Sean Martella's Testicular Cancer Update Blog: Getting Ready to Go-NYC

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Getting Ready to Go-NYC

Sean and I will be leaving for New York this Saturday Feb 27. We unfortunately were not able to get on with Corporate Angels as there were no available flights from Salt Lake to New York. The closest they could do was from Tuson to Boston so we had to pass on that but we'll keep them in mind for Sean's future flights. My mom, however, has to travel about 3 weeks out of the month for work and has accrued enough frequent flyer miles to get our tickets for this trip and then for a couple more for Sean's next few. We found a great hotel to stay at in the city as well located near JFK airport. Sean's dad, Jeff was kind enough to make some calls for us as he works with Hilton and was able to find the owner of this hotel and after hearing about our situation offered us an amazing rate for our stay. We're very appreciative of our families right now for the amazing ways they help us. Right now Sean's appointment for his first consultation is set for March 1 and Dr. Feldman's office is working on getting his tests scheduled for the week that we'll be there so that he can go ahead and start on the trial before we have to come home. We've had a few weeks of being on a "break", I guess you could call it, and we've recharged enough at least to handle this next step. Please continue to pray for us, however, as we have several things in our life going on right now and we will definitely benefit from everyone's continued support. We're keeping our chin's up and hoping for the best. There's just really no other alternative is there? Our next post should come next week after we meet with Dr. Feldman. We'll have more detail then on exactly what the study will entail and the details that go along with that. Thanks to everyone (again, especially to our families) for the love and support.

Karen

P.S. I heart NYC!!!

2 comments:

Jan said...: sounds like you are very loved and have an incredible family, I wish you the best on your journey to NYC miracles do happen; February 27, 2010 at 5:56 PM
Anonymous said...: We Love You.Be safe in NY and remember HOW MANY people are praying for you... Sending you hugs and Angels to help you. Love Aunt Laura; March 2, 2010 at 7:06 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, February 24, 2010

Getting Ready to Go-NYC

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