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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be scared shitless right now?

90 replies

SisyphusHadItEasy · 03/05/2018 22:40

My 19 year old just came to me and told me that he has scheduled an urgent appointment with his GP for tomorrow and wants me to come along.

Apparently, he has found a lump on his testicle.

I have reassured him that "the big C" is not the only reason that lumps appear, but he ticks off many of the boxes of the "risk factors" list (white, tall, first degree relative with cancer, age group).

I have a sneaking suspicion that I am not going to sleep a lot tonight.

OP posts:
Prestonsflowers · 03/05/2018 22:44

It’s very good that he’s going to get it checked out, and that he has told you, and has asked you to go with him.
If I were in your shoes I probably wouldn’t sleep much either!
I wish you well and hope it’s good news tomorrow

amymel2016 · 03/05/2018 22:45

Oh OP, no wonder you're worried. However, your son sounds amazing for confronting it head on and seeing the GP asap (my DH is 30 & it's a battle if he has to go to the doctors!). Hopefully you'll get some answers tomorrow, I know it's not helpful but my BIL had the same thing (and the same risk factors) and it was just a cyst. May be watch some crap TV to take your mind off it? Good luck for tomorrow Flowers

Prestonsflowers · 03/05/2018 22:45

Oh and you’re not being unreasonable to be scared shitless

StealthPolarBear · 03/05/2018 22:49

Thinking about you tomorrow and so impressed with your son. Might we be seeing a shift in the trend of men not accessing health care?
As a statistician (who knows nothing about cancer) , I'll remind you that even with all the risk factors you mention, the chances of it being something else, annoying but benign, still outweigh the chance of it being malignant.
Hope you and he sleep x

ShutUpBaz · 03/05/2018 22:50

Definately not be unreasonable to be scared. But your son has asked for your support in something that must be very difficult for him and you should take comfort in that.
For what its worth, most lumps turn out to be nothing to worry about. My brother had a testicular hernia and left it for so long he had massive surgery and lost out on his chance to join the army. He swore he would never be so blase with his health again. Your son sounds infinately more sensible than my divvy brother!
Hope all is well tomorrow Flowers

claraschu · 03/05/2018 22:51

My soon had a lump that was like a third testicle. He had a scan and it was an epididymal cyst, which is harmless. I hope that is what your son has-

notapizzaeater · 03/05/2018 22:51

That's really mature of him, fingers crossed x

speakout · 03/05/2018 22:51

There are lots of things this could be.

Understandably you are worried, but even if it is testicular cancer, cure rates are close to 100% for this when caught early.

Chances are that it will be something else though.

claraschu · 03/05/2018 22:52

sorry, I meant to say my son, not my soon.

KarinVogel · 03/05/2018 22:55

Oh wow - what a sensible and grown up Son you have. I know you wont sleep but try not to google .It wont help you or him and will give you more things to worry about.
Fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Mayhemmumma · 03/05/2018 22:55

How lovely he's asked you to be there. I wouldn't have asked my parents.

You're his mum of course you'll worry but ultimately all you can do is be there for him. Good luck .

crazycatgal · 03/05/2018 23:02

Please don't worry because it will most likely be nothing.

My DP found a lump on his testicle when he was 18 and it was a harmless cyst. He is now 27 and just fine.

I hope all goes well for you.

Original poster
SisyphusHadItEasy · 03/05/2018 23:04

I have a friend who had testicular cancer years ago. I was the first person he told, and it took him 6 weeks from when he told me to finally get his ass (and the rest of him) to the doctor.

I am glad my son isn't taking so much convincing...

OP posts:
TrudeauGirl · 03/05/2018 23:06

He is being very sensible and brave to have this checked out. Hopefully all is well but please keep us updated. Flowers

NearlySchoolTimeAgain · 03/05/2018 23:09

DH found a lump - a scan was arranged quickly but it was nothing to worry about.

Hope you get good news too.

TheBigFatMermaid · 03/05/2018 23:13

Your DS rocks, he is doing all the right things, going to the doctor, getting support.

For what it's worth, my exH had a lump, I found it, he too ticked all the boxes, in his mid 40s. It was a cyst, a totally leavable benign cyst. The only time we would notice was when I wiped after sex and found he had also ejaculated blood... from the cyst.

themueslicamel · 03/05/2018 23:15

I had this, insist on an ultrasound urgently and a referral to urologist.

Look up check'em lads on face book.

I was 35 and it's very unlikely it is cancer,unfortunately mine was but if you catch it early he will be ok in the long run.

JohnHunter · 03/05/2018 23:15

Just as with breast lumps, most testicular lumps are nothing to worry about. He is obviously right to have it checked out and it is very difficult not to catastrophise as a parent!

TypingoftheDead · 03/05/2018 23:16

It's really good that he's acting on it so quickly, a lot of people don't, hopefully it will be harmless though.
YABU to be scared, because obviously you won't know what it is until he gets seen. Probably best to try and distract yourself for now.

MsJaneAusten · 03/05/2018 23:17

Your DS sounds great and it’s wonderful that he’s trusted you with this. I hope tomorrow goes well.

JohnHunter · 03/05/2018 23:17

"I had this, insist on an ultrasound urgently and a referral to urologist" > There will be no need to insist on anything. A testicular lump without a very obvious cause will lead to a "2 week wait" urology referral.

Babyroobs · 03/05/2018 23:17

YANBU to be worried. However as others have said it will most likely be something not serious and nothing to worry about. If by some stroke of bad luck it did turn out to be testicular cancer, you can be reassured that whilst unpleasant it is one of the most curable cancers.

rainbowruthie · 03/05/2018 23:19

Wishing him (and you) well

ohfourfoxache · 03/05/2018 23:20

You’ve raised a sensible, mature young man there op - bloody well done, he sounds completely clued up.

I’ve got no advice, but I can offer a gentle

Pancakeflipper · 03/05/2018 23:20

Be thinking of you tomorrow and your very clued up sensible son.

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