Ryan's Islet Cell Transplant Journey

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Ryan's Islet Cell Transplant Journey

This is the journey of Ryan Spittka's Islet cell transplant from the eyes of Lisa Halsey Bloomer

28/04/2026

Yesterday marked the 3-year anniversary of Ryan’s life-saving TPIAT surgery, so we celebrated by living life to the fullest in Gatlinburg with friends ❤️

We packed so much into one day—visited the Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum, drove Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (and of course I had to stop and get in the stream 😅)and rode a mountain coaster!

Then we headed to SkyPark where I FINALLY crossed the entire bridge—something I couldn’t do in 2021 when I turned around halfway because I freaked out! We enjoyed the views, checked out Tulip Tower and found TWO pressed penny machines for my collection!
The mountains were calling! We had to answer!

A full day, full hearts, and so much gratitude for how far Ryan has come. 💙

03/07/2025

I really don't think that most people (including Ryan) realize how serious Chronic Pancreatitis is. I truly believe that if Ryan didn't have the TPIAT he wouldn't be with us today 💔

27/06/2025

Hey y'all! Sorry it's been so long since our last post but time flies by! I've told Ryan several times that I needed to update so here it is!!

The fact that we stay so busy that I haven't had time to update should speak volumes!
We are now 26 months post op! 🎉🥳
Ryan has officially transferred his GI care from MUSC to Bon Secours! Honestly, it's bittersweet! I'm gonna miss our little trips to Charleston ☹️

We just got back from vacation! We took a cruise! I can't lie, I was very nervous about having him on a ship FAR away from his doctors (I didn't tell him that 😅) but everything was good! We took extra Dexcoms, omnipods and insulin just incase so that made me feel better ☺️ we did find out that getting through security was a little difficult. They didn't understand his devices 🤯 We stopped at 2 ports back to back but he hung in there!

What really encouraged me to make this post was what we did today! We took a little hike to a waterfall! Y'all have no idea how proud I am of him! I honestly never thought I would see the day that he could or would go on a hike with me again! We went on a hike back in 2019 right before he got really sick. By the end of the hike he seriously didn't look good. He was miserable in so many ways.
But today...he did great and actually looked like he enjoyed himself 😁

So if you or someone you know suffers from Chronic Pancreatitis, this surgery is the answer!
If you recently had a TPIAT- Hang in there!! It gets easier and it's totally worth it!
And even tho I'm crazy busy, my inbox is always open if you have any questions about Ryan's journey!
Here's a few pics of Ryan living life without a pancreas! (And a few other organs🤣)

Love always, Ryan & Lisa

23/11/2024

Rylee Gessell and I took a quick trip to meet up with Mia’s Total Pancreatectomy with Islet Cell Auto-transplant TPIAT Journey in Charleston for her ONE YEAR check up! She is doing great! We grabbed dinner, ice cream and walked around the market! I can't wait to see them again ❤️ We love you Mia Miller & Adam Miller! We missed you Melissa Martin Miller 😘

15/10/2024

It's been 18 months since Ryan's life changing surgery! 🎉
I'm sorry I don't get on this page and update y'all very often anymore but we are busy LIVING life!
Ryan spend most of his days running the boys wherever they need to go, cleaning up the house, coaching whatever sport the boys are involved in, cutting grass and just recently started doing small electrical jobs! He can't work for long periods at a time but he's putting that degree to work and getting out of the house! Honestly I think that has been the best thing for his mental health!
So if you are thinking about doing this surgery...DO IT! You won't regret it! I wish he had the surgery sooner to be honest!
Thank y'all for your continued love and support! It means everything!
And if you are on this page because you are thinking about having this surgery you can always message us with any questions!
Love always, Ryan & Lisa

22/06/2024

Otw from 🌊☀️
We had such a good week! SO much better than last year. Last year Ryan was only 6 weeks post op and didn't have his insulin pump yet.
This year he hung in there with us! No naps! I'm so proud of him 🧡

20/06/2024

This is our 4th year in Myrtle Beach together. We eat here every year. This is the first year we have been and Ryan has been able to eat / enjoy it!
His TPAIT surgery wasn't easy but it was SO worth it!
Here is is a pic of my first round 🤣

29/05/2024

Hey everyone its Ryan! I dont post much on here but I just wanted to give an update! Its been over a year now since surgery and things are going well. Of course not without its ups and downs, but I would do the surgery again tomorrow. I've been given the gift of a new normal life with my family that I don't want to take for granted.

If you are thinking of having this surgery, I wanna say YES for you. You won't regret it. I am always open to answer questions!

27/04/2024

1 year ago today Ryan had his pancreas and spleen removed and a Islet Cell transplant. All together the surgery was about 15 hours. The part of the story that i didn't share with y'all last year...He was supposed to be off the vent by 6 pm but he crashed after the first half of the surgery so it was best for him to stay sedated and on the vent. I was terrified. I didn't want to talk about it and I definitely didn't want share these pics.
The last year has been a really long road. The physical recovery we were prepared for, the mental recovery, not so much. He has fought so hard and jumped many hurdles in the past year but he hasn't given up!
Everyday he gets mentally and physically better! Just last night he coached the boys in flag football and they won!
As hard as this surgery was, it was life changing! Even on his hardest days I ask him sometimes "Would you do the surgery again?" His response "I would do it again tomorrow if I had to"
So if you are following our journey because you are thinking about having this surgery...DO IT! If you are following our journey because you've recently had this surgery...hang in there! If you are following our journey because you have been praying for us...THANK YOU!
I know I haven't been posting as much as I used to and I'm sorry for that but thankfully we are busy living life 🧡

17/04/2024

One year ago today I started this page so y'all could follow along Ryan's journey and here we are at MUSC for his 1 year follow up!
Thank you to everyone that has prayed for us and shared encouraging words with us in the last year! It's been a wild ride but we would do it all over again!

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