About Me
- Name: Ryan
- Location: Athens, Ga, United States
Our son Ryan was diagnosed with stage 4 Neuroblastoma in 2004. In 2007, my wife Missy was diagnosed with stage 2 triple negative breast cancer. On July 8th, 2009, Missy lost her battle to this horrible disease. 2 days later, on July 10th, Ryan also lost his. Together forever, they both watch over our family now from the heavens above. Below is our families journey through Ryan's treatments, along with the joy and laughter we tried to instill into our daily lives. Those days helped us all cope with the pain and suffering that comes with cancer and it's deadly treatments. Both Missy and Ryan endured high doses of chemo, radiation and surgeries. Over 150 nights spent in the hospital and many, many more days. More transfusions than I could count. Yet both Missy and Ryan took on each day with a positive attitude and warm smile for all their friends. We miss them terribly. They will always be a shining light in our lives.
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Got a Good Report
Dr. Haight was very impressed with Ryan today and even gave us the go-ahead to eat apples and oranges as long as we can wash them with soap. He ate one of each as soon as we got home. Don't you know they were delish! He goes back for another check-up on Monday and will be re-admitted on Wednesday the 5th for the next transplant. We are getting so close to the end of his treatment, we can almost taste it. Please keep praying for his cure. Love, Les, Missy, Heidi, Will, and SuperRyan :)
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
We are all having a great time at home. Ryan is feeling and eating well. He wants everything he can't have, like fresh fruits and raw veggies. I probably won't be able to force those things on him when he can have them. His friend, Matt, is here to play today. They are having a ball. We go back in tomorrow for a check-up and will hopefully get a date for his next (and last!!!) admission. Caroline goes in tomorrow for her first transplant. Please pray for her and her family. Happy New Year!!!! Love, Les and Missy
Friday, December 24, 2004
Just can't wait till morning...
The kids are so excited about tomorrow, the timing on this hospital break between transplants could not have been better. With the kids out of school and Santa coming, Ryan is in a completely different (better) world than he has been used to. "FORM" sent us a very special treat two nights ago...see below. Thank you to all for your continued prayers, support, gifts, cards and love, it has been received from all over the US and Canada. Going through the daily routines are so much easier knowing we have friends like you out there helping to make Ryan better.
Thank you, thank you, and have a very Merry Christmas!
Les & Missy
Thank you, thank you, and have a very Merry Christmas!
Les & Missy
Santa has a tight grip on that little guy, I think he's loving it !!
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Merry Christmas
I want to give you an opportunity to give a powerful gift and to receive one, as well. Visit Hayley's website at
http://www2.caringbridge.org/ga/hayley/ and read about their incredible strength and faith. Hayley is now an angel in heaven and, no doubt, you will find unbelievable sadness when you read about her journey, so be prepared-but, you will also find a sincerity and sweetness that will draw you in to learn more about her. She has a gift to give and, maybe you will be moved to send a message to her family that will give them comfort. Les and I did not send out Christmas cards this year. Some of you may remember our Aflac cards we sent out last year (freaky, isn't it?). We want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas filled with much love and joy- and,as always, thank you for your love and support and your prayers for Ryan and our family.
http://www2.caringbridge.org/ga/hayley/ and read about their incredible strength and faith. Hayley is now an angel in heaven and, no doubt, you will find unbelievable sadness when you read about her journey, so be prepared-but, you will also find a sincerity and sweetness that will draw you in to learn more about her. She has a gift to give and, maybe you will be moved to send a message to her family that will give them comfort. Les and I did not send out Christmas cards this year. Some of you may remember our Aflac cards we sent out last year (freaky, isn't it?). We want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas filled with much love and joy- and,as always, thank you for your love and support and your prayers for Ryan and our family.
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Monday, December 20, 2004
Smiles are back, appetite is back and we're back (at home:)
Well, it's Monday and after only 4 nights at the Marriott, Ryan's labs and check-up came back well enough to let us all come home for at least a couple of weeks before transplant #2. It is so great to see him and Will sitting in the same chair, or all of us around the dinner table. He is very curious about all the gifts under our tree and seems to be catching the spirit of Christmas, at last. We all are now that he is home. I just can't say how wonderful it is, to finally have us all under the same roof. Thank you everyone for your prayers and support. Les, Missy, and especially, Ryan
Friday, December 17, 2004
Freedom, Oh yes!!
