"Day 3" - OR "The Great Hat Contest"

OK - we've made it through the first few days, and all of us are still breathing.  Ryan is medically stabilized, and doing better emotionally.   With his beautiful wife at his side (literally - they can both fit in that hospital bed!!!) he feels calmer and more prepared to tackle this.

He got his platelet transfusion this morning, but it barely raised his count - definitely not high enough for a surgical procedure to install the Hickman catheter (an IV line which tunnels under his chest skin and into the Vena Cava just above the heart to deliver his chemo).  So instead they put in a "pik" line - a long IV that goes into his arm and goes all the way to the vena cava - less comfortable for him, but a safer procedure in someone with low platelets.

He starts his chemo tomorrow with "intrathecal" injection - putting the chemo directly into the spinal tap needle.  This is necessary since the tumor cells can go into his brain and spinal cord, but the IV chemo doesn't cross the blood-brain barrier. 

Now the biggest challenge of the day - FINDING THE RIGHT HAT!!!

Everyone is invited to choose a hat - whatever you think will look good on a bald Ryan.  He plans to sacrifice his hair to science in the next few day with a buzz cut. 

But what to wear..............

Splurge a little, and send your selection to:  85 Lower Newtown Rd, Waterford, NY  12188.

We'll post the pictures, and you may one day see your fashion statement right here!!!

We are ready for battle.  All the prayers are definitely being felt by all of us.  As a mother, I'm amazed that I'm not a complete wreck at this point.  Tired.  Concerned.  Aching for what Ryan and Sophia are going through.  Yet remarkably calm and peaceful.  It's either denial or the comforting influence of the Holy Ghost.  I believe it's that latter.

Come on this journey with us.  Please continue to pray for us. Laugh and cry with us. 

And send some hats!!!!!

(-----Barb, Ryan's mom)