Sean Martella's Testicular Cancer Update Blog: Update on Heading to NY

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Update on Heading to NY

So Sean has an appointment on March 1 with Dr. Feldman and we'll be in New York City for the first week in March. That will give us enough time to meet with the doctor, have Sean undergo some preliminary testing, and begin on the study treatment. After this trip, Sean will have to go back to NY 2 weeks later, and again in another 2 weeks after that. I spoke with a representative from the Corporate Angels network and they are officially looking for a flight for the two of us. They can't guarantee a flight for us so we still have to make back-up commercial flight arrangements so keep it in your prayers that this program works for us. It's been my challenge this week to have Sean's medical records sent out to NY and to get the time I need off work. My job has been amazing through this entire ordeal though. I have a boss who is very supportive of all of the employees and so she's been very understanding about my need to be with Sean on this trip. I'm glad that I have a place to work at that doesn't hold situations outside of my control against me. That's all we really have to report right now. We should hear for sure whether or not we have a flight with Corporate Angels by the 18th or 19th so I'll probably post again around then to let everyone know what the update is. And we'll definitely update again after we meet with Dr. Feldman and during our week in New York. Thanks to everyone for all the support. We really appreciate it.

Karen

3 comments:

Anonymous said...: If there's any chance you can come out on Friday I we can get together with some forum folks.
dadmo; February 10, 2010 at 12:10 PM
Terry Holland said...: Karen and Sean, I pray that this initial treatment works for him and that it will get him to feel better. This is a good thing you doing this clinical trial. May the Lord be with you both as you travel to New York and be with Sean at he goes through this treatment. I pray that seats become available to you both on the plane to help out with that expense. Take care. I love you both. Auntie Terry. :o); February 16, 2010 at 10:30 AM
Anonymous said...: Love you Karen! Cant wait to hear how everything goes! You and Sean are in our prayers every night!

-Kim K; March 1, 2010 at 7:52 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

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Update on Heading to NY

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