Got my PET scan last Saturday and found out yesterday that all the tumors that I had before are GONE!!! I had a few in my gut/groin that were about 2 cm and a few in my armpits that were about 1cm. So the treatment is working so far which is very encouraging!!! I still have to finish that 6 treatments but at least I know it's working.
I started my 3rd cycle Wednesday and should be done Sunday or Monday. It is the same cycle as the one I did when I was at St. Lukes. In my opinion, it is a little less aggressive as the 2nd cycle. The 2nd cycle hit my bone marrow pretty hard and I had to spend some time in the hospital last week and get some blood transfusions. I spent last Thursday-through Sunday here then Monday I had to get 2 more units of blood. Two days off then right back in here.
Kinda feeling bad too b/c Amy and I should be moving tomorrow into our new house and I can't help with the move. Lucky her mom and dad are coming to help us. Thank goodness. We painted our new bedroom yesterday and I must say it is awesome looking! Amy is doing the touch ups b.c. im a little sloppy.
Thats all i got for today. I hope everyone is having a great day the weekend is almost here!!!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
2nd cycle after effects
So the second cycle went well went in on Thursday the 23rd and got out on Monday the 27th. I didnt get sick at all which is good but I developed a little cough. I am taking some many different pills right now
anti-this anti-that, and i still got a little sick.
After the treatment I still have to go in everyday to get 2 shots per day and they draw blood to see where my blood counts are. All the back and forth kinda sucks but I must admit, it is 1000 times better then being in the hospital the whole time. This time time after the treatment I was feeling a little more tired then usual. I slept alot last week. I pretty much watched the Casey Anthony trial and slept and thats about it. I wanted to get up and go be active but everytime I got up and moved my legs would feel like jello and i would get a little dissy.
Well last Thursday I thought I should get up and try and do something. Amy and I wanted to go to the Gin Blossoms concert here in oshkosh but I had to get my shot first. So I went to the Hospital while Amy way getting ready. They gave me the shot and then took my vitals. Well my pulse was 145 beats per min and i had a fever. They admitted me into the hospital and did a bunch of tests. First was and EKG to see if my heart was beating irregularly. Then It was chest x ray. then they did a bunch of blood work and blood cultures. Turns out that my White blood cells were really low about .3 (thats really low). It looks like the Chemo in the 2nd cycle hit my blood a little harder then the first cycle. It hit my bone marrow pretty hard. The next couple days in the hospital was spent receiving antibiotics. I also had to receive some "special" blood from Milwaukee. My immune system is so beat up and low that I needed really clean blood so I dont get sick. I ended up staying from Thursday night until Wednesday at about 2.
I stayed about 6 days over my favorite holiday, the 4th of July. This bummed me out big time. I love this time of year and the parades and fireworks are the best part. I got to see 2 little fireworks from my hospital window but thats about it. Disappointing......oh well There is always next year. I will just have to do something twice and awesome.
Tomorrow I have to go back in and receive more units of blood and then Saturday I will be having another PET scan to see if the tumors are gone. My doctor seems to think that they will see gone. But I am a little sceptical... 2 treatments is all it takes to make them go away? He seems to think so. I hope they will be!!! Now that doesn't mean I am done with treatment. Either way I still have to finish all 6 treatments to give me a better chance of them not coming back. Then a couple of days after that I will be starting the 3rd treatment which means only one thing..... Half way. Its all down hill from here.
God Bless,
ryan
anti-this anti-that, and i still got a little sick.
After the treatment I still have to go in everyday to get 2 shots per day and they draw blood to see where my blood counts are. All the back and forth kinda sucks but I must admit, it is 1000 times better then being in the hospital the whole time. This time time after the treatment I was feeling a little more tired then usual. I slept alot last week. I pretty much watched the Casey Anthony trial and slept and thats about it. I wanted to get up and go be active but everytime I got up and moved my legs would feel like jello and i would get a little dissy.
Well last Thursday I thought I should get up and try and do something. Amy and I wanted to go to the Gin Blossoms concert here in oshkosh but I had to get my shot first. So I went to the Hospital while Amy way getting ready. They gave me the shot and then took my vitals. Well my pulse was 145 beats per min and i had a fever. They admitted me into the hospital and did a bunch of tests. First was and EKG to see if my heart was beating irregularly. Then It was chest x ray. then they did a bunch of blood work and blood cultures. Turns out that my White blood cells were really low about .3 (thats really low). It looks like the Chemo in the 2nd cycle hit my blood a little harder then the first cycle. It hit my bone marrow pretty hard. The next couple days in the hospital was spent receiving antibiotics. I also had to receive some "special" blood from Milwaukee. My immune system is so beat up and low that I needed really clean blood so I dont get sick. I ended up staying from Thursday night until Wednesday at about 2.
I stayed about 6 days over my favorite holiday, the 4th of July. This bummed me out big time. I love this time of year and the parades and fireworks are the best part. I got to see 2 little fireworks from my hospital window but thats about it. Disappointing......oh well There is always next year. I will just have to do something twice and awesome.
Tomorrow I have to go back in and receive more units of blood and then Saturday I will be having another PET scan to see if the tumors are gone. My doctor seems to think that they will see gone. But I am a little sceptical... 2 treatments is all it takes to make them go away? He seems to think so. I hope they will be!!! Now that doesn't mean I am done with treatment. Either way I still have to finish all 6 treatments to give me a better chance of them not coming back. Then a couple of days after that I will be starting the 3rd treatment which means only one thing..... Half way. Its all down hill from here.
God Bless,
ryan
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
2nd cycle
Cycle number 2 starts this Thursday, so I have been trying to do a bunch of things to have fun in between. Took a trip to the dell, where we got kicked out of the hotel room at 6:30 am on Sunday morning. Sorry for party rocking. Went back home on Saturday morning and spent some time with the family. Friday was my Mothers birthday and sunday was fathers day of course.
