Operation Scooby (plight of the Testicle)

Kelvin Rush

Two years ago I had an operation down in the nether regions (the testicle area to be precise) I suppose to some people it would be seen as a major operation, after all, having a testicle removed due to cancer isn’t like going to the dentist. However, for what ever reason it didn’t bother me that much. I’m not saying I wasn’t initially very concerned and scared when I first received the news from the doctor.

I had shed a few tears, but I had also accepted the situation and it wasn’t life threatening, and I still had one good testicle left (ok it had lost its life long friend, but it would simply have to manage alone from now on).

The Day Before The Operation
I would be in the operating theatre for no more than two hours, then after an hour’s recovery at hospital I would return home. At the time, I ran a food and wine hamper business from a small warehouse in Rotherham South Yorkshire.

I lived in a flat above the warehouse and employed two people. This would prove to be priceless, as my employee’s Mike and Sarah would be helping me through the post op period.

Mike would also drive me to the hospital for the operation and then pick me up later that day. Then over the coming weeks Mike & Sarah would run the hamper business whilst I was recovering.

I was told by the hospital to bring with me pyjamas and slippers. Firstly, the last time I had worn pyjamas was on a school field trip to Derbyshire many years ago, I think I was eleven years old. On the first night myself and my class mates were getting ready for bed, I suddenly realised that I was the only one warring pyjamas.

The rest of my class mates proceeded to remove the pyjamas from my being, in what could only be described as a violent attack. I must admit I missed those batman and robin pyjamas for weeks after.

My sister very kindly bought me a pair of pyjamas, soap, flannel, shampoo and a toiletry bag (you can never be too prepared). However, I was still short of slippers, so the day before the operation I asked Mike to nip down town to buy me a pair. The request was quite straight forward “a pair of plain slippers” Blue or Brown.

An hour later Mike returned, as I removed the slippers from the carrier bag, I was a bit shocked to say the least, “a pair of Scooby doo slippers”. Now let me make something quite clear here, I am not against Scooby, on the contrary, as a young lad he was a friend and a hero. However, Scooby doo slippers in a hospital waiting room, I don’t think so.

Looking back it would have been quite funny, however, I didn’t want to draw attention to myself, especially when other patients would also be having various operations. After a good giggle, Mike returned the slippers for a more subdued pair of very boring brown slip-ons.

Day Of The Op
I awoke on the morning of the operation around 7.00am with a little apprehension, relief and excitement. I had already shaved my nether regions the night before, so I had a quick shower and proceeded to get dressed. I wasn’t allowed to eat anything, as I would be under general anesthetic.

Mike knocked on the door around 8.00am and we set off for the hospital five minuets later.

When we arrived, I said my good byes to Mike and then reported to reception. I exchanged pleasantries with the receptionist and answered a number of personal questions. I was then directed to a small changing area to change into my pyjamas and slippers.

I then made my way to the waiting room where six other patients were already sat in a variety of armchairs. I can tell you there were some very worried looking faces, which under the circumstances was understandable.

I sat down in one of the arm chairs and proceeded to watch the Commonwealth games on the small TV. It was a surreal atmosphere, no one talked to each other and no one tried to make eye contact. That was fine by me, as all I was concerned about was having my operation and going home.

It was extremely well organised and all the staff were incredibly helpful and understanding. After about forty five minuets or so, I was called by the nurse and taken to a small room where I met the surgeon who would be carrying out my operation.

“How are you he said” with a relaxing and genuine smile. “Oh I’m fine thank you” I replied. He then proceeded to explain how the operation would be carried out. He then removed a felt tip pen from his top pocket and placed an arrow at the top of my left leg, pointing down to my groin (I assumed this was to indicate to himself which testicle to remove)

“Don’t take the wrong one out” I said. (I wonder how many times he’d heard that before). “No need to worry Mr Rush” he replied, “I have done this many times before” (likely story I thought). And with that he was gone, and I returned back to the waiting room. I was quite calm and relaxed about the whole thing, after all I was having a testicle attacked by cancer removed from my body, so that could only be good.

I wasn’t concerned about the operation, as I would be under general anethestic so I wouldn’t feel a thing. And as I hadn’t had this operation or anything like it before, I had no idea what the after effects would be and there was no point in worrying. Of course I was still nervous.

“Kelvin Rush” the nurse called out, I gave her a glance, a nervous smile and rose to my feet. We walked towards the door and then inside a small office. Before I knew it, I had swapped my pyjamas for a hospital gown and was now lying on a portable stretcher.

After a few minuets I was wheeled into the operating theatre, where I was approached by the anesthetist. He looked straight into my eyes and said “shall we get this show on the road then?” I smiled and said “why not” I was subsequently injected and soon entered Life Of The Unknown.

Post Op
I was awoken by a staff nurse and found myself in a ward with several other post op patients. Some patients were still out of it, some were coming round like myself, while others were quite cheerful and perky. I felt a bit groggy and confused, but after a minute or so I came round. I felt rather proud of myself, I was still alive, my operation was over and the cancer had been removed. Lovely Jubbly!!

The staff nurse then asked if I would like something to eat to get my blood sugar and energy levels back to normal. I opted for toast, jam and coffee. Over the next thirty minuets or so, I ate my food, drank my coffee and thought about how the day had gone so far.

After about an hour or so, I was asked to leave my bed and head towards the waiting area where Mike would be picking me up in thirty minuets time to take me home. It was all very well organised, and the day had gone like clockwork.

By the time Mike came to collect me, I had just about managed to get dressed, and as we headed towards the car park at a snails pace, I felt glad to be going home.

Over the next few weeks, I was in a great deal of pain, especially every time I coughed, as it felt like my stitches were going to fly out. I was on medication, but it was still very painful. Mike and Sarah ran the warehouse, which included stock management and packing the food and wine hampers. I managed to do a little paper work at my desk and help out where ever I could.

My Personal Thoughts
It’s now been over two years since my operation. I’ve since been back to the cancer hospital several times for blood tests and x-rays. To date my body is cancer free, which I am extremely grateful for!!

It does give you an enormous sense of perspective on life, especially when you see the suffering people go through from this dreadful disease. To treat every day as if it’s your last is a great way to live. It means you don’t worry unnecessarily about the future, which after all doesn’t exist anyway.

Unfortunately, being diagnosed with cancer seems to be more and more common these days. However, treatments are getting better and the research for cures still goes on. I’m confident that one day god willing, we will be rid of this monster once and for all. In the meantime, we must all keep on fighting it and living our lives in a loving and productive way.

My heart goes out to all those who have encountered this horrible disease, and to the families and friends who share in the suffering and pain. Literally anyone can get cancer, so it’s vitally important to get checked out on a regular basis. PLEASE DON’T LEAVE IT UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE!!

Here Are Some Useful Links:

Cancer Research UK: http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/default.asp

Macmillan Cancer Support: http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Home.aspx

Breast Cancer Care: http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/

Testicular Cancer Questions: http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=278

American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp

All About Cancer - Department Of Health: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Cancer/DH_107

Published At: Isnare Free Articles Directory http://www.isnare.com

* About Kelvin Rush

Kelvin Rush is a successful online marketer and property investor. He has run a number of different companies in his 25 year business career. He is renowned for his determination to achieve personal success and financial wellbeing. http://www.wealthalive.com http://www.kelvinrush.com