On February 8, 2019 after Ryan’s shower, and right before bed, Ryan had excruciating back pain come on suddenly. He had a hard time breathing and couldn’t move his legs. Manti Ambulance did a fabulous job taking care of Ryan and getting him to Gunnison Hospital. After many phone calls between Gunnison Hospital, Ryan’s oncology team, neurology, and a spinal surgeon, they decided Ryan needed to be transported back to University of Utah for an emergency MRI. Gunnison ambulance was fabulous as well! The MRI confirmed a large tumor pressing on his spinal chord and was causing problems from his waist down.
Surgery was recommended, and early in the morning on February 10th Ryan rocked the OR again. Okay, he napped while the doctors did all the work, but he has been such a trooper the entire time!
The surgeon had to remove part of 3 of Ryan’s vertebra (T4, T5, and T6), and they got the entire tumor in one big sac. Bleeding was minimal and the surgeon said it couldn’t have gone any better! So grateful for Doctor Mayhan and his team, they were exceptional!
FB update:
Ryan has not been in much pain and is in good spirits. He has been talking, laughing, and cracking jokes. Even after brain surgery two weeks ago, he is still the sharpest person in the room, and I’m not even joking! The nurses love Ryan because he is such a sweetheart! He feels so blessed and can see many small and big miracles over this last couple of days. He knows his Father in Heaven is so aware of him and that he still has work to do. He still knows that he is going to beat this cancer, even after a couple tough road blocks.
Ryan was discharged from the hospital on Feb, 12 (two days after his surgery). Again, he recovered exceptionally well.
They placed a drain in his back
Ouch!
Still smiling!
I was chasing Gunnison Valley Ambulance and made it shortly after they did
Another date night in the hospital
A video clip of Doctor Judy removing the drain. Kind of gross!
