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.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thanksgiving ??
I am not thankful that cancer has taken the lives of Missy and Ryan. I am not thankful that billions of dollars later, her breast cancer was not curable. I am not thankful for the minuscule amount of money that is available to research far better children's cancer treatments. I am not thankful my house is spotless all the time. I am not thankful my life is so simple. I am not thankful that I can hardly see this darn keyboard right now!!...
I am thankful for Heidi an Will. I am thankful for the unbelievable support I have from Missy's and my family. I am thankful for all of our friends that continue to support us and keep our lives light hearted and full of smiles. I am thankful for Missy's insistence that her family moves forward, and treasure the great memories we all made together while she worked tirelessly to built the strong foundation that is serving us so well today and will through all the years to come. I am thankful I have someone very close to me. Someone I can talk to every day, not only about Missy and Ryan, but how our day went and what the future holds. That has been an unexpected blessing.
So...thankful ?...yes... and no.
Now as we say at the Lighthouse.....LLLLLLLETS EAT !!!!!!!
Happy Thanksgiving to all, Les, Heidi and Will
I am thankful for Heidi an Will. I am thankful for the unbelievable support I have from Missy's and my family. I am thankful for all of our friends that continue to support us and keep our lives light hearted and full of smiles. I am thankful for Missy's insistence that her family moves forward, and treasure the great memories we all made together while she worked tirelessly to built the strong foundation that is serving us so well today and will through all the years to come. I am thankful I have someone very close to me. Someone I can talk to every day, not only about Missy and Ryan, but how our day went and what the future holds. That has been an unexpected blessing.
So...thankful ?...yes... and no.
Now as we say at the Lighthouse.....LLLLLLLETS EAT !!!!!!!
Happy Thanksgiving to all, Les, Heidi and Will
Friday, November 20, 2009
Smarty pants...and dresses !!!!
Heidi and a few of her friends were inducted into the National Honor Society last night. I am thankful for Heidi continuing to stay focused, cheerful, helpful and strong. These years are trying in any girls life, even without all the added emotional stress she carries. I am so very proud of her...( you to Will :)Les
Monday, November 09, 2009
Productive/fun weekend
It was a gorgeous weekend in Atlanta. We managed to get all of our fall yard work wrapped up. Tons of leaves removed, grass cut, pool closed for the winter, garage and dog kennel neat and tidy and three soccer games. Heidi had taken the ACT test two Saturdays ago and took the SAT test this Saturday. 5 hours Ugh ! She was pretty confident she had done well on both.
Kristen called with extra tickets for Sunday nights 
Thrashers/Blues game so the kids and I met Jean and Steve's family, Kristen and Mike's family to watch Atlanta kick St. Louis's butt !!!! Thank you Kristen :) We all had so much fun !
Thrashers/Blues game so the kids and I met Jean and Steve's family, Kristen and Mike's family to watch Atlanta kick St. Louis's butt !!!! Thank you Kristen :) We all had so much fun !I have been trying to figure out what to do that will be fun for the dinner that was lucky to be the high bidder on with "super pitcher" Tom Glavine and his family. I have a couple ideas in the works that will hopefully turn the whole thing into a big party, that would be awesome :) Keep your fingers crossed !
Les, Heidi and Will
Friday, November 06, 2009
Home Coming, Halloween & Happy Memories
As time presses on, so are we. The kids and I stay extremely busy. They have been such a blessing to me it's hard to describe. The love we had for Missy and Ryan has never left our minds, nor will it ever. The transition into our new lives has been one of great memories, relived day after day mostly while sitting at the dinner table or watching our favorite shows. We know and can feel them watching over us. Cheering us on. Moving us forward. It is a good, warm, loving feeling. It makes me smile. I pray I can continue to lift up Heidi and Will and never let them down. That is of the up most importance to me.
Heidi looked as beautiful as ever for Home Coming. Her only wish was for more student input for song selection!!!! Things don't change because I can remember the exact same feeling at our dances, Ha !!
We stopped by our usual Halloween haunt, Missy's brother Walt's house. They get hundreds of little trick or treaters each year. Walt and Sarah put on a great party, very fun. Heidi had her own later with scary movies.
We have just two more weekends of soccer then it's finally over. You always look forward to both the start of the season and THE END !! This also means the beginning of Basketball season for Will. Ugh...
We are really excited to be going back to Vancouver Island for Christmas. Love skiing, roasting oysters on an open fire, cracking a Miller or two with old, but dear friends. Can't wait !!
I have managed to get out a couple times, with plans for a couple more. Lots of fun stuff to do !! We have also booked a cruise over the kids spring break. It's a long time away but still something to look forward to.
Thank you to all our friends for keeping us in your thoughts, its a comforting feeling. Les, Heidi and Will
