Alright. Phew.. a lot has happened. A lot. Let me start off by saying I will absolutely have the radiologists medical credentials sealed in a hand bag when I’m done. That fiasco will be dealt with in due time. As for Ryan’s state of being, we were able to get an Oncology Surgeon on board that takes on the hardest cases that no other doctor will typically touch. What we know is that the obstruction in his small intestine was most likely a melanoma met (pathology of course will confirm). It was pretty large, was almost a complete obstruction. Which is why his stomach pain has persisted for a great deal of time now. We now know the constipation most likely wasn’t real. And the pain was originating and building up from the obstruction. He had a large tumor causing the blockage, and two lesions in the same spot higher up in his small intestine essentially turning into the same thing, but they were smaller. The surgeon went in and removed 36cm of bowel - which contained all lesions involved. Those were the only lesions showing up on his PET scan, and they were taken out surgically. Which is awesome. But we all know that doesn’t mean much if the cancer is attempting to make a move. It would be a matter of time until another one pops up if that’s what the devil decides. He is still admitted, but NG tube is now out. NG tube was sucking out any stomach contents that had no where to go. But 1 day after surgery and it was not pulling anything which means it now is taking its natural path. He is in a great deal of pain. Considering he just got his abdomen rearranged. But he is fairing well and will be attempting to walk later this evening. Game plan is to heal as good, and as fast as possible and continue on treatment to keep this monster away. The course of treatment is TBD. Do we stay on Keytruda that eliminated everything else? Or do we try another FDA approved combo. Atezolizumab - Vemurafinib - Cobimetinib. Ryan did not fair well on a dual therapy, so I’m not sure if that will be the course of action. Definitely has to be discussed. Once the bowel heals and functions correctly he will be able to eat without restrictions and go back to normal life. He is happy to be alive. If the surgeon did not take the case, this would have been a life or death situation. Which would quite honestly piss me off.. (obviously..) that the cancer essentially didn’t take him, a complication of a lesion would have. And surgeons don’t like touching stage 4 mets of any kind they would rather systemic treatment until failure. Ugh, anywho. I weaseled my way into the hospital. Which I had to get approved by the head honcho here. But thank god, because I’ve been here everyday he has been besides the first night.
Thanking god today for his continued blessings and yet again another chance to put melanoma to shame. He’s overcome so much, he will continue to do so.
Much love from MD xoxo
New member — husband stage IV melanoma