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, November 30, 2008
House Pics
Isn't it beautiful? We absolutely love it. Thank ya'll again so very much! If you click on the pictures, it will make it bigger. See if you can find the great message on the tree!
and more
Saturday, November 29, 2008
More Beach Pics
Me and Les, Cheryl and Gramma and Grampa celebrating Cheryl's birthday a day early, and Ryan and Macie.Beach Pics
We are so thankful!!
We are home from the beach! We just don't know where to begin to thank everyone. Thank you, Melinda for setting up the whole trip. It was just what we needed. We spent the entire day Thursday on the beach. The weather was gorgeous as you can see. The first picture is Ryan and Jay Peck out in the kayak. They flipped it shortly after this picture! The other picture is Ryan, Les, and Les' sister, Cheryl.
We owe another big thank you to the entire Peck family for joining us at Grayton. We always have such a great time with them and we love them dearly.
Jimmy is back in Vegas, Cheryl is back in Hawaii. We had a wonderful visit with them and we owe them a big thanks for coming out to see us. Thank you, Cheryl, for taking such good care of me.
We had a huge surprise waiting for us when we got home. Our house has been decorated for Christmas! It is absolutely gorgeous. They didn't leave a room without a surprise. There are towels and soap in the bathrooms, dish towels and cookies and treats in the kitchen, and treats in each bedroom including a stocking and pj bottoms for each of us. There is a life size singing Santa and a gorgeous live Christmas tree with a train around it. We are finding new little surprises everytime we turn around. Thank you Chuck, Robin, Caitlin, Emily, and Zack Pitts, Dodi M., The Greens, Katherine Davis, The Blantons, The Hess family, Jason ("Ricky Bobby"), Beth, Lynn, Robert, Cathy, Deanna, and Grace Ann. Ya'll are amazing. You have definitely put us in the Christmas spirit. We are so thankful for your hard work and your generosity. I am going to post pictures of the house after this post. I can only post a couple of pics at a time. Thanks everyone for checking in on us and for your prayers. We love ya'll! Love, Les, Missy, Heidi, Will, and SuperRyan
Monday, November 24, 2008
Gettin' Tanked!
We are posting from the Aflac clinic today. We got here just a little after 8 this morning and should be out sometime before 4. What a long day, but I am so glad I got to see so many of our nurses, drs, and other folks that work so hard taking care of all these sweet children. Patty has taken fabulous care of Ryan and I. His uncle Jim came with us to keep Ryan busy and happy with the video games. He got blood and platelets to give him a little boost. We have decided to take a little get-away trip for Thanksgiving. It won't be same not being at the farm with my family, but we're trading in for what I know will be some much needed fun, rest, and probably a little mischief! Our friends, the Pecks are coming with us as well as Les' parents and his sister, Cheryl. We have been having a great visit with them. My friend Karen's parents' church brought in an entire ready to cook Thanksgiving dinner for us to throw in the car and take with us. Thank you everyone at Corinth! That was so perfect! Well, I need to get back and check on Ryan. You can't leave him and Jim unsupervised for too long! :) Thanks for checking in on us and for your many, many prayers. We love ya'll and we hope you have a very happy, full, and blessed Thanksgiving. Love, Les, Missy, Heidi, Will, and SuperRyan
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Back on Chemo
Ryan checked in with his Dr. today. No word on his counts yet, I'm sure they are just barely OK. We will start the 1st of 5 days of IV chemo here at the house. It is so much easier for us to take care of it here while he's sleeping and he is far less likely to get sick. We are also hoping that we can start radiation quickly here in Athens, what a break that would be not to have to drive to Emory everyday. Ryan's question to Dr. George was "will my hair fall back out with this chemo"? - No. "Can I get my Ommaya Port out"? - No. "Can I get this plate out of my head"? - No. There you go. We are all looking forward to the arrival of Jimmy and Grandma and Grandpa, just two more days! A little bird has told me that Missy had some good news over on her page..hmmm... Thanks for being there for us and sending a loud and clear request to the big guy! Lots of love, Les, Missy, Heidi, Will and SuperRyan
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Relax it's only cancer
It was a smooth, efficient day at Scottish today. About an hour and 3/4's to finish up. The spot on his knee did not look to have increased in size from the last scan and for that I am very thankful. There was a smaller spot on his shoulder also. I took the opportunity to tell Ryan there was a little something on his knee. He immediately looked me straight in the eye, worried, and asked if it was DIC, I said "no, it's just a little cancer" he said "whew" . Amazing. We then swung by the neurosurgeons office and agreed on 2 more weeks of Keppra at half dose and then he is finished with that medicine after 7 months, Yeah!!
