Sean Martella's Testicular Cancer Update Blog: Jeff's Thoughts & Feelings Folllowing Day 3 of Chemo

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Jeff's Thoughts & Feelings Folllowing Day 3 of Chemo

Kathy and I are trying to let him have as much time to himself as possible in the mornings with Karen before she leaves for work/school and then we sort of step in for the late morning shift if you know what I mean, so we didn't show up until around 10am or so with a snack/lunch (sandwiches/cookies/juices/water) which he seems to enjoy. The most interesting thing thus far has been his willingness/desire to be so positive even though today was difficult with the nausea. He's taking a nap on our upstairs bed (because RIO keeps trying to lick his face down on the sofa...she's very sweet and knows something is not right) after watching a movie that he picked out from the RedBox Video Rental. If I could only get $0.03 from each rental throughout the country from those crazy RedBoxes, I'd be a happy camper. Today's photo's were taken as we just finished his treatment and along with beating him "silly" at Yahtzee where Kathy got the both of us with 3 of the 4 games played.

He really enjoys reading your emails and now the blogsite, so please keep em' coming, but maybe a slight cut down on the phone calls because he needs to rest (Kathy speaking...) or in therapy...don't think for a minute that we're speaking for him because he loves all of your support, but his rest is so important!!!

Oh yeah, there's a fish tank right next to Sean's Recliner Chair that is so awesome and the fish are very soothing to watch after a while because you can lose your thoughts in them as they swim around....YES, there's even a Nemo and he likes to hang around the top looking for his dad.........

Gotta run, but thank you again from Kathy, Natalie, Stephanie, RIO and I.......you all rock!!!

jeffy

1 comment:

Anonymous said...: Jeff, I know this is hard for you to be away from your family right now but please remember that you are away working to help THEM...THEY LOVE YOU AND SO DO WE!!! All our love to you and your family, Laura; February 12, 2008 at 5:09 AM

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The Rundown

Okay, so here is how it all started and where we are at now (short version):

Throughout 2007, I had lower back pain. The back pain got worse and worse. Finally, a doctor ordered bloodwork, which showed that I was anemic. A CT scan was ordered that showed widespread cancer that had originated in my right testicle. There were small metastases in the lungs and large tumors in the abdomen.

In January of 2008 I had a right orchiechtomy surgery done (right testicle removal). A biopsy was done that showed a nonseminoma/seminoma mixture. I was diagnosed as stage 3 high risk. I went on a BEP regimen (Bleomycin,Etoposide, and Cisplatin) of chemotherapy that lasted 12 weeks. All this was done at home in Salt Lake City under the direction of Dr. Nitin Chandramouli. After it was done, a CT scan showed that all cancer was inactive except for the largest tumor in my abdomen. Circa June '08.

In August of 2008 I underwent an RPLND (Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection) in SLC. The surgery appeared successful but a subsequent CT scan showed the cancer had spread to my liver in a couple spots. In September of '08 I was taken to Indiana where Dr. Einhorn (inventor of platinum based chemo and recognized testicular cancer specialist) practices. Under his direction, I received three weeks of salvage chemotherapy. After the salvage, I underwent two rounds of high dose chemotherapy (5x strength Carboplatin and Etoposide). Before undergoing treatment, my stem cells were harvested so that they could be given to my severely weakened body after treatment. I achieved a complete remission in December of '08

As part of maintenance, I took a VP-16 etoposide pill until April of 2009. I remained in remission until July when my blood markers began elevating again. A PET scan revealed a localized tumor in my abdominal cavity, near the vena cava. I was taken to Indiana again, where Dr. Beck performed a second RPLND. The surgery was difficult but successful. At the cost of half a kidney, a bowel obstruction, a possible blood clot, and several weeks in the hospital I was in remission again.

In October of 2009 I relapsed again. I began a regimen containing Taxol and Gemcitabine. At the time there were small metastases in my liver, lungs, and abdomen. Taxol/Gemzar failed in early 2010

In late January of 2010, after having several months of normal blood tests, the AFP marker began to rise again. Tumors in my abdomen, lungs, and liver began appearing again.

In March 2010, I went to Sloan Kettering Memorial Cancer Hospital in New York and began a clinical trial under the guidance of Dr. Darren Feldman. The ARQ-197 pill looked like a good side-effect free choice to try and fight the cancer.

In April 2010, the trial was determined not to be effective for me. New tumors appeared and disease progression showed no signs of slowing. A tumor on my spine threatening paralysis was of particular danger. Fearing that consequence, I underwent a short course of radiation on that tumor and another in my hip.

I have multiple lesions in my lungs, liver, and other areas that continue to grow. Currently, I am in the process of having my tumor profiled on a molecular level by TGen. TGen is a company that is based out of Arizona. They look at tumor's case by case, on a genetic level, to determine new and unused courses of treatment that will be as effective as possible for that individual.

Because that process takes a while, and the treatment itself may not be covered by insurance, I just started a regimen of Oxaliplatin as well. Oxali is effecive in 20% of people in my situation. The regimen often comes with a lot of neuropathy and cold sensitivity. I started this regimen on 5/12/10 and am still waiting to here about how it's working.

Sean Martella's Testicular Cancer Update Blog

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Jeff's Thoughts & Feelings Folllowing Day 3 of Chemo

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