Went to church on Sunday and had a very powerful experience. I always feel amazing after church but it was quite different this time. After the service there was a little ceremony for me, where the elders of the church and family and friends laid there hands on me and pastor marc said a prayer and poured olive oil on my head. Very Powerful stuff. I got to talk to some people at church that I haven't seen in a while and it was very nice. It seemed like very one was asking for prayers for someone with cancer. I don't know whats going on but since this all started I have seen "cancer" everywhere. I will hear it on a movie or hear of some one else tat has been diagnosed with it or I see a commerical or something. I dont know why but it just comes up alot more then it ever has before. Maybe I am just more aware of it.
After church, we celebrated fathers day and it was great! Steak, crab legs, twice baked potatoes and all the fixings. It was soooo good. I eat like a pig now and I still and lossing weight. I know that prolly makes many of you mad hah sorry.
Monday morning, dad and I went fishing and caught a bunch of perch then after I went golfing with luke patterman! It isn't everyday that you get to go fishing AND golfing in one day. We even went out for wings and burgers and beers after. Prolly the best Monday EVER.
This week is CUSA. I might not make it to any of the days this year... which is sad bc i have some good friends there and i only get to see during that time. My 2nd cycle starts thursday the 23 and I will prolly be in the hospital for a couple of days. My counts will prolly be a little low after that so they will prolly tell me I cant go.
I think thats about all i got today. Oh yeah My hair is falling out! Was I sad? I guess just a bit. It was more weird then anything. I could just grab a chunk of about 50 hairs. I would wash my hair in the shower and look down at my hands and see like 100 hairs. It was weird. Today amy took the razor to my head and more im smooooothhhhh.
I hope everyone is doing well, and having a great first day of summer... to bad the temp isn't a little better so I get outside and play. Maybe I will anyway!
ryan
Went to church on Sunday and had a very powerful experience. I always feel amazing after church but it was quite different this time. After the service there was a little ceremony for me, where the elders of the church and family and friends laid there hands on me and pastor marc said a prayer and poured olive oil on my head. Very Powerful stuff. I got to talk to some people at church that I haven't seen in a while and it was very nice. It seemed like very one was asking for prayers for someone with cancer. I don't know whats going on but since this all started I have seen "cancer" everywhere. I will hear it on a movie or hear of some one else tat has been diagnosed with it or I see a commerical or something. I dont know why but it just comes up alot more then it ever has before. Maybe I am just more aware of it.
After church, we celebrated fathers day and it was great! Steak, crab legs, twice baked potatoes and all the fixings. It was soooo good. I eat like a pig now and I still and lossing weight. I know that prolly makes many of you mad hah sorry.
Monday morning, dad and I went fishing and caught a bunch of perch then after I went golfing with luke patterman! It isn't everyday that you get to go fishing AND golfing in one day. We even went out for wings and burgers and beers after. Prolly the best Monday EVER.
This week is CUSA. I might not make it to any of the days this year... which is sad bc i have some good friends there and i only get to see during that time. My 2nd cycle starts thursday the 23 and I will prolly be in the hospital for a couple of days. My counts will prolly be a little low after that so they will prolly tell me I cant go.
I think thats about all i got today. Oh yeah My hair is falling out! Was I sad? I guess just a bit. It was more weird then anything. I could just grab a chunk of about 50 hairs. I would wash my hair in the shower and look down at my hands and see like 100 hairs. It was weird. Today amy took the razor to my head and more im smooooothhhhh.
I hope everyone is doing well, and having a great first day of summer... to bad the temp isn't a little better so I get outside and play. Maybe I will anyway!
ryan
Monday, June 13, 2011
First cycle COMPLETE!!!! HEADING HOME!!!!!!!!!
I'm heading home today!!!! Im soo happy to get out of this place! Words cant even explain. God has blessed me soo much throughout the first cycle. I puked just a couple of times on Wednesday but other than that. I have felt good through the whole thing. I have had tons of visitors and my family and Amy came to visit. There were some long lonely days but I got though them. I am stronger then to think. That is my new Motto and It will be for the rest of my life. Justine Schneider, an Amazing friend of mine set up this little fund raiser for me because I will not be working alot this summer she wanted to raise some money to help me out with rent and things like that, living expenses. Well she raised over 1000 dollars in like 3 weeks!!!! They she wanted to give it to me during our 5 year class reunion which was this past weekend on Saturday. But I was still stuck in here. They called me on the phone and sent a picture with everyone at the reunion with all the t-shirts on. She told me and I pretty much lost it right away. If i was there in person i would have no idea how i would have reacted. I dont do very well receiving gifts like that. I would have cried for the rest of the night haha. I pretty much did in the hospital anyway. I was way overwhelmed. God has created a beautiful world and there are so many great people out there that just want to help other people. I will forever be in debt to those people who bought a shirt and donated money just to help me out. I am so grateful. I wish there was some way I could give back to each and everyone of them.
In a way being diagnosed with caner has been a blessing I have become closer to my friends and family and Amy and deeper in my faith. My outlook on life has changed. I used to want to Win national championship's and was on my way to Minnesota to get starting in a great career as a strength coach at a competitive school with elite athletes. Something I always wanted to do. But Maybe not anymore. I also want to work with high school athletes now teaching them leadership skills and life skills that can be used during there time in sports but also throughout there lives! Petty little problems aren't so bothering some anymore. they just don't matter. I could live I could die and don't want to spend the time I have here on the glorious earth that God created not living it to the fullest. It's may be weird to hear but I thank God for giving me this challenge. I never backed down from one and i wont start here. "Pain is weakness leaving the body" I have been saying this for as long as i can remember and as I go thought this chemo I stay strong by repeating this and changing that negative painful energy into a energy that is POSITIVE AND STRONG.
