Lisa O`Brien Posted June 30, 2016 Share Posted June 30, 2016 My 19 year old son received a letter this afternoon from our local hospital,offering him an appointment in a month's time. I wondered what on earth it was about as Sean told me nothing. He had an appointment with our GP last week but he told me it was for a recurring sore throat. It wasn't. He had felt a lump in one of his testicles. I have told him,since he was about 14 how important it was to check his testicles on a regular basis, and he always has. This particular time,he felt something. The GP examined him and he felt the same thing too, hence the reason for the referral to the hospital. Strangely, he said he can no longer feel the lump,but it could have moved or changed shape or something,I don't know. Anyway, I just thought I would ask parents to tell their kids about lumps [it goes for girls with their breasts too, of course]. The letter this afternoon and what he has told me has worried me to death as you can imagine. But I told him well done for checking himself and then for making that appointment. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa O`Brien Posted June 30, 2016 Author Share Posted June 30, 2016 Mods,could you change the title to say Can parents make sure they speak to their children about checking for lumps? Might be more appropriate. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTL Posted June 30, 2016 Share Posted June 30, 2016 just want to wish you and Sean all the best, Lisa, and to thank you for this very important reminder. I would be very proud to have raised such a sensible son. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orchidblue Posted June 30, 2016 Share Posted June 30, 2016 Lisa, you've done a great job for Sean to have got himself checked out after feeling something. Our family has just been through this, which included an op & single dose chemo, but 3 months after the initial GP appointment all is good & all that faces us now is regular blood tests and annual CT scans for the next 3 years. Chances are it won't turn out to be anything serious but even in the worst case scenario it is highly treatable with a cure rate of 97%. He's done the right thing and you can deal with whatever it is together. Fingers crossed it's nothing but totally agree that every parent should talk to their sons & daughters regularly about self checking. x 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meadowblythe Posted June 30, 2016 Share Posted June 30, 2016 A friend's son has just spent a very anxious time dealing with similar lumps and bumps issues and also GCSE's. After many tests and MRI scans turned out to be a false alarm. I think this link was particularly helpful http://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancerinformation/teensandyoungadults/infoforteensandyoungadults.aspx 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiz Posted June 30, 2016 Share Posted June 30, 2016 Wishing you both the very best. Hugs. x 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huddsballetmum Posted July 4, 2016 Share Posted July 4, 2016 Fingers crossed that it is nothing to worry about Lisa. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulip Posted July 4, 2016 Share Posted July 4, 2016 My husband has just gone into remission after having testicular cancer. His only symptom was a dull ache. Even though his cancer had spread, the cure rate is very high. Also two years ago my 20 year old son had a large lump in his neck, this turned out to be hodgkins Lymphoma. It was an horrendous time, but again he is in remission. Our GP missed both my husband and sons condition in the beginning, so further advice is to insist on being referred for scans. My son today two weeks after his dad went into remission has just achieved a 2.1 BSc in computer science, we are ecstatic. Lumps and bumps very often are just that, but always important to get checked out properly. Hope your son gets good news Lisa and I'm always here if you need to ask me anything. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted July 4, 2016 Share Posted July 4, 2016 Gosh Tulip what a horrendous time your family has had for the last couple of years. Congratulations to your son on his degree. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Lisa I hope Sean's lumps are just that and nothing serious. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulip Posted July 4, 2016 Share Posted July 4, 2016 It's been very hard Janet, Norther ballet (grad) have been very supportive with Elizabeth. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa O`Brien Posted July 4, 2016 Author Share Posted July 4, 2016 Tulip,I am so sorry to hear about your husband and son. Oh my goodness, what a terrible time you must have all been through. It's great to hear they are now both in remission though.x 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiz Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 Tulip, I am so sorry to read this. I am glad things are improving. Congratulations to your son. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orchidblue Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 Tulip, we have only been through half of what your family have been through but, like you, my husband's initial GP consultation almost resulted in dismissal of his concerns. His GP didn't think there was anything to be worried about but my husband did so he agreed to arrange an ultrasound which confirmed immediately a tumour. Scary to think what would have happened if that ultrasound hadn't taken place. As Lisa says, regular checking is essential, then, knowing your own body so well will give you the belief to convince your GP to listen to your concerns. