Sean Martella's Testicular Cancer Update Blog: Update from Indy 3

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Update from Indy 3

Sean's stem-cell harvest went very well on Monday. They were able to collect enough of what they needed so that he didn't have to go back for a second day of harvest. Sean was admitted to the Simon Cancer Center this morning and will be staying as an in-patient until he is recovered and well enough to go home. By that time it will be about time for him and I to come home for Thanksgiving! We're looking forward to it! The doctors here have him on a special diet which has him restricted to basically hospital food or packaged food from the store. He can't have any home-made or take-out food because of the risk of getting food poisoning or a bacterial infection. He can still have visitors as long as they aren't sick and he can eat/drink anything that has been packaged/sealed. Thanks for all of you who are thinking of us and praying for us. We're excited to see Jeff and Kathy in a couple of days and to get this treatment over with!

4 comments:

Nukem said...: I just saw your post on xbox team forum today and it caught my interest b/c Im a nurse that work in 60% of the people that I see are suffering from some type of a cancer related to the GI tract.

Personally I like the fact that you take a look at the situation a lot more realistically than a lot of other patients that I see.
I hope that you get well soon..; October 29, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Nukem said...: Sorry my message got cut off somehow. I meant to say that I'm a nurse that work in a unit that deals with issues related to GI tract. And about 60% of the patients that I see are suffering from some type of a cancer related to the GI tract.; October 29, 2008 at 8:07 PM
Unknown said...: Sean & Karen,

Hang in there. We miss you and hope all is going as well as it can. We love you and are praying for Sean's quick recovery.; October 30, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Quique Hemp said...: Hey there gamer!

I go by the GT: (you again) on Xbox live.

I'm no doctor but do know a thing or two about the immune system.

Have your family members get informed on essential fatty acids, they are also known as omega fatty acids. They are essential because our bodies cannot produce them.

So you can have an idea of how important they are think of this: More then 60% of our brain is made up of fats, the omega fatty acids. Specifically the omega type-3 fatty acid.

Even more, when a pregnant woman is in the gestation period, the baby's brain and central nervous system require high amounts of omegas for a healthy development. If the mother's diet is poor on omegas, the baby will rip the mother's reserve and leave her with potential postpartum depression.

Omegas regulate growth, help in oxygen delivery at a cellular level and are needed in every bit of chemical process that goes inside of your body.

Fats are the second most abundant substance in our bodies after water.

Not having omegas in your diet translates to:

arthritis
anemia
diabetes
cancer
intestinal problems
ADD
etc, etc, etc...

Cancer is the formation of a group of abnormal cells (free radicals) that can spread and cause damage by oxidizing healthy cells.

You need high amounts of antioxidants(agents that prevent, stop and/or retards cell ogidation)

Those antioxidants are also known as vitamins. Know if you are buying vitamins don't buy them anywhere else then a Health Food Store.

Fruits that will help you recover:
1.Acai - a brazilian fruit, the highest in antioxidants
2.Pomegranate
3.blueberries
4.papaya
5.apples
6.strawberries
7.acerola
8.kiwi

*If you can find liquid supplements that got antioxidants from these fruits, consider them.

Also, if you have no problem with coconuts, coconut water, milk and oil are immune supporters. Think of this: There are two saturate fatty acids mothers will pass on to their babies through breast milk because of the anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties these two fats have. These fats are caprylic acid and lauric acid. If you want to know how harmless they are just look at the Infant formula’s ingredients :)

Both Annamu and Llanten herbs will help you produce interferon, which helps the body get rid of abnormal/damaged cells.

Clorophil is the vegetables blood and will clean your kidneys. This means you get a cleaner blood.

You need to look at Pro-biotics, acidophilus. These are the good bacteria that promote healthy intestinal flora balance.

80% of your immune system is in the intestines.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

MAY YOUR MEDICINE BE YOUR FOOD, MAY YOUR FOOD BE YOUR MEDICINE.

Avoid: Lactose(cows milk), Soy, colorants, artificial preservatives, sweeteners and flavorings.

Well that's just the beginning but it sets you in the wright way. If you have any ?s just send me an e-mail at: ebertolez@gmail.com

Or if you got Xbox Live send me a msg to my GT: you again

Blessings to you young man,

you.; January 11, 2009 at 10:13 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, October 29, 2008

Update from Indy 3

4 comments:

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