I am expecting some low dose chemo and radiation to take care of this two spots and move on from there. Thank you as always for keeping such a caring eye on our Ryan. Sincerely, Les, Missy, Heidi, Will and SuperRyan
I am expecting some low dose chemo and radiation to take care of this two spots and move on from there. Thank you as always for keeping such a caring eye on our Ryan. Sincerely, Les, Missy, Heidi, Will and SuperRyan
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Perspective...
Missy's mom and dad took Ryan down to Scottish today for his MIBG injection. Scan will be first thing in the morning. It wasn't too long ago that we would stress like crazy during this time. Now tomorrow is just another scan and the stress has moved to chemo at Emory for Missy. Everyday is stressful. She is doing so well compared to last week. It gives you that feeling like, "are you mess'in with me"? So even though we are on our way to image a know spot on Ryan's leg, and praying it has not spread, Missy's urgent situation is just so much greater. So we are praying for smooth sailing tomorrow and just no bad news.
Off to the left, under "Links", Missy now has her own page. It has sure taken off with the number of visitors, now if we could just get it updated!! Thank you for holding this family in your thoughts and prayers. Love Les, Missy, Hedi, Will and SuperRyan
Off to the left, under "Links", Missy now has her own page. It has sure taken off with the number of visitors, now if we could just get it updated!! Thank you for holding this family in your thoughts and prayers. Love Les, Missy, Hedi, Will and SuperRyan
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Correction
Apparently that was Jeff Foxworthy! that came over with his brother Jay yesterday. Thanks for bringing him out with you Jay, I can see where he gets his sence of humor from! And again, many, many thanks for all you have done for Ryan. He will not forget it. (Smith said Jeff could take a little joke!)
Missy has had another good day, busy, busy. She made it to Heidi's soccer game for a while and got to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine. She has eaten more today than in the last 5. Still not much but better than nothing. Thank you for all your notes and visits to Missy, I truly believe they have lifted her spirits way beyond where I thought it was possible. Love, Les Missy, Heidi, Will and SuperRyan.
Missy has had another good day, busy, busy. She made it to Heidi's soccer game for a while and got to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine. She has eaten more today than in the last 5. Still not much but better than nothing. Thank you for all your notes and visits to Missy, I truly believe they have lifted her spirits way beyond where I thought it was possible. Love, Les Missy, Heidi, Will and SuperRyan.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
A good day
Just can't keep a good women down. My game plan was to keep Missy in a tranquil environment and hopefully avoid coughing and nausea. That is clearly not her element. She had a very good day with many visitors.
Ryan has been waiting on a very special present from his good friend Jay and his brother Geoff. Today they came out to the house with Ryan's kill, a beautifully mounted deer. Ryan has a very special plan for the 7 point that he has shared with just a few people. I will let you know after completion. Thank you both for making Ryan's day, Jay had us all in stitches. 
