Some thoughts on Conf weekend

I thought I'd write down a few things about this latest little personal challenge.

Two weeks ago, I finally decided that I was feeling uncomfortable enough in my privates that something had to be done. I mentioned to Allison that I felt that one side was larger than the other. We called our family doctor, and I described the situation. I had only had fleeting thoughts about the possibility of testicular cancer; nothing ever seriously. She suggested I go to get an ultra sound the next day and it was scheduled through her office. I went to UVRMC in Provo at 9am for a quick exam. By noon, Allison was on the phone to me crying. She said that Dr. Forbes had called that the results were consistent with a serious form of testicular cancer. Immediately, we were trying to contact a Urologist to meet and discuss my options.

Within the hour, Dr. Forbes' office had an appointment for me with a doctor out in Tooele. Right after Allison had called me, Caroline was in my office and I told her the results of the test. I could tell she was calm, but concerned. Spencer had just left my office for a class, so as I left to have Allison pick me up, I went across campus and found him in his class. I motioned for him to come out (he could tell something serious was up) and told him what we knew. I took great comfort in asking him to give me a quick blessing of comfort. We slipped into the only empty room we could quickly find. I felt strongly that things would be OK and was especially calmed in knowing that both Spencer and I drew strength from his giving me the quick blessing. Later, we found out that he had calmly described to Stewart what was going on and assured him that all would be well.

Allison and I rode the hour plus out to Tooele discussing many things. Neither one of us felt that this was so overbearing as to sink us. We both had acted quickly and took the proper steps to deal with it. I had not been able to contact my boss, yet, but had mentioned to my co-worker what was going on. I could tell he was shocked and didn't know what to think or do, but that was OK. He was able to cover what little work we had going on and that is what was important right then.

Once we reached Tooele, we waited, and waited, and waited. Appartenly the doctor had had an emergency and so he was basically about 2-3 hours late. Allison's sister, Carolyn showed up after her work, with her husband, Stan. We discussed some of the possibilities; surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy, etc. Finally the doctor came in and gave me a quick exam. He had reviewed the ultrasound images and announced that I needed to have my right testicle removed. We would be able to have that done by the end of the week (this was a Tuesday).

Things were moving fast, but in a sort of slow motion. We discussed ths with the kids, mostly just letting them know that things would be alright. We actually hadn't said anything to Winston yet; we needed to talk calmly with him and keep his anxiety low with all of his pressures of studies. I spent the next day talking to many at work. I called my manager who was at home; he had another day off. He gave his full support and told me just to get things taken care of. My direct co-worker was still a bit in shock, but now knew more. I told a couple of other coworkers and then went to visit with the instructor of my one class. I had to drop the class; not knowing what was fully involved in my time constraints.

I had also emailed my brother, Dard. He had had testicular cancer 15 years earlier. I set up a time to call and visit with him. We talked for about a 1/2 hour. I know it was a very good opportunity that we had to visit and be brothers. I then callled Mom and Dad and told them. I got phone calls from a few others as the day went on. I also took a minute and called Winston and told him that I had a 'damaged' testicle and was having quick surgery. I mentioned the possibility of cancer, but downplayed the severity; again to keep his anxiety level low.

My surgery was scheduled for the next day, Thursday; sometime late. Once I got to work, we finally found out that surgery was for mid-afternoon. Allison came and got me and we went over to the hospital. I had a quick blood test, then to a Pre-op room. Allison, Caroline and Annette were able to come in and sit with me. They first started an IV. It went quite well as they used a needle with a pain killer on it. I put on the hospital gown and laid down on the bed. The nurses were very friendly, kind, and informative. I had to mark on my leg with a red sharpie the location and side they were to operate on; no mistakes, please! They tried to describe all the details the best they could. We visted for awhile, and finally at about 3pm, the nurse showed up to take me to the next room. They put a hat on my head and wheeled me into a room where I met the anathesiologist. He is a Bishop of a BYU ward and a nice guy. He injected a drug into my IV which sent me on a little trip. Things got a bit fuzzy from here. I was then wheeled into the operating room. I shifted off the bed onto the operating table, and that's about all I remember.

I remember waking up in the post-op room with Dr. Hibbert over me saying that everything had gone quite well. A nurse came and took a blood test and I just laid there resting for a few minutes as the doctor went out to find Allison and report. They then wheeled me to a recovery room where I sat with Allison, and Carolyn was there, too. I had some ice chips and apple juice. I also had some crackers. I was feeling quite well. They finally removed the IV, fed me a bit more, and after 2 hours I went to the restroom and they sent me home.

I went right to bed and slept most of the night. I was taking an antibiotic every six hours as well as pain medication. I also had ice bags over my incision. I slept quite well. I was able to get around OK. The only soreness was slight pain of the incision. Mid-morning I came downstairs and sat around, reading e-mail, the internet, etc. I dozed off a bit too. Allison was so very attentive to my needs and took good care of me. I sat and slept a lot the first 3-4 days. Needless to say, I didn't go to church on Sunday and just convalesced.

On Wednesday, I felt that I could get back to work and went in about 10 am. I lasted most of the day. Thursday and Friday I was there most of the whole time. It was good to get back to a semi-normal routine. I still tire easily and need to take it really easy. The Dean's Office sent me a nice get-well card. I went down to the office and thanked them.

Thursday, Dr Forbes called to say that she had received the pathology report. I did have a form of testicular cancer - semonoma. It is the least harsh of the cancers and all the cancer was removed. There was no evidence of the cancer spreading anywhere else. I'll have a CT Scan soon to verify and check those results. This was great news and very relieving.

I know that the Lord's Hand is in my life. As I began this little journey last week, I knelt in prayer in my office and told the Lord I would do whatever he had in mind for me. I left it in His hands and he did NOT forsake me. Spencer and Craig gave me a blessing the night before the surgery and I know that the Lord healed me from a more serious illness. I was also able to quickly heal from the surgery and return to work because of His goodness and mercy.

I spent a good deal of time visiting with family and friends and have felt the Lord's goodness through many of them. Friends from my old work, friends from BYU, friends and neighbors from church have all been so willing to give of their time and goodness for me and mine. I know that the Lord has truly blessed me and I will continue to see His hand as I continue on this journey.