Sean Martella's Testicular Cancer Update Blog: Update

Friday, October 9, 2009

Update

I'll keep this brief because I don't have a lot of answers right now. My AFP level is rising again. It's at 89 and that is significant enough to easily rule out any kind of lab error. The cancer is back, but I do not know where or what the plan is yet. If it's localized somewhere, Dr. Chandramouli said that Dr. Einhorn mentioned the possibility of doing another surgery. If it's not or if surgery looks too risky I will likely go on a Taxol/Gemzar regimen of chemotherapy.

Taxol - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paclitaxel
Gemzar - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gemcitabine

When combined, Taxol and Gemzar have a greater cumulative effect and produce better results. Having said that, they still don't offer a very high chance of a cure for a person like myself so I think we are hoping for another surgery at this point. I have a PET scan scheduled for Monday morning at 7:00AM and should get the results of where the cancer is by late that day or Tuesday. We will be sure to update the blog with that information.

I know you might be reading this and thinking to yourself, "this again?". I apologize for the roller coaster this whole thing has been. I'm still trying to digest this information and prepare myself for another fight. I had really hoped that I finally beat it with that last surgery but I guess we are still going to be tested. My resolve hasn't weakened, but my body is growing tired. The mind is willing. Thank you so much for all of your prayers, kindness, and positive thoughts. I appreciate them more than I could ever tell you.

Love,
Sean

PS: I love my wife.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...: Fuck dude, this really sucks, I really don't know what to say other than be strong and keep pushing like always.; October 9, 2009 at 11:57 PM
Kofi Jamal said...: Bro, stay on the positive and stay on that path. You have a lot going on for you and you know it; so don't dwell on anything negative. Stay shining in the light, even if sometimes it may be hard to do. Know you have a lot of people pulling for you and you are in our thoughts and prayers.; October 10, 2009 at 10:04 AM
Angelina Kump said...: I'm so sorry. Remember you are loved by many people who are there for you at any time. Keep close to your family and god. You are in the thoughts and prayers of me any my family.; October 10, 2009 at 1:22 PM
Jan said...: My prayers are with you, I am so sorry to hear your cancer may have returned. There is hope that the lab results aren't conclusive, that it is something other than cancer. Just keep fighting the good fight. Cancer is a beast. All I can think to say is "Kill the beast!!"...
I am all too familiar with TC as my son had it. Someone pointed your blog out to me a year ago, I hadn't looked at it for a while... Sounds like you have a wonderful wife and family --cures and miracles do happen everyday.; October 10, 2009 at 8:25 PM
jennifer martella said...: i love you sean. you are in all my prayers!!! love ur cousin jen; October 12, 2009 at 9:19 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, October 9, 2009

Update

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