Day Thirteen

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." Psalm 27:14

That can't be the alarm clock already! It is 4:30am, and time to get ready and go to the hospital. Ryan and I packed our bags last night, so it didn't take long to get ready and go...we didn't have the ELT factor this morning.

Ryan had his green football pajamas, a green baseball cap, sunglasses (although it was dark and raining), his heavy "New York" coat,his skecher illuminators, and his red suitcase. As the receptionist said, "He was too cool for TV," and I thought so too.


I had a million things running through my head last night, and found myself praying constantly. I was praying while doing the dishing, I was on my knees in the toy room, I prayed over Ryan, and I fell asleep saying, "Please Jesus keep Ryan safe tomorrow and heal him."

Well, we got to the hospital at 5:30am and waited around until about 6:10am. Once they called us back, Ryan headed straight for the scooters. He joined us back in the room shortly and then his highway was the halls for the next 30 minutes or so. The doctor came in to explain the port-a-cath procedure, and then we prayed. The anesthesiologist came in and asked all of his questions, and then we prayed together. At 7:00am, it was time for Ryan to ride into the operating room. He stopped at the exit sign, and I prayed with him, kissed him (he said no wet kisses), and a tight hug. I told him that I loved him and would see him soon.

The next 4.5 hours were difficult waiting. I read the bible, updated family and friends, walked around, talked to the chaplain, etc. The doctor came out around 8:30, and he said that the port-a-cath was completed. Another doctor (the oncologist) would be performing the other tests for the next several hours while Ryan was still under.

At around 12:00, the oncologist came out and said that everything was finished. He said there was a huge bandage, but not to worry because the nurse went overboard. In his words, "after the two big nails were removed from his bones, one area continued to bleed and they put the bandage on to control the bleeding." I was able to see Ryan at 12:30, and I could tell this was rougher than last Friday.



He was drinking powerade and wanted a popsicle like last time. I was talking to him and trying to make him laugh, and he would give me a smile or a funny look every now and then.



After about 25 minutes, they wheeled him up to his room on the oncology floor. Mirjan showed up at that time and gave him the mother love that he needed. She snuggled with him for a while, ordered lunch for him, and then they fell asleep for several hours.




Both doctors stopped by to check on Ryan. The oncologist said that everything looked fine from the tests so far, but pathology needed more time to validate. He said that there was something that looked concerning above his hip, but that could be bowel. He said that he couldn't see anything from the tumor point up to that area, so it was unlikely that was another tumor. However, he said the CT scan would provide the details. I definitely didn't like the talk of more surgeries to take out more bad stuff. I prayed for containment, safety, and healing. Please, God, let it be contained, so we can start treatment and Your healing process.

The chaplain came by and talked to us. She was very kind and introduced us to the beads of courage. She brought a necklace with Ryan's name in beads and a checklist. Every time he has a procedure done, he checks it and will receive a bead. There is such love displayed towards the children here.

A foundation (I can't remember the name) brought sub sandwiches for all the parents on the floor for dinner. God's love displayed over and over again. We went down to the playroom on the third floor and Ryan played with everything, and the colored a picture with Mirjan. On the elevator back, Ryan said he was going to pray for us. He put his hands together and said, "Lord, please help my mommy and daddy feel better." We were both taken aback. I asked Ryan what inspired him to pray, and he said, "You guys are always praying for me." We came back to the room and Mirjan ordered dinner for Ryan.



Mirjan took Ryan to get some movies, and he didn't want to walk anymore, so Mirjan brought him back in a wheelchair. He thought that was awesome. We started watching a Pokemon movie.

Melinda and her friend on the prayer team of their church came by with food and cards. Melinda hates hospitals and she has now spent a full day with us here and part of another. Her family has been available to help with anything that we might need. We prayed with them and then they and Mirjan left for the night.

Pastor came by and we talked for about 30 minutes. We talked as he and Ryan were playing catch with socks that were rolled up like a baseball. Ryan was in good spirits and really enjoyed that. Pastor prayed with us and then was going to check on Mirjan. I know that he has a million things going on all the time, and it was nice that he really went out of his way to come by.

Ryan made room for me on the bed and after a while we finally fell asleep together. He is so sweet.

God Bless and heal my little boy.

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!