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 Best wishes to your DH Orchidblue. Thank goodness he was scanned. I think I am very lucky with my GP. I had a very bad cold in March and was still breathless a couple of months later. I mentioned this to my GP on a visit to review ongoing medication for my underactive thyroid. He immediately sent me off for an ECG and chest x-ray! Fortunately haven't heard any more but I would say very good service from my GP. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 Gosh Tulip how unlucky to have both your husband and son ill ...that's very difficult to cope with but glad things are better now and well done to your son for his results Lisa your son seems eminently sensible you must be very proud of him. Hope everything is okay. Orchid blue it can be scary what GP's miss. They are only human of course and cannot always get it right but it is SO important to trust your own feelings about your body. I have two friends now whose symptoms were missed by their GP one (who has since died and lived in France so happens there too!!) had suffered with IBS for a number of years and the GP there put everything down to that and by the time she insisted on a scan it was too late. The other friend has Ovarian Cancer and went to the local GP for NINE months before deciding to get a second opinion and was admitted to hospital immediately as had progressed to grade 3 by then. I know Ovarian is a tricky one to diagnose but my friend knew something was not right and now only wishes she had acted earlier. I am very lucky with my GP and I can really talk to him .....he even got a little ballet demo when explaining my hip recently!....but I always insist on seeing him as I think it's important to develop a good relationship with the Doctor you most trust......increasingly difficult to do these days it must be said. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulip Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 Hi Lisa, just wondering if your son had good news? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa O`Brien Posted July 30, 2016 Author Share Posted July 30, 2016 Hi Julie. Thanks for asking. His appointment isn't until next Monday, 1st. It is in the X Ray dept. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulip Posted August 3, 2016 Share Posted August 3, 2016 Hope he gets good news Lisa. My husband was seen very quickly after his scan, within the week. Big hugs to you Lisa as you must be worried sick xx 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meadowblythe Posted August 3, 2016 Share Posted August 3, 2016 Lisa Hope all went well, I know I wasn't the only one sending positive thoughts yesterday. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa O`Brien Posted August 15, 2016 Author Share Posted August 15, 2016 Just phoned up the local doctor's surgery. The man at the Ultrasound scan told Sean the result would be sent out to our GP in two weeks. [Why does it have to take two weeks to look at and report on an ultrasound] ? Anyway, just phoned our local clinic instead of her phoning me. The results came back and written on it says, "No further action needed". Well thank God for that. He hasn't felt the lump in ages now anyway, so goodness knows what it was. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Great news Lisa! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 So very relieved for Sean and you Lisa. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa O`Brien Posted August 15, 2016 Author Share Posted August 15, 2016 So very relieved for Sean and you Lisa. Thank you Janet. I've not been on here for ages. Not really been in the right frame of mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiz Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Oh, thank goodness for that, Lisa! Someone spilt boiling hot milk over both our younger ex dd's hands a fortnight ago and my stomach was like a washing machine on spin while we were waiting in A&E. Luckily the first aider where she works had done all the right things and my daughter hadn't blistered. You have had to wait so much longer. You must have been so worried. I'm so glad everything is all right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orchidblue Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 So pleased for you & Sean, Lisa. I don't understand why it took 2 weeks either! When my husband had his he was told there & then that there was a tumour and was operated on 16 days later. The NHS can move fast when it wants to but we've also had horrendous waits for things since. So inconsistent but pleased you got good news in the end. xx 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Lumps can come and go (she says from experience), but make sure he keeps an eye on things, just to be sure. From what you've said, I'm sure he will. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulip Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Fantastic news Lisa, breath now and relax xx 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moomin Posted August 17, 2016 Share Posted August 17, 2016 That's really good news, must be a weight off your mind. Usually the person doing the scan gives an indication of whether they can see anything and it then goes for a second opinion if they can't see anything. If they'd seen anything worrying at the time or when it was checked he would have been called straight away, shame that wasn't made clearer and you've had all that time worrying x 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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