Mental health and testicular cancer

Hello all, 

my story is that I underwent an orchidectomy pretty much exactly a year ago, which turned out to be a rare seminoma cancer. This left some calcification around the other testicle but all scans came back clear. I now have scans routinely and I am due for one in a few weeks. 

 

My topic of discussion is the mental health side of testicular cancer. I find myself riddled with anxiety of it happening again, the weeks leading up to scans are incapsulated by the same thoughts over and over again. Does anyone else have this issue or does anyone have any tips on coping. 

 

Thanks, T

  • Hi TfG. Welcome to the forum.

    What you're suffering from is, I think, quite common for those of us who've had a close brush with cancer. In my case I had early stage prostate cancer back in 2010, and for quite a few years afterward I was jumpy and paranoid when it came to the times for my next blood test.  I had some professional counselling which helped somewhat and reduced the intensity of the fear, but waiting for the results was a trial.  It is only in the last couple of years that I've begun to relax somewhat, but the apprehension is still there at test time.

    There is this popular meme that all cancer patients are heroes, boldly battling against their disease. The truth is that heroes are rare around here and most of us are s--t scared like you.  You are definitely not alone.