Sean Martella's Testicular Cancer Update Blog: A thanks....

Friday, December 12, 2008

A thanks....

I just wanted to say thanks to Brent Soboleski for setting up an internet fundraiser for Karen and I. He is in charge of the website www.teamxbox.com. It is one of the bigger websites on the internet dedicated to the Microsoft Xbox and news about it. The whole online community over there has been a very good thing for me throughout my treatments. When I was like 15 years old and got an Xbox I joined the site and I ended up making a lot of friends there. Even though I don't play video games that often anymore the friendships I've made there have lasted. I've received hundreds of messages from people at the site wishing me luck and praying for me. Anyways, this is what Brent set up for us:

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/18410/Sean-Martella-Fundraiser

Thanks again Brent and TXB,
Sean

9 comments:

Kathy said...: Brent,

Thanks to you and Sean's other friends and loved ones who have helped him through this. It's been a challenging year for our family in so many ways, but it has helped to know that there are so many good people out there that care! We have truly received our Christmas miracle!

With Gratitude,

Kathy Martella (Sean's Mom); December 12, 2008 at 8:23 PM
Ann Marie said...: Wow.. True evidence that there are good people everywhere!; December 13, 2008 at 9:38 AM
Anonymous said...: Hey Sean, this is Rob (MetaMech). I donated bro because I care about you man. We've talked in the past and I respect who you are and what you've done with yourself.

I didn't know you had gotten married, and for that I'll congratulate you. Keep praying dude (and I really mean pray as much as you can) and we'll do the same for you. If there is a God up in the sky, he won't pass you up man, you're an awesome person. Have faith he'll help you and your wife.

Merry Christmas and keep fighting it, you've got a long future ahead of you. The best thing about garbage like this that comes along in our lives is that we become stronger. We appreciate things more.

After losing 4 children and almost most wife, I can't tell you the strength I've gained. Things that bothered me before don't bother me now.

Anyway, don't mean to lecture you, just want you to know that there are sunnier skies ahead. Keep looking up.

Rob; December 16, 2008 at 5:22 AM
Anonymous said...: Sean,
Ahh crap, I didn't realize you would be leaving today (or that you were in Indy). I'm literally only 40 miles from you and could have come down to see you in the hospital.

If you happen to be here for another day, let me know. I'd love to come and say hi and see how you're doing man.

Rob

You can email me at brooksrobertj yahoo com.

I'd really like to come say hi.; December 16, 2008 at 5:35 AM
Anonymous said...: Just donated $909 last night (Sean will get it). I know that's just a drop in the bucket of the medical costs you have to pay. That's why I personally think you should invest in a larger TV ;) But anywho. Sean, Sean, Sean... can't say enough about you man. If you ever want to get away come down to Austin and we've got an extra room for you here. Good luck!; December 20, 2008 at 7:42 AM
pabbie said...: Hey man, read about you on teamxbox. You don't know me but I hope you get well. Made a small donation.
Greetings from Sweden!; December 27, 2008 at 2:49 AM
Anonymous said...: hey man good luck. how you feeling now a month later?

are you still applying to medical school? I've been on teamxbox for 7 years and I hope you're around for a while dude. Im down to kick in some money. Good luck and if you apply to med school, come to NYU!; January 2, 2009 at 2:51 AM
Anonymous said...: Hey there Sean. Hope everything is going well as of now. I have a few questions for you. could you please email me at ritzersix4@hotmail.com

Urgent please respond. I apologize for using your blog in advance in order to get a hold of you. i did not know how else i could do so. Thank you very much
Jordan; January 30, 2009 at 8:27 PM
Anonymous said...: I would like to still donate, however I do not see a link on how I could do that..

Please advise!
Thanks and God Bless; March 26, 2009 at 6:20 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

Friday, December 12, 2008

A thanks....

9 comments:

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