I have cancer

[_Res Ipsa]

Congrats, Kevin. Glad it wasn’t the big C.

[_MeDotOrg]

Post-surgery biopsy results are back, and it wasn't cancer! This, after being told there was a 98% chance that it was.

It was an epidermal cyst, which is common. I'm happy and upset. Happy because I don't have cancer, and upset because my doctor didn't tell me there were other options other than surgery to remove it. I just googled this and apparently there are other ways to determine if it is a cyst without an unnecessary orchiectomy.

A couple of years ago, a friend of mine was misdiagnosed with a brain tumor. He was talking living wills and end of life care when it turned out he was misdiagnosed.

If there was a positive thing that came out of the experience for him, it was that he really accepted his mortality Death is your best advisor. By that I mean that living your life with a recognition of your own mortality is important.

So I am incredibly happy for you, and while I understand how pissed off you are, recognize that this whole experience can enrich your appreciation of life.

[_Kevin Graham]

I'm honestly glad you don't have cancer, Kevin, but I must say the following:

- Your story made everyone here nuts
- I imagine privately some got a little testy
- Some may even have gotten a bigger testy
- Hopefully nobody got so distracted at work they were sacked
- But at least this thread shows we're all nad about you

all right, I've said my piece. The ball's in your shorts.

Stop it. Just. Stop it.

I'm not supposed to laugh this hard or lift anything heavy for 2 months.

[_Jersey Girl]

I'm not supposed to laugh this hard or lift anything heavy for 2 months.

I need to know some stuff and feel free to answer this in PM's if needed. I have a relative who has just had his ultrasound on Friday, going to meet with a surgeon next week to discuss what I think is a similar surgery for a cyst or possibly some kind of draining procedure depending on the ultrasound results. His surgeon told him the recovery period for surgery is 3 months and it will be slow and painful, lots of swelling going on.

He's scared but I'm his cheerleader. :-)

Did they give you pain meds and if so, is that working okay for you? If you have swelling, what is the solution to that?

I don't need all the gory details, but if you have some insight to share I'd like to know about it.

[_Kevin Graham]

Is he having an orchiectomy?

[_Jersey Girl]

Is he having an orchiectomy?

I don't think so. He's got a giant cyst so far as he knows. I was just wondering why you have a 2 month recovery period with what seems like a more extensive surgery and his surgeon said 3 painful months with a ton of swelling.

It doesn't seem to make sense to me. He felt like the surgeon was trying to scare the heck out of him and it worked. He'll know what the procedure will be this Wednesday.

Maybe I should wait until then when I can be specific about the type of surgery if that's the option that he needs.

[_Kevin Graham]

It all depends on where the cyst is located.

[_Hawkeye]

Recovery time will depend on where the cyst is and where they would need to make an incision.

[_Some Schmo]

Stop it. Just. Stop it.

I'm not supposed to laugh this hard or lift anything heavy for 2 months.

Sorry man. It's a habit I can't seem to break.

Get well soon.

[_Jersey Girl]

It all depends on where the cyst is located.

I'll know more after Wednesday. I probably shouldn't have mentioned it until I had actual detail. It just seemed strange that your recovery period is 2 months and his would be 3 months. I don't envy either one of you, but I am glad you got the "all clear" that everyone hopes for!