PICTURES OF THE AWESOME SHIRTS AND my 5 year reuinon that was not very well attended haha
In a way being diagnosed with caner has been a blessing I have become closer to my friends and family and Amy and deeper in my faith. My outlook on life has changed. I used to want to Win national championship's and was on my way to Minnesota to get starting in a great career as a strength coach at a competitive school with elite athletes. Something I always wanted to do. But Maybe not anymore. I also want to work with high school athletes now teaching them leadership skills and life skills that can be used during there time in sports but also throughout there lives! Petty little problems aren't so bothering some anymore. they just don't matter. I could live I could die and don't want to spend the time I have here on the glorious earth that God created not living it to the fullest. It's may be weird to hear but I thank God for giving me this challenge. I never backed down from one and i wont start here. "Pain is weakness leaving the body" I have been saying this for as long as i can remember and as I go thought this chemo I stay strong by repeating this and changing that negative painful energy into a energy that is POSITIVE AND STRONG.
PICTURES OF THE AWESOME SHIRTS AND my 5 year reuinon that was not very well attended haha
Monday, June 6, 2011
First Cycle almost done.
I was told today by my Doctor that the leading arcitect firm of hospitals are also the leading builder of prisions. I believe it get me outta here!!!
Well I haven't wrote in a while. I like to write when I am alone and I have had alot of visitors this week I have been in here.
Got to St. Lukes Tuesday and just did some check in things. Wednesday I got the port placed in my skull. Ended up getting 8 staples put in there. Honestly I look real tough haha. Thursday I started the first bag of chemo. Today I am on my 9th and final bag of this first cycle. I still feel real good. No sickness, no puking, a little tired but overall the energy is good. Doc came in this morning and told me that all my blood counts still look real good. But he also said that I shouldn't get to excited b/c i am getting some strong doses and they will catch up. Hopefully I will get out of here soon b/c i am getting real bored and a little nuts. I wanna get outside and ride a bike, swing a club, shoot a ball or anything. I got a bike in my room but it sucks! The food here SUCKS as well.
I got some more information today about after and things my blood counts should start dropping soon. That's when i am going to start to feel tired and not being able to fight off infections and basic colds. I really don't know what to talk about today. I feel like I'm telling this story over and over.
I got an awesome quilt yesterday made but Debbie Diedrich that was signed but tons of people and it slept with it last night It was quite comforting. My people i haven't talked to in a long time signed it. Teachers and old friends. It was soo nice I even got some nurses to sign it. One of my Nurses, Lara, even started to tear up when she saw it. I am sooo bless to be from a small community where everyone truly cares for each other.
Ryan
Well I haven't wrote in a while. I like to write when I am alone and I have had alot of visitors this week I have been in here.
Got to St. Lukes Tuesday and just did some check in things. Wednesday I got the port placed in my skull. Ended up getting 8 staples put in there. Honestly I look real tough haha. Thursday I started the first bag of chemo. Today I am on my 9th and final bag of this first cycle. I still feel real good. No sickness, no puking, a little tired but overall the energy is good. Doc came in this morning and told me that all my blood counts still look real good. But he also said that I shouldn't get to excited b/c i am getting some strong doses and they will catch up. Hopefully I will get out of here soon b/c i am getting real bored and a little nuts. I wanna get outside and ride a bike, swing a club, shoot a ball or anything. I got a bike in my room but it sucks! The food here SUCKS as well.
I got some more information today about after and things my blood counts should start dropping soon. That's when i am going to start to feel tired and not being able to fight off infections and basic colds. I really don't know what to talk about today. I feel like I'm telling this story over and over.
I got an awesome quilt yesterday made but Debbie Diedrich that was signed but tons of people and it slept with it last night It was quite comforting. My people i haven't talked to in a long time signed it. Teachers and old friends. It was soo nice I even got some nurses to sign it. One of my Nurses, Lara, even started to tear up when she saw it. I am sooo bless to be from a small community where everyone truly cares for each other.
Ryan
Thursday, June 2, 2011
First Bag of chemo done.
Well I got my first bog of chemo today at about 8 this morning. It took 3 hours to run all the way through. They said i might feel Sick or fatigued but I don't have any of that. In fact, I'm about to jump on the bike again. Yesterday I got the Port put in my head, that still kind of hurts. I have like 5 staples in and it just a little sore around the cut.
Today is Amy and my 2 year anniversary!!!!
She has been soooo incredible through this whole thing. I know she doesn't really like it when i brag her up on there but she deserves the credit. Everyday I have been in the hospital she has slept in a cot next to me. It's just REALLY nice to have someone there. I start to think a little to much about things when im alone.
I have to admit that its weird being here. There is ALOT of really sick people on this floor... I feel like I shouldn't be here. My energy is still really high and attitude is good and positive.
I got a book from my buddy Aaron the other day. It was the Lance Armstrong book, Its not About The Bike The journey back to Life." I skipped to the section where he talks about getting the chemo and treatment. He scared the crap outta me. Maybe in a way though it prepared me for the worst. I feel completely fine right now but I know that i have 4 1/2 more days of this. I might not be so fine on the 5th day.
Ryan
Today is Amy and my 2 year anniversary!!!!
She has been soooo incredible through this whole thing. I know she doesn't really like it when i brag her up on there but she deserves the credit. Everyday I have been in the hospital she has slept in a cot next to me. It's just REALLY nice to have someone there. I start to think a little to much about things when im alone.
I have to admit that its weird being here. There is ALOT of really sick people on this floor... I feel like I shouldn't be here. My energy is still really high and attitude is good and positive.
