Darius: My Cancer Journey

Alison Stefansic
October 12th 2019

Dear Diary,

Recently I have been diagnosed with stage 1B testicular cancer. The diagnosis was hard to
cope with at first, however, doctors explained that since it was detected early I have hope
for a safe recovery. At my last appointment, I spoke with my urologist and medical
oncologist for treatment options. They recommended a surgery called radical inguinal
orchiectomy to remove the testicle and spermatic cord because the cancer has not spread
out of the testicle and tumor marker levels are not elevated. Surgery is a medical technique
used to improve bodily function through the use of instrumental techniques. After surgery,
they explained that I would undergo 1-2 cycles of chemotherapy with the drug carboplatin if
carcinoma in situ (CIS) is diagnosed after testicular biopsy. Chemotherapy is a treatment
which targets cells which grow and divide quickly throughout the whole body. They
recommended this over radiation therapy because it is quicker and more tolerable for
myself. I am nervous to undergo these treatments but my family and friends are there to
support me. -Darius
October 13, 2019

Dear Diary,

Today I had surgery to remove my testicle to improve my quality of life from the traumas
of cancer. The radical inguinal orchiectomy performed began with an incision in my groin
along my beltline to remove most, if not all of my testicle and spermatic cord. My urologist
explained the surgery went well and I should take time off to recover. A urologist focuses
on the urinary tract of males and females and the reproductive system. Soon I will have
my first chemo session of two which typically lasts 3 weeks for my type of cancer. This
treatment will lower the chance of the cancer coming back later on in my life. I will be
administered drugs through an insertion of a tube in my vein and/or through pills which
the doctors will give me. This process has affected my life by added stress and anxiety. It
also has affected my sex life for the time being because chemotherapy causes infertility
during and for a short while after treatment. But because I am 17 and not sexually active
this is not stressor for me because I will still be able to have kids later on in life. -Darius
October 30, 2019

Dear Diary,

I have gone through some changes since I started chemo. My oncologist has explained that chemotherapy can
make me feel nauseous and may cause hair loss. I have experienced both. I also was told that some long term
effects include fatigue, reduced lung capacity, heart problems, and kidney and urinary problems. These long
term problems are because healthy cells also are targeted because they are fast growing which may cause
bone problems and other problems which are related to my treatment. Because of my nauseousness I have
been prescribed anti-sickness medicine and I just got off my pain medicine from the surgery. These medical
interventions have really helped me feel better. I also printed some pictures from my cancer journey and pasted
them below.
Cancer
Free!

P.S. -November 13th 2019

I am very happy I have been diagnosed cancer free and I will continue
to live my life to the fullest!
-Love Darius
References

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/testicular-cancer/treating/by-stage.html

https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/testicular-cancer/types-treatment#:~:targetText=Treatment%20of%20testicular%20cancer%20usually,t
he%20spermatic%20cord%20are%20removed.

https://www.cancercenter.com/cancer-types/testicular-cancer?invsrc=non_branded_paid_search_google_atlanta&t_pur=prospecting&t_src
=google-g&t_con=cancer_type&t_bud=corporate&t_tar=non_targeted&t_aud=any&t_re=southeast&t_cam=6446074701&t_adg=767441785
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t_med=online&t_ch=paid_search&t_mdm=click&kxconfid=s8ymtai82&dsktrackerid=43700046480567054&awsearchcpc=1&gclid=Cj0KCQi
Ano_uBRC1ARIsAB496IUdvDF6u21kF-5lQ6b4YAjHqle-aWFNde1n_kATqwemE6Wo6erLJAYaAiTxEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
THE END