Two weeks ago, because of some minor groin pain, I went for an ultrasound... on my groin and testicles.
The report came back that I microlithiasis in my testicles, and that this could be associated with neoplasm. Neoplasm is a another way of talking about possible cancer.
So I went to the web and google microlithiasis. Sure enough, articles reported that microlithiasis, the presence of tiny calcium particles in the testes, can be predictive of cancer. Several places reported that if there are more than five particles then the likelihood of the development of cancer was 40 percent.
I made an appointment with the urologist my GP referred me to.
Then I went back to the report from the radiologist, which I had faxed to my office, with explicit instructions to my staff not to read it.
"Multiple echogneic calcifications," the report indicated.
"Forty percent likelood of cancer" kept repeating in my head.
The word orchiectomy, popped into my head more than a few times-- it means removal of testicals-- to be followed by implants and replacement testosterone.
The morning of the appointment, as I was preparing to leave to go to the urologist, I smelled something burning-- something electrical. WE couldn't find any smoke, let alone fire. But as I left the house, feeling bad about leaving, my other half called the fire department. Me, I was feeling my appointment was more important.
ON arriving, filling in the forms, I was amazed that the doctor brought me in right on time. He told me he had his own ultrasound machine and was going to do another ultrasound.
He turned the monitor around so I could see it. And then he explained that he wasn't very worried. Okay. I like that. I listen attentively.
He explains that testicular cancer is very rare-- very very rare in guys my age-- that 99% of cases occur in men between 16 and 30-- "Lance Armstrong types," he says.
I breathe a deep sigh of relief. Here's one day I'm glad to be over fifty.
My urologist refers to the monitor. "I don't see any calcifications... oh, maybe there's one there." Another pinprick deflating my fears.
He wraps up telling me he's not concerned, that I should come back in a year, just to be sure, but that most likely, then, he'll discharge me.
Rob Kall is executive editor and publisher of OpEdNews.com, President of Futurehealth, Inc, inventor . He is also published regularly on the Huffingtonpost.com. He is a frequent Speaker on Politics, Impeachment, The art, science and power of story, heroes and the hero's journey, Positive Psychology, Stress, Biofeedback and a wide range of subjects. He is a campaign consultant specializing in tapping the power of stories for issue positioning, stump speeches and debates. He recently retired as organizer of several conferences, including StoryCon, the Summit Meeting on the Art, Science and Application of Story and The Winter Brain Meeting on neurofeedback, biofeedback, Optimal Functioning and Positive Psychology. See more of his articles here and, older ones, here.
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A few declarations.
-While I'm registered as a Democrat, I consider myself to be a dynamic critic of the Democratic party, just as, well, not quite as much, but almost as much as I am a critic of republicans.
-My articles express my personal opinion, not the opinion of this website.
... has not been written yet, I'm afraid. I had cancer several years ago, and was lucky to find info on the web that wasn't widely out there, due to my having a rare type that is only 1/2 percent of all cancers.
I think this is an example of our lovely mix of Faux Democracy and Delightful Freedom Of Speech. Anyone at all can post whatever they want on the web, just like any numbskull or racist can write articles and post pro-Hitler comments all over YouTube.
We cannot let ourselves be conditioned by the old rules of "If someone wrote it, it must be true!" The history books are subjective and the volumes of medical/self care info are often for profit. What's a desparete person seeking medical info to do?
Take a page from the Chinese Revolution days. Consider whether info is coming from expert, novice, politically cool or backwards schemer. Use a Team approach, including (1) the most trusted medical person you can get your hands on, as well as (2)any collegues who have relevant experience and (3) someone you know has a generally great position/line on the medical/health field itself. Between these three areas (which the Chinese Communists called "three-in-one committees") the proper info can be distilled, and your course of action can be confidently drawn up.
Sounds too radical? You can also flip quarters, or be a good little graduate of public school + just do what your assigned doctor tells ya...
P.S. This isn't 'aimed' at you, Rob! Glad everything looks within normal, healthy limits.
by
Mars Caulton (1 articles, 1 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 81 comments)
on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at 10:52:30 PM