Thank you to all our friends that came over to help us out today. It was great medicine for Missy and Ryan. Love Les, Missy, Heidi, Will and SuperRyan
Friday, November 07, 2008
Missy
There are a lot of things that are wrong in this world. Tonight, Missy and I had to tell our three beautiful children that their mommy is dying. The only thing possibly worse than that, is losing a child. We have appreciated the support from all of our family and friends so much over the years since we started SuperRyan. I never, in a million years thought that I would have to type this on his page. Missy has been every bit as amazing as Ryan while fighting this hideous disease. She was full bore right up until last week, never a complaint about her condition, just constant worry about Ryan and the rest of us. It is still her main concern. I am not sure how and when Missy will be able to handle visitors, it may be just hit or miss depending on how she is feeling. She is on a number of medications for pain, cough and sleep. Our hospital appointments have been changed to Hospice care, our nurse will be here on Saturday. I will plan on having a book by the back door that you can sign if you stop by and she is not able to visit. I am asking for no food...it is a stressor just getting it together, getting everyone sat down and cleaning it all up, also, finicky kids don't help. Thank you for being there for us, praying for us and letting Missy know how much she is loved.
Sincerely, Les
PRAY
Missy did not get much rest last night. We had thought that after the full day she had yesterday and more laughter than the Dr. would have ordered, she would sleep a lot of the night. Her Chemo was relatively uneventful. Only sick one time. She is very tired today. We are waiting on two more units of blood, bringing her total to 6 units this week, and then plan to head home. It is going to be a very difficult weekend for our family, please pray for the strength and guidance we will need. Please pray for our children who have been through more than a child needs to go through in an entire life time. We thank you for your notes and calls and apologize for not returning most of them. Every moment Missy has to rest is greatly needed. We have a nurse coming to the house on Sunday to have blood work done for a Monday morning appointment. Thank you for your patients with me. Love to all of Missy and Ryan's awesome support team. Les, Missy, Heidi, Will and SuperRyan
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Still at Emory
We are missing the kids terribly. Missy had her first round of chemo tonight as her battle starts to regain her health. The original cancer has metathesized and has also created a secondary and more dangerous effect called DIC. She is unbelievably brave and determined to win no matter what is required. Her family, friends and faith have kept her in good spirits for the most part. We are very anxious to hopefully get home tomorrow to be with Heidi, Will and Ryan. I am hoping she will let go of them long enough for me to get a hug or two in! We wait daily for labs to help with daily decisions. We will have a nurse at the house on Sunday to take labs. There have been many ups and downs in a very short period of time. It is hard for her to talk without coughing and getting very nauseous. She just doesn't have the air capacity at this time. Pray, pray, pray, that's all we can ask. Love Les, Missy, Heidi, Will and SuperRyan, who, went back to school today for the first time in more than 6 weeks, good job Ryan :)
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
A New Record
You are not going to believe it but Ryan and I flew home today. NO treatment required ! We spent a short 20 hours in NY because Dr. Kramer said Ryan was her first patient to acquire the max. radiation/3f8 dosage after just one test round and one treatment. So that means we are finished traveling to NY for a while. We were two happy campers. The real benefit was we were able to come home early and be with Missy. She is still at Emory. We have a couple of markers to hit before she will be released. Please pray for the strength that Missy needs to get her home safely. Les, Missy, Heidi, Will and record setting SuperRyan
Back in NY
We arrived at Sloan last night with out a problem. Ryan an I were getting a little dinner at the airport and were going to get some snackers for the fight. I told Ryan "let's swing by the gate right quick and see whats going on", well, there was no one at the gate, all had boarded! oops! made our flight though.
The team here in NY gets a little perturbed when we show up at 7pm instead of 1pm, buts that's the way rock stars do it. I just can't see why they want us up here so early?
Missy had a rough night last night mainly due to the heavy drugs. Karen said she was saying some pretty funny things and cussed out a nurse. I don't think she will remember any of it. They only did the two biopsies yesterday, the port placement is happening right now. Once her loopyness wears off, she will be able to go home and rest, hopefully comfortably.
