Three years ago today, I was told I have cancer. It was a difficult day to say the least. But I am still kicking, and forever grateful for the friends I have made. Thank you Mandy. Thank you Mom and Dad. Thank you all. Thank you TEAM.
And because Johnny said it well, "Ain't no grave can hold my body down,"
Unknown to me, Mandy had hit up just about all my closer friends and family that she knew to ask them to say something to me. It made for a rather emotional day. I was very touched and grateful for all the messages. I have the best wife. :)
Maegan Stoddard: "You are so awesome! Happy you're here! Love you guys!"
Pam Lyman: "To our dear friend Ryan who is a survivor, artist, thinker, make me laugh at inappropriate times during church, great dad, and married to one of the best women I know-Mandy Marie, we love you!"
Mom: "Well you are absolutley classified as one of my heroes in life, not just my kid! Thanks for the great excample, advice, support, and showing all of us just how to get on with life amidst great trials. You are truly amazing. Love you beyond words."
Heather Dallmann: "I didn't have the honor of knowing the man you were three years ago but I am blessed to know the man you are today. Goofy as ever and I love it! Seriously you are one of the coolest guys I know and I dig your family too :)"
Kristi Slaton: "I just wanted to let you know how much we love you. I am so glad that my sister chose such a STUD to be her eternal companion. I am even more glad that your studliness & perseverance helped you kick cancer's butt. You are my hero! Have the best day! Can't wait to see you in June!"
Chuck Jones: "Ry, Just wanted to say how happy we are that you are winning your fight. I know it hasn't been easy, but I can't tell you how glad I am that you are still around. You're and amazing guy with an amazing family. Wish we were closer so we could hang out more. And now this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M912EcPDrKM" [... which I will not link because it is Bette Midler]
Briggette: "Hey Ryan! Just thinking about ya today. I'm glad you are HERE! I'll never forget three years ago when my mom told me you had cancer. I had the biggest pit in my stomach. I'm so grateful you never gave up. You are an inspiration Ryan!! Hope you have an AMAZING day LIVING. ♥"
Jeremy Sherwood: "I hear 3 years ago you got hit with cancer.. I'm glad you are here. (In case you were wondering you have a great wife.)"
Shannon Valdivia: "Mom and I want you to know that we are so proud of you and how you are fighting NHL...Your optimism keeps us pluggin! We love ya guy!"
Laura Robinson (TNT): "SO lucky to have you in my life. Love you, Ryan!"
Sarah Waddell (TNT): "You are so inspiring to me! Thank you!"
Madelyn Tobin-Shubin (TNT): "Hey, did I ever mention how awesome you are? Because you are! Keep up the good fight!"
Josh Anderson: "Hey Ryan - Can't believe that 3 years ago you were diagnosed with cancer. Just want to you to know what an inspiration you are. I don't ever remember once hearing you complain about something so life changing and debilitating. Being in pharmacy school and understanding better what chemo drugs actually do to your body, you have EVERY reason to complain but never heard it once from you....or your wife for that matter. I am a better person for knowing you and your family. You are a WARRIOR in every sense of the word and I know you will continue to battle for years to come. We miss you guys and hopefully can reunite in the future."
Crystal: "Whoohoo! 3 years! Your an inspiration Ryan. Here's to many many more 3 years!! Take a hike cancer!"
Dad: "Wow, Three years ago today. You have been a champion in so many ways since. I am impressed with the strength and determination you have shown. You have literally been "Forged in the furnace of affliction". I am proud of you, of the man you have become and of all you do to help others with the same cancer problems."
Heather Vance Allen: "You're a fighter!! So happy you're here to live to tell. Hope we can run a race together sometime. I think you're pretty awesome. ~ heath"
Stephanie: "Hey, Kid. Congrats on toughing out the cancer and beating it back for three years! Thanks for living through it, since I love having you around. You are wonderful. And almost as amazing as Mandy. ♥"
Sara:
I will never forget this day 3 years ago that I found out you had cancer. You have come so far and have fought so hard. I am so proud of all your achievements with LLS and running to save lives, including your own. You truly are amazing!! I love you and am so grateful you are here today.
Sandra Allen: "So I know you prefer the cartoon super hero types but I just wanted you to know that you are on my list of real life super heroes. You have been battling the "attack of the evil C" for three years with courage, unfailing optimism, crazy humor, unyielding strength and unlimited faith. Your trusty sidekick and partner always has your back through thick and thin (plus she's the cutest sidekick EVER). I want you to know I'm so proud of my "favorite" son-in-law. My life's so much better since you entered it. Keep up the good fight. XOXOXO"
But perhaps my favorite of all these was from Brittani Stevens: "suck it cancer"
Friday, April 26, 2013
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Boston, Mass.
