I walked into the doctor's office and began to apologize for taking so long to see him, explaining that I had been waiting for any changes in my situation to discuss, but there had been none. At that moment, I broke down in tears, overwhelmed by depression and desperation, unable to speak. Once I started to calm down, I explained that I really just wanted to ask some questions and that I had to accept the pain caused by the surgeon.

I pulled out my phone to ask the questions I had previously recorded.

I first asked if, in his experience, he had ever seen a testicle as hard as mine return to normal. He mentioned he had seen cases where a testicle softened and its size returned somewhat, but not back to its original state.

Next, I brought up my research indicating that many surgeons recommend removing an atrophied testicle due to a high cancer risk. I asked if he thought my testicle had a significant risk of cancer. He cautioned me about relying too much on online information, as much of it is inaccurate, and then stated that he believed there wasn’t a significant cancer risk.

I then inquired about the type of mesh used during my surgery and whether it’s standard for doctors to discuss mesh options with patients during consultations. He confirmed that patients are typically given a choice between the standard health service mesh or a higher-quality option for an additional cost. Since I wasn’t expected to need mesh, it was likely that I received the standard option without being given any alternatives. Realizing that my questions about the surgery mesh options would only upset me further as the surgery had already taken place, I decided to move on to my other inquiries.

After discussing the mesh, I asked about the possibility of removing it and whether I would need to provide future surgeons with the exact details of the mesh for any procedures. The doctor explained that knowing the specific type of mesh wasn’t necessary, as it wouldn’t affect the procedure to remove it. I inquired about his experience with mesh removal, recognizing that it’s a complex procedure that many surgeons avoid. He mentioned that he had performed some removals, but the outcomes weren't ideal. I already knew that I wouldn’t pursue any action this year and would reassess my pain and comfort levels next year.

I asked if he had heard of a good testicle enlarging to compensate for a missing or non-functional one, a question I had previously asked another urologist. He replied that he didn’t expect that to happen and that the remaining testicle would not increase in size.

I then showed him a topical gel I was using for arthritis and sports injuries, which I found helpful for pain relief at the mesh site. However, the instructions warned against using it for more than 21 days without consulting a doctor, so I asked if it was okay to continue. He confirmed that I could keep using it without any issues.

Finally, I requested an ultrasound to check for blood flow to the right testicle. I had taken medication to improve blood flow and hopefully restore its function, and I also wanted to know its final size, as the shrinkage seemed to have slowed down.

Before scheduling the ultrasound scan, the doctor performed an examination in his office. He was surprised to see that the testicle was now much smaller than during his last check which was on the 26th Apr 2024. He agreed to perform the ultrasound.

I was prescribed blood thinners and hernia medication again, and he recommended continuing those treatments.

The doctor noticed how upset I was and reassured me that I would be okay, inviting me to return with any questions.

Afterward, I went to the basement for the ultrasound and asked the technician about the size of my testicles. The healthy one measured 48mm, while the right one was only 16mm. I also inquired about previous measurements, which he provided. There was still no detectable blood flow.

I noticed that my left, non-atrophied testicle was larger than before, and when I asked about this, the technician explained that it was working harder because the other testicle was atrophied. He reviewed my first ultrasound and mentioned that it looked like the testicle just had a hematoma, with no signs of atrophy.

The medication prescribed: SANDEL (antiplatelet agent), HARNALIDGE (prostate medicine)