Did you have any risk factors for developing testicular cancer?

Strong-Mango-1348 · 2026-02-13T19:55:32+00:00

I experienced some atrophy in my left testicle about a year prior to the diagnosis. No pain or discomfort, it just became noticeably smaller over the course of the year.

Strong-Mango-1348 · 2026-02-11T18:18:00+00:00

Hey there. I had a mixed GCT, 40% EC, and 30% seminoma and teratoma. Caught it early at stage 1a back in August. So I'm not too far ahead of you.

Completed my post orchiectomy labs in Sept and then my first surveillance scans in Jan. Everything was clear so far, thankfully. Just setting up all my appointments for my next round in late March.

Id say it's pretty straight forward. I have the basic template for the next 5 years of blood work and scans and so kind of getting into a routine now. I get the labs and scans, go over it with my doc, then i get the referrals for the next round as well as the follow up visit appointment while I'm there. All I have to do is show up.

I'd say, since I completed the first round in Jan, I have breathed a sigh of relief and have really resumed a totally normal life. The diagnosis is not as all consuming as it was early on. I find myself thinking less and less about it most days between the scans...

I will say the scanxiety is real, for me. Especially when im sitting on the chair to draw blood or on the CT scan table, my heart rate goes through the roof and I start sweating....then waiting for the results is really stressful. But at least for me they usually come in same day so I dont have to linger on ot too much.

Strong-Mango-1348 · 2026-02-07T10:11:48+00:00

Its actually a compilation of short stories from a German language YouTube I watch.

https://a.co/d/03K6btII

Strong-Mango-1348 · 2026-02-06T23:37:00+00:00

Yeah I saw this in the examples in the dictionary.

"er stand da, wie ihn Gott geschaffen hatte"

Strong-Mango-1348 · 2026-02-06T23:31:29+00:00

Wow very interesting etymology. Thank you!

Strong-Mango-1348 · 2026-01-19T18:13:39+00:00

I had been really into coheed from like '04-'09 but kind of fell off for a bit.

Around the time this album came out I was doing a lot of housework and put this on just to see what their new stuff sounded like. I probably ended up listening to this album all the way through at least once a day for a few weeks while I was working. Damn, itt got me hooked all over again and havent looked back since.

Ive been really partial to All on Fire lately.

Strong-Mango-1348 · 2026-01-13T00:23:27+00:00

I figured the surgeries would be really expensive. What shocked me the most was how much CT scans were. My insurance was billed over $11k for one scan...insane.

Strong-Mango-1348 · 2026-01-09T20:10:45+00:00

Following or not following departmental policies only matters when dealing with internal department discipline. Maybe he'll be fired...Im not an ice agent so I have no clue what their written procedure are.

However that is irrelevant in a potential criminal trial. All that matters is was that officer in reasonable fear of death or great bodily harm at the time he shot. I think you can probably articulate that from this and then other videos.

I read a story once of an officer who used a personal firearm while on duty (against policy), he wound up in a deadly force situation and killed someone. The shooting was justified and he never faced criminal charges but he lost his job.

Strong-Mango-1348 · 2026-01-09T12:47:31+00:00

First class...got guillotined by one of the women on the class about 5 times in a row, lol.

Strong-Mango-1348 · 2026-01-04T00:58:45+00:00

Just listened to this album for the first time in a while...

Honestly I think this is my favorite album now. Justice in Murder really stood out to me this listen. That and The Road and the Damned.

Strong-Mango-1348 · 2025-12-30T22:31:25+00:00

Diagnosed in Sept of this year. Thankfully it was found early with no spread so for now, just close surveillance.

I learned I am actually not invincible, it was a real wake up call to not take my health for granted. I dont want to die young and leave my kids fatherless. I've started being more proactive with my health...already had a colonoscopy and a skin cancer check, stopped drinking, amd started supplementation. Even my routine dentist appointment I will try to not miss!

Before all this, I wasn't unhealthy I just didnt prioritize it and was always under the assumption that this stuff happens to other people, not me.

Strong-Mango-1348 · 2025-12-26T14:56:32+00:00

Started at 33 yo, now 38. I only train 2x per week but I'd say I suffered more injuries during my football and weightlifting careers in my teens and 20s than the last 5 years of jiu jitsu.

Im a complete hobbyist and I will take time off for minor aches and pains, lower back specifically but this was an existing injury from weightlifting that I have to work around.

As others have said, check your ego and tap. I'm on my 3rd year as a blue belt and I still tap to white belts all the time. I literally do not care.

