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.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Birthdays, birthdays everywhere!
We have had a busy weekend already and we still have Sunday to go. As you can see from the picture, Heidi had a soccer game yesterday. They beat this team at Rockdale 2-0 even though their team was short a player and the other team had 5 subs. Way to go, Orange Crush!! She had birthday parties Friday and Saturday night. I can't believe her friends are starting to turn 15. Two of her best friends got their learner's permit yesterday. Yikes! Her birthday will be here before we know it. Will had a birthday party yesterday and so did Ryan. Thanks, Shannon, for letting Ryan hang out with ya'll before and after Broderick's party. My mom and dad rode with us to Heidi's game and it was nice for them to get to go. We are having a party at our house today to celebrate what would have been my brother's 50th birthday. I am looking forward to that and hope to get some good pictures.
On the medical front, we got a call late Friday changing Ryan's schedule for the week. Dr. Haight (transplant dr.) doesn't want Ryan to get Topotecan this week. He will only get Cytoxan and in larger doses. He and Les will check in to SR on Tuesday for chemo Tuesday and Wednesday and that will be it. I guess we will learn more on those days about when and how he will get the Neupogen to boost his counts for the harvest. I hope it isn't shots cause I don't think I can give him shots. Also, he will have to have a temporary line put in for the harvest (not scheduled yet). His port is not strong enough for the apheresis machine and a larger line will be needed. Dr. Haight explained to us a few weeks ago that he will be put to sleep to put it in, but not to take it out. That taking out part will be a little creepy, I think. Also, Ryan will have an MIBG injection on Tuesday and scan on Wednesday. We aren't really sure what to pray for. If his scan comes back clear, he won't be eligible for the ABT-751 trial or any trial, but if it comes back clear, he has no cancer!! We have to believe though, that there are cells still there and they will just multiply again.
I go back to Emory on Monday for round 5. This last round went a little better with a dose reduction of my oral chemo. My hands and feet didn't burn as bad as before. Each round has been a little different so it is hard to predict what will happen next. I should get results from the ultra sound and biopsy from last week.
We are so looking forward to our mountain trip with the Pecks next week. The kids are out of school for 4 days and a weekend. We are going to have all kinds of fun. Please pray that this round of chemo isn't too hard on Ryan and that he will feel good on our trip. And please pray that whatever the results of his scan, we move in the right direction to keep the cancer away for years and years. Love, Les, Missy, Heidi, Will, and SuperRyan
