This time... it's my nuts!
It's a bit embarrassing, because it's my nuts, but...
My liver surgeon is going to cut me open, again. He's going to bring my testes down, and give me a circumcision. The circumcision was suggested, to make it easier for cleaning me, as I get older. The surgeon did a great job, when he cut out my hepatoblastoma, so we are very happy he's doing this surgery.
This surgery is an orchiopexy (orky-o-pexy).
So, what does that mean?
While I'm under anesthesia, an incision will be made in my groin. This is where most undescended testes are located. My surgeon will find my spermatic cord, free it and make sure it’s long enough. A small incision will be made in my scrotum, and a pouch will be created. The testicle will be located and pulled down, into the pouch. The testicle will be stitched into place, and the incisions will be stitched closed.
Orchiopexy is usually very successful with excellent prospects for fertility.
The surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis. Because it's me, we might end up spending a night on the ward. Bed rest is recommended for two to three days afterward, but because I am not running around, I will probably be ok.
(Read more here.)
Boys who are born prematurely are most likely to have undescended testes. Usually, the testes drop before a boy is nine months old.
By the time I was three, surgery was being discussed. It's been put back a few times, because of my femoral osteotomy, and other patients needing the surgery time more than I do.
By the age of three, surgeons prefer to do surgery, and bring the testes down. Doing this prevents damage to the testicles.
When they first talked to Mum about it, she was reluctant to make me have more surgery... and then, they dropped the cancer word. And, surgery was a go!
"Testicles that do not descend naturally into the scrotum are considered abnormal throughout the patient’s life. These undescended testicles have a higher likelihood of developing cancer." (more here)
I have already been through a cancer journey, and Mum and Dad have had a couple of scares, with me, about secondary cancers, so the thought of testicular cancer just terrified them.
We're hoping for text book. We trust Guy Henry, and we are sure he will do a great job. He'll be surprised at how big I've gotten!
We'll keep you updated on my progress and recovery. I'll be wearing my allergy bracelets, so hopefully I will be kept far, far away from fentanyl.... that's the pain medication that makes me stop breathing! If I stay away from that, I should be back home in no time.
Dad and Pokky are doing a challenge. One of them is not drinking beer, and the other is not eating potatoes. Mum joined in. She stopped eating chocolate and stopped drinking soft drink.
She's going to be doing it tough, today... in the hospital, with me and my littlest sister, and no 'comfort' food! Good luck, Mum! You can do it!! xxx
Oh, Nuts!