicle and it is about the size of a pea but not easy to say.  We agree that I'll reach out  to our Health Insurance Co. on Monday morning.

I decide to document the adventure - I'm not the first to find a lump down there.