January 20 - Praise the Lord!

Hey Friends, 

I wanted to update you on what's going on. First, I wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone out there sending us your support, prayers, gifts, and encouraging words! I feel like George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life," not feeling like I have had much of an impact in this life until I see the support and love of the friends and family I have all around the world in our time of need. We feel truly blessed to have each and every one of you in our lives, new and old friends - some which I haven't heard from in ages but still care. You all mean more to us that you will ever know and we thank you.

After my post on the 12th, we've had plenty of updates and miracles, which we refer to as "PTLs" (Praise the Lord). On Wed the 15th I started to have some severe abdominal pain in the left side of my stomach (a new pain) and drove myself to the ER at USCD in La Jolla. The ER wait was 1.5 hrs to get in. I waited 15 min and was officially admitted to the hospital. PTL! The CT scan I've been waiting a week to get was done in the first couple hours I was there, as well as some blood tests. PTL! Then the biopsy happened the next day! PTL! This would have taken weeks had I not come in.

With the scan, the doctors found a blood clot in my lung and i was immediately put on blood thinners. Had I not come in that day, it could have gotten much worse. (PTL!) The doctors confirmed yet again that it was cancer. But they are now testing to see what kind of cancer it is to see how to treat it. BUT they told me I have 2 masses on my liver and one on the very tail of my pancreas. Kidneys and spleen are clean and untouched! PTL! I went from 6 masses on 4 organs to 3 masses on 2?!? PTL! AND they've ruled out pancreatic cancer, which is a huge PTL!

I've been stuck in the hospital since Wed the 15th waiting. I've been dwelling on Psalms 27, particularly the beginning and the end. "The Lord is my light and my Salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your Face, Lord, I will seek! I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

When I got here I was hunched over, had pain doing anything including eating, not able to move on my own, eating applesauce and on multiple IVs and fluids. I can now stand on my own (almost upright completely) my appetite is almost 100%, the pain had reduced a lot, my energy is back, no IVs, reduced pain killers, and I even showered yesterday! PTL!!! Plus a friend's dad is the head Chair on the Board at USCD (the top guy) and when he heard I was here, he stopped by to say hi and give me his card, and tell me that he is monitoring my progress and getting the best team on my case! PTL!

The days have been getting progressively better, but the waiting is still hard. I still ask for your prayers, especially today. We should have full and final results by tomorrow, and are hoping for the best - and more miracles. I ask for prayer for miraculous healing, for no cancer, or for cancer that can be easily managed and defeated. Anything can be done in Jesus' name. If you haven't heard the song "The Name of Jesus" by Chris Tomlin, please listen to it. Please continue to believe, as we do, that God is Good and has a plan he is working in the midst of this hard time. We have heard many reports of how this situation has already brought encouragement, support, and faith to others. We hope that continues as we navigate these uncertain waters, knowing God is at the helm.

Ryan