I got a book from my buddy Aaron the other day. It was the Lance Armstrong book, Its not About The Bike The journey back to Life." I skipped to the section where he talks about getting the chemo and treatment. He scared the crap outta me. Maybe in a way though it prepared me for the worst. I feel completely fine right now but I know that i have 4 1/2 more days of this. I might not be so fine on the 5th day.
Ryan
Me getting my first Bag of Chemo (day 1)
Monday, May 30, 2011
Rollercoaster weekend!
I am going to start out by saying, "WOW!" What a great weekend! Saturday, we had a little cookout in Hilbert at my parents house and it was awesome! Tons of people showed up and I was again in shock of all the people that care for me and my family. I am soo bless to be surrounded by this many people who truly care. That cook out was filled with lots of highs and then a couple of lows.
All my family and friends showed up and ate tons of food. I was grilling like a mad man! There was lawn games and spirts everywhere! Then Trent , a buddy of mine, got everyone together and gave me and my family a prayer box. It is a necklace that has been passed around Hilbert for some time now. It was with Mike Ruland and his family first, then Teresa Halbach family, then it was passed to Parker Cummings and his family. To reviece this was such an honor for him me. Trent told the story and handed it to me and I immediately started to cry and kind of broke down a little right in front of everyone. I wanted to say something after but I was pretty hard to get the words out. I wouldn't say this was a low but it was a loop on the emotional roller coaster for sure.
After this we had more drinks and food and had a great time. We then moved on to the head shaving. The doctors wanted me to shave my head this weekend because of the port they have to put in tomorrow. Well I didnt get the frayer but Brad did and Trent got a pretty crazy cut as well. My sister and others took soo many good pictures of this. Another moment I will never forget! Another loop complete on the coaster. After this, I got to bed pretty early.
Sunday Amy and I took It a little easy and got some well deserved R and R. Amy's parents came up to Oshkosh to drop of a more reliable car for Amy to have so when she drives to Milwaukee she is safe. So nice of them to do that. It made me feel better too b.c. Amy's car is acting a little funny. We went out to eat laer that evening.
Monday was an AWESOME day for Amy and I!!!! We got up early and heard the Memorial parade in Oshkosh and tried to catch it but we missed. I wanted to thank all the Vets out there and have risked or gave there life for me so that I can sit here and write a blog and feel safe at night. Freedom isn't free thats for sure. I recommend you look up some info on the Tomb of the unknown soldier, makes me very proud to be an American.
After this we went to the Beach and had a picnic and got some sun. We also went to the little Zoo in Oshkosh. Thank god I put Sun Block on my head b.c i would have gotten torched! The rest of my body did. Today was soo great and I loved every second of it.
Now I sit here on the couch looking over and seeing Amy sleeping and thinking about tomorrow. Tomorrow I start Chemo. Amy asked me about 2 hours ago if I was nervous or scared. I told her no. I guess I really didnt think about it. I wasnt scared. Well then she fell asleep and I took a shower. In the shower I was trying to pick off all the tape residue that I still all over my stomach and chest from all the surgerys and tests. And I realized that YES I AM SCARED. I broke down a little and thought about the treatment. Everyone react differently so I might be okay and It might be Hell. Then I started to think about all the people that gave me words of advice and sent cards and texted and messaged and called. It gave me strength. It made me pick my head up. Not gonna lie I am still Scared as shit but Im READY now. I am going to Milwaukee tomorrow with a little chip on my shoulder. Im not going let this cancer and this treatment hold me back from the things I want to do and the person I want to be.
Tomorrow I start chemo. It all starts tomorrow. The Journey will never end unless It begins.
Pictures from the weekend.
All my family and friends showed up and ate tons of food. I was grilling like a mad man! There was lawn games and spirts everywhere! Then Trent , a buddy of mine, got everyone together and gave me and my family a prayer box. It is a necklace that has been passed around Hilbert for some time now. It was with Mike Ruland and his family first, then Teresa Halbach family, then it was passed to Parker Cummings and his family. To reviece this was such an honor for him me. Trent told the story and handed it to me and I immediately started to cry and kind of broke down a little right in front of everyone. I wanted to say something after but I was pretty hard to get the words out. I wouldn't say this was a low but it was a loop on the emotional roller coaster for sure.
After this we had more drinks and food and had a great time. We then moved on to the head shaving. The doctors wanted me to shave my head this weekend because of the port they have to put in tomorrow. Well I didnt get the frayer but Brad did and Trent got a pretty crazy cut as well. My sister and others took soo many good pictures of this. Another moment I will never forget! Another loop complete on the coaster. After this, I got to bed pretty early.
Sunday Amy and I took It a little easy and got some well deserved R and R. Amy's parents came up to Oshkosh to drop of a more reliable car for Amy to have so when she drives to Milwaukee she is safe. So nice of them to do that. It made me feel better too b.c. Amy's car is acting a little funny. We went out to eat laer that evening.
Monday was an AWESOME day for Amy and I!!!! We got up early and heard the Memorial parade in Oshkosh and tried to catch it but we missed. I wanted to thank all the Vets out there and have risked or gave there life for me so that I can sit here and write a blog and feel safe at night. Freedom isn't free thats for sure. I recommend you look up some info on the Tomb of the unknown soldier, makes me very proud to be an American.
After this we went to the Beach and had a picnic and got some sun. We also went to the little Zoo in Oshkosh. Thank god I put Sun Block on my head b.c i would have gotten torched! The rest of my body did. Today was soo great and I loved every second of it.
