Testicular Cancer Patient Advises Others to Seek Treatment at First Sign of Change
| Bradley Patty recently finished his last cycle of chemotherapy treatment for testicular cancer at UAMS. His prognosis is good. He and his wife, Marlenis Patty, are looking forward to the birth of their sixth child.
Patty noticed a lump about a year ago, but he didn’t immediately go get it checked out. Soon after he and Marlenis Patty found out she was pregnant, he made an appointment to get a vasectomy.
“While I was there, I told them about my concerns.” Patty said. “They did an ultrasound.”
Patty was diagnosed with stage 2 testicular cancer. He was referred to UAMS for surgery to have the testicle removed less than 48 hours after the diagnosis. Rashmi Verma, M.D., is his medical oncologist.
“Dr. Verma is very warm and welcoming,” Patty said. “Not only is she an efficient and knowledgeable provider, but we’ve also created a bond. She’s great to converse with and we plan on staying in touch with her after treatment.”
Patty’s treatment included three 21-day cycles in which he would spend five days in the hospital for chemotherapy and then two weeks in outpatient treatments. His family has been a constant during his r
Bradley and Marlenis Patty pose with their children at a baby shower for their newest family member.
egimen. Angel and Jasmine, his two teenaged daughters have been supportive. Alexander and Sebastian started preschool and Kindergarten this August. Savannah is a smiley 11-month-old.
“The military gave me the whole time off for treatment,” Patty said. He has been in the service more than 20 years. “They didn’t have to do that, but it has made this ordeal so much easier.”
“This is a curable cancer, but of course our best chance is with early staging,” Verma said “Any kind of swelling around the testicles is a red flag. I have so many patients believe it’s an infection or inflammation and that it’ll get better with time, but I want to urge people not to ignore symptoms, no matter their age.”
“I believe my cancer would not have advanced as far as it did if I’d come in as soon as I noticed something different,” Patty said. “When you find yourself searching symptoms in Google, definitely get in to see a doctor. You’re probably already at the point where you should seek treatment.”