"Testicular cancer"

It was three weeks ago, I knew something wasn’t right, I could only describe the feeling as if you had a set of keys in your pocket, you can feel the numbness/dull feeling of something pressing against you, but it didn’t feel part of your body. 

When I checked myself, as I regularly do, I could feel that my right testicle was larger than normal without and pain or feeling, I left this for over a week just in case it was an infection, I don’t attend the doctors that often. 

The following week I called the doctor on the Thursday for an emergency appointment as situation hadn’t changed , once the GP had seen me and took some test, he referred me to the urology department in the Royal, I was called the following Tuesday to attend that day, I was seen by Dr  Morton, after checking me referred me to have an ultrasound carried out. 

I was called the very next day by the x ray department to see if I was available to come in that afternoon as they had a cancellation, I was checked by the ultrasound Doctor,( a Glasgow/American 😂) she was brilliant, after they had completed the ultrasound I was asked to take a seat in the waiting room, the doctor attend with another doctor to have a chat about there finding, they were both compassionate and professional, they asked if I was ok on a few occasions after they had delivered the expected news, they informed me they had made another appointment to see Doctor Morton on the Thursday morning 9am. 

I attend the appointment with doctor Morton, who explained everything to me about the testicular cancer and the procedures that are required, and what to expect, the Doctor tried to fit me in to operate that day, but had four people waiting on a cancellation that day, so we scheduled an appointment to attend Stobhill hospital on the Monday, the Doctor Morton had been amazing and I was made to feel I was his only patient due to the swift professional approach to my whole situation, the doctor had also booked me in for a CT scan before I left the hospital. I felt so reassured when I left hospital because I felt everyone I met had my best interest at heart. 

I was then called by the CT department that afternoon to attend a CT scan on the Friday morning, again all the staff were brilliant, especially the sharon? The Doctor who took my CT scan, she made me feel very relaxed and explained how the full scan would work start to finish, she was very compassionate and dedicated to her line of work. 

The pre-op was on the Friday afternoon at stobhill , the nurse took me through a whole lot of tests and questions, it was very professional and personable, everyone was lovely and made me feel at easy. 

Operation day:

When I arrived was shown to my bed, there was various visits and questions from everyone involved, the surgeons spoke with me and reiterated what the procedures were from start to finish, I was told when I would be taken in to operate etc, after the operation I was made to feel very comfortable and was looked after magnificently, I was encouraged to eat and drink etc after the operation, the surgeon dropped by to see me afterwards and was happy about my recovery speed. 

I was given plenty of painkillers to take home with me, the only little disappointment was, the nurse never gave me the blood clot socks or even a few dressings to take home with me, even though I asked on a few occasions. 

Home recovery: 

I’ve tried to relax as much as possible, and getting up on my feet as regular as I can, I’ve had a some pain the the painkillers have taken the edge off of. 

One week in in starting to go out for short walks around my street. 

The Doctor secretary had called me on the Friday the same week as the operation and explained my positive results from the CT scan, and said a follow up letter will be with me on the Monday, this brought price of mind to all my friends and family over that weekend. 

The pathology report was all that was left, I got a call on Tuesday from the surgeon, doctor Morton to inform me that it was testicular cancer and the type, and had give me more positive news that the cancer was contained within the testicle and the tubes etc came back clear, Doctor Morton said he would be in touch about the next steps after they’ve had there meeting, Doctor Morton has given me some rough guidance on what to expect next. 

If this was a five star review, I would give you all ten, especially with a global pandemic going on, with an increased workload and resources stretched, you’re still able to achieve such a high standard of care and treatment , I cannot thank everyone within the NHS enough for such a super fast service at every level, you are all doing a wonderful job, your country is very very proud of you 👏 

Keep up the high standards, I do hope the Government are acknowledging your efforts and reflect this in payment and staff training, resources, bringing all round better working conditions.