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.
Monday, August 31, 2009
September Is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
11 Alive News and Jill Becker kicked off "Childhood Cancer Awareness Month" this morning with the Becker's telling their story of their son Matt, and his battle with cancer at age three. Matt was a treasured friend of Ryan's. Matt has chosen to give back to other children that are stricken with this horrible disease by volunteering with Camp Sunshine. The two quickly became good buddies at camp. Matt was nice enough to remember Ryan this morning while talking about his experiences during his fight and how it has effected his life. His mom Jill, was a friend to Missy. She graciously lends her name and time to keep waging war on childhood cancer even after being away from the front lines for 18 years. There are many caring people in this tight knit community that work tirelessly to keep children's cancer awareness alive and raise the research money that is desperately needed.
Thank you to Jill and her wonderful son Matt for all they do :)
Les
Thank you to Jill and her wonderful son Matt for all they do :)
Les
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Busy Wknd !
Lots of play time and just enough left for lawn and laundry. We've had a pretty good weekend. :-)
I'm still scheduled for lunch in Atlanta on Monday, then out for dinner in Athens later on that evening. Looking forward to it all tomorrow.
Les
Thursday, August 27, 2009
WSB750 Care-a-thon
WSB's annual Aflac Cancer Center Care-a-thon is under way. Ryan has participated in this, among others, fundraiser over the years. His friend Kenneth and mom Anastasia have remembered Ryan on the WSB site. Thank you Anastasia for that :) Click on Kenneth M at the bottom of the WSB link to read Kenneth's heartbreaking story. We wish them great days, no pain and many smiles. Cancer is a terrible horrible thing...
Les
Les
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Quiet Heroes
Jill Becker and 11Alive News will airing a tribute to Quiet Heroes starting Monday morning at 6:45am. Jill's son Matt was a good friend and a camp counsellor of Ryan's. Matt was one of the reasons Ryan looked forward to summer camp so much. If you can't tune in, I'm sure it will be on their web site at 11alive.com
The luncheon is happening Sept. 19th. This is one of the largest fundraisers for Cure of the year. From everything Missy used to tell me about going in the past, it's a good time with lots of cool and unique items to bid on. Bring your check book and I'll see you there !
The luncheon is happening Sept. 19th. This is one of the largest fundraisers for Cure of the year. From everything Missy used to tell me about going in the past, it's a good time with lots of cool and unique items to bid on. Bring your check book and I'll see you there !
I'm looking forward to a "birthday lunch" this Monday with some good friends . I'm thinkin it's going to be fun ! :)
Les, Heidi and WillMonday, August 24, 2009
Day by day
We have been settling into the new routine. Staying busy doing all the things that need to get done and deep into the new soccer season. We got Will's Pass Port application filled out and turned in today. We are going to Vancouver Island for Christmas and a little skiing. Smith and Julie are going to come with us. Very excited about the trip ! I'm going to Vegas over the long weekend to hang out with Jimmy and his family. No partying though !! (ha!) We are also planning a few days in Orlando to hit the Water Parks. We had to ditch them the last time we were there so this will be a make up trip.
Heidi and Will have been sooo helpful to me. Above, Heidi is whipping up a batch of her famous brownies ! She is such a smart, intuitive and resourceful young lady. I'm very lucky to have both of them. Very lucky to have great memories of Ryan and Missy to get me through the slow times and evenings. I have to say marriage is far better than being single, I highly recommend it....you singles will thank me for that little piece of great advice ! ;-)
Well, I'm falling asleep here !!!
Good night to all of our family and friends. Les, Heidi and Will
Monday, August 17, 2009
I used to hate those magnets on the fridge !!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Big Hearts, that's what our friends have
After a long season of daily swim practices and weekend meets, most parents and swimmers are ready to hang up the suits and move on !!
Our team on the other hand organized one more swim meet. A meet solely to raise money and awareness for Missy's two favorite organizations, CURE and The Lighthouse.
At our swim team wrap up party last night they announced that our 3 hour meet raised $2100.00 for these two charities, Yeah !!!
It was a lot of additional work and effort on many peoples part and I want to say how appreciative I am. Thank you so much to the Board, the coaches, all the volunteers, the donors and especially the swimmers that participated in the "SuperMorgan Swim Splash 09" I plan to match that awesome donation in Ryan's and Missy's names.
I also need to thank all the people that have send their donations directly to CURE and The Lighthouse. Missy's best friend Karen has been helping me send out Thank you cards. We have done our best to locate accurate address's and get them sent out but we have had a few come back. If you have not received a personal thank you by now, please accept this note in it's place. You have all made a wonderful gesture on mine and Missy's behalf.
