Sean Martella's Testicular Cancer Update Blog: Update from Taffy

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Update from Taffy

I just wanted to let everyone know that Sean is home now with Karen and doing very well. They released him yesterday afternoon because he had made such great progress. His color is a lot better and his strength seems to be returning. I was skeptical about his making it up the three flights of stairs to their condo, but he did just fine! Karen made him some of her delicious homemade chicken noodle soup for his first night home and we played the game Apples to Apples with them.

As far as the trip to Indiana, it will still most likely happen, but Dr. Einhorn has been in contact with Dr. Chandramouli and his recommendation was to wait a month and then do testing to see if the yolk sac cancer markers are elevated again to determine the next course of action. Sean has decided to wait until the results come back before making the trip. We'll keep you posted as we know more.

Today is Karen's 21st birthday, and she and Sean are excited to watch the game today and be together!

Happy Birthday Karen, and thanks for taking such good care of Sean!

We love you both so much!

4 comments:

Unknown said...: Happy belated birthday Karen. We love you too!; September 2, 2008 at 9:20 AM
The Other Wright Family said...: Wow..I am so glad things are going well. Please let us know if there is anything we can do. Love you all!!; September 2, 2008 at 2:32 PM
Mel said...: Happy Birthday Karen! You are a sweetheart!; September 2, 2008 at 7:57 PM
Anonymous said...: Karen, Happy Birthday!! Your wedding was beautiful. Thanks for your updates on Sean. Uncle Mike and I are so sorry for all that the two of you have had to go thru. Our thoughts and prayers are with you always. Love you lots! Uncle Mike and Aunt Diane; September 2, 2008 at 9:24 PM

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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

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Update from Taffy

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