Sean Martella's Testicular Cancer Update Blog: Update from Indianapolis 2

Monday, October 6, 2008

Update from Indianapolis 2

Sean was given a shot today at the cancer center which will help boost his blood cell counts so that he doesn't get sick while he's at home and out of the hospital. We were able to get some prescriptions for him with some help from one of the hospital social workers. (We're still waiting for Sean's COBRA health insurance stuff to kick in so right now we're listed in their system as "self-pay"....yikes!!!) He slept most of the afternoon (which is good because he needs rest!), but hasn't been getting as much fluids as he needs. This evening he noticed some pain in his bladder and since that can be one of the side effects from the ifosfamide that he was given during chemo, we called the on-call Dr. who told us to go to the ER to have him checked out. So, we went to the IU Medical Center's ER and they did some lab work and didn't find anything wrong or abnormal and said that his symptoms are often caused by being dehydrated.....surprise surprise. This was a huge relief for us since the last few times Sean has been in the ER there have been things that were very wrong with him. So, he watched some Monday Night Football and got a liter of IV fluid while we were there and then we were sent home. All is well....false alarm!

We're expecting our first visitor this weekend: my dad is flying out on Saturday for a visit for a few days. We're excited to see family even though it's only been a week since we left home!

I start my job here tomorrow.....wish me luck!

Karen

9 comments:

Englishfam said...: Thanks for all the updates Karen, we appreciate them. I am so glad that Sean is doing so well and that you only had a false alarm! Keep up the good work, and good luck with the job!; October 7, 2008 at 7:16 AM
Unknown said...: We are thrilled that you are getting the quality help you need, both from the hospital/doctors and the kind people around you. May the Lord bless you through this; October 7, 2008 at 8:00 AM
Anonymous said...: The updates are so appreciated. You are on our minds constantly. Sounds like things are going as well as they could be. Do you have an address as to where you are? Hang in there. May the Lord's sweetest blessings continue to be yours. We love you, Uncle Mike and Aunt Diane; October 7, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Kare said...: I'd rather not give out the address to where we are. I'd like to keep that with my parents and Kathy. If anyone wants to send us anything, emails are always welcome, or you can give whatever it is you want to send to us to Kathy or my parents and they will get it to us. It's just that the place that we're staying at is owned by Teresa and I'd like to respect her privacy by not giving out her address all over the place. Thanks.; October 7, 2008 at 1:51 PM
Anonymous said...: You are in great hands with Dr. Einhorn. He is the best of the best! I haven't seen him in awhile - does he still look like Woody Allen?

Jane Lozano, Brownsburg Church of Christ; October 8, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Anonymous said...: I am glad to hear that your dad is coming for a visit. If you have time and Sean feels like it we would love to have you guys over for dinner when your father comes.
Ed, Your surrogate dad; October 8, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Kare said...: Jane-Our oncologist back home says that Dr. Einhorn looks like a mad scientist which is definitely true :) But he's a very nice man and obviously he's brilliant too!

Ed-We would LOVE to come have dinner with you as I'm sure my dad is very anxious to meet you and see Teresa again. Just let us know which day and what time and we'll be there :); October 8, 2008 at 1:03 PM
Unknown said...: I hope you know how much you are loved here in Murray!!! I only get on my computer twice a week, but I always look forward to checking in with you two. Thank you for being so forthright with your life & realities with me; it's appreciated. My heartfelt prayers are with you. Praise in the midst of the storm...that's what it's all about!!!!! because of Him. Sammy; October 10, 2008 at 9:27 PM
jef said...: Hey Pal, thinking about you from Phoenix where these Cowboy fans are drinking and making a mess of my hotel...oh well, at least they're paying my rates of $180+ and that's a cool thing! As for you feeling better, that better be TRUE or I'll be dunkin' on you when you're ready to play some hoops........Love ya pal, stay healthy and enjoy Raymond's visit...I'll try to get out there soon!!!!!!!!! :):):):) POPPS; October 11, 2008 at 6:06 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

Monday, October 6, 2008

Update from Indianapolis 2

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