- 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.
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A month or two after Ryan was diagnosed and on treatment, I can remember how frightening it all was and just how were we going to make it through it all. Chemo, surgeries, transplants, ICU, all the pain and suffering Ryan had to endure as a high risk stage 4. We thought nothing could be worse, but we new he was getting better and the end of it all would come with his last dose of
Accutane. Then relapse. Well, Ryan isn't as sick during treatments now simply because he is not eligible for high dose
anything anymore. The agonizing is now at a new level for us though. Time feels like sand slipping through our fingers. We are floating in a sea of skewed statistics,
un-decipherable medical papers and tons of opinions based on hope and maybes. The truth is that decisions that are required right now will effect Ryan's very life, his happiness and comfort. The reality is there
are no answers yet that are acceptable. We are putting our faith in
ABT-751 to give Ryan the secure feeling he loves so much by not only being at home and near his family but the positives that came out of the phase one trial. This drug will be our hope for stabilizing him until the magic drug is found. His
MIBG scan was more difficult that normal yesterday. He is on an incredible amount of fluids due to this chemo so he goes to go to the bathroom every 40 minutes. Hi muscles were cramping, having to remain still for such long periods. Crocodile tears were streaming down his cheeks while he
layed in the machine. We were both so happy when it was finished. We start Friday giving him
Nuepogen shots at home until his numbers come high enough up for stem cell harvest. They will be stored for the possibility of use in the future. His Granddaddy stayed with him at the hospital last night and they will be coming home around lunch. We are still headed to the mountains for a few days. We are all looking forward to spending time with our good friends the Pecks.
Eatin,
shootin and four
wheelin, all Ryan's favorites. Sounds good to me too! Love Les, Missy, Heidi, Will and
SuperRyan
# posted by Ryan @ 10/25/2007 09:00:00 AM
: 11:31 PM 