We have decided to create a CaringBridge website to keep you updated in one place regarding our Dad’s medical journey. We appreciate all of your support, prayers and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.
Let’s start with a quick recap of the back story and get you up to speed.
In late 2020 a mass was discovered in Rick’s kidney after complaining of back pain. In March of 2021 he underwent a left nephrectomy. Pathology results showed the mass was Stage 2 sarcomatoid urothelial carcinoma. The doctors stated that the tumor was incapsulated within the kidney and all looked well. They did state that this was a rare and aggressive cancer with little information known about it. He continued to follow up routinely with his urologist and oncologist with his 3 month scan in June showing clear.
On October 7th, Rick was unable to make it to the barn for milking, and those that know my dad, know that meant something was wrong! He complained of back and leg pain/weaknesses but we saw something more was wrong. He was brought to the emergency room and admitted at Burnett Medical Center where a slue of issues were discovered including severe dehydration, sepsis secondary to UTI, acute renal failure, low hemoglobin, high white blood cell count and more.
Over the course of a few days, many tests were ran and the nursing staff worked hard to keep him comfortable while trying to find him a bed at a higher level care facility. During this time, he was unable to sit, stand or walk on his own. He was most comfortable laying flat but even then was experiencing pain. Hopes were that an MRI would pinpoint what was causing such havoc and was scheduled for October 13th.
On October 14th, the MRI results gave us an answer but not what we wanted to hear. It showed a mass that was pushing against his spinal column along with other cancer like lesions to the spinal canal and sacrum.
Now it was time to push hard for a higher level care facility and fast. Although it took a few days, thanks to the nursing staff we were able to get his MRI results in front of his urologist and oncologist in St Croix on October 18th. The oncologist ordered an immediate transfer and he was transferred to Abbott Northwestern arriving in the early morning hours of October 19th.
Once at Abbott, they moved quickly, running a lot of tests and collecting medical history. A biopsy was completed on October 20th.
On the evening October 21st, the oncologists confirmed it was the same cancer as previously found in his kidney and wanted to begin radiation treatment immediately. He received his first treatment that night.
Oncology met with us on October 22nd to give us the details. The biopsy results showed Stage 4 recurrent sarcomatoid urothelial carcinoma with metastasis to spine, pelvis, soft tissue and bone. It is believed to have originated from his left kidney that was removed in March.
The current treatment plan is 10 treatments of radiation at Abbott; started 10/21 and final will be Wednesday 11/3. The hope is that radiation will shrink the tumor enough to relieve the pressure on his spinal column and help him gain his mobility back. Unfortunately it was determined that surgery was not an option to remove the tumor.
Following radiation, pending how he is doing with weakness/mobility and barring no additional complications he will be discharged home (with help) or to a transitional care unit. They will be assessing his progress throughout radiation to determine which would be best fit for him at the time.
Following discharge from Abbott, his future cancer treatment will be referred back to his oncologist in St Croix Falls to begin chemotherapy and then also followed by immunotherapy.
We will do our best to keep you all updated while we focus on Dad’s care and getting him well enough to return home.
I just wanted to take a moment to say Thank You on behalf of the Melin family to everyone for your prayers and support during this difficult time. I truly appreciate the love we have been shown through calls, texts, visits, food, flowers, donations, cards, kind words and sharing happy memories of Dad.
Thank you to Pastor John Peterson at Zion Lutheran Church of Trade Lake for the service, Bonnie Wicklund for playing the piano, Beth Bartlett for allowing those who couldn't join us in person to be with us virtually through Zoom, Connie Knauber and the women of the church who baked, served, set up and cleaned up for us. Thank you to Pat Taylor at Swedberg Taylor Funeral Home and his crew for their services and compassionate support through the process.
Thank you to the nurses and doctors at Burnett Medical Center, Abbott Northwestern and St. Croix Hospice that took care of Dad over the past weeks and have continued to follow his journey and show their support.
I am so grateful for this community and the many tributes that have been expressed to the family, you have certainly played a huge role in carrying us through.
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