Over the last few days more and more relatives have been showing up so it's been getting pretty busy around here. Right now it's my mom and dad, Uncle Tom and Aunt Jan, my brother Matt and my sister Renee and brother-inlaw Rick with the whole family in tow: Megan, Jenna and Jason. Kendra's mother is also out here from Colorado. It's really nice to have such a loving and supportive family gathered around you at a time like this. I thank God everyday for the blessing of a great family!
Not much is happening on the medical front. Yesterday we took a break from the radiation treatment and started it back up today; we'll be starting the x-ray treatment on my back tomorrow. They have decided to extend the radiation treatment to two weeks instead of one. We are also continuing with the Albumin/lasix treatment to reduce the swelling, it doesn't seem to be having as positive an impact as it did last weekend.
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In November of 2006, Ryan Marc Vander Wall was diagnosed with advanced cancer. This page will serve as a place for family and friends to connect with him during this difficult time.
17 comments:
Hi Ryan,
I am a co-worker/friend of your cousin Jill and she sent an e-mail out telling of your untimely and unsatifactory diagnosis. I am so very sorry and I will be thinking about you and Jill and praying for your whole family even though I haven't met any of you, I know Jill and that is enough for me. I just want to also tell you that I have a great friend that found out last year that she had an inoperable tumor the size of a small grapefruit on her brain and it didn't look good, but I am happy to report that through some tough soul searching and a tough personality that refused to leave this world without a fight she is recovering and her doctor's take little credit for it as it has been her great soul and spirit and well all the medication she could take to cure it and it has shrunk and is almost ready to be removed. Thank God!!! and thank Gray for her unsinkable spirit. Now I hope that this inspires you and that you will fight hard as I am sure you were thinking of doing anyway, and I send this to you with the greatest amount of respect and gratitude that you and Jill felt that I was a friend enough to share your life with and I will be praying. Have peace, joy and reverence in abundance and if you want to ever e-mail back or even e-mail Gray let me know.
Janice Cook
Hey Ryan,
I just wanted to let you know that you, Kendra, and your family are in our prayers. It has been a long time since we've seen eachother at Thankgiving in New Era but I wanted to let you know I was saddend by the news of your illness.
May God bless you and may His Face shine down upon you, and grant you peace.
Your cousin Dan
Ryan,
I don't know what choices you have made, but whatever it may be we are here for you.
If you are looking into doing any clinical trials I am happy to use any and all connections I have stemming from my relationships at the Salk Institute. We even have some former researchers and friends working at the Hutch center.
I have done quite a bit of research on the broad topic of treatment because of Chewie's recent diagnosis. I hate to compare a friend and human to a dog, but hey, there are some obvious similarities - your shared obsession with hygine and love for metal spikes being just a couple. In any case, just let me know, I would be happy to share what I have learned.
Just say the word if there is anything I can do for you, even if it is just to shut up and send money:)
Love,
The Manzos - Tony, Nina & Chewie
Still thinking about you.
Hi Ryan and Kendra,
Greetings from Uncle Jim, Aunt Kathy, Jodi, and Barry. We have been following your story very closely and check your blog a couple times a day. Please know that we all feel your pain and anxiety as you are faced with a multitude of intense feelings and difficult decisions. We are praying that you may experience a measure of peace and security in fighting this battle.
Jim Hekman
R- have been trying to call but you have been elusive. hope you are doing ok and getting some sleep. Dont let the blues get you down, San Diego sun Is waiting for you. And My freaking charming personality will be there soon....yeah for you. Much love-M
Dear Ryan and Kendra,
Although we all may have wished it was under different circumstances, we appreciated being able to meet you and more of your family on Saturday, and to renew contact with our cousins, your Mom Shirley and Aunt Jan.
You have been in our prayers and thoughts very frequently since we first learned Wed about your hospitalization. We are thankful for the care they are able to give you there, and pray for wisdom for all who care for you and for peace and grace for both of you, and also all your family.
Our son Roger and his wife Denise and family live near UWMC in the student housing at Blakely, just behind the U Village shopping Center, between it and the Burke-Gilman trail. They have invited any who may like to come to have Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday with us at their apt. Please get this message to your parents and others there.
