Where in the world do we start?! February has come and gone... but not at all has it been because of our usual family "hub-bub" like we expected. Together, our family has learned just how strong we are together and just how much we appreciate each and every member of our family of six.
Earlier this month, Tony discovered a lump. He wasn't really checking for it... he stumbled on it by accident. After a series of doctor visits and tests, it was decided that he likely had cancer. I stay had because, luckily, the body CT showed no metastasis or lymph node involvement and last Friday the surgeon removed the tumor.
So... the questions have been coming in, and we'll do our best to diffuse them and educate others here.
What type of cancer? It was testicular cancer. The exact type we won't know until we meet with the surgeon and review the formal pathology results later this week.
What symptoms were there? NONE! Until the lump was palpable, Tony had no clue anything was wrong. In fact, until the cancer advances many men don't have any symptoms that would alert them that there is a problem.
What risk factors were there? The only risk factors Tony has for the development of this type of cancer is that he's white and 35. SERIOUSLY!!! No family history or genetic tendencies, no corresponding issues as a child, no trauma... nothing else. The most common age is 17 - 35 years old (highest percentages in the early 20's to early 30's age range). And the most common race is white/caucasion.
What is the treatment? Surgical removal of the tumor and associated tissue. Maybe radiation or chemotherapy afterwards, depending on the type of tumor and stage of the cancer. However, the surgeon told us that 70% of the time or more no treatment is required after surgery. Just routine diagnostics and lab work for the next 3 - 5 years. (We're praying Tony falls in that 70%).
So some of our faithful blog readers might be asking themselves "why are you putting this private information into a post?". Tony will say here... "why not, all modesty has gone out the window already!". But really, we just want to increase awareness. We want to share our story so others realize that you don't have to have inherent risk factors in order to be diagnosed with a life-changing condition like cancer. Sometimes the only risks you have are things you can't even begin to change. This hit us like a ton of bricks. And having to find a way to explain things to a five-year-old "Daddy's Girl" in terms she understands... that also wouldn't scare her and scar her for life. That was tough. Tony has been lucky, and it looks like he caught it early enough just by being aware. So if we can share the facts and save one family from having to go through this at more advanced stages, we want to do that.
Thank you to all of our family and friends who have given us more support and reassurance over the past month than we could ever ask for. All of the prayers have been greatly appreciated.
We will get back to a lighter topic and updated kid pics by this weekend. So check back soon!
