Sean Martella's Testicular Cancer Update Blog: Round 2 Update

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Round 2 Update

Well, Sean completed his last days of high-dose chemo. We're hoping and praying that another drop of chemo will never have to enter his body. He's felt sick from day 1 but with medication and rest he's been pulling through. He's been on a break yesterday and today and tomorrow he'll receive his stem-cell transplant. Probably towards the weekend he'll start to feel even worse as the chemo has a cumulative effect.

Dr. Einhorn stopped by on Monday and gave us an update on his blood levels and it looks like the cancer levels are still at a safe, normal level. Dr. Einhorn told us that at some point next week Sean will have another abdominal CT scan to check to see if the tumors in his liver are gone and to see if there are any enlarged lymph nodes. The results of the CT scan will determine whether we will get to go home when we planned or not. Most likely, everything will be clear but the worst case scenario would be that he would have to undergo the same abdominal lymph-node dissection that he had previously this summer in order to clear out any enlarged lymph nodes. Let's pray that doesn't have to happen!

Again, thanks for keeping us in your prayers and thoughts. We're almost done!

3 comments:

Unknown said...: Hang in there Sean and Karen. We love you both and keep you in our prayers. It was good to see you at Thanksgiving and look forward to Christmas. You'll beat this yet.; December 3, 2008 at 9:37 AM
Kathy said...: Thinking about you both and wishing that Dad and I could be there to play UNO or Yahtzee with you! Get the perfume ready Karen, and stem cells do your thing! Love you!; December 3, 2008 at 8:34 PM
Miss Megan said...: Karen-
Thanks for all the updates, they are much appreciated! Hang in there Sean - you can do it!!! :) Lots of love coming your way!; December 3, 2008 at 10:36 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

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Round 2 Update

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