Waiting is the Hardest Part.....

Late this evening, we were able to get the MRI completed. Unfortunately, we will have to wait until tomorrow for any results. So, another night of waiting and anticipation. We do not have much to share in regards to Ryan or his condition.

Tonight's post is going to be therapy for dad. People never seem to amaze me. Today started off completely on "the wrong side of the bed". First of all, I didn't sleep last night. So to say I got up on the wrong side of the bed is a little exaggerated. The day started with a sales rep calling my personal phone trying to solicit business. Are you kidding me? Do you have any idea where I am and what I am dealing with? Needless to say, my faith in people and there judgement was really being tested.

But then I looked at the blog and saw all the comments wishing our family well. All the phone calls and text on Ryan's phone, that he is unable to see or deal with right now, but the outpouring of support is and has been tremendous. Phone messages to my phone from all over the country. Then, the people that stopped by, friends from all over, Florida, North Carolina, Dayton, good friends that we see everyday, people do amaze me. I spoke to Wendy and Kate from the Blue Jackets Foundation, they offered any help we may need. People taking it upon themselves to drop off food at our house, golfing outings, skating parties, pancake breakfast, people do amaze me. People like Jason Chimera. He heard Ryan was not doing well and he dropped what he was doing to see him. He and several of his teammates have proven that what they do is absolutely from the heart and not "a job". THEY CARE! People do amaze me!

I guess tonight's post is about me saying thank you to so many of you that have reached out in one way or another to Ryan, Susan and our family over the past year. The smallest things do mean so much. The support given us doesn't go unnoticed.

Thank you for caring, hopefully tomorrow we will be able to give news that prayers have been answered.

-Brad

Today Marks 11 Months

Eleven months ago today, we found out that Ryan had cancer and was in for the fight of his life. The doctor's told us that the form of cancer Ryan had was a very aggressive type of cancer and the prognosis was not favorable. At that time, they gave us the option of a standard Rhabdomyosarcoma protocol, or a more aggressive treatment plan that compressed the time between treatments. After many discussions in a short time period, we knew that we had to go with the most aggressive treatment that we could. Ryan took this fight head on and did not back down. He battled with everything he could and sometimes with strength he shouldn't even be able to find. Ryan has continually amazed us all.

During the fight Ryan has had many short term goals he was looking forward to being a part of. His golf outing, the Buckeyes team dinner, attending an OSU football game, being the Zebra's Care recipient, Blue Jackets games with Doug and Lori, The CBJ Fashion show and even giving Woody Johnson a buzz cut.. The point is life has become a version of short term goals. But each and every one of them has given Ryan the drive to continue to fight a battle to win. They may seem small to some, but they have become very important interim goals to keep Ryan moving forward.

The past six weeks have started taking its toll on all of us. Ryan had an issue called VOD that came very close to ending his battle. But in true Ryan form, he stood firm and overcame the battle. They needed Ryan's counts to come back before they could administer more chemo. Once the liver issues cleared, Ryan's body has not made the platelets necessary to continue his chemo. It has been six weeks since our last chemo. During this time, Ryan has had additional issues with bladder infections, fevers and other issues that have kept in in the hospital.

With the most recent stay in the hospital, we have learned that the cancer has returned after just six weeks removed from chemo. We will be doing scans over the next few days to determine to what extent it is back, and what our treatment options are. Once we know more, we will update you. But for now, please keep Ryan in your prayers during this time.

Back Home, now back at Children's 3/14/09

Ryan got to come home from the hospital late Thursday evening. After they determined that he had a bladder infection, they treated it with antibiotics. His fever had stayed down for over 24 hours and back home we went. While Ryan was home, he never really seemed to be himself.

This morning, Saturday, we woke up around 9am and Ryan had another fever in excess of 101. So by 11am we were in the ER and by 5pm we were back on J5. Ryan has not felt well since we went home Thursday, and I don't believe he ever kicked the first infection. We will most likely be at Children's through the weekend. His counts have remained constant, WBC and HBC are fine and his Platelets are still very low.

Right now Ryan is resting and we await the results of the cultures taken earlier today.
-Brad

Tuesday Night, Back at Children’s

After the last post, we were looking forward to going to see The Columbus Blue Jackets play the Boston Bruins. When I got home from work, Ryan asked if I would mind staying home and watching the game on TV. Stay home? Is this my son? What have you done to my son that willed himself to leave Children’s Hospital in the middle of Chemo to attend a hockey game earlier in the year? Needless to say, I knew he was not feeling well.

As late evening came and another Blue Jackets victory, YEAH!!!, the home phone rings. (This is how he summons me upstairs when I am on the first floor.) It was Ryan and we were off to see our friends at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Ryan spiked a high fever and had some other issues. By 3:30am we were back in the room where this all started in April. Ryan will be in the hospital for a day or so while they try to find the source of this infection. One note though is that his platelets are going the wrong way. The WBC and HBC are down but in an acceptable range. His platelets are down to 39. In a week they have dropped almost in half. Please keep Ryan in your prayers as postponing this treatment much longer becomes really concerning to his over all well being, both mentally and physically.

Please keep the other kids on J5 in your prayers as well. Joe Friend is in doing another round of chemo this week. Hopefully Ryan and Joe will be able to keep each other busy while they are in the hospital.
-Brad

False Start..........

Ryan has been able to keep his chemo weeks scheduled as planned. But this week, we had our first postponement due to low counts. Even though Ryan has not had chemo for a month, his platelet levels are not cooperating. His current platelets are 50 and need to be at least 75 before he can continue his treatment. A normal count is between 140-440.

Please keep Ryan in your prayers as I have followed others that wait months for the counts to return. We need to get Ryan back on his plan so we can do everything possible. Ryan will enjoy a few hockey games this week and an off week just like Dale Jr. (Though Ryan can't travel to a beach somewhere warm to enjoy it.)

Thanks to all of you who are following Ryan's progress and keeping him in your thoughts and prayers.
-Brad

A Quiet Weekend, Chemo This Week

Ryan has enjoyed a quiet weekend at home. After the past month, this has become a welcome change. Ryan did get a chance to go watch his former hockey team play a couple times this weekend in The Blue Jackets Cup Tournament. Hilliard beat teams from Cleveland and Mason. He really enjoyed getting to watch them play and see friends that he had not seen in a while. Other than those short trips, Ryan has spent the weekend resting and getting ready for a tough chemo week.

Ryan has been on chemo since mid April 2008. Each and every round has been given in the hospital. This week, we get to try to administer the chemo as an out-patient. Ryan will do the five day chemo in the day hospital and spend the rest of the time in his own bed. Pray that this goes well as the final three 5 day chemo's will be done this way.

Please remember a couple of Ryan's friends in your prayers as well. Joe Friend had his second surgery and seems to be doing well. He will be starting a long chemo treatment and needs your prayers. Also, please remember a friend to many of the J5 families. Jason Chimera underwent surgery to repair a torn muscle. This has kept him out of the Blue Jackets line up for several weeks. He has a heart of gold and has went above and beyond for many family's at Children's. Please say a special pray that his recovery is fast and complete.
-Brad

Ryan on "Woody and the Wake up Call"

Ryan had the opportunity to visit Woody, Stacie and Dan E. Zuko this morning. It was to help Woody pay of a bet from last week's St. Jude Auction. I will get more info from Ryan to post later, but here are a couple of pictures with Woody.

Thanks to all three for making it such a good time for Ryan.

-Brad