The Complete Story

[Derek12]

My best friend was diagnosed with stage 3C TC in September of 0'5.When he was first examined,he was "weeks away from death".They performed his right I/O September 6th,3 days after the diagnosis.He was found to have lymphatic invasion and distant metaphasis to the liver and lungs.They started him on 4xBEP immediately.At first everything looked promising.His beta HCG levels dropped from 363,000+ to 30,000 after his third treatment.However,in between cycles 3 and 4 his counts rose to 70,000.He started salvage chemotherapy next,called TICE(Taxol,Ifosfamide,Carboplatin,and Etoposide) with 1 autologuous Stem Cell Transplant.This worked the best out of all his treatments,HCG levels dropped to its lowest points of 8,000 HCG.It just wasnt meant to be.His counts shot up to 56,000+ in 5 days.They immediately discontinued the GCSF.Next up was Oxaliplatin and Gemzar,which showed some promise,and also severe side effects.For a few weeks while on it,he showed stable disease with little progression until the end of the second week.The numbers shot back up.Next up,was oral etoposide,which he took for roughly 3 weeks,which made him vomit constantly and feel light-headed with no effect on the disease.No need for that,at this point everyone agreed.In the beginning of April or end of March,we all went back to Sloan to speak to the doctors there,and they agreed on giving BMS-247550 a try,a taxol derivative that showed some hope for him especially because at one point his tumor was Taxol sensitive.Before starting he had to be weened off the oral VP-16 for at least one week.In this period,a huge abdominal tumor perforated a hole in his stomach causing internal bleeding,and one of the criteria for BMS was no internal hemmoraging.So he went back to Yale and was given 14 gamma ray radiation treatments in an attempt to stop the bleeding,shrink the tumor,so he could go for the chemo.Again,it wasnt meant to be.He was placed on a morphine pump for roughly the last two weeks,and in the past day and a half everything took a turn for the worse.He compensated,and compensated,and finally gave out.He died this morning at the age of 19 at Yale New Haven Hospital,close to home with friends and family by his side.He exhausted every treatment option possible,but the what-ifs are the worst part of it.If he was diagnosed earlier,he would still be alive.If he responded,and wasnt refractory,it would be the same.His tumor components were Yolk Sac,Teratoma,and Seminoma.He was just such an advanced case.He will be sorely missed.I will continue to post here when i see a subject i can be of some help on,but i just wanted to thank you all,especially Scott,Dadmo,and Danebert.Again,thank you for all the info.

[Mom]

I am so sorry to read your post. What a valiant warrior he was and what a wonderful friend you were to him. We have certainly learned these last few months that although TC has a high cure rate, there are those who either are diagnosed late or who do not respond to treatment. Unfortunately, your friend was in both categories. It is very hard to lose a good friend. My heart goes out to you and his family. Dianne

[dadmo]

Another sad day with a disease that is supposed to be so curable. I’m sure you presence was a great comfort to both your friend and his family. I’m sorry for you pain that I know you are going through. Thank you for posting on the forum and I look forward seeing you share your story with other in need. Again thank you and I’m sorry.

[danebert]

I am sorry for your loss. He was lucky to have a friend like you who spent as much time as you did researching all of his options and offering constant support. Sometimes modern medicine cant cure you physically, but I don't think there is ever a point when you can't comfort and support somebody mentally. I think you suceeded in this crucial role to your friend. Its always disheartning to hear of the loss of somebody so young with a disease so curable. However, thanks to men like him who participate in clinical trials, new drugs will be tested and one day those very drugs will save a life.

[Shory]

Derek, My condolences go to you. You´re such a brave and wonderful friend. Take care.

[Kev332]

Derek, I'm so sorry to hear this. Sounds like it was a very complicated case and he certainly gave it his all. Its so nice that you were there for him and that you have posted on this site to try and help others... that really means a lot. I wish you and his family the best.

-Kevin

[Scott]

I'm very sorry to hear this news. He put up a good fight.

[jdunn]

Derek, I am so sorry for your loss. You were indeed a GREAT friend. At 19 years old and to lose your life to cancer it's so hard to take. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[elrod]

What a true friend you were for him. We all should hope for such strong bonds with our friends as you two had. God bless you and his family. Remember him always.

[Don]

I am so sorry to hear this news...our thoughts and prayer all involved!!!!!

[AdrianB1971]

...sadness

hmmm...when I'm thinking that the first urologist told me "NOTHING WORRY ABOUT!!" (and I where in stage III)...only my intuition and perseverence have saved me. Please, be strong.

[Fish]

Derek:

I'm so sorry. You were a great friend and I'm sure a great source of comfort.
Be strong,

Jim

[merc]

Sorry...

Hi,

I've been reading your posts consistently, waiting - hoping - for a miracle.

The miracle didn't happen... but maybe it did. I don't know what happened during his journey. However... I am sorry that he's gone. I truly am.

Thank you for your posts, and for hanging around here.

Bye,

Merc.

[huckchef]

if one thing positive came from this, is that many more people are vigilant about TC because of your friends great loss. knowledge is great!! i mourn with you today and in the days to come. Thanks for being there for your friend. I know he appreciated it, we all do. give our love and prayers to his family because we know that the fight will continue because of him. my thoughts and prayers are with you,brian.

[Derek12]

thanks everyone