Hi all! I’ve got an update in my sister’s journey and it’s not one I like having to make. In Nov of 2024 she was declared cancer free based on a blood test and CT scan. We all celebrated that news! Ryan had a job change and with that came the loss of her insurance in Dec of 2024. Fast forward to Sept of 2025 when she had a new job with insurance and made an appt with the oncologist for a follow up. The oncologist preformed the same blood test as before and a CT scan. The blood test continued to show no sign of cancer however the CT scan showed some nodules in her lungs. Ryan was sent for an exam with a pulmonologist would compared the CT scan from the one in Nov of 24 to the one in Oct of 25 and said the nodules were there and had been missed in 24. Highly frustrating news. The pulmonologist stated that oncologist tend to rely too much on the blood test which is proving to be inaccurate and not doing any follow up scans. Ryan was sent for a PET scan and a bronchoscopy. The PET scan didn’t show any metastatic cancer but the bronchoscopy did. A new treatment plan was devised and implemented. Ryan’s first chemo treatment was on 12/31. She will go every other week for treatment. This is going to be more intense this time and it wasn’t easy last time. Ryan was able to get a referral for a second opinion at MD Anderson in Houston Tex and has an appt in March. The representative she spoke with was surprised she was able to get an appt for March because most aren’t getting in until June. It will time out that she will go for the appt just after finishing her six rounds of Chemo in Knoxville. With this new diagnosis comes new costs. Her insurance is different this time and so her out of pocket costs will be more. I’m changing the amount needed to try and get any additional funds to help with everything. If you can give anything, know that it is greatly appreciated and will be so helpful in her days to come of treatment and travel.

We’re so thankful and blessed to have friends who check in and have supported in the past with words, prayers, cards, and funds. 

Ryan is ready to fight this again and I’m doing my best to support from Boston. 

We’re so grateful for you all!

Thank you in advance for anything you can give. 

With hope, gratitude and lots of love,

Nikki

January 14, 2026 

***************Original Post*****************

Hi! My name is Nikki and my little sister, Ryan, has just been diagnosed with Stage 3 invasive adenocarcinoma.

It's primarily in the colorectal area which is why she has decided to call it Awkard Body Part cancer. Those were her exact words when she called to let me know the final diagnosis.

Ryan has been in a lot of pain and discomfort over the last couple of years and has continued to work and try to maintain as normal a life as possible. She has had to miss out on family gatherings and work due to the physical pain that she has been in. While finding out that cancer is the cause and an answer no one wants to hear, Ryan is relieved to know there is something actually going on and a plan of attack can be made.

To that point, Ryan had a port inserted on January 9th, and planned to begin chemo on January 17th, but due to the snow in Tennessee, she will start treatment on January 24th.

She is going to be going for chemo treatments for 6wks and then they will do additional scans to determine the next steps.

Ryan will be working as much as she can during this time. Thankfully, her job has good insurance and the HR department have been working with her to ensure that her job is able to be done from home during all that lies ahead.

I'm starting this fundraiser to help with all the costs that we know are going to come. My parents and additional family members are going to be helping get her to and from chemo treatments and assisting with her care. I am currently on a travel contract in Boston and can't be there for those appointments so I wanted to set this up for her to help out as best I could.

As you can tell by her determination to call it something funny, she has a great sense of humor and good attitude about this situation. Ryan loves to sing, hang out with her dog, Rocco, and loves to spend time outside. She has always been a defender of the underdog and littlest around her. Now she needs others to come to her side, the way she has countless others over the years. The money that is raised through this will go to any medical bills, travel costs to and from the Dr's offices, and any potential surgery that may be ahead.

If you are able to give even a dollar, know that we are all so grateful for you and your gift. Thank you!

With hope, gratitude, and lots of love,

Nikki