January 24, 2019
We took Ryan to have a brain scan at Gunnison Valley Hospital the morning of January 24, 2019. He had been in a lot of pain previously and it showed no signs of giving up. His eyes were swelling and NOTHING was helping him with the pain. Ryan was going downhill fast! The scan showed two very large tumors that had hemorrhaged in Ryan's brain and was causing a lot of pain and swelling. His entire mid line had been pushed clear over to the other side of his head. To make a very long and difficult story short, he was taken by ambulance to the University of Utah Hospital. The afternoon of the 25th he underwent a very successful brain surgery. We have seen God's hand in our lives and especially through this trial. We are not alone and we are so grateful for the blessings He has given us and for His timing with everything. Mighty miracles have been witnessed.
Sorry these pics are out of order
Right out of surgery, Ryan was in a lot of pain and was terrified. Nobody had told him how the surgery had gone and if he was okay. Within an hour or so, the pain was under control and was maintained throughout the rest of his surgery. We were originally told that he would be in ICU for two days and in the hospital for an additional week or so receiving physical and occupational therapy. Well, he did so well that he was discharged from the hospital two days after his surgery. That was unheard of to all! He made it home for the super bowl and his team won! Go Patriots!
Smiling at his parents house in Sandy shortly after his release.
Sporting my pink hoodie, because zip up's were easier than his over the head hoodies.
He absolutely loved having family visit him in the hospital. He hated for them to go at the end of the day.
Surviving brain surgery calls for pizza of course.
Days before his surgery. We had been working closely with kinesiologists who had started working with his lymph system. They told us that the headaches would be terrible while we worked through it. He lay in bed for days doing his best to tolerate the headaches. Laying down and sleeping provided him relief. They also told us that the droopy mouth, loss of taste, and vomiting was his body dealing with the toxins. Boy were they wrong. When he could no longer handle the pain at home, we went in for a scan and found out it was much much more than toxins. This guy was in big trouble and is so blessed to be alive today.
Dr. Foltz was the surgeon who saved Ryan's life.... We will forever be grateful!
When Ryan first saw him, he thought "Oh, no, I am in trouble if this old guy is the one cutting my head open"..... hahaha. He was absolutely great!
After a 1.5 hour MRI. Waiting for surgery. Ryan doesn't remember much two days before his surgery.
This poor guy was such a trooper. He didn't have energy to say much before his surgery, but that didn't stop him from saying please and thank you to every single person who helped him, weather it be me adjusting his blankets, or the nurses drawing his blood. He is the sweetest, gentlest, kindest man I have ever known.
Thank goodness he had his Ninja Turtle and San francisco 49ers blankets!
Talking soccer with his bro hours after his surgery. It made my heart smile. Love this man!
