Last Wednesday was one of the longest, most anxiety-ridden days of my life. Ryan had to be at the Cancer Center by 7:30 am to undergo additional tests. He was released at 10:00 and told to stay away from children and animals for 4-6 hours because he was still radioactive. After playing the Radioactive song loudly, we tried to see if he had acquired any superpowers in the process. Low and behold, he could jump 15 feet off the ground and scale the walls of city buildings.
The Dr. informed us the results would be available within the next 2 hours and he would call us immediately. The hours between 10:00 - 12:00 were nerve-wracking, to say the least. We decided to get some food at a favorite brunch joint so we wouldn't just pace the floors of the house. It literally felt like we were waiting to hear if he would live or die. That sounds dramatic, but seriously I don't recommend it as entertainment. When 12:00 came and we had still not received the results, I told Ryan the Dr. had until 1:00 before I placed a hysterical phone call. At 1:02 I called the office and told the receptionist a sob story about the anxiety I was feeling. She sent me to the nurse's voicemail. The time between 1:00 - 2:00 felt like 1,000 hours. Every time Ryan's phone rang, my stomach would fall. After arriving back home, he relaxed on the bed while I read the same paragraph in my textbook at least 200 times because my mind couldn't focus. Finally I heard Ryan answer a call and say the magical words:
"Hi, Dr. Sirridge. Yes, this is Ryan."
I ran into the bedroom and Ryan put the call on speaker phone. Dr. Sirridge was already giving him the rundown on the PET scan results.
"I have some great news for you. The cancer has not spread AT ALL. It is completely localized in your throat. This is extremely rare! We will be able to get away with only 3 months of chemotherapy and a couple rounds of radiation."
I started doing the happy dance while Ryan continued the conversation. Dr. Sirridge repeated the phrase "very rare" a couple more times, which I felt could be replaced with "a miracle." All the prayers being sent from across the country helped us receive the best outcome possible.
We have had quite a range of emotions in the past 5 days. I'm not going to elaborate except to say it's interesting to be in the Cancer Club, where you feel things you've never experienced before. It's not a club I ever hoped to join, but I'm grateful for the lessons we've learned so far.
This week we will attend "Chemotherapy Training," where we will be told what to expect in the upcoming months. Then Ryan will need to have a pick line inserted, and we will finally be able to start the process of killing the evil cells.
These are pictures I took before Ryan's surgery last month. The picture on the left was taken right before he was wheeled to the Operating Room, and the picture on the right was taken in the Recovery Room. He looked rather angelic with the warm blankets keeping his head warm.
I took this picture about a week after the surgery, when a bunch of neighborhood kids came over for a game of kickball. Despite my protests, Ryan (wearing a white shirt in the outfield) went out to join them. Needless to say, he was in excruciating pain later that evening. The Dr. had given him a strict "no physical exertion for 3 weeks" rule, but Ryan likes to be a rule-breaker.
Our lives have been eventful and fun, despite Ryan's health struggles. We had a wonderful Easter, filled with love for our Savior and time with our closest friends.
After church on Easter, I made everyone gather for a few pictures. I should have been more specific when I told Logan to tuck in his shirt.
I took some pictures while Ryan posed with the kids, and then we switched places. This is the best "smiley" picture I captured.
And this is the best "strike a pose" picture I captured.
The smiley version of me with the kids. Again, not great. It looks like Brevan is either blessing or crushing Logan, and the smirk doesn't help.
Bella was trying to eat Logan during the photo shoot.
This is the best "strike a pose" picture.
Bella found a snake in the yard that completely fascinated/terrified her. We had fun teasing her for a while. Logan ran screaming into the house and locked himself in the bathroom. Apparently his feelings for snakes rival those of his Grandpa Springer's.
When I told Bryn to pose for a picture, I got the one on the left.
I tried to get a nice picture of all the kids together, but most of them turned out like this first one. They think "put your heads together" means "play dominoes with your bodies."
We went over to Napier's house for a delicious Easter feast with the Simmons, Fagers and Sister Missionaries. We all stuffed ourselves with food, the kids got exercise by running around the yard searching for eggs, and the adults enjoyed some good conversation.
These three beautiful girls sang a musical number in Sacrament, along with a few boys who are many years older. They looked so grown up and their voices blended perfectly.
Christine sure knows how to host a party! She's the most "Pinterest-y" person I know who has never been on Pinterest! I think that's the ultimate threat, because it means she's super creative all on her own. Perfect Mormon Mom Alert.
Jorja was not in the mood to smile, so I told the girls to give me their best grumpy face. You can tell these girls have perfected this look over the years!
A big giant THANK YOU to each and every one of our friends/family members/strangers who have been praying for our family. We have witnessed many miracles, both small and large, that we know are due to the faith of others on our behalf. I promise to pray my little heart out when each of you experience your own trials.
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