So, How's Ryan?

Today - Sept, 2018 So, this is day 500.  500 days since we found out Ryan had Leukemia.  It's been a very strange year and a half, and you all have no idea how much I appreciate your support and your prayers.  For the last 500 days, I have posted an update every evening. I have tried to keep my posts positive (sometimes more for me than for anyone reading them).  There are things that I have not talked about, perhaps because putting those things into writing will make them possible.  Mostly, I have avoided any writing that implies that there is any alternative to things working out.   When we were first diagnosed with Leukemia, our doctors came in to give us 'the talk'.  For anyone who has gone through this, you know about 'the talk'.   Since Ryan had a small bowel and liver transplant, odds were that Ryan would not survive.  We knew this.  However, Ryan is an amazing kid, always defying the odds. May, 2017  (first month of chemo) Through the first ye

Ryan headed up to the grandparents after lunch this afternoon for a day of movies and fun!  He stayed up way too late last night, and slept in this morning until about noon... spoiled kid, but I guess it is Saturday. He's feeling really good and it looks like his belly isn't causing any trouble.  And, with the new TPN, we don't have to do 2 infusions per day!  Woo hoo! Thank you all for the continued prayers and good thoughts!

I spent the day in Fort Benton with my mom and her friend... It was nice to spend the day walking around the fort and the museums, and just enjoy the beautiful day. Ryan stayed home with Patrick, so it was kind of a break day for him as well!  He woke up late and didn't have to worry about his school work all day... But, he will make up for the missing work tomorrow... One of the side benefits of homeschooling! His belly has completely closed up, now that he's been without the IV chemo for 2 weeks or so.  It looks great and hopefully will stay that way for a while.  We don't have another spinal tap until October, and I don't think we have the week long IV chemo for another few weeks.  Just enjoying feeling good! Thank you all for the prayers and good thoughts!

We headed into town for labs today to check on Ryan's magnesium level... it was up from 1.1 to 1.4, which is almost normal.  Apparently, the IV mag we have been giving him is helping!  In addition, the TPN will now have the magnesium, so we won't need to do an extra infusion.  All good! This evening, a special guest decided to walk by my bedroom window.  Not a great picture, but he was almost close enough to touch.  I love living here! Thank you all for the continued prayers and good thoughts!

After we finished up schoolwork today, Ryan wanted to go out into the backyard to dig up dinosaur bones... Unfortunately, it's been a while since we mowed the back lawn, and I was a bit concerned about snakes.  I didn't mean to worry him, but when I mentioned that he should keep an eye out, he decided he didn't want to outside after all... This prompted the guilty mom reaction, so I jumped on the lawn mower and mowed the back lawn, so he could dig for dinosaur bones without fear of snakes.  He followed me around the lawn for about an hour, making sure I was safe from the snakes as I mowed.  What an awesome kid! All is going good... Labs tomorrow (Thursday), to make sure our magnesium level is doing okay.  We also got a call from the home infusion center that makes our TPN, letting us know that they finally got a shipment of magnesium to put in his TPN, so we won't need a second daily infusion... woo hoo! Thank you all for the continued prayers and good thoughts!

Ryan woke up, took his shower and got started on his school work right away.  As you can see, he's even smiling.  I'm not sure what changed, but he isn't fighting me and he seems to be having a little fun... Who knew? I donated blood today at our blood drive.  It was pretty busy, so I hope we met our goal.  Afterwards, I had a great night with the girls at book club.  It's so nice to spend an evening with good friends (even though I didn't read the book!)  Hopefully, with all my free time now, I might be able to read the book for next time! Labs are scheduled for Thursday, and everything seems to be going good! Thank you all for the continued prayers and good thoughts!

While Kathryn, Connor and Allen had their first days at college today, Ryan worked really hard at his homeschool work.  Ryan has been struggling with his addition and subtraction facts, and we have been practicing every day.  Today, Patrick came up with a makeshift slide ruler, which allowed Ryan to visualize the math facts.  He was so happy that he did extra work!  Woo hoo!  We love homeschool days like this! We also were treated to a beautiful rainy day.  It may have even gotten a few snow flurries, but mostly just a lovely soft drizzle all day.  We had hot tea and apple cider and warm food and sweatshirts, which just makes us look forward to fall!  I'm sure it will be here before we know it! Thank you all for the continued prayers and good thoughts!