Now I sit here on the couch looking over and seeing Amy sleeping and thinking about tomorrow. Tomorrow I start Chemo. Amy asked me about 2 hours ago if I was nervous or scared. I told her no. I guess I really didnt think about it. I wasnt scared. Well then she fell asleep and I took a shower. In the shower I was trying to pick off all the tape residue that I still all over my stomach and chest from all the surgerys and tests. And I realized that YES I AM SCARED. I broke down a little and thought about the treatment. Everyone react differently so I might be okay and It might be Hell. Then I started to think about all the people that gave me words of advice and sent cards and texted and messaged and called. It gave me strength. It made me pick my head up. Not gonna lie I am still Scared as shit but Im READY now. I am going to Milwaukee tomorrow with a little chip on my shoulder. Im not going let this cancer and this treatment hold me back from the things I want to do and the person I want to be.
Tomorrow I start chemo. It all starts tomorrow. The Journey will never end unless It begins.
Pictures from the weekend.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Graduation Day (the redue)
Today was such an awesome fun day!
The back story. So I went to the gym Thursday to get a workout in, I biked 10 miles again and did a little walking. After i got to meet with everyone that I worked with there and we got to talking about the graduation that i missed. I missed it because I was in surgery during the ceremony. The time that I should have been walking I was getting 8 inches of my small intestine cut out of my body. Well a lady that I work with, Jill, called to see if i could at least get the cover thing they give you. Well some how she worked her magic and me a meeting with the Chancellor of UW-Oshkosh!!!
I went in this morning with My mother and father and a bunch of people I work with at the rec. I thought it was just going to be this little thing But it wasn't! As soon as I got there they asked me if I wanted a Cap and Gown to put on And My mom was like, " Oh no we brought his." I was planning on not wearing that. So I put it on and out comes the Chancellor in his whole gettie up with my diploma cover. It will be one of my fondest memories ever. I was kinda bummed that I didnt get that moment and I thought i never would. But I got It today! I graduated College and Its and AWESOME feeling.
For the Chancellor to do that on his day off was really meaningful to me. There was even a Professional photographer there and I think I might be in the paper as an "honorary graduate!"
Its an amazing experience! The best part about it all is I think that my mom and dad wanted to have that moment too. To see the look on there faces when this was all going down made me feel even better.
Also today I got some more news at the Doctor. The results came back from the Bone Marrow and also the Spinal Tap. I have NO Lymphoma cells in either. So that was real good!! I have some swollen and active ones in my armpits and my groin/gut area but even those aren't growing as fast as they thought they would be. They havnt change much in the week between the CT scan and The PET scan. All Good news today
After this I went to my old high school and meet with alot of teachers and old coaches! It was fun seeing all these people again! Everyone had very nice things to say.
Today has been a great day my spirits are up and excited for the weekend with my family and friends before I start treatment next Tuesday. Hopefully the rain stays away so that we can have a cookout tomorrow!
The back story. So I went to the gym Thursday to get a workout in, I biked 10 miles again and did a little walking. After i got to meet with everyone that I worked with there and we got to talking about the graduation that i missed. I missed it because I was in surgery during the ceremony. The time that I should have been walking I was getting 8 inches of my small intestine cut out of my body. Well a lady that I work with, Jill, called to see if i could at least get the cover thing they give you. Well some how she worked her magic and me a meeting with the Chancellor of UW-Oshkosh!!!
I went in this morning with My mother and father and a bunch of people I work with at the rec. I thought it was just going to be this little thing But it wasn't! As soon as I got there they asked me if I wanted a Cap and Gown to put on And My mom was like, " Oh no we brought his." I was planning on not wearing that. So I put it on and out comes the Chancellor in his whole gettie up with my diploma cover. It will be one of my fondest memories ever. I was kinda bummed that I didnt get that moment and I thought i never would. But I got It today! I graduated College and Its and AWESOME feeling.
For the Chancellor to do that on his day off was really meaningful to me. There was even a Professional photographer there and I think I might be in the paper as an "honorary graduate!"
Its an amazing experience! The best part about it all is I think that my mom and dad wanted to have that moment too. To see the look on there faces when this was all going down made me feel even better.
Also today I got some more news at the Doctor. The results came back from the Bone Marrow and also the Spinal Tap. I have NO Lymphoma cells in either. So that was real good!! I have some swollen and active ones in my armpits and my groin/gut area but even those aren't growing as fast as they thought they would be. They havnt change much in the week between the CT scan and The PET scan. All Good news today
After this I went to my old high school and meet with alot of teachers and old coaches! It was fun seeing all these people again! Everyone had very nice things to say.
Today has been a great day my spirits are up and excited for the weekend with my family and friends before I start treatment next Tuesday. Hopefully the rain stays away so that we can have a cookout tomorrow!
Here are a couple of pictures that my mom took today
The one that made this all happen.
Thanks Jill! This is truely something I will NEVER forget!!!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
rainy
The spinal puncher wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Thank GOD. I am already getting sick of these different testes everyday. Good thing the test are over. Well for now at least. I will have to have CT scans prolly for the nest 5-10 years of my life so that when I beat this they can just keep an eye on it and make sure it isn't coming back or anything.
Just kinda bored today. Its rainy and they told me to sit on the couch all day today so that the hole they put in my spine will seal up nice and tight. Sometimes it doesn't and the fluid can leak out and you get really bad head aches. I haven't had anything like that so I'm pretty sure that we are good to go.
Tomorrow I got the day off!!! I am going to get back to the gym and bike alittle and try and do some more things to get back to normal a bit. Then Friday is the big meeting with my Doc. We are gonna go over all the test results and then talk about the treatment plan. Then before I know it I will be in Milwaukee at St. Lukes getting this thing started.
Is it alittle weird that I am looking forward to it?
Just another challenge to overcome.
