A blur, is an understatement. We are narrowing down treatment options with only one more
hospital to visit, MDAnderson in Houston, TX (we leave today). Last week was extremely fast paced as
we had a 3-day consult with the staff at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in
Newnan, GA and directly after that headed to The Mayo Clinic in Rochester,
MN. At this point, we have
received more than a handful of opinions from Doctors all over the country (including Emory, City of Hope, UC San Diego and several Alternative Doctors too) and feel that
our path is becoming more clear and that is something we are grateful for. Clarity.
We have had a lot of family come in and visit for a few days
at a time. They helped us research
and most importantly lent a helping hand.
We anticipate starting treatment by weeks end and plan on
attacking the cancer on many fronts.
With a foundation of chemotherapy, we will also layer in a supplement
regiment with a strict diet. It’s
important to understand that this pursuit is a war and not just one battle. Once we see results (and we know we
will) from our initial efforts we will then go into a 2nd phase of
treatments. Our goal… stabilize,
reduce and hope for surgery.
Our spirits continue to be high and we are fueled largely in
part to your support, love, well wishes and prayers. Thank you for everything you are doing. The cards and emails. The phone calls and notes on
teamhidi.org. The donations. The meals. The gifts. The
hugs.
‘Round Up for Ryan’ has extended far and wide including, Muss& Turner’s, Local Three, Empire State South, Five & Ten, The National,
Bacchanalia, FloatAway Café, Abattoir, Brick Store Pub, Leon’s Full Service and
Cakes & Ale. UNREAL!
A charity hike, ‘Hike for Hidi’, occurred on Saturday the 19th
in San Francisco by great friends Ray & Bridget of Primal Fitness. Even Ryan’s younger brother who lives
in Sacramento, made the trip to SF to be part of the experience. There are other events happening all
over the country from, California to Indiana and here at home (all events can be found on teamhidi.org). We are amazed and honored to be this
fortunate.
We will close this 'Ryan Update' with a letter that he
wrote to his M&T family. It
puts a lot into perspective.
I’ve leaned some interesting things about the human race
over the last few weeks. My heart
is speechless from your generosity.
Jen and I just spent the last few moments reflecting, and
crying. We are now in the final moments before our treatment path embarks, and
are realizing how big of a fight, and how big the odds are stacked against us.
Over the last three weeks, it has been easy to push the
fear down inside. With the barrage of doctor appointments, blood and urine
tests, family in town to help with treatment planning sessions, tons of letters
of support, dietitian meetings, reading countless documents to make sure we
know all we can, and then the last little bits of the quiet evening before
sleep when Jen and I just stare at each other... minds racing.
It all comes to a head in the coming week.
The wave of love, prayers, contributions and well wishes
is so warming to our souls, that I feel I've already won... I've already won
guys.
I've already won.
My thanks, and gratitude is eternal, I'll carry it
through whatever time God sees fit for me to have on this planet and into
whatever is next. But fight like
hell I will. I take into battle the energy of a thousand people who have
reached out over that last few weeks. I'm ready for this challenge, and a great
part of that preparedness I owe to you!
On behalf of Jen and I, thank you from the bottom of our
hearts M&T family!
Ryan