Yesterday, April 15th, 2013, two bombs were detonated 100 feet from the finish line of the Boston Marathon. The act of terrorism weighs heavily on my mind. It's not like I have any big connection to Boston or the race specifically, but still I cannot shake it from my thoughts. Yes, I have a some friends that were there running or live there in Boston. No, nobody I know was hurt. So why then, does this plague me like this? At this point, there are 4 reported killed and 140+ injured. On the grand scheme of travesty, this is very minimal. Still, I dwell on it.
I learned of this pretty quickly after it happened, within an hour of the bombs going off. Social media is pretty crazy that way. News of the incident spread across the nation within minutes. Mostly started by people there telling their friends and families that they were okay. My emotions went first to shock, of course. But the swings between sorrow and shock and anger and desperation and... continued through the rest of the day, spilling over to my waking day today.
I am furious at the people that would even remotely entertain the idea of such an act. I do not envy them when they are found out. And wish the full force of “justice” to hit them as brutally as they struck out on society.
I am confused as to what statement or agenda they could have possibly wanted to make. To what ends did they think this would help their cause? Do they hate runners? Boston? What? Perhaps that is why I am so angry. There is no conceivable agenda with this targeted group. The conclusion then must be drawn that the offenders must have wanted to lash out on society with a general hate for humanity. I cannot sympathize with such stupidity or disregard for human life.
I feel great sorrow for those affected. Whether participant or spectator or support or friends and family, I mourn their loss and their fear.
I feel a great outpouring of love and respect for those that after the initial flinch, reacting to the blasts, went running to the aid of those injured. I saw footage of people tearing down fences, hoping over barricades, running to help those in need. It made me think of the Mr. Rogers quote when talking about great travesty to “look for the helpers.” It has been the most healing balm for me to have seen those rush to the aid of others. They did not care about their own safety as there may have been more explosions. They did not care about race or nationality, gender, age, sexual preference or political affiliations. All of the tedious an ultimately unimportant things of life were wiped from their minds as they saw the immediate need to help. That has been our greatest testament to the inherent good within us. To see the hurt and need of others, set aside our own issues and run to help.
To them, I say thank you. To those that ran to help, you are heros. It is on you, I rest my faith in humanity.
I learned of this pretty quickly after it happened, within an hour of the bombs going off. Social media is pretty crazy that way. News of the incident spread across the nation within minutes. Mostly started by people there telling their friends and families that they were okay. My emotions went first to shock, of course. But the swings between sorrow and shock and anger and desperation and... continued through the rest of the day, spilling over to my waking day today.
I am furious at the people that would even remotely entertain the idea of such an act. I do not envy them when they are found out. And wish the full force of “justice” to hit them as brutally as they struck out on society.
I am confused as to what statement or agenda they could have possibly wanted to make. To what ends did they think this would help their cause? Do they hate runners? Boston? What? Perhaps that is why I am so angry. There is no conceivable agenda with this targeted group. The conclusion then must be drawn that the offenders must have wanted to lash out on society with a general hate for humanity. I cannot sympathize with such stupidity or disregard for human life.
I feel great sorrow for those affected. Whether participant or spectator or support or friends and family, I mourn their loss and their fear.
I feel a great outpouring of love and respect for those that after the initial flinch, reacting to the blasts, went running to the aid of those injured. I saw footage of people tearing down fences, hoping over barricades, running to help those in need. It made me think of the Mr. Rogers quote when talking about great travesty to “look for the helpers.” It has been the most healing balm for me to have seen those rush to the aid of others. They did not care about their own safety as there may have been more explosions. They did not care about race or nationality, gender, age, sexual preference or political affiliations. All of the tedious an ultimately unimportant things of life were wiped from their minds as they saw the immediate need to help. That has been our greatest testament to the inherent good within us. To see the hurt and need of others, set aside our own issues and run to help.
To them, I say thank you. To those that ran to help, you are heros. It is on you, I rest my faith in humanity.
Vive La... TEAM!!
As I continue to be a part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team In Training program, or TNT, some of my teammates this season trained for the Paris marathon. Just before they left, as a way to cheer them on, I put this together. The images were all found online. I Photoshoped them (color, size, blur, paint, etc.) together to make it work.
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