Knowledge and Awareness
Testicular Cancer 
**Reload or refresh each time you visit for updates**
This is our grandson
Aidan Chris Patsos
Born 26/4/00
We didn't want to waste the dishwashing water, so Aidan finally got a bath............

His father, our son, Matthew, 
23 years of age, has been diagnosed with TC (Testicular Cancer) 
This addition to our web page is created with one thing in mind, 
Knowledge and Awareness.
Bottom line, GUYS CHECK YOUR BALLS, even better, get your girlfriend, wife or partner to check.......could be fun!!!!!
You could have one lump too many!
Early July, 2000, our son Matthew, finally went to the local doctor regarding a lump in his left testis (slightly smaller than the size of a pea) which had been there for around nine months.   He only went because it became sore and was causing him discomfort.(He had complained of back pain for quite a few months prior)   The local GP immediately sent him for an xray and scan.
It was cancer, and within two days he had his left testis removed.
We were told it was probably a seminoma, no probs, little radiation after 
the op and 'Bob's your uncle' (Australian slang) Much like, 'She'll be right mate'
Na, na, na, wasn't seminoma, was a non seminoma.  More aggressive. He has a combination
of embryonal, yolk sack and immature teratoma........
From stage 1 seminoma we suddenly go to stage 2 non seminoma.
It has spread to his lymph nodes behind the stomach around the main aorta,
in between the kidneys, they measure between 2cm and 5cm.
Three cycles of chemo,  BEP (Cisplatin, Etopiside & Bleomycin) started within a few days after his op.  His tumor markers were dangerously high and had not dropped after his op (Orchiectomy).   Nine weeks later,  his tumor markers have dropped to normal. (Ye ha!!!!)  There is no change in the lymph nodes. The Bleomycin has decreased his lung capacity by 20%, so no more bleo.
He has another cycle of Cisplatin and Etopiside.
Matthew has handled the chemo rather well, considering........
Matthew with his little son Aidan one hour after 
he was born on 26/4/00.  Mat's eyes are a 
bit blurry.   He was crying because Ally was in
pain and then cried with joy when Aidan finally
arrived.
I don't think the 'funny gas' that he was sucking
on for most of the time (which was meant for
Ally) had anything to do with his 'blurry' eyes.
Although he was talking like Darth Vader
for quite a while.......
Mat kept mumbling 'Luke I am your Father'

It's a wonder they didn't name Aidan as LUKE!!!
Mat, Ally & Aidan 26/4/00
Ally was so funny, she was amazed that something
so big, could come out of something so small!!!
Mat had no idea that the lump on his
left testis at the time, would two months later
turn out to be cancer..........
Mat after quite a few weeks of chemo.
He is with his baby sister, Jamie.
September, 2000.
Not such a baby anymore, she will
be 18 on November 22, 2000.
Matthew and Ally have arranged
their wedding for 10/2/01.
It will be at a local park performed by a celebrant.
Ally has already chosen her dress and
I was lucky enough to see her in it.
She will truly be a dream to behold.
I can't wait to see Matthew's face when he sees her.........
This is our precious little grandson, Aidan, at four months.   He is now five months, has two teeth, is crawling and
 reaching for things to help him stand.
We will have to buy him a little tux for the wedding and that will be fun.  Aidan will be 10 months old when Mat and Ally get married.  I swear he will be walking by then.
His daddy sees the surgeon tomorrow, to discuss the operation (RPLND) that will remove the 
lymph nodes......... 10/10/00
The four men in my life.
Vincent, Matthew, Chris & Aidan!!!
No history of TC that we know of.
Is it un-descended testis, a bad knock or kick to the groin or mumps......who knows!!
20/10/00
We saw the surgeon (Urologist-Paul Cozzi) last week.   Mat's operation (RPLND) is scheduled for 26th October, 2000.    Now changed to 30th October, 2000.
 He anticipates a 12 hour operation with two surgeons working on Mat.
Mat will be opened from breast bone down to pelvic bone.
Mat will almost certainly loose ejaculation.   There are too many lymph nodes affected
around these nerves and the surgeon is certain these will all have to be removed.
He will still be able to have an erection and orgasm, but the sperm will go back
 in his bladder and be passed with urine. 
One of the larger lymph nodes is attached to the main artery leading
to the left kidney.   There is a strong possibility Mat may also loose this kidney.
Now we have a waiting game.  We don't know what will happen until
after the operation, and pending what they find.

