Sudden Anemia

My husband has been struggling with kidney cancer for 5 years and it always seems like there is something new that we never expected.  In 06 we discovered metastasis to the right upper lung lobe.  The entire lobe was removed and he maintained limited metastasis in the upper left lung lobe, yet growing.  It appeared that the Interleukin 2 high dose treatments, Nexavar and Sutent did not make a significant difference.  The tumor in the upper left lung lobe was removed in Oct. 07, followed by a few days later removing a tumor in the upper left lobe of the brain.  In addition to gamma knife radiation to another brain tumor in the brain stem.  We were optimistic that the cancer would just slow down.  Now, new tumors, very small are showing up on the right adrenal gland, outside of the intestines, 2 lymph nodes in the chest very close to the lungs, and in the hip bone area - (the stem portion of the ball)  Suddenly, a lung infection started and apparent bleeding through the intestines.  There was a sudden change in the hematocrit %.  It fell down to 24% before the blood transfusion just a few days ago.  There has been a colonoscopy with no evidence of cancer.  Tomorrow the small intestines will be evaluated.  We did not expect the anemia.  Do any of you have experience with sudden anemia that did not result from cancer treatments?  My husband has not received cancer meds since last fall - so that has not brought about the anemia.  What can we expect in our future?  

I'm sorry to hear of your husband's battle. I am in my second year with stage 4 cancer. I can't help with your anemia but wanted to ask you some questions. When you husband found out he had cancer, did he change his diet and or take nutritional supplements or did he continue to eat as he had before the diagnosis? I'm trying to research what others have done other than regular treatment (such as sutent). If I can learn from others, perhaps I may have a step up on the cancer early in the 'game'. Thanks, Laura

Laura,

   My husband did not change his diet in any way.  He has over the years lost appetite and ate simple things like yogurt, due to indigestion.  We never thought or sought out alternative routes of treatment.  Maybe we should have...Best wishes and keep up the fight.  Roxane