Day Eight

We didn't sleep much last night. I woke up and began looking at the clock. Mirjan was taking care of everyone as she does so well. I ran to Target to get some food for the kids and mom, since we would be gone for at least the day. I also picked up all the candy that Ryan had asked for the day before.

Mom got here while I was at the store and the house was loud when I got back. It was "Nanna look at this," and "Nanna can we do that?" Davianna stayed home from school to be with Nanna and Emma; she's such a good helper.

Michael called and said he was on his way to Austin, and shortly later Melinda came by. She brought her little child, and said she was going with us. We got together and prayed over Ryan, and asked God for His healing power and to take care of Ryan today. Following ELT time, we left later than I wanted to, but we weren't too far off track.

We arrived at the hospital and walked a mile in the cold weather. Michael was already there and had a transformer for Ryan. We signed in, did some paperwork, and then waited.

We were called back to the preparation room where they took Ryan's vitals. I would have to say that they know how to treat children. I could tell that he felt special from the minute that we starting walking back there. He received compliments all the way down the hall and was then led to a row of scooters to drive around in the halls. They also brought a Wii station and Ryan played some video games. Michael and Melinda were back there with us and Melinda's husband, Orlando, came by to say hi to Ryan.

The doctor came by and talked to Mirjan and I to go over the procedure again. Afterwards, we prayed with the doctor...blessing him and his skills that the Lord provided and asked for safety, healing, and a successful procedure.

We had talked to Ryan about the process (he would go back without us, and we would be there when he woke up), so when they called his name he was ready. He drove his scooter to the exit sign, and we prayed over Ryan again. We gave him tight hugs and wet kisses and watched him go through those doors.

We went back out to the waiting room and, uh, waited. We started getting phone calls, but, although we could answer the phone, we couldn't hear anything. Even walking outside, we couldn't hold a conversation with anyone. Supposedly, AT&T was having problems due to the storms and their wireless services were affected. I'm not sure, but it was unfortunate timing.

Amy came by, which was a blessing especially since all of the time that she spent at that hospital last year. We were really glad to see her.

My buzzer suddenly went off, which meant the doctor wanted to talk to us. He said that that took the biopsy and believed it was what he thought. He said that they needed to do the orchiectomy. He was very patient and let us ask all the questions that we wanted. We went back out to the waiting room and emotions flowed. During that time our pastor showed up, which was great timing. I can't imagine how much more difficult that would have been without him, Amy, Melinda and Michael. At this time, we thought that we were not going home for several days.

Some time later, not really sure how long, the buzzer went off again. The doctor said he was finished and that we should be able to see Ryan in 30-45 minutes. He said that we could take Ryan home today, because they would not have definitive information for several days. He gave me the name and number of a recommended oncologist to set up an appoint for Tuesday. He said that the full pathology report might be completed by then, but definitely within a week. He also gave us his cell phone number in case we had any questions or difficulties. Of course, my cell phone wasn't working, so I had to find a phone to make that appointment because it was getting close to the end of the workday on Friday. After going back and forth and getting the doctor involved, I was able to schedule an appointment for Tuesday.

Mirjan was overwhelmed and she got a room to rest in. Again, it was a blessing to have others there. I was able to go see Ryan, and less than 2 minutes by his side, he opened his eyes. He acted just like he had woken up from a nap. I thanked the Lord and started talking to Ryan. He was coherent and immediately took the offer of a rainbow popsicle. It had been about 17 hours since he had eaten. He had no problems accepting a second popsicle and was now talking like he wanted to get up and go.

He was rolled into Mirjan's room and was talking to everyone. He wanted his candy, which he got, and some juice. It was a blessing to see him laughing, giving high fives, and acting completely normal. After about 45 minutes, we were able to pack up and leave. Ryan got a wheelchair ride to the parking lot and then we were off to get his medicines.

By the time we got home, Ryan was acting like nothing happened. Merielk and Will came over about 7:30 and talked with Ryan for a while. We were amazed, and tried to get him to settle down just a little. Only once, about 8:00pm when he was already in bed with Nana, did he say that he hurt a little bit. I gave him his medicine about 11:30, and he was wide awake and wanted to talk...so we did a little bit. Then he was ready to go back to sleep with Nana and a stuffed animal that is larger than him that Michael gave him.

I checked on him again about 1:00am, and he and Nana were sound asleep holding hands.

Before I went to bed (with other people in my bed now), I thanked God for today. It was rough, painful, questioning, wondering, and then turned to relief, comforting, and joy that we had a wonderful evening with Ryan. I have no doubt that He heard all the prayers today, and that He took care of Ryan.

The love and support was overwhelming....below is just a sample of what we started receiving Thursday night:

Mirjan, I just found out about Ryan's situation through the Knee Mail team - I had no idea! I am so sorry that you all are having to go through this and it absolutely breaks my heart! But I've heard straight from Ryan's mouth his faith in a great big God and satan has NO POWER here! I will be in prayer for Ryan, and for you and David, over the next 24 hours. God reigns in Ryan's heart, mind and body and He will show those who is in CONTROL! Peace be with you all as you walk together through this uncertain time; but be certain that God IS walking through it with you and that your brothers and sisters in Christ are on their knees at the Throne of Grace seeking peace and healing for Ryan! Love to you all



I want you to know that you, David and Ryan and your whole family are in our prayers. We will be waiting for updates.

Lord, I pray right now for your spirit to reign over the John family. I pray for your miraculous healing over little Ryan. I pray for him to be cancer free and for him to recover and heal and get back to being a normal little boy. Lord, you healed lepers, you made the blind see, you raised the dead to life, I know you can heal this baby angel. I pray right now that satan is vanquished in the name of Jesus! Be gone satan, you have NO reign over this family who loves our Lord Jesus! LEAVE, you are NOT wanted nor NEEDED.
Lord, send a hedge of protection over Ryan, Mirjan, David, Davianna and Emma as they await news of what the doctor's find. Give them peace and may they be on their knees in prayer to you during this time.
In Jesus name, Amen.
We love you guys! God is with you and walking with you through this.

Ryan has prayers from all over San Antonio, parts of Texas, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

We also were told of the prayers in New York, Santo Domingo, the TexAgs, etc. What a blessing that so many people opened their hearts to the Lord Almighty for Ryan.

God Bless you all!