I have been invited to attend the Quiet Heroes luncheon/fundraiser September 19th for Missy. I think it's really for the mom's but Kristen assured me there would be other guys there!
Sarah Corrigan, a writer, editor, publicist who has worked with Ryan's friend Jena, is looking into the possibility of publishing Ryan's story. I am very excited that a professional believes his story may have the right content to share with a much larger audience. Smith and Julie are good friends with Oprah so I may get them to get it into her "book club" should this work out! That would likely double sales!
With the first week of school over, we are getting in a routine. I am so thankful for the strong sense of self worth and independence Missy has instilled in Heidi and Will. I am so proud of them. Their strength is absolutely unbelievable. I thank God everyday for them! I do want you all to know, we are doing "fine". We have many many more smiles than tears. We miss them terribly but find peace knowing that they are together, directing us from the heavens above.
If I could just feel their touch one more time...
Les, Heidi and Will
Our team on the other hand organized one more swim meet. A meet solely to raise money and awareness for Missy's two favorite organizations, CURE and The Lighthouse.
At our swim team wrap up party last night they announced that our 3 hour meet raised $2100.00 for these two charities, Yeah !!!
It was a lot of additional work and effort on many peoples part and I want to say how appreciative I am. Thank you so much to the Board, the coaches, all the volunteers, the donors and especially the swimmers that participated in the "SuperMorgan Swim Splash 09" I plan to match that awesome donation in Ryan's and Missy's names.
I also need to thank all the people that have send their donations directly to CURE and The Lighthouse. Missy's best friend Karen has been helping me send out Thank you cards. We have done our best to locate accurate address's and get them sent out but we have had a few come back. If you have not received a personal thank you by now, please accept this note in it's place. You have all made a wonderful gesture on mine and Missy's behalf.
I have been invited to attend the Quiet Heroes luncheon/fundraiser September 19th for Missy. I think it's really for the mom's but Kristen assured me there would be other guys there!
Sarah Corrigan, a writer, editor, publicist who has worked with Ryan's friend Jena, is looking into the possibility of publishing Ryan's story. I am very excited that a professional believes his story may have the right content to share with a much larger audience. Smith and Julie are good friends with Oprah so I may get them to get it into her "book club" should this work out! That would likely double sales!
With the first week of school over, we are getting in a routine. I am so thankful for the strong sense of self worth and independence Missy has instilled in Heidi and Will. I am so proud of them. Their strength is absolutely unbelievable. I thank God everyday for them! I do want you all to know, we are doing "fine". We have many many more smiles than tears. We miss them terribly but find peace knowing that they are together, directing us from the heavens above.
If I could just feel their touch one more time...
Les, Heidi and Will
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Not invincable
Last night, my buddy Rick and I took Heidi and Will and a few of their friends, on a prearranged Braves baseball extravaganza. A massive 14 passenger SUV Limo picked us up at the house for a crazy ride to the Varsity where we all stuffed ourselves with burgers, dogs, fries and onion rings. Back into the Limo and dropped off at the Braves entrance where we were met Jessica Carlyle, she handed out Braves gear for everyone! After the game, she took us onto the field for a great view of an extensive fireworks show. We loaded back up and hit McDonald's in the Limo for fun :) What a great night. Thank you Kristin Connor and the whole gang at Cure, Kim Hudson, Jessica Carlyle and the Braves. Fantastic.
Our awesome swim team held and charity event this morning for The Lighthouse and Cure Childhood Cancer, Missy's two favorite organizations. Close to 100 swimmers participated. All had custom T-shirts " SuperMorgan Charity Splash 2009". It was very successful. Thank you to all the sponsors, The Barracuda Booster Club, First Baptist Church of Bethlehem, Church at Winder, Handbags by Diana, Maynard & Bartlett Realty, Ricky Robinson Heating & Air, Debra Robinson, Bently's Photography, Dr. Sharon Taylor and the Winder YMCA. What a large event to make happen so quickly !
I want to thank my newest friend Tim Cash. He facilitated The Mall of Georgia Honda buying back Missy's car today. I really didn't need the hassle of trying to sell it. It was too easy!
Karen came over to help me with Missy's office and the years of paper, documents, files, pictures, cards and on and on that she had accumulated. It was a huge job, but we got 95% of it done.
After having such a productive day, I have never felt such incredible sadness since losing them. I thought I was doing so well , then to get so overwhelmed to the point I could not hardly breath. It was far to much done in too short a time...then suddenly alone, to sit and reflect. It makes me so mad and so very sad. Heidi came in and sat down beside me and my fortitude returned. I get so much strength from Heidi and Will. I just need to keep them close.
Missy and Ryan had the best friends and family in the world, and that love has made it's way, full force to us. For that, I am thankful. We do love you all. Les, Heidi and Will
