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.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
"Mackie, STAY!"
Here is Ryan's newest buddy, Mackie, our "Chinese Guard Dog". He is a great dog! He sleeps on Ryan's bed and follows him around everywhere. Les took Ryan to the clinic today and he had a good checkup. He weighed in at 44 pounds. I was hoping for a little more. We didn't get his counts yet, and should get the catecholomine results early next week. He will have a CT and MIBG in December. I know Ryan doesn't miss having a scan every 3 months, but it is reassuring. He had a bone-age scan of his hand. They use this to determine if growth is stagnant or just dormant. I think they are a little concerned that he hasn't grown much. Preliminary results from the radiologist are that it is just dormant. They did mention giving him growth hormones if it looked favorable. The guys had the usual stop at Steak and Shake on the way home. We got his adenoid surgery scheduled for Oct. 20. Please pray that it goes well and that it takes care of his runny nose. It will be so great if it works. I wanted to tell you briefly about the Quiet Heroes Luncheon I went to last weekend. I was honored to sit with some of the most awesome people in the room, the Aflac nurses, particularly our favorites, Dawn and Erica. I didn' t tell you that Erica was Ryan's "girlfriend" at Camp Sunshine this past summer. He can always find the pretty girls. I learned that his counselor friend, Matt, is Jill Becker's son. Jill has been an anchor on the morning news in Atlanta for many years. She knew Ryan the instant I spoke to her about him. He makes friends so easily. Matt had had cancer when he was 3 years old! Maybe someday Ryan will be a counselor and befriend a little boy like himself. I didn't know the luncheon raised almost $11o,ooo last year. I know this year it will go even higher. I did manage to secure a dinner from the silent auction for Les' birthday. I would really like to thank Chris Glavine, Kristin Conner, Jill Becker, and all the others who put this event together. Won't it be awesome when our cure is found? Ryan is doing well in school and soccer. He had a game tonight and one Tuesday night. They won both. Heidi and Will are doing great, except that Will hurt his knee pretty badly tonight at soccer practice. We may end up at the dr.s tomorrow. Thanks for checking in on us and please continue to pray for Ryan. He has some friends that really need your prayers, as well. Please pray for Maddie, Nathan, Dustin, Taylor, Martin, and Patrick. We need that cure! Much love, Les, Missy, Heidi, Will, and SuperRyan