They also understand that your sister Renee and her husband are there with their 3 children, and Denise offered to help care for them if they would like to leave the hospital for a bit. They have twin boys Nathan and Alan, age 9, and a daughter Hannah, 19 months.
Their home phone is 206-524-8181 and her cell # is 206-669-8244.
Thank you so much for the updates on your blog. We wonder what we did without this to be informed in the old days. We just weren't, I guess.
Continuing to keep you in thought and fervent prayer.
Love, Sjoerd & Joyce Kiers
Ryan,
I know we were never very tight when you worked at NH but I just wanted to tell you that you are in my thoughts pretty much daily and I am pulling for you.
If there is anything I can do, just say the word. The whole NH family is thinking about you.
Keep your head up man.
-Scott (Fish)
Hi Ryan :-)
We haven't met but I learned of your situation from a blog posted by someone who cares about you.
There is an event taking place in January that you may be interested in. Here is the link: http://rawwashington.org/events/fundraising
%20event/fundraiser.htm
One of the women who is speaking worked at a healing clinic and personally witnessed the transformation of many lives and futures.
If you would like to go, it would make me very happy to pay for your ticket to the dinner.
Love and Respect,
Brooke Fulton
BrookeLindsay@juno.com
In case you are wondering who the heck I am -
http://people.tribe.net/brookelindsay
Ryan, this is a difficult post for me to write. Needless to say, I, too, have been praying for your health -- physical and spiritual -- so it is good to hear reports of your attitude of acceptance toward your illness. May God continue to give you his grace and peace!
Love from Grandma Hekman
Holy jeez. So sorry you're going through all this buddy. I'll come by and pick on you in the next week if you're feeling up to it. Hoping and praying for the best. -Knuck-
Hey Ryan!
I wanted to let you know that I am praying for you along with the rest of my family. My parents have listed your name at their church and other groups they are a part of. The kids pray for you each night as I tuck them into bed. So know there is no shortage of prayer for you! We don't know how to pray in this situation so we trust the Holy Spirit to intercede for us on your behalf.
Know that you are loved very much by this branch of the Vander Walls.
Matt and I hope to come to see you in January.
I am sure we will talk soon!
Love,
Emily
Hi, Ryan,this is Melinda's mom. I have read some of your blog. You and I have met briefly in the past, and I want to say hello. My heart goes out to you. Colin and I are staying here with Iris when Melinda comes to visit you.
My thoughts will go with her.
I do have to say that I am impressed by your courage, and very much hope for the best possible for you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Melinda says you are not religious, and I can assure you we do not believe in the same God you don't believe in! I wish I were more eloquent, but eloquence escapes me!
Heather
Dear Ryan and Kendra,
I realize that there's not much that can be said that hasn't already been said. Both Christy and I learned of what's happened through Aggona, and we're completely at a loss for words...
Just know that we're here for both of you, and we know that the financial situation (the last thing that you want to have to worry about) is up in the air, but, if you have immediate need please let us know.
We are here for you, and all of us OB'ers are not the same.
Love,
Christy and Todd
Be strong. Your friends are with you.
Andy T
Ryan, after a very meaningful Thanksgiving worship service this a.m. we sang the song, "For the fuits of His Creation" which I would like to share with you and others at this time.
"For the fruits of his creation, thanks be to God. For his gifts to every nation, thanks be to God. For the plowing, sowing, reaping, silent growth while we are sleeping, future needs in earth's safe=keeping, thanks be to God.
For the harvests of the spirit, thanks be to God. For the good we all inherit, thanks be to God. For the wonders that astound us, for the truths that still confound us, most of all that love has found us, thanks be to God."
Love and best wishes from
Grandma Hekman
Even though we talk every day here at the hospital, I want to remind you of the words to this song that was so precious to me when you were a baby. You have a copy in your room, but it may be easier to read from the computer and I want to share it with your friends.
God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.
How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives.
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.
And then one day I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain.
And then as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, All fear is gone!
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives!
Written by Bill and Gloria Gaither
As I watch you bravely face each day, I am comforted by the fact that God is ultimately in control of each day of our lives. He has given you a gift of peace and that is giving us peace as well.
We love you, Ryan!
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