P.s. Someone make this rain go away! I want to get some quality sun time in before we get started.
ryan
Just kinda bored today. Its rainy and they told me to sit on the couch all day today so that the hole they put in my spine will seal up nice and tight. Sometimes it doesn't and the fluid can leak out and you get really bad head aches. I haven't had anything like that so I'm pretty sure that we are good to go.
Tomorrow I got the day off!!! I am going to get back to the gym and bike alittle and try and do some more things to get back to normal a bit. Then Friday is the big meeting with my Doc. We are gonna go over all the test results and then talk about the treatment plan. Then before I know it I will be in Milwaukee at St. Lukes getting this thing started.
Is it alittle weird that I am looking forward to it?
Just another challenge to overcome.
P.s. Someone make this rain go away! I want to get some quality sun time in before we get started.
ryan
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
surgery
Hey everyone. After a nap and some food I'm feeling better. I had my surgery today to put my port in and also a bone marrow biopsy. Everything went very well. The worst part is went I wake up and my hangy ball is all swollen because of that breathing tube that stick down my throat. I got a sweet wrist band and a card to put in my wallet to prove that I have a "powerport." Supposedly they are new and not many people have them. They are made so that they can withstand high pressure. They have to put the drugs in FAST and the other old ones would just blow up.
Tomorrow is my spinal tap so that they can see if it has spread to my spinal fluid. Friday is my meeting with Dr. Dar. We are going to go over ALL the results from the 50,000 tests that I have done.
Then we are going to Milwaukee Tuesday. They are going to put the other port in my head when we get down there. He explained it like a door into my brian. Kinda like a hole in my skull that is covered with the port. Kinda weird if you ask me. They also want me to shave the head before that. Prolly this weekend? maybe start with a little fryers cut and move from there...Amy thinks its gross :)
I heard an amazing quote today off a Gatorade commercial:
"What is strength? Maybe its the result when we run out of weakness"
Tomorrow is my spinal tap so that they can see if it has spread to my spinal fluid. Friday is my meeting with Dr. Dar. We are going to go over ALL the results from the 50,000 tests that I have done.
Then we are going to Milwaukee Tuesday. They are going to put the other port in my head when we get down there. He explained it like a door into my brian. Kinda like a hole in my skull that is covered with the port. Kinda weird if you ask me. They also want me to shave the head before that. Prolly this weekend? maybe start with a little fryers cut and move from there...Amy thinks its gross :)
I heard an amazing quote today off a Gatorade commercial:
"What is strength? Maybe its the result when we run out of weakness"
Monday, May 23, 2011
Normal
Long, but fun day today I had an appointment in Green Bay today that went well. Then I came back to the old stomping grounds, Hilbert. Everything looks the same and I like that. It's nice to get back to where you grew up and have so many memories from.
Stopped at trents house before he had to go to work and chatted for a bit then to brads. It's nice just visiting with friends even if it is for like 10 minutes. Just to see there faces puts me in a better mood. Got to the ball park too. The worst part of the day was that I was at the ball park and I was WATCHING....I kind of realized that this isn't going to be a normal summer and I wont be able to do the things that I love to do, like play sports, and just get outside and be active. Just the normal every day things. I wont be able to do the normal things anymore, atleast until this treatment is over and I beat this!!!
Tomorrow I have more sugrey. I get my port put in. The port is just like a pump that they put in above my heart so that when I get treatment they dont have to start an IV everytime. I am also getting another Bone marrow Biopsy. I guess I have the hardest bones in the world because they really have problems breaking into them to get some marrow. I guess its all that milk ma and pa made me drink. I hope I get the Spinal tap tomorrow as well. I would like to get it all done while i'm OUT. I dont really want to come back later in the week and do the Tap while im awake.
Tip of the day: If you get a chance to spend 10 minutes with your closest friends. DO IT. Dont tell yourself 10 minutes well that doesnt even pay. It does pay not only for you but im sure your friends will enjoy it too.
ryan
Stopped at trents house before he had to go to work and chatted for a bit then to brads. It's nice just visiting with friends even if it is for like 10 minutes. Just to see there faces puts me in a better mood. Got to the ball park too. The worst part of the day was that I was at the ball park and I was WATCHING....I kind of realized that this isn't going to be a normal summer and I wont be able to do the things that I love to do, like play sports, and just get outside and be active. Just the normal every day things. I wont be able to do the normal things anymore, atleast until this treatment is over and I beat this!!!
Tomorrow I have more sugrey. I get my port put in. The port is just like a pump that they put in above my heart so that when I get treatment they dont have to start an IV everytime. I am also getting another Bone marrow Biopsy. I guess I have the hardest bones in the world because they really have problems breaking into them to get some marrow. I guess its all that milk ma and pa made me drink. I hope I get the Spinal tap tomorrow as well. I would like to get it all done while i'm OUT. I dont really want to come back later in the week and do the Tap while im awake.
Tip of the day: If you get a chance to spend 10 minutes with your closest friends. DO IT. Dont tell yourself 10 minutes well that doesnt even pay. It does pay not only for you but im sure your friends will enjoy it too.
ryan
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Strength
Sorry I missed yesterday everyone. I just dont think I will have the time to write everyday but hopefully I can write more days then not.
Well yesterday was great! I woke up feeling alot better. My core was real sore the past week but yesterday I woke up and felt better then I have in months. My strength, my energy, and my overall health was real high. I wanted to get back into things and start doing my normal activities again. I was feeling so good that I walked to the gym and biked 10 Miles in about 42 mins. After I still felt good and walked a little bit! Isn't it crazy that I biked about 4 minute miles and people in the world can run that! I better pick up the pace.
