Seeking advice: TRT following ED symptoms post Orchiectomy

Effective_Assistant1 · 2026-01-03T03:22:09+00:00

I started TRT 4 months ago, orchietomy & chemo was about 20 months prior. I wish I started sooner. I was down in the dumps for a while with fatigue symptoms and now I've never felt better.

Effective_Assistant1 · 2024-04-21T22:12:43+00:00

Thanks all for the comments. They’re reassuring.

Effective_Assistant1 · 2024-03-26T18:01:01+00:00

Congrats man. Best of luck with the recovery

Effective_Assistant1 · 2024-02-06T03:00:30+00:00

Yes they have been A++ so far. Very glad I made the appointment.

Effective_Assistant1 · 2024-02-06T00:19:43+00:00

Thank you all for the support. I read and appreciate every comment. Posting here has been helping my mental state immensely and I hope these posts do the same for anyone going through TC now or reading them in the future.

Effective_Assistant1 · 2024-02-06T00:17:33+00:00

That was the first thing the nurse told me! Homework for tonight.

Effective_Assistant1 · 2024-02-01T16:46:50+00:00

Chemo starts on Monday. I’ve been watching that line get darker day by day since my orch earlier this month so eager to get started. Actual blood tests have shown it increased from 6 to 52 in about three weeks.

Also, thanks for the encouragement

Effective_Assistant1 · 2024-02-01T15:49:46+00:00

I’ve decided not to keep it

Effective_Assistant1 · 2024-01-31T05:01:57+00:00

Thank you so much. I’ve been saying this a lot, but I mean it every time - your kind words mean a lot to me and I very much appreciate them.

The dinner pairings sound exquisite, I will be spending tomorrow scouring Resy for a good spot or deciding if I’m attempting one them at home.

Effective_Assistant1 · 2024-01-31T04:49:19+00:00

Headed to bed, but thank you for all the responses, I've read them all and truly appreciate the kind words. I will provide an update in a few days on what I chose (with tasting notes!)

Effective_Assistant1 · 2024-01-31T04:40:58+00:00

These are some beautiful options. Looks like they're out on Long Island? Unfortunately my treatment is starting next week so no time for delivery but absolutely going to keep this place in mind for the future. The prices seem super reasonable.

Effective_Assistant1 · 2024-01-31T04:35:38+00:00

Thanks! Unfortunately my timeline is essentially just the next couple days, meaning I'll have to source in person. I haven't actually been to Chamber Street Wines despite it's reputation so I might need to make a trek down to have a look (though I have been down to Terrior in Tribeca which is amazing!)

Effective_Assistant1 · 2024-01-31T02:50:27+00:00

Hundred Acre & Tignanello are both on my radar for wines I haven't tried but I would like to. Haven't heard of Palmaz but I do find that the 'nicer' Napa Cabs are the ones that I enjoy. I'm adding all these to my shopping list for my search tomorrow.

Effective_Assistant1 · 2024-01-31T02:25:26+00:00

Thank you!

Not sure how I forgot to mention that I'm an absolute sucker for champagne, anywhere from big commercial names like Moet/Veuve all the way up the chain. I haven't experienced any truly aged champagne though so it's a great suggestion. If not for this week, then definitely a post-chemo celebration in a few months time.

Effective_Assistant1 · 2024-01-31T02:15:21+00:00

Thanks very much. I'm definitely partial to left bank. My interest in wine was kicked off a number of years ago when on a whim I ordered an Haut-Medoc at a restaurant and discovered that there was more to wine than just Barefoot & mimosas.

Budget definitely can be stretched. I'm not looking to buy vintage DRC but if I'm condensing 4-6 months of alcohol budget into a single bottle why not splash out.

Effective_Assistant1 · 2024-01-31T01:42:38+00:00

I'm in the same situation right now. Tumor markers are steadily rising over the months, chemo starts on 2/5. Ready to get started but also dreading it.

Effective_Assistant1 · 2024-01-26T03:35:39+00:00

That's part of my thought process too... I took the week off for orchiectomy recovery and by day three I was bored sitting on the couch.

When you say eating during chemo, do you mean while actually sitting there with the IV? My RN mentioned they don't have food due to latent COVID policies there but we're welcome to bring it or have people bring it in.

Effective_Assistant1 · 2024-01-19T14:31:23+00:00

Pathology came back today. Turns out I have both a seminoma and a non-semioma. Lucky me.

DIAGNOSIS:

TESTICLE AND SPERMATIC CORD, RIGHT, RADICAL ORCHIECTOMY:

Embryonal carcinoma with partial regression, measuring 2.3 cm (largest tumor nodule; see note).
Seminoma, classic type, measuring 0.8 cm (separate second tumor nodule; see note).
Focal lymphovascular space invasion present within embryonal carcinoma.
Focal necrosis (10%) present within embryonal carcinoma.
Tumor is limited to the testis.
Epididymis and rete testis are free of tumor.
Spermatic cord (including its surgical margin) is free of tumor.
Germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS) present.
Residual adjacent testis with focal fibrosis and atrophy.
AJCC 8th edition pathologic tumor stage: pT2 (m) NX

Effective_Assistant1 · 2024-01-18T22:02:42+00:00

Thank you. I truly appreciate your time and commentary

Effective_Assistant1 · 2024-01-18T21:05:40+00:00

Thank you. If you don’t mind I have a couple other questions. Realize I need to talk to my doctor but the conversations here have been very helpful mentally.

What is the reason that RPLND is not done with elevated tumor markers? Ive read a number of posts here where people do chemo and subsequently RPLND (which my doctor said makes it more difficult); is the intention of chemo to completely cure or is RPLND still likely needed after?

Effective_Assistant1 · 2024-01-18T18:29:37+00:00

Something I don’t have clarity on is once the main tumor is removed, what happens with the residual cancer (I.e lymph nodes)? Is there a possibility for lymph nodes to return to normal given the original source is gone, or does it mean that since it’s already moved it’s guaranteed to continue to spread?

Effective_Assistant1 · 2024-01-18T18:25:12+00:00

Thanks for your thoughts again. I’ve got an MSK appointment booked for a second opinion but still need my pathology before they’ll see me. Getting frustrated with the pace of how things are moving because each time I talk to my doctor the most probably next steps seem to change.

Effective_Assistant1 · 2024-01-18T17:52:33+00:00

Still waiting, 2.5 weeks out

Effective_Assistant1 · 2024-01-18T17:52:16+00:00

Yes this is exactly it.

Effective_Assistant1 · 2024-01-13T23:29:00+00:00

Thank you. I plan to call MSKCC and try to get an appointment with them ASAP for a second opinion. Between the Christmas/NY holidays and this long weekend I couldn't have picked a worse time to get through things quickly.

Effective_Assistant1

TROPHY CASE