A few facts for you to think about until I can give you an update after the operation:-
1. Testicular Cancer is a highly treatable and curable cancer if caught EARLY.
2. Normally develops in men between 15-35 years of age.
3. Boys and men must check themselves every month.
4. Any sign of a lump must be checked immediately with your doctor.  Even go
for a second opinion.   Some TC's have been mis-diagnosed.
5. TC has occurred in small babies and children.  Mothers and Fathers should check
their small son's.
6. Testicular Cancer, although rare, is the leading cancer in men!!!!!
7. Young men are literally dying from 'embarrassment' & 'lack of education'
There are some brilliant web sites relating to TC.  Check them out for all the
facts and information. Just type in 'Testicular Cancer' and Search, or
click on the link below to take you to the TCRC (Testicular Cancer Resource Centre)

http://www.acor.org/TCRC/
2/11/00
Mat had his operation on 30th October, 00. The surgeons who
 operated are very confident 
and pleased with the outcome.  The operation took only 9 hours
 instead of the anticipated 12 hours.
Still a long, long time.  Some of the lymph nodes did show
 present teratoma.  We will have to wait a few days for the
 biopsy findings.  There may be a possibility Mat may not need
  any further chemo...fingers crossed.
They managed to save Mat's left kidney, but as we anticipated
 they could not save ejaculation.   Doesn't matter, as I said
 before, Mat can still have an erection and orgasm. Mat had his
 sperm stored before chemo started and he still has one testicle
 producing sperm, so there will
be a little brother or sister for Aidan later down the track.
This pic is eight days after Mat's operation - RPLND
We counted 49 staples in all
Aidan on the day of his dad's operation.
I think I can, I know I can, You bettcha I can!!!!  Aidan is exactly 6 months & 4 days
old in these pics.
Told you!!!    He will be walking by the time Mat and Ally get married!!!!!
Mat & Ally after the good news,
to follow.......
Mat & Dad. This one still makes me cry.
Enlarge and you will see why......
14/11/00
We have wonderful news!!!!!
No more chemo.......Benign teratoma & scar tissue...... Mat came home on the Tuesday, nine days after his operation.    He was very aggressive in hospital, and one day I wouldn't even go in an see him. (He was such a little shit)  It had a lot to do with the pain he was in and also the morphine.  He was always so sweet to the nursing staff, but would give Ally heaps and then me.   He looked absolutely awful when he came home.  Worse than he did when he was on chemo.   Nearly two weeks of not eating is really showing.  His is on a No Fat diet for two weeks until the internal stitching heals.    The incision is wonderful. (Photo to follow-See below)

What a great job they did.   All Mat's treatment has been done at St. George  Hospital, Kogarah, New South Wales.
'Thank you' does not seem enough for these wonderful people whose dedication, skill and compassion has saved our son's life.
General Practitioner:- Peter Pang-Ramsgate Medical Centre
Oncologist:- Jodie Lynch
Urologist:- Paul Cozzi & P. Nash (who assisted in the RPLND for "The Tricky Bits")
Cancer Care Outpatients:- All of you sweet darlings who see so much every day.
Thank you so much for choosing the profession you did and thank you for being
so good at it.............
Mat will have to have regular blood checks & CT Scans now for the rest of his life.   There is only a 5% chance the cancer will come back.  (Pretty good odds)
Now we have a wedding to plan and get ready for............and Mat has a life to live!!!!!
Aidan & Papou (Grandpa) have a lot to smile about!!!!!!
27/11/00
It is now four weeks since Mat's operation. The recovery is very, very slow and obviously extremely painful.  He is still shockingly thin, and not much of an appetite yet.
We saw the xrays recently, as Mat was vomiting and had to be taken back to hospital.
I lost count at 50 internal staples.   It looks like someone has dropped a box
of staples inside of him.  He has been through such a roller coaster in life and I thank him dearly for letting me publicize his situation in order to educate and help others.
Photo (finally) 5/02/01
Mat on 2nd February, 2001
The surgeons did go around
his belly button, although
it looks as though they
went straight through it.
Told you, it is a wonderful
job.  Mat is still having pains
in his inner thighs and sleeps
with a pillow between his legs.
This is more than likely to be
nerve damage and hopefully
will improve over the next few
months.   His hair..........has come
back curly and feels like lambs
wool.    The color is also different.
Instead of honey blonde it is now a 
silvery ash blonde.
Whenever he gets 'stroppy' we just go 
'baa baa' at him.