Yesterday was a great day until the doctor called with my results. It's Burkitt's Lymphoma, which we all kind of new anyway. I was a little down after the call but I kinda decided that i wasn't going to let that bring the day to an end. I was feeling better and Stronger than I have in months. It's so weird to me that I have cancer.... I feel GOOD right now. I dont feel sick. I look normal. If someone walked by me on the street or when I was on the bike the last thought they would have is that I have cancer! I feel and look good. I guess I dont look as good on the inside....
Today was the PET scan. I have been Radioactive since about 7 this morning. Ha what does that even mean? All I know is that if your pregnant dont walk by me right now because it could be bad for the baby. The PET scan is going to tell me where the lymphoma has all spread too. I wont know the result until Monday.
SOOO, Today I am in another good mood Amy and I are heading to the mall to meet up with my Mother and Sister. I got some Graduation money from the parents and I feel like getting myself a little something something.
Things are going to start and get REAL busy. Appointments Monday, Tuesday. Then I have to recover from more surgery!!!
Oh yes, one last thing. We found out the tentative date for the start of treatment...... Drum Roll please.............JUNE 2nd....... whats important about that date??!?!??!?!??!?!
JUNE 2nd is Amy's and Ryan's 2nd year anniversary!!!
So lets recap,
Nov. 9th = my birthday and In the hospital for 4 days because of really low blood counts.
May 14th= college graduation and In hospital
June 2nd= 2 year anniversary and starting Chemotherapy
Oh what a year!
ryan
Well yesterday was great! I woke up feeling alot better. My core was real sore the past week but yesterday I woke up and felt better then I have in months. My strength, my energy, and my overall health was real high. I wanted to get back into things and start doing my normal activities again. I was feeling so good that I walked to the gym and biked 10 Miles in about 42 mins. After I still felt good and walked a little bit! Isn't it crazy that I biked about 4 minute miles and people in the world can run that! I better pick up the pace.
Yesterday was a great day until the doctor called with my results. It's Burkitt's Lymphoma, which we all kind of new anyway. I was a little down after the call but I kinda decided that i wasn't going to let that bring the day to an end. I was feeling better and Stronger than I have in months. It's so weird to me that I have cancer.... I feel GOOD right now. I dont feel sick. I look normal. If someone walked by me on the street or when I was on the bike the last thought they would have is that I have cancer! I feel and look good. I guess I dont look as good on the inside....
Today was the PET scan. I have been Radioactive since about 7 this morning. Ha what does that even mean? All I know is that if your pregnant dont walk by me right now because it could be bad for the baby. The PET scan is going to tell me where the lymphoma has all spread too. I wont know the result until Monday.
SOOO, Today I am in another good mood Amy and I are heading to the mall to meet up with my Mother and Sister. I got some Graduation money from the parents and I feel like getting myself a little something something.
Things are going to start and get REAL busy. Appointments Monday, Tuesday. Then I have to recover from more surgery!!!
Oh yes, one last thing. We found out the tentative date for the start of treatment...... Drum Roll please.............JUNE 2nd....... whats important about that date??!?!??!?!??!?!
JUNE 2nd is Amy's and Ryan's 2nd year anniversary!!!
So lets recap,
Nov. 9th = my birthday and In the hospital for 4 days because of really low blood counts.
May 14th= college graduation and In hospital
June 2nd= 2 year anniversary and starting Chemotherapy
Oh what a year!
ryan
Thursday, May 19, 2011
HOME sweet HOME
I made it home yesterday afternoon and I can tell you there is truely No place like Home! I am a little emotional again this morning but it is for a totally completely different reason. Today is about the overwellming post of my Wall, textes, calls, emails, visits I have had over the past week. The lord has truely blessed me with many people that CARE. Like truely care. It is overwellming just how many people have contracted me in one way or the other just to tell me to "stay strong" or that "I am in there prayers"
Yesterday Amy said she had a little surprise for me. When we got home she took out like 30 pieces of paper all with writing on them. They were little letters and notes from all the children in her class. She teaches 6th 7th , and 8th graders here in oshkosh at south park middle school. In each class the kids kind of asked what happen and Amy told them some things. They had a little 'health' lesson before class. I guess they asked very good questions like is cancer contagious? I mean that is a GREAT question for a 6th grader to be asking right? Well anyways, in one of the classes they asked if they could write me cards and Amy said, "If you you like to write him a card that would be nice but you dont have too." After class almost everyone came up to her and gave her something to give to me. I started tearing up again when i got these because i was already overwellmed about how many people cared. Now people and kids that I dont even know are writing me letters? It was very Amazing to read all the things the kids wrote and it made me LAUGH and I needed a laugh. The running theme in all of the notes they wrote me was, "P.S.- Will you marry Miss Joiner please?"
About every other one said something about that. One little girl even called flower girl! She said she thinks that she would be good at it.
So I am just kind of playing the waiting game right now. They still havn't told me what kind of Lymphoma it is yet. I think I will prolly get a call today about it. They want me to heal up from the surgery before I start any treatment because the treatment will kinda slow or stop the healing process. Treatment will prolly start June 1st ish they think and it will be at St. Lukes, in Milwaukee. They said I had to do they first treatment there because they have a better supporting staff just incase something goes wrong.
It's nice that we are heading down a road now. Before, when I had all this pain, they didnt know what was going on. All the tests they ran were good. One doctor even told me that I had alot of GAS and I needed Gas-X. That was the day before I went in for emerency surgrey. He told me I had gas and I looked at him like his was the dumbest doctor in the planet. I know my body. This is more that a little gas build up buddy. But at least now we know what it is and and start doing something about it.