Missy needs your prayers more than ever right now. Les, Missy, Heidi, Will and SuperRyan
The team here in NY gets a little perturbed when we show up at 7pm instead of 1pm, buts that's the way rock stars do it. I just can't see why they want us up here so early?
Missy had a rough night last night mainly due to the heavy drugs. Karen said she was saying some pretty funny things and cussed out a nurse. I don't think she will remember any of it. They only did the two biopsies yesterday, the port placement is happening right now. Once her loopyness wears off, she will be able to go home and rest, hopefully comfortably.
Missy needs your prayers more than ever right now. Les, Missy, Heidi, Will and SuperRyan
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Staying positive
Missy checked into Emory on Sunday. Her cough and head pain has not given her a break for weeks now. Today, she will be having a series of tests to hopefully give us a clear picture on a direction to get her back to feeling 100%. If the schedule holds up, she should be home tonight, but results not for a few days. Ryan and I head back to NY for the last time this year. He will get the final two rounds in January. He has an MIBG scan scheduled for next Thursday to see what's changed in his leg since his last scan. During the break from NY, he will likely have to under go more radiation and chemo.
I know I don't need to say how very worry some the next two weeks are for Missy and I, but we could sure use an extra pray and a positive thought or two, to make it though. We thank you for that, love always, Les, Missy, Heidi, Will and SuperRyan
I know I don't need to say how very worry some the next two weeks are for Missy and I, but we could sure use an extra pray and a positive thought or two, to make it though. We thank you for that, love always, Les, Missy, Heidi, Will and SuperRyan
Saturday, November 01, 2008
He's home and loving it!
You can relax. Ryan has done a great job with this injection. He threw up only twice and had no fever. Les and Ryan held a video conference while he was getting his antibodies. That was cool, he really liked that. We were able to go back to the Ronald McDonald House on Thursday and caught an
earlier flight home yesterday. He was really looking forward to Halloween ! He got straight into costume and hit the road with a vengeance. He is so resilient, he is unbelievable. I was pretty sick and hardly able to take care of him. No, really it was more like him taking care of me. The four days seemed like 14. I learned a valuable lesson that no matter how badly you don't want to be sick, sometimes you just can't help it. You'd think I had already learned that, right? I got some medicine today to help with my cough and my breathing, and I have a couple of appts. set up for next week to make sure I am on the mend. Ryan spent some time today at his Nanny and Grand-daddy's with his buddy, Matt. I call that the best of both worlds. He is spending tonight at Matt's and I'm sure have a great time. I'd like to say thanks to everyone who has helped me out in the last couple of days. I have some great friends and family, and I am very thankful for them. Ryan and Les head back to NY on Tuesday. He will have this next injection, and then he will get a break from going to NY. He'll do a couple rounds of low-dose chemo or accutane before heading back. Believe me, he will love the break. Thanks for your many prayers, Love, Les, Missy, Heidi, Will, and SuperRyan
earlier flight home yesterday. He was really looking forward to Halloween ! He got straight into costume and hit the road with a vengeance. He is so resilient, he is unbelievable. I was pretty sick and hardly able to take care of him. No, really it was more like him taking care of me. The four days seemed like 14. I learned a valuable lesson that no matter how badly you don't want to be sick, sometimes you just can't help it. You'd think I had already learned that, right? I got some medicine today to help with my cough and my breathing, and I have a couple of appts. set up for next week to make sure I am on the mend. Ryan spent some time today at his Nanny and Grand-daddy's with his buddy, Matt. I call that the best of both worlds. He is spending tonight at Matt's and I'm sure have a great time. I'd like to say thanks to everyone who has helped me out in the last couple of days. I have some great friends and family, and I am very thankful for them. Ryan and Les head back to NY on Tuesday. He will have this next injection, and then he will get a break from going to NY. He'll do a couple rounds of low-dose chemo or accutane before heading back. Believe me, he will love the break. Thanks for your many prayers, Love, Les, Missy, Heidi, Will, and SuperRyan