Friday Evening and Thankful for a Weekend!

First, I would like to apologize for the delay in this update. It has been a long week and I have not been able to get to a computer outside of work to update. Now, where do I begin?

Dad is home and recovering from the ulcer issue. He seems to be ok, but who knows for sure. He wouldn't tell us if he was still hurting, but his color seems better and he seems to have more energy as well. Both Susan and I ended up with upper respiratory infections, and had to stay away from Ryan and J5 while he was in the hospital. This was very hard on Ryan, Susan, and myself. We have been together day in and day out, so it was tough not to be there for him. Mom spent the two nights with him and we really appreciate it because it is not like you are sleeping on a sleep comfort bed at the Hilton. Anyway, on to Ryan......

Ryan was taken into the hospital Tuesday night with a temperature of 104+. He was achy all over and they were sure he had the flu. After several tests and multiple cultures, everything came back negative. He continued to have spikes in his temperature through midday yesterday, he seems to have recovered well, and they let him go home late this afternoon. His counts are still hovering in the questionable range on WBC, 2.2 and Platelets @ 38. His HBC is good at 11.5. The VOD issue has cleared up. His Bili score has come down to 2 which is good and the other function are normal. He plans on spending a quiet weekend at home, and I don't plan on being around him without gloves and a mask. He is very very happy to be home in his own bed.

Thanks to all who have call and emailed, we really appreciate you following Ryan's progress and praying for him.
-Brad

Can we be Home and at the Hospital at the same time? Version 2!

Just a quick note to update everyone, Ryan is now back in the hospital with a high fever, Dad has been released and I'm just about crazy!

I will post a more updated blog after work when I am at the hospital with Ryan!
-Brad

Ryan, Dad and the road to Recovery....

Who should I talk about first? Ryan? Dad? Updates, Updates, Updates.......

Ryan has enjoyed a quiet day at home just continuing his slow recovery progress from the VOD. Not much to report which after the past two weeks is a welcome statement. Ryan will go back to Children's on Thursday for more labs. Hopefully with rest we will get Ryan healthy. And yes, I am still being a strict dad and trying to isolate Ryan so he doesn't end up back at Children's sick. But this time, he is not fighting me.

Now, Dad. Dad was admitted to Mount Carmel West due to a loss of blood and not knowing where it was going. Add on top of that the prior two weeks of Ryan losing blood and the VOD issue and I am sure you can understand our concern for the worst. They did give Dad several bags of blood and a few tests. Luckily, we found that he had a bleeding Ulcer in his stomach area. The doctor says he will be fine with rest, medicine and time. He will be staying another night in the hospital just as a precautionary measure.

Thank you for all your concern, calls and prayers. Please remember the other families on J5. Ryan buddy Joe Friend had surgery on Friday and is doing well. Please keep him and Holly in your prayers as he is facing a long 36 week chemo schedule. Ryan has developed a bond with Joe and he has such a great attitude and outlook. He is a special kid.
-Brad

Can we be Home and at the Hospital at the same time?

Ryan is still at home, though as I write this we are fighting a low grade fever. (99.4) Please pray that this stays below 100.4 so we don't end up back at Children's before Thursday's labs. He is not feeling the best so I hope that he is not coming down with another cold, etc.

Today Ryan was in the day hospital having labs drawn and test run. The good news is that his blood counts continue to increase. His WBC was 2.2, HBC was a whopping 13.1, and platelets were up to 58. The bili score for his liver had went back up slightly to 4.0. We need this to go down to .1-1.0, so this explains why his color and eyes are still yellow. Overall, Dr. Yeager seemed happy with Ryan's progress considering how sick Ryan was a week ago.

Now for the question in the title. As many of you know, Susan and I take care of Ryan at home evenings and weekends. My parents, Ryan's grandparents, have been his primary caretakers during the day. Without their support and care, I truly do not know how we would have done this. I also know I am going to get grief from my dad for posting this. But I really don't care what he thinks at this point! Please keep my dad in your prayers as he was admitted to Mount Carmel West today. He is having some health issues of his own and they are running a series of tests to determine what is causing these issues. Once we know more, I will post them. We have been so concerned for Ryan that we may overlook what each of us have done, but I want Mom and Dad to know how much Susan and I appreciate their help.
-Brad

BACK AT HOME!!

After almost two weeks in the hospital, Ryan convinced the doctors that his progress and improvement would be better at home. Even though he is sick, many of you know, he is very persuasive. Doctor Yeager agreed and Ryan has slept ever since we got home.

Ryan's WBC count is still low. When we left the hospital yesterday, it was 1.4. His HBC count is excellent at 11.1, and the platelets are still low at 33. We are happy to have him back home and hopefully it will allow him to rest and recuperate faster. The VOD will keep Ryan from doing any chemotherapy for at least another two weeks. Once they feel that it has healed enough we will continue treatment.

Ryan is still weak, and nothing says that more than having Blue Jackets tickets for tonight's game and Ryan telling me he doesn't think that he is strong enough to go to the game. Again, another time where Ryan is showing his growth in decision making. With and the flu and colds out there, I am happy to keep him isolated from the masses.

Thank you to all that have called, visited and just followed Ryan through the blog. The thoughts, prayers and concerns have not gone unnoticed. We want everyone to know what it means to us and Ryan to read people's comments and words of encouragement. Thanks.
-Brad

Update 2/18/09

Ryan's counts have stayed the same with the exception of the WBC and the Platelets. His white blood count went down from 2.0 to 1.5 yesterday and his platelets dropped to 34. these need to be in the range of 6 and 200+ respectively. Ryan had an MRI yesterday and the results are pending.

Please keep praying that his WBC and Platelets increase as these numbers are the ones that will heal the liver function. Otherwise, Ryan seems to be doing ok, he is not in as much pain, but certainly getting restless being in the hospital.
-Brad

Update on Ryan 2/16/09

"You don't know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."

Ryan continues to be strong! He is battling this condition and he is a winner!

Ryan's counts have stayed stable over the last 24+ hours. His WBC is still around 2.0. HBC is just above 10, and his platelets are 36. The liver function score called the Bili score has stayed at 7.6. The bloating around his stomach has decreased and his color continues to improve. Ryan had an ultrasound today and it showed the liver was starting to improve.

This is not something that will improve quickly, but will take some time to improve. As long as the numbers continue to trend the way they are, Ryan is expected to recover. One issue that the doctors told us is he will have to monitor the type of foods he eats for the next month. I don't know if Ryan will be able to survive without buffalo chicken from Wings and Rings, Rooster's or Canes.

We enjoyed watching the Blue Jackets together tonight, even though we only got 1 point. 5 points in the last three games is not bad, but we sure wish they had won. We don't know how much longer we will be in the hospital, but we are trying to take it one day at a time. Thanks again for every ones thoughts and prayers.
-Brad