Sean Martella's Testicular Cancer Update Blog: Cancer Update #7

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Cancer Update #7

It's been a few weeks since my last update. I've actually been doing very well. My 3rd cycle was the best one I've had yet. I hardly got sick. We think we figured out a way to keep the nausea away for the most part. Fluid, lots of fluid. I get a couple liters at the doctor's office and then a couple liters at home each night. All of it through my IV port. I'm on my last cycle now and we are doing the same thing again. It seems to be working again. Except that I'm so loaded with fluid I'm gaining weight from retaining a certain amount of it. You can call me marshmallow. I can't wait to lose it once this stuff is over.

How's this for irony? My last day of treatment will be April 1st. Better known as April Fools Day. I thought that was pretty funny. Anyways, I got my latest blood work back on Monday and it was pretty awesome. My AFP level that I've mentioned before is down to 11. Which is in the normal range for the average person. My other marker was drastically reduced as well and showed me as normal. I guess that means that the cancer is dead. Hopefully any dead tissue that is now left will make it's way out of my body so that I don't need a surgery for that. I really don't want that surgery. It's risky and I certainly don't want a giant scar splitting me from crotch to chest.

Well, the battle is almost over. It's been crazy and I'm really glad that my body has responded well to the treatment. It's not often that people beat cancer. I'll be playing the waiting game after April 1st for a year or so. Waiting to see if the cancer comes back (there's an 80% chance that it won't and I know it won't anyways) and waiting to see if my fertility comes back. I'm really hoping for that one. I've got some scars from the surgeries and I'm starting to get what's called chemo burns. Little dark spots on my hands and feet that are caused by the chemotherapy drugs causing internal damage. They look like healed burns. Aside from those things you'll never know I had cancer. My hair will grow back soon and I can't wait for that. I'm sick of looking like Powder (look up the movie if you don't know what I'm talking about). I get to go back to work full time and take school full time in the summer. I've got a few vacations planned that I'm excited for.

Thanks for all the support. My parents, Karen, and I have really appreciated all the love and kindness that has been shown to us throughout this crazy thing.

Love, Sean

3 comments:

Unknown said...: We feel many prayers have been answered in your behalf. We are so happy for you and your family.

Love, Aunt; March 20, 2008 at 3:01 PM
Englishfam said...: I am so glad to hear that your body is responding to the chemo. You are so strong, I am so proud of you for your positive attitude about this whole situation.
p.s. I think Powder is totally hot, I don't know what you're talking about!; March 20, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Anonymous said...: You ARE such an inspiration to me and alot of other people. You have been so positive through all of this. Thank God you've been blessed with so many wonderful family members, friends and Karen (your angel)...Thank you Kathy and Jeff for being such wonderful parents. I know this has been awful to watch your own child go through something so horrible. BUT HE IS A FIGHTER!!!
We all love you, Aunt Laura and family; March 24, 2008 at 6:15 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

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Cancer Update #7

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