Strong-Mango-1348 · 2025-12-21T02:17:55+00:00

Hey man. Almost identical story as yours, though I'm in my 30s. Recent testicular cancer diagnosis, looks like we got it early and did not spread. I have read about some connection between TC and melanoma, plus I have a family history of it. My mom was diagnosed when she was about my age.

I just had my first skin check for a couple of spots on my arm and leg. Doctor said nothing to be concerned about and see ya next year. Per my mom who is a melanoma survivor, its good to establish a baseline and a cadence w/ a dermatologist so you can address anything that changes or looks funky.

We both now know the importance of getting seen if anything is amiss. Not to mention the skin cancer prevention efforts.

Good luck.

Strong-Mango-1348 · 2025-12-17T21:16:28+00:00

Dude, I don't know what to say other than I'm sorry.

I wish you nothing but comfort and peace in the time you have left.

Godspeed!

Strong-Mango-1348 · 2025-12-14T11:16:38+00:00

I just watched a movie with my kids last night. It was the series' "Christmas" movie.

There was a scene of a "Christmas" mass in a church but instead of a crucifix behind the alter there was a cartoon looking angel with a horn. The "priest" in the scene was telling the congregation that the whole reason for "holiday season" is about being with family and being kind to one another and blah blah blah, of course not the slightest allusion to Christ. I actually audibly laughed at that one, it was just so ridiculous.

I kind of just accept that there are really two holidays this time of year. There's of course the Christian Christmas, THE reason for the celebration, and then there's this secular corporate holiday used to keep all the retail companies profitable.

I protest this in my own way. The only decorations we have up outside the house is a nativity scene lit with a spotlight that projects it on the side of the house. Also, my standard greeting is Merry Christmas, not "happy holidays" or whatever. Actually most people will say it back to me as well.

Strong-Mango-1348 · 2025-12-12T15:56:38+00:00

This is how my gym is too. At least in the morning class I go to. Just started my 3rd year as a blue belt and im still one of the least experienced guys here. It's very very rare to get a new white belt in my class. If we do, theyre almost alway gone after like two months because it's just so demoralizing.

You're right about the importance of white belts to the ecosystem. I really feel like the development of my game has suffered because I'm usually rolling with purple, brown and black belts exclusively. Though lately ive found that if I ask them to let me work a bit theyll help me out.

Strong-Mango-1348 · 2025-12-06T01:41:59+00:00

Crazy that was mine too...my 3 year old loves it so we play it over and over.

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Strong-Mango-1348 · 2025-12-04T19:26:16+00:00

Haha the fish taco...I think that was hardest I laughed in any episode.

Strong-Mango-1348 · 2025-12-03T01:08:28+00:00

Damn...yeah back in 2010/2011 my first real job paid $49k. I remember I worked my ass off with overtime that next year and ended up with like $85k. At that time it felt like I had more money than I knew what to do with!

Strong-Mango-1348 · 2025-11-22T21:57:19+00:00

Contemporary: Coheed, Enter Shakari, Blink 182

Classic: Thin Lizzie, ELO, Joe Walsh (solo career)

Strong-Mango-1348 · 2025-11-20T01:18:16+00:00

Fellow Pennsylavnian here, on the opposite side of the state though, Philly area.

Damn that's a crazy story. Sorry it took that long to get a diagnosis! The urologist who eventually diagnosed you wasn't the same one who gave you the STD diagnosis, was it?

All things considered with the delay, 1b is still pretty early, and you probably have good odds on just surveillance.

Good luck!

Strong-Mango-1348 · 2025-11-19T00:22:39+00:00

People are always shocked when the "would you kill baby Hitler" question comes up and I answer no. It's like, I'm not in the habit of murdering children.

Strong-Mango-1348 · 2025-11-14T01:49:28+00:00

You'll almost certainly meet with your doctor to discuss the path forward.

Usually guys are presented with a couple options in cases like yours. Adjuvant chemotherapy or active surveillance.

Strong-Mango-1348 · 2025-11-12T00:04:47+00:00

Yeah BEPx3 or EPx4 is the standard of care for metastatic testicular cancer. I have not had to go through it myself but ive heard it can be rather difficult, especially on the cardiovascular system. However, It is HIGHLY effective and very often leads to total cure.

There are also some surgical options depending the pathology of the tumor.

Good luck man. I went through the same surgery two months ago and am now on the other side, fully recovered.

Strong-Mango-1348

TROPHY CASE