Update



I’ve been hanging in there this past week with continued unrelenting fevers. This means they’ve needed to do repeat blood cultures many times. Not fun. 




My colonoscopy went smoothly on Monday and showed some significant inflammation in my gut. The pathology report finally came back today showing GVHD to be the culprit of my diarrhea and fevers. It makes sense as I recently stopped my immunosuppressive meds. The treatment will be steroids which we will start today. Please pray that my body will respond well. I hope to go home soon pending my fevers resolve.




On a side note, there was a platelet shortage in the hospital which held up my treatment as I needed a transfusion prior. I also needed a blood transfusion today cause my hemoglobin has been running low. Just stark reminders of the need for blood donations esp. during this covid season as many patients are dependent on them.


Here’s an update on Ryan from his mom emphasizing this need as well. Please consider donating if you’re able.


As I was reminded this morning by a friend's devotional, God asks us to follow Him one step at a time.  Even though the mountain is looming ahead, God asks us to follow him on the path that He is leading us.  The cliffs are daunting,  but He will provide and sustain us if we only trust in Him.  God, you took us one step closer up the cliff today as Ryan just got finished with his third surgery to clean out his leg and remove any further muscle damage.  He survived surgery yet again with his vitals remaining strong throughout.  His blood loss was controllable and only a small portion of muscle needed to be removed.  What is left of his thigh muscle is all viable and healthy from what they can see.  The doctors feel that his infection is well under control at this point, so they decided to close up the wound hoping that he will not require any more surgeries at this point.  Praise God.  He is back in the ICU resting comfortably with sedation and the ventilator.  They are hoping to be able to wean him off the vent tonight or tomorrow.  Prayers that this transition goes smoothly and his pain can be controlled.  


PS...

Many of you have been asking what you can do to help Ryan. Of course, prayers and more prayers are our first requests, but we also wanted to offer up some other possible ways you could support Ryan and other leukemia patients. Ryan has had hundreds of platelet and blood transfusions during his treatment.  One of the most amazing and selfless ways you can help Ryan and other leukemia patients is to give blood and/or platelets.  You can find a blood drive on the American Red Cross website at https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html. Please find a drive near you and give blood!


Register with Be The Match, an organization that manages the world’s largest bone marrow registry. Ryan’s stem cell donor was identified through this registry. Anyone can register, and it involves a simple mouth swab.  You can find more information here: https://bethematch.org/support-the-cause/donate-bone-marrow/. 


Your selfless donations can literally save lives.  Take it from us...we know first hand the power of blood donation!

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