Marrow for Marcus

Marrow for Marcus This page is dedicated to Marcus Ivankos medical journey!

07/05/2026

Today didnt start out well for marcus, but we are all good now. We had to get our ng tube replaced today as it came out over night a little bit and because we were upset fully came out after our morning meds... Im not sure i posted or updated everyone in a while our ng tube through our nose if for meds and nutrition. Marcus is still anti food. All food. No snacks no veggies no protein. He will drink milk most days today i will push more water through the ng because he is very no to all things right now. Food aversion is a real thing. I will be asking about a barium test this week to see if there is anything we have missed as to why we dont want to eat. Although i dont wish to see him go through yet another test it is vital that we figure out why he just wont eat and get off the ng feeds. I spoke with the team last week and they said as long as he has his brovic( the port is his chest we use for labs and infusions) we have to stay close to the hospital. We will wait for more labs to come back for the tma results our kidneys and liver are stable. Our platlets still deplete in about a weeks time. Platlets are what our body uses in defense to germs bacteria and viruses that make us sick. We do have an upcoming appointment near home that we did get approved to go to, we just have to follow precautions similar to covid. Mask when in public and wash and sanitize hands avoid excessive sunlight. We are planning to make it to the fundraiser at the end of July, but we have to do so safely. He might not make it all day but it will be great to see him smile and be around people who care and support him the most! Hoping to head back out here after church on Sunday, as thats something that i need for my own sanity. Happy sunday yall!

07/02/2026

Today we consulted an occupational therapist to address Marcus's food aversion, as he has been experiencing a lack of appetite. She recommended sensory food bins, so if anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to reach out through private message or other means - I am becoming increasingly desperate and willing to try any approach to encourage Marcus to eat. We have an early appointment at the clinic tomorrow at 8:45, which means we will need to initiate his NG feed at 6:30. Typically, Marcus sleeps in until at least 8:00 most mornings, so I would appreciate any support. We were able to obtain some resources and information, which has enabled me to advocate for Marcus's needs more effectively. Tomorrow, we will be discussing Marcus's status with Doctor H to determine how much longer we need to remain within close proximity to the hospital. Although this situation is unsettling, I am eager to establish a sense of normalcy at home, and I am sure Marcus feels the same way. We will also be reviewing Marcus's immune profile to assess his current status and stability.

We are eating! We ate 2/3 of a chips ahoy cookie and almost a whole bag of sun chips during our infusion of platelets. T...
06/29/2026

We are eating! We ate 2/3 of a chips ahoy cookie and almost a whole bag of sun chips during our infusion of platelets. Tma is not responding to the current infusion so next week we switch to a different one that is weekly so hopefully only once a week clinic visits?? As long as our platelets hang in there for him that should be the plan. Speech is still three days a week with a possible communication board device of course pending insurance approval. I see the light! Thank you God! Thank you friends and family for continued prayers! We are getting there!

Still struggling to eat this weekend two bites of a hot dog and a small bite of a cup cake was the highlight of today. W...
06/29/2026

Still struggling to eat this weekend two bites of a hot dog and a small bite of a cup cake was the highlight of today. We filled out the paperwork to take a leave for the boys event in July. It will be wonderful to see his supporters. Im so thankful for my kids. They have both been through soo much and still smile soo bright when they see each other even if its over messenger chats. The way Marcus gets giddy when he says sis sis! With such excitement fills my heart soo full, even if they are almost 200 miles apart. Still soo full of love and joy and watching that is literally what keeps me going day after day. They might not have a father figure around but they both know I love them more than they will ever need.

Poor little boy had a long day of walking around the hospital.i asked him if he wanted to walk and maybe see our deer fr...
06/26/2026

Poor little boy had a long day of walking around the hospital.i asked him if he wanted to walk and maybe see our deer friend in the cemetary and he fell asleep not even 5 minutes into our walk there.poor baby we just made a uturn and i propped him up on the couch. Update from today. I spoke to the physical therapist today and she agreed that he does enough walking and such we are on a great path back from recovery so he doesnt need that therapy. Speech therapy will be working on insurance approval for a communication board for him since he is very speech delayed. This isnt a new issue or from the transplant merely from my personal exhaustion and not working with him more when i got home from work. We had two different blessings from the church this week! We are so thankful for all the help as we financially struggle through this process. I have no idea how people go through this financially, it is very rough! We did get some disappointing news also which I am trying to navigate in my mind how? Blood cancer united doesnt recognize his disease as a qualifying condition, even though he has replaced all of his blood at least twice over throughout this process and we arent done yet. I will continue to look for resources to make his transition back home as simple as possible. The truth is he needs a home to come home to, and one way or another i will make that happen. Thats all folks stay humble yall!

Ah infusion day...and dressing change. And great news we dont need blood products this time!!! Ssscccooorree!!
06/26/2026

Ah infusion day...and dressing change. And great news we dont need blood products this time!!! Ssscccooorree!!

The cemetery right next door is beautiful and infusion day shinanigans lol
06/25/2026

The cemetery right next door is beautiful and infusion day shinanigans lol

Playground pics!
06/24/2026

Playground pics!

06/24/2026

We had a little outing to a near by park the kiddos both had fun before the sun uv rays were too much. Im so thankful for this small but huge sense of normal!

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