I have a lump downstairs. When I first noticed it, it was like a lentil; then it was like a pea; then it was like a baked bean; then it was like a kidney bean and now it's the size of a large cashew nut.

I last went to my doctor about eight months ago and he said it was a harmless cyst but if I wanted it removed for cosmetic reasons, he'd refer me to a surgeon. Well, I wasn't all that bothered at the time because it's not really noticeable unless you go looking for it. But it's beginning to feel uncomfortable now. I'm aware of it all the time, like a set of keys in my pocket. I need to get it removed but I keep putting it to the back of my mind because I hate operations. I'm scared of general anaesthetics because I always think that I'm not going to wake up again. I hate it when they make you sign that consent form, absolving them of guilt if you don't wake back up.

Trust me if you need surgery get it done before your condition worsens. I had surgery back in January for a problem that I let go for two years and by the time I actually did something about it- it was alot worse. So, please take care of yourself and don't worry about the anesthesia-just put it in God's hands .

Justin1972UK said:

don't worry you are going to be ok...you want to feel comfortable so you should get this done....you dont want it to grow to the size of a volley ball or something...so dont worry you will be ok!

I don't want to leave my flat for more than a few nights if possible. I'm worried that if I'm in a hospital for a week, I'll get robbed. My post keeps getting stolen from my mail basket in the lobby. I keep thinking that it's only a matter of time before somebody progresses onto my actual home. It's just all a big hassle to go into hospital. It's not hurting me as such, but I can feel it all the time. It's pissing me off.

cant you get laser removal its usually a day...or is it that big that they need a real surgery

I'm sorry to hear you must have surgery. I know that's a frightening prospect.

Your fear is understandable, but nurse is correct that letting something go will only make the problem increasingly more difficult to fix when the time comes that it must be dealt with. Don't wait on this if your doctor recommends surgery, or you are starting to feel discomfort or pain - you shouldn't have to live with either.

Could a friend stay at your home while you would be in the hospital? Or at least come by a few times a day and check things out, turn lights off and on, etc?

The day surgery suggestion is a good one, too. Maybe that would be an option for you.

In the big picture, it's better to take care of this sooner than later and to just try to deal with the temporary inconvenience doing so would cause.

Whatever happens, I wish you the best and hope for you a speedy recovery.

Justin1972UK said:

Can you get someone to go in each day and check mail. The other thing you could do is buy one of those pwer boards that work on a timer. Use it to make the tv switch off and on during the day.

Ya know, Justin, I think I know more about your genitalia than any other orger... or Brit, for that matter!

I'm glad to hear you're on top of this all. Don't put this off -- just get it over with.

You've got my prayers and well wishes.

BucketOfBouncyBalls said:

It's sort of inside and appears to be attached to other things. I'm not particularly worried about losing a testicle or the actual surgery. It's the anaesthesia which worries me and having to leave my home.

I may invest in a timer like Althom said.

Justin1972UK said:

Hopefully some idiot won't steal your belongings, but if they do-it's only material stuff-your health means so much more and I know that everyone on the ORG wants you to take care of yourself . Like I said earlier, put your trust in God and don't worry about the anesthesia. You'll be alright .

Lammastide said:

Honestly, it sometimes feels like my genitalia is trying to commit hari-kari on me. First my foreskin ripped and I had to be circumcised as an adult - which was incredibly painful... Then I had this bizarre problem with my testicles - I don't think I've ever related the story here before...

I was working as a Car Parts Manager in a garage. I knew nothing about cars - I can't even drive - but I had a little stockroom full of sump gaskets, spark plugs and fan belts, etcetera. Well, one day, I was squatting down to pick up something or other and when I stood up, I felt like I'd been kicked in the nuts. I instinctively reached down to feel my crotch through my pants and my balls had disappeared!

I went to the toilet and my scrotum was still there but there was nothing inside it. I could feel my testicles underneath my abdomen. They'd somehow retracted. I pressed on my tummy and one of them just popped back but the other didn't. I was in agony... I phoned an ambulance and everybody in the garage was laughing at me when I told them - they thought it was hilarious.

Well, I got to the casualty ward and within half an hour I was in an operating theatre. It was apparently very serious. The left testicle was suffocating through lack of oxygen because the tube thing had got tangled somehow - I don't know.

