Sean Martella's Testicular Cancer Update Blog: Den Ständiga Resan

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Den Ständiga Resan

It seems like this never ends. No matter how many times I beat this thing down it comes back to fight some more. My blood results have come back and my AFP is once again elevated. I get my CT results today and I'll write a more technical blog with more details once I have them. I'm discouraged, but I always am at first when I get news like this. Give me a few days and I'll be ready to fight this thing to the death yet again.

I've been cancer free since December and it has been nice. I love the time I've been able to spend with Karen. I loved being able to go back to work, having hair again (even if it's blond), going back to school, and starting to feel in control of my life again. I even ran 2 full miles at the gym the other day.

If the results come back and show that my cancer is localized, surgery will be the best option. If it is more wide spread we go with a chemotherapy regimen of Taxol/Gemcitabine. That regimen is the last line of standard chemotherapy options that can provide a cure. It does not carry a very high chance of one but there is one nonetheless. If this regimen does not work, there are clinical trials out there that I will look into.

I don't know if this means back to Indiana or what. I'll update again later today. Den ständiga resan is Swedish by the way. It means 'the ongoing journey'. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Some day I'll know the reason for all of this.

3 comments:

Kare said...: I love you so much sweetheart. I'll be strong when you can't be, so you just worry about getting through all of this....again. You're the best person I know and I know that God has more in store for you than what we can only see now. Put your faith in Him, not in the doctors or in the drugs. He's there for you-remember that. I love you.; July 2, 2009 at 9:23 AM
Austin said...: Hang in there Sean. This can only make you stronger.; July 2, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Laura Martella-Steele said...: Sean, your wife said it all. Karen, THANK YOU SO MUCH for your love and devotion. You are married for "better or worse, in sickness and in health" ..... YOU HAVE BOTH certainly kept these promises that you made to eachother. WE LOVE YOU! Our prayers and thought are with ALL OF YOU!!! Love,
Aunt Laura & The rest of Martella Family; July 3, 2009 at 11:29 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

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Den Ständiga Resan

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