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 10, 2009
Big Hearts, that's what our friends have
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
Take care, Dennis
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