Shoe always dropping, what’s new - Melanoma Caregivers

Melanoma Caregivers

Shoe always dropping, what’s new

kellyOd profile image
9 Replies

So despite Ryan’s miracle of a scan, his blood work came back (they still let him receive his infusion on Monday) though blood work came out 10 mins after he was finished, and his red blood cells have dropped further than they ever have been, and he is so iron depleted. The next morning (Tuesday) he got 2 huge bags of blood, and is getting 2 more iron infusions within the next 2 weeks. Recurrent anemia and iron depletion means there has to be a bleed somewhere. Whether it’s just a small perforation in his GI, there’s something. He was also on blood thinners for a blood clot so that didn’t help I’m sure. So anticoagulant has been stopped - and now we are scheduling for GI appointments to do upper, lower and the camera pill. Although that is a bummer and it sucks, even after the bags of blood he’s already feeling much better 😊 roller coaster.. always a loop. How is everyone else doing? Would love to hear updates in any form or fashion

Love from MD xoxo

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kellyOd
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9 Replies
SGHSweethearts profile image
SGHSweethearts

Kelly,

I am glad to hear Ryan was still able to get his infusion. Then also that they were able to give him the blood, and will follow up with the iron. He sure is going through an awful lot, and still staying strong. I know it’s a tough road. I hope they find the bleed with the scopes and are able to take care of it easily.

Mark just had his lab work done and zoom with his oncologist today. He is doing well a little anemic but they said kind of has been his normal. He is back off the steroids, so hopefully he can lose a little weight that is bothering him.

His B12 is non existent so he is going to get a vitamin B12 shot for a few months and see if that makes a difference, besides taking his vitamins. The Pantoprozol he takes for his stomach is what is depleting his B12, and D3, just a juggling act on what to do.

Praying for you both. Gods Blessings and enJOY everyday.

Michele

kellyOd profile image
kellyOd in reply to SGHSweethearts

We think he has a stomach ulcer, he sees GI on Tuesday so hopefully we will get some answers by the end of the week. I’m so happy to hear he is off steroids! That’s amazing! I know he’s had a hard time coming off. Ryan is still dealing with loosing weight from his steroid stent. The juggling act is hard. 😭

doulagirl profile image
doulagirl

Kelly,

Glad to hear Ryan in doing well overall. These are setbacks of course, and you have been through so much already!. I am always praying and sending positive vibes <3. Please keep us updated.

We have had a little set back of our own, Frans had a routine ct scan in June that showed some increased lymph node activity, a Pet that followed showed high uptake and a biopsy followed. We thought it was melanoma again.... but no melanoma and no thyroid cancer cells found. They are thinking about lymphoma now..he will undergo a surgical biopsy the 4th in order to be able to diagnose and stage adequately and we'll take it from there. Never a dull day in cancer land !

Love Dorothe

SGHSweethearts profile image
SGHSweethearts in reply to doulagirl

Dorothe,

I will be praying for Frans and the outcome of his biopsy. It is never a dull moment. EnJOY everyday.

Michele

kellyOd profile image
kellyOd in reply to doulagirl

Thank you for the kind words please let us know how the biopsy turns out! I have never heard something so true.. never a dull moment in cancer land. Amen!

missyrand profile image
missyrandAmbassador

Sounds like Ryan snuck in a treatment.

I hope the blood products improve his energy and stamina.

Waiting with you for outcome of the scope. I'm curious if pernicious anemia may be a side effect of all the treatments he's had that bears watching? Was this a steady ongoing drop or sudden?

peace to you both, Kelly.

missy

kellyOd profile image
kellyOd in reply to missyrand

Yes! He peeped through that one, usually they don’t allow treatment until blood work comes back but they let him have it. The RBC took a dive a while ago, but they scoped him and found nothing - then just treated the anemia And iron depletion. And the blood work before this one was the best it’s been in over a year. Took a huge nose dive - and now we are here. There has to be an ulcer or perforation.. 🙁 I would assume because of the long term steroids.

HSsweetheart profile image
HSsweetheart

Thanks for the update. Hope Ryan got my blood; like to think my bi monthly donations go to good use.

kellyOd profile image
kellyOd in reply to HSsweetheart

The donations are such gifts. Thank you for donating! I am not allowed to donate, neither is Ryan. So we appreciate those who do! ❤️

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