So they operated on both testicles and basically what they did was stitch each one to the inside of my scrotum so that they'd never move again. I have a scar on each side on my ball sack. The pain was unbelievable when I came around from the surgery... Imagine being kicked in the balls - multiply that feeling by a hundred and imagine it being constant for a month.

Now, when I found the lump last year, I assumed it was tissue scar from this prior operation - but then it started growing. I'm just not looking forward to more pain but the lump is starting to feel really, really uncomfortable.

Justin1972UK said:

Ouch.

...Maybe you should just have your manhood removed like a set of bad tonsils. The Barbie Doll look may be odd, but it's certainly maintenance-free.
[Edited 5/1/06 6:48am]

By the way, I hope you had that hernia fixed, Justin. It can cause abdominal problems later in life, I think.

Lammastide said:

No, I never got the hernia fixed. It was only a partial hernia and so long as I don't walk too far, I don't notice it.

God, I feel like an old man.

Now that´s what one would call a full circle...you need to reduce the amount of stress in your life, start with reducing the stress at your workplace and that crazy place you live in, then eat well, take some time off, do some exercise, go out a bit more ( you seem to be on the org 24/7 ) and get some sunshine..London is an exciting city but not necessarily the most healthy one I´ve been to.

I know all of this is none of my business but the more I read your posts here the more worried I get about your health situation.

Seriously, change some things before it´s too late.This might take some time but you´ll feel much better in the end.

KoolEaze said:

I was out nearly all-day yesterday but I was drinking with the "straight" man I've been in love with for the past fifteen years.

My workplace is getting more stressful but the pay is decent and the holiday entitlement is amazing - 38 days off a year. The office is relocating to the other end of town. It's currently a 30 minute walk away from me but when it moves, it's going to be a two hour trek by bus and train. I'm not looking forward to it. If the union can get them to offer Voluntary Redundancy at a rate of one month's pay for each year, I'd take it. I'd pay some bills, take a month off just to unwind and then get a job stacking shelves at a local supermarket. I know it's not very aspirational but I'd be happier and healthier. If I could get a brain-dead job like that, it'd be easier for me to write in my free time.

I'm praying that the police come back soon and remove that bitch from upstairs. I have no means of facilitating or influencing their return though.

I'm not in London, I'm in the North-West of England. It rains more in Manchester each year than in the Amazon rainforest. We seem to get two weeks of sunshine each year and the rest of the time the sky looks like dishwater.

well, the surgery you should just do, don't delay. Pack up your most valuable stuff and take it with you, or maybe put in a locker? Do the light timer thing and redirect mail - post office can arrange this maybe?

You know...while you're have the surgeon play around down there...why not...add some girth...length....have some fun!

althom said:

This is a great idea...those timers aren't expensive and it will make you feel a ton better.

You'll be ok, honey. This surgery will be best for you in the long run.

PurpleRein said:

In all seriousness, you're doing the right thing, so don't worry.

PurpleRein said:

Yeah!!! Call Xhibit... He can add an mp3 player, soda fountain or somethin'!

You know justin...you could always call upon your lovely upstairs neighbors for any little request you might have

PurpleRein said:

good luck! i hope it works out all right

I'm no medical expert, but I believe a cyst is just a glorified zit. Typically all they have to do is lance it and drain it. If you leave them be for too long, scar tissue can form around the infection though, leaving a bump there for a long time even after the infection is gone.

Justin1972UK said:

Ummm, I'm not homosexual or nothing like that. I am more a hypocondact. Can you explain how one would check themself in that way? What are we looking for?

A friend from the old days that I called a week or so back, told me how he ended up with testicular cancer. He said he knew becuse it would hurt when he tryed to sit down.

MickG said:

To detect tesicular cancer, the lump will be on the actual teste and will be fixed in it's position. Be careful not to mistake the part where the tubes join the teste as a lump. I believe that constant diorrhea can be a symptom too.

My lump is more on the tube-bit. It's virtually invisible unless I erm... manhandle myself and stretch the skin - then it looks like a third ball.

I'm not a doctor though. Try visiting a site like Everyman - http://www.icr.ac.uk/everyman/

Scary, these things.

Well, I hope it turns out all right.