Ryan got "off the pole" Wed. night and took 6 laps around the nurse's station. We left Egleston on Thursday around 1:00. Sara, the Child Life Specialist, let him spend the last of his BMT Bucks. She let him pick out a gift for me and Les from a Holiday event sponsored by the wives of the Falcons. He loved wrapping them up. Our first night at the Marriott wasn't too bad. We have 2 bedrooms, 2 baths,and a kitchen. I have to prepare everything he eats, which isn't much right now. He still has to have IV fluids overnight and some IV meds. The home health nurse came out to the hotel to show me how to do it all. Will and Heidi are coming down later. He misses them so much. I know they will give him the strength and motivation to feel better.
Monday, December 13, 2004
Three More Sleeps !!!
Our docs told us this morning that we should be ready to go on Thursday. What great news. Ryan is feeling lots better. He kicked my butt today at a few Sponge Bob games and is walking more laps everyday. His sense of humor was quick to return with some (boy) ideas on his poop and an empty coke can. You can imagine. Heidi and Will came yesterday for about 15 minutes. They talked through the glass on walkie-talkies. His ANC has been over 500 for 3 days now, we just have to get off the Morphine (a slow process) and other meds. He got Grand-daddy's platelets this morning. We have been so blessed to have my Dad donate platelets regularly. They are not as easy to come by as red blood cells. We have also been blessed with so many prayers. Thanks to everyone so much and keep up the good work.
Friday, December 10, 2004
Home Sweet Home Away From Home
We are out of ICU. Yahoo!!! Ryan is feeling better and his white count is beginning to go up. They will start to wean him off of the Morphine and Nausea drips. His itch is a little better. He wants to break out of here.
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
A huge heartfelt thank you to Sheri Smith and Deanna Shoemake (and everyone else who worked so hard) for making all this happen for Ryan
A Community Comes Together
Even though we were not able to attend, we can tell by these pictures what a great event this was. Thank you, Ken, for taking the pictures for us. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard cooking, selling tickets, setting up, serving, cleaning up, and getting it all organized. Ya'll are just so great and we will never forget it.
Ryan has an infection in his intestinal tract and needed to be moved to ICU to manage it. Please pray for his strength to kick this out really quickly so we can move back to our penthouse suite on the Aflac floor. Many thanks again, Les and Missy
Ryan has an infection in his intestinal tract and needed to be moved to ICU to manage it. Please pray for his strength to kick this out really quickly so we can move back to our penthouse suite on the Aflac floor. Many thanks again, Les and Missy
The Official Dinner Badge :) Did you get yours?
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Hanging In There
Not much has changed. His fever goes away for a day or so and then comes back. His tummy hurts a lot. The doctors think it is cramps in his intestinal tract. He started his Neupogen yesterday, which is to boost growth of blood cells. His white blood count was .14 yesterday and is .11 today, so maybe this is the beginning of engraftment. Cross your fingers. He has been on a combination of meds for nausea that makes him very irritable. It keeps life interesting.:) Tonight is the Spaghetti Supper. Ryan and I both wish we could be there to see all our friends. We miss everybody so much. Thanks to FORM and to everyone who bought a ticket. Love, Missy
Saturday, December 04, 2004
Nurse Practitioner, Ellen, giving Ryan his stem cells as his wonderful nurse, Dawn, watches.
Ryan and his class and teacher, Mrs. Wheeler on his last day of school
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Oh #@*&*%$!!!
We've got fever, pain, nausea, and lots of drugs. Ryan started running a fever overnight and they have started multiple antibiotics. He is having a hard time getting the Tylenol down. They tell us this is normal and to be expected, but that doesn't make it any easier. He has a morphine pump like he had after surgery. We are trying hard to get him to walk laps which is very important right now. Please pray for strength, and please pray for a little 21 month old girl, Hayley, who has leukemia. They are in need of a miracle. Love, Les and Missy
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
IT'S DONE !!!!!
Ryan got his harvested cells about 11:20 this morning. He did great; a little tearful, a little nauseated. He asked if he threw up, would he throw up his good cells. I think that's pretty smart and terribly sweet, but I am his mom.:) He still isn't eating, but they started his IV nutrition last night. I will post a few pictures this weekend when I go home. Please Keep Praying. Love, Missy and Les
