Help Ryan and Kristi Conquer Cancer
Donation protected
Hello! I decided to update this page because Kristi's recent post to Facebook sums everything up perfectly. Ryan is one of the most caring, gentle, precision-minded dentists I have ever had the privilege to work with. And, Kristi has become an amazing friend. They are an amazing couple, dedicated to serving the Lord and others. Let's help them get through this trial with our well wishes, prayers and donations. I turned off the donations when the goal was reached, but there was an outpouring of love and requests to turn the donations back on. It appears that Ryan and Kristi have touched many lives and hearts! The following is Kristi's latest update. Thank you all so very much for all of your support!! God has been very good to each one of us in blessing us with this couple's friendship, and I'm so thankful for each one of you that has given the blessing right back!
On Wednesday, July 18, Kristi wrote:
"Hello everyone, just wanted to give you an update. After noticing some alarming symptoms such as weight loss, high heart rate, and bruising, Ryan went to the doctor's last Friday. Getting the results from his labwork that showed his immune system was pretty much gone got him a trip straight to Meritus Medical Center E.R. It wasn't long before he won an ambulance ride to John's Hopkins. Many tense moments were spent waiting for Monday when he had his bone marrow biopsy done. On Tuesday we got the best news we could possibly have asked for given the situation. Ryan has a rare type of leukemia called APML (acute promyelocytic leukemia). Of all the types of leukemia, this is the one you would shoot for. It has a 98% rate of cure/long-term remission, and isn't treated with typical chemotherapy but rather a combination of arsenic and high-dose vitamin A--a regimen that's tolerated somewhat better than chemotherapy. Ryan will be spending about a month at Hopkins as an inpatient, then have off-and-on treatments outpatient until this winter. At that point, he is expected to have recovery to full health with no known long-term complications. In spite of the craziness of being due with our first baby right around the date of his projected discharge, we have a mountain of blessings and miracles.
1.) Such an optimistic prognosis
2.) Friends who have rallied across the globe to support us
3.) Being at the most financially stable point of our lives
4.) Good insurance(yay Medishare!!! Does YOUR insurance pray with you every time you call? Cannot say enough good things.)
5.) Being ONE HOUR from the #6 cancer treatment center in America!!! Ryan's care is phenomenal. His attending at Hopkins, who will direct his case to the end, sits on the national panel of leukemia that develops management protocols. Talk about cutting edge. As a nurse, the level of nursing care and compassion Ryan receives every day absolutely astonishes me. I can truly say they are role models for my own practice in the future of selfless compassion.
6.) Having our schedules mostly cleared out for arrival of little one prior to this
7.) Doctor constantly telling us how good it is we caught it early
8.) Ryan to have unexpected time off to enjoy new baby!
9.) Jeffrey Martins and Nadine Martins who are basically laying down their lives every day for us. Jeff was there when Ryan was admitted to Hopkins at 2 am. I was home in bed with Nadine
10.) Research!!! People died in one week from diagnosis when the disease was first classified back in 1957. Ryan's treatment has only been FDA approved for 10 years, and only the standard of care for 5 years. This treatment drastically improved prognosis. He waited just long enough!! Thank you researchers!
11.) World's easiest pregnancy. No symptoms whatsoever. Now if she wanted to flip head down that would be awesome...
12.) Most of all thankful to God who truly bears us up on eagle wings through the unknown moments, the devastating moments, and the moments of rejoicing.
Each one of you has been a blessing BEYOND WORDS. All of our needs are well cared for and we are truly incredibly grateful. Please continue to pray for Ryan over the next two weeks in particular as the initial phase is the hardest while the incorrect blood cells die. Then things start to improve Also pray that little Miss Williams stays put for as long as she can handle :-)"
We are all so thankful for this wonderful update. Please keep the prayers coming! Blessings to you all!-- Bobbi
On Wednesday, July 18, Kristi wrote:
"Hello everyone, just wanted to give you an update. After noticing some alarming symptoms such as weight loss, high heart rate, and bruising, Ryan went to the doctor's last Friday. Getting the results from his labwork that showed his immune system was pretty much gone got him a trip straight to Meritus Medical Center E.R. It wasn't long before he won an ambulance ride to John's Hopkins. Many tense moments were spent waiting for Monday when he had his bone marrow biopsy done. On Tuesday we got the best news we could possibly have asked for given the situation. Ryan has a rare type of leukemia called APML (acute promyelocytic leukemia). Of all the types of leukemia, this is the one you would shoot for. It has a 98% rate of cure/long-term remission, and isn't treated with typical chemotherapy but rather a combination of arsenic and high-dose vitamin A--a regimen that's tolerated somewhat better than chemotherapy. Ryan will be spending about a month at Hopkins as an inpatient, then have off-and-on treatments outpatient until this winter. At that point, he is expected to have recovery to full health with no known long-term complications. In spite of the craziness of being due with our first baby right around the date of his projected discharge, we have a mountain of blessings and miracles.
1.) Such an optimistic prognosis
2.) Friends who have rallied across the globe to support us
3.) Being at the most financially stable point of our lives
4.) Good insurance(yay Medishare!!! Does YOUR insurance pray with you every time you call? Cannot say enough good things.)
5.) Being ONE HOUR from the #6 cancer treatment center in America!!! Ryan's care is phenomenal. His attending at Hopkins, who will direct his case to the end, sits on the national panel of leukemia that develops management protocols. Talk about cutting edge. As a nurse, the level of nursing care and compassion Ryan receives every day absolutely astonishes me. I can truly say they are role models for my own practice in the future of selfless compassion.
6.) Having our schedules mostly cleared out for arrival of little one prior to this
7.) Doctor constantly telling us how good it is we caught it early
8.) Ryan to have unexpected time off to enjoy new baby!
9.) Jeffrey Martins and Nadine Martins who are basically laying down their lives every day for us. Jeff was there when Ryan was admitted to Hopkins at 2 am. I was home in bed with Nadine
10.) Research!!! People died in one week from diagnosis when the disease was first classified back in 1957. Ryan's treatment has only been FDA approved for 10 years, and only the standard of care for 5 years. This treatment drastically improved prognosis. He waited just long enough!! Thank you researchers!
11.) World's easiest pregnancy. No symptoms whatsoever. Now if she wanted to flip head down that would be awesome...
12.) Most of all thankful to God who truly bears us up on eagle wings through the unknown moments, the devastating moments, and the moments of rejoicing.
Each one of you has been a blessing BEYOND WORDS. All of our needs are well cared for and we are truly incredibly grateful. Please continue to pray for Ryan over the next two weeks in particular as the initial phase is the hardest while the incorrect blood cells die. Then things start to improve Also pray that little Miss Williams stays put for as long as she can handle :-)"
We are all so thankful for this wonderful update. Please keep the prayers coming! Blessings to you all!-- Bobbi
Organizer and beneficiary
Bobbi Kelley
Organizer
Hagerstown, MD
Kristi Williams
Beneficiary