To end it today I just want to leave you guys with a picture that one of the kids drew. haha those kids are amazing. I would love to go and visit them before school gets out...
ryan
Yesterday Amy said she had a little surprise for me. When we got home she took out like 30 pieces of paper all with writing on them. They were little letters and notes from all the children in her class. She teaches 6th 7th , and 8th graders here in oshkosh at south park middle school. In each class the kids kind of asked what happen and Amy told them some things. They had a little 'health' lesson before class. I guess they asked very good questions like is cancer contagious? I mean that is a GREAT question for a 6th grader to be asking right? Well anyways, in one of the classes they asked if they could write me cards and Amy said, "If you you like to write him a card that would be nice but you dont have too." After class almost everyone came up to her and gave her something to give to me. I started tearing up again when i got these because i was already overwellmed about how many people cared. Now people and kids that I dont even know are writing me letters? It was very Amazing to read all the things the kids wrote and it made me LAUGH and I needed a laugh. The running theme in all of the notes they wrote me was, "P.S.- Will you marry Miss Joiner please?"
About every other one said something about that. One little girl even called flower girl! She said she thinks that she would be good at it.
So I am just kind of playing the waiting game right now. They still havn't told me what kind of Lymphoma it is yet. I think I will prolly get a call today about it. They want me to heal up from the surgery before I start any treatment because the treatment will kinda slow or stop the healing process. Treatment will prolly start June 1st ish they think and it will be at St. Lukes, in Milwaukee. They said I had to do they first treatment there because they have a better supporting staff just incase something goes wrong.
It's nice that we are heading down a road now. Before, when I had all this pain, they didnt know what was going on. All the tests they ran were good. One doctor even told me that I had alot of GAS and I needed Gas-X. That was the day before I went in for emerency surgrey. He told me I had gas and I looked at him like his was the dumbest doctor in the planet. I know my body. This is more that a little gas build up buddy. But at least now we know what it is and and start doing something about it.
To end it today I just want to leave you guys with a picture that one of the kids drew. haha those kids are amazing. I would love to go and visit them before school gets out...
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
My first blog
Hi everyone. Well I decided to start a blog for my family and friends to look at and keep updated with what is going on. I want to warn everyone first that I dont think I am very good at things like "blogging" so prepare yourselves! I started this blog not only so all my loved ones could stay up dated with whats going on in my life but I also think that this might be a little therapeutic for me as well. Just to get things off my chest.
Well, so most of you already know. I have been diagnosed with Lymphoma. They are still unsure which type it is but they have it narrowed down to 2 different types, Burkitt's or Diffused Large B-cell. Both are aggressive types. From what I understand it is almost better to have an aggressive type of lymphoma b.c. the faster they grow the easier they are to kill. The slowing growing lymphomas are hard to kill. Either way I will be starting chemotherapy soon.
I was pretty made when i first found out what it was. I mean I literally was in surgery during the ceremony where is should have been receiving my diploma. Shortly after surgery I found out and was kind of shocked. That was Saturday the 14th of May. I have had tons of visitors come in and I want to say thank you to all of them. Anyone that has even taken 2 seconds out of the day to send a text or a facebook message, I want ot say THANK YOU. It has helped me soo much to know that I have sooo many people that care for me and my health.
Amy (my girlfriend) has been amazing thought this whole thing. She has stay with me every night and has done so much for me. I am so thankful that she is her and helping me thought this. I know this is just as hard on her as it is on me. Today I kinda talked her into going back to school today, she teaches at a middle school. She teaches math and she is amazing with those kids. I love hearing her talk about her day. She cares so much about her kids.
But this morning I am her alone and it is tough........ I am scheduled to leave today and let my surgery heal up. Lots of doctors and nurses are coming in today to say good bye and wish me luck. The hard part is when they ask me how im 'feeling' and how I am taking all of this news. Because of this, I think it is starting to hit me. I have lymphoma.....I start chemo in 2 weeks im going to lose all my hair. I'm not going to Minnesota for this internship anymore. I thought Amy and I had it all planned out. Well in a blink of an eye our lives have changed.
Its been a really tough morning. I realize that there are going to be good days also but today It has finally hit me.
Ryan
Well, so most of you already know. I have been diagnosed with Lymphoma. They are still unsure which type it is but they have it narrowed down to 2 different types, Burkitt's or Diffused Large B-cell. Both are aggressive types. From what I understand it is almost better to have an aggressive type of lymphoma b.c. the faster they grow the easier they are to kill. The slowing growing lymphomas are hard to kill. Either way I will be starting chemotherapy soon.
I was pretty made when i first found out what it was. I mean I literally was in surgery during the ceremony where is should have been receiving my diploma. Shortly after surgery I found out and was kind of shocked. That was Saturday the 14th of May. I have had tons of visitors come in and I want to say thank you to all of them. Anyone that has even taken 2 seconds out of the day to send a text or a facebook message, I want ot say THANK YOU. It has helped me soo much to know that I have sooo many people that care for me and my health.
Amy (my girlfriend) has been amazing thought this whole thing. She has stay with me every night and has done so much for me. I am so thankful that she is her and helping me thought this. I know this is just as hard on her as it is on me. Today I kinda talked her into going back to school today, she teaches at a middle school. She teaches math and she is amazing with those kids. I love hearing her talk about her day. She cares so much about her kids.
But this morning I am her alone and it is tough........ I am scheduled to leave today and let my surgery heal up. Lots of doctors and nurses are coming in today to say good bye and wish me luck. The hard part is when they ask me how im 'feeling' and how I am taking all of this news. Because of this, I think it is starting to hit me. I have lymphoma.....I start chemo in 2 weeks im going to lose all my hair. I'm not going to Minnesota for this internship anymore. I thought Amy and I had it all planned out. Well in a blink of an eye our lives have changed.
Its been a really tough morning. I realize that there are going to be good days also but today It has finally hit me.
Ryan
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