u/Any_Flounder3849

I'm trying to minimise side effects by keeping hydrated.. is this a strategy even worth deploying? It kinda makes sense to me to take the load off the kidneys but I know it has to be a sweet spot as too much hydration can also be counterproductive. According to chatbots it's like 2-3 liters orally on top of the Saline they provide you through IV. I've been drinking like a fish and feel completely fine but it's only the first day of cycle 1 so... I guess I'll find out... Anyone have exp with this?

The facts:

Just turned 29.

Diagnosis: Pure embryonal carcinoma of the right testicle, 43 mm.

Pathology (after radical inguinal orchiectomy on 08.04.2026):

pT2 pNX L1 V0 Pn0 R0

Lymphangioinvasion (L1) present

Infiltration of the rete testis

GCNIS (precursor cells) present

Clear margins (R0)

Left testicle biopsy: normal spermatogenesis, no tumor

Tumor Markers:

Pre-op (31.03.2026):

β-hCG 5.5 IU/L (elevated),

AFP 2.9 ng/ml (normal),

LDH 433 U/L (elevated)

Post-op (29.04.2026):

β-hCG <0.2 IU/L (normalized),

AFP 2.4 ng/ml (normal),

LDH 224 U/L (normal)

Imaging (CT Thorax/Abdomen/Pelvis, early April):

Diffuse inhomogeneous soft-tissue proliferation in the interaortocaval infrarenal region (hazy/small-volume nodal involvement)

Solitary 5 mm pulmonary nodule

No other distant metastases noted

Staging: Clinical good-risk Stage IIa non-seminoma

Treatment Plan: 3 cycles of BEP/PEB chemotherapy, starting tomorrow

The feelings:

I'm quite nervous, tremendously grateful, sleep deprived at times, constantly checking information online, and desperately hoping for the best outcome. This Reddit has been so comforting to come and relate to. I truly see you all as my brothers. I don't think I can pitch any other kind of treatment given my subtype and location, I'm currently living in another country (Germany) where the healthcare system is fantastic however due to my immigrant status I haven't perfected the language to the point where I feel I can fully express my thoughts and concerns to medical staff so I've been struggling sometimes with the language barrier in all of this but again, I feel like I'm well taken care of by an incredibly well oiled system. My family has flown down and moved in with me to go through the whole chemo process so I feel like I've definitely got support. I just worry and read a lot and don't want my thoughts to get in the way of healing. It's better at times but other times I can't help but think about the what can go wrongs. I also feel sort of spiritual about all of this, and so lucky when I relativise things. Such a multifaceted experience to say the least! Thank you all again for sharing your stories and being such a great community, I've truly taken refuge here. All the best to everyone going through this