Matthew & Allyson's Wedding 10th February, 2001

Wedding pics at last, sorry I took so long - 02/03/01
Click on pictures if you wish to enlarge

This is boring!!
Hey, flowers!!!
Aw, come on Uncle Vince
Was worth a try (he he)
As you can see, it finally did happen on 10/02/01.
Mat and Ally had a perfect day and the rain held off until after the ceremony.
It was a very emotional ceremony.   Matthew started crying the minute he saw Ally.
This of course started every guest crying also.
I have never been to a wedding where the groom cried throughout the whole
ceremony, while the bride held her composure.
The beautiful couple.
See what I mean about Mat's hair!!!!
Teeny weeny tight little curls,
and doesn't Ally look
gorgeous......

 
The whole family
Uncle Vince thinks he is scary.....but he only makes me laugh
Mat & Ally starting their new life as husband
and wife.    They have been through so
much this past year and their love
has only grown stronger.
Hopefully, I will not have to update this
web page with any further info on
Mat's T.C.
Mat will keep up his regular checks for the
rest of his life.  They will also make
certain they regularly check their
little son, Aidan.
Testicular Cancer is curable.
Mat, Ally & Aidan now have a wonderful
life to look forward to.

 

21/03/2002

Mat has passed all his 3 month check ups and  is now on 6 month check ups.

He is doing really well.   Mat still has

not put his full weight back on.  It may have to be McDonalds for breakfast,

lunch and dinner!!!!!    His Oncologist and Urologist are very pleased

with his progress.    His hair has now gone back to normal.  No more tight curls.

He did try and lighten it by rubbing a blonding mousse through it, but this turned

his hair orange!!!!!!   I will put an updated photo on this page shortly.

 

21/01/03

I had hoped and wished and prayed that I would never have to up date Matthew's web page

again, but not meant to be.....

Matthew had his usual scans, blood checks etc.   Didn't go with him, as becoming bit of routine now.

After nearly three years you start to relax a little, and think that 5% chance cannot happen.

Just over two years since his  RPLND.

He has a 'mass' on his chest.    Will have to wait for two weeks for comparisons with previous,

x-rays and scans.   May be significant, may not be!!!!  At any rate, nothing compared to what

he has already been through...........So we are being told...... Doesn't help much.

Biopsy will have to be done soon, we don't know the exact date, but should be before mid

February, 03.   We (the entire family) are trying to stay very positive, but it is

hard.  I do not want my son to have to go through this again.  It is not fair, it is not right,

and he does not deserve this.......

I will keep you posted.  By the way, that little angel below has turned into a little

terror.........but still and angel.  (How can you have both?)  Ask any grandmother...

 

20/5/03

Mat had another full body scan and blood tests.   Absolutely nothing to worry

about.   There is no change, and so small not worth doing a biopsy on.

He is now back to his 6 month checks.   We are all very relieved.....

Mat turns 26 tomorrow (5/6/03) I promise to get some updated photos on

his web page, and you have to see the birthday present......hmmmmm

25/6/03

Finally got Mat's  picture, with his 

birthday present. Personalised number plates,

for his car......

It took us around 6 goes to get this picture.

We were all laughing too much and Mat was

trying to look like a criminal......(He does actually)

Mat has a great sense of humour,

and loved his birthday present.

Is it For One Nut of a Fisherman,

For One Nut of a driver, or For One Nut..........

Finally did it!!!!!!!Update and photo of Ally, Aidan & Matt, April, 2006.

Matt is doing really well. We had a scare in April 06.  Matt had a lump on his left breast.  In view of his past history he was in hospital very quickly having...wait for it... 'Partial Mastectomy'.   All turned out really well.  'Benign'. I am getting to love that word.   His last visit with urologist we heard the words "99% cured".....Love it. Love it.........

Hasn't that grand child gown up!!!

 

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