What happened....

IT ALL STARTED....6:30pm-ish
Saturday evening (10/11/08), on our 12th Wedding Anniversary, we were to be working at a booth (near the concert area) at the Brazoria County Fair Grounds for our oldest daughter’s softball team! We arrived early and had some time to spare, so we walked down to the Rodeo Arena, walked back to the booth, and visited with Ryan’s nephews that we saw. Ryan stated that he was beginning to get a headache. He leaned against a table for a few minutes. I then suggested that we sit down at the nearby bleachers located in the concert area. After we sat down, I asked Ryan if he wanted to go to the First Aid Station to get some Tylenol, he said he wasn’t sure he could make it that far. Ryan then called Chris (Ryan’s nephew), who was near the First Aid Station, to see if he would stop by there and pick up some Tylenol to bring back to him. Within a few short minutes, Ryan said that it was time to go, he couldn’t see out of his left eye. I helped Ryan walk back to the booth. Once there I got some assistance from Mike & Brian (softball dads). By this time Ryan is very sweaty and not able to walk well. We got him into our truck and I asked Ryan what he wanted to do. Ryan wanted to go to the house…but I did not agree. Since I had some apprehensions I called my girlfriend Micki, explained what was going on, and she agreed with me…take him to the ER! On the way, Ryan began to vomit.

ANGLETON DANBURY...
I was able to get Ryan from the truck and into the ER waiting room. He was having a hard time staying awake. I walked 10-15 feet in front of him to the check in desk – registered him – and began walking back to him. I noticed he was on his cell phone. I asked who he was calling and he said “you.” There were three other patients waiting to be triaged before Ryan. When the nurse called the second patient back, the patient (our angel!) told the nurse that Ryan was not doing well and that he should be next. The nurse explained to the patient that it was their choice to give up that spot. This patient waved us ahead of her!! Once in with the triage nurse, I explained Ryan’s symptoms. The nurse asked Ryan a few question but he was so out of it that he was unable to respond appropriately. The nurse then suggested that there was a virus going around. Ya’ think!! Crazy lady! Ryan was taken into an ER room and in about five minutes they came to draw blood. Ryan was able to give his correct birth date when asked, however he did not respond when the nurse stuck him with the needle! In about fifteen minutes, someone came to take Ryan for a CT Scan. Back in the room, the doctor came in and asked Ryan to do some different exercises (lift hands, raise his feet, etc.) until the results of the scan came back. When the doctor asked Ryan to follow his finger, Ryan was not able to keep his eyes open to follow this request. Each time that Ryan’s eyes were closed the doctor would gently tap Ryan on the forehead or on the eye lids to get Ryan to open them! The doctor then left the room for a few minutes and then returned. The doctor began to explain that the CT Scan showed Ryan was bleeding in the brain. He explained that we would need to transport Ryan to another hospital. It took some time to figure out which hospital in Houston Ryan could be sent to. Finally, Methodist Hospital!! Beofre leaving Angleton, the staff decided to place in a catheter, being as Ryan was still in jeans, this meant they would cut them off. Guess I will be purchasing a new pair of jeans!! Ryan was given Adavant to help calm him down - however, this was not the outcome. He was very very agitated. I was then told Ryan would be taken by Life Lite. Ryan was given 10mg of Valium before leaving Angleton - Danbury. They notified me when the helicopter had left Methodist. We left then in hopes of making it to Houston by the time Ryan did. Shari (Micki’s sister) was going to stay with him until the helicopter arrived. I received a call from Gail (close friend) stating that Ryan was loaded and the helicopter had just lifted for flight. I was only at 288 and 518.

METHODIST HOSPITAL (10/12/08)....
I made it to the medical center…got lost…found my way again…and just before I pulled into the parking garage, we saw Ryan’s helicopter about to land!! Thankfully, we all made it here safe!
We were met by Doogie Howser (very young looking doctor-is he a REAL doctor? An intern is what he is!) explaining the plan that was set in place. Ryan would be taken for another CT Scan immediately. Oh Good, the real doctor! Dr. Holmon (Neurologist) told us that depending on what the CT Scan showed depended on what the surgery would involve. 1) Go in and just relieve the pressure on his brain or, 2) Removing anything they found. At somewhere around 3am on Sunday morning Ryan was taken into surgery. At 6am an OR Nurse called and explained that Ryan was doing well and the doctor was close to finishing. At 8am Ryan was out of surgery and in stable condition. He was on a respirator because he had been given paralytic drugs. Dr. Holmon came out and spoke to me. It was explained that Ryan had a blood clot cyst type of thing, but he also had a tumor. The doctor was able to remove all of the blood clot (cyst type form) and most of the tumor. Some tumor had been left in case Chemo or Radiation was found to be necessary. By leaving a small portion of the tumor this would hopefully protect his healthy brain tissue. When asked how much was removed – the doctor said somewhere between an apple and grapefruit! Portions of the tumor were sent to Pathology for testing, may take a few days to receive report. Throughout the day Ryan was on heavy sedation - occasionally the nurses would cut back the amount to see if he would begin moving. During these times Ryan would become very agitated and would begin coughing which would make his head bounce off the pillows. They would then start the sedatives to relax him. During the early afternoon hours - Ryan began running a fever of 100.3 - the nurses said it would become dangerous once his temperatures reached 101 degrees. Around 7:30pm Ryan was taken for a MRI. Late in the evening, after the MRI, Ryan's fever got 101 degrees. They gave him ibuprofen to help get his fever down.

MONDAY 10/13/2008....
At 6am Ryan had not run anymore fever throughout the night. The nurse had again cut back the sedative and Ryan was able to respond appropriately when requested. The respirator has been cut back to only give 40% oxygen when he chose to take a breath. All vitals are good. We are still waiting to hear the results from the MRI. They have also said they will try to take him completely off the respirator by this evening. Well, at 1pm the sedatives were completely turned off and Ryan was allowed to wake. This took some time and he fought the respirator tube the whole time. By 1:45pm we were able to show the doctor that Ryan was able to respond to the commands we gave him. He tried to open his eyes, squeezed his Brother’s hands, and raised his feet. At 2pm the doctor removed the tube from his throat and FINALLY he was respirator FREE!! Over the next few hours, Ryan would wake, talk a bit, and drift in and out of sleep. He knew who each visitor was. He still likes to agitate and give everyone a hard time! I have never been so glad to hear my husband tease me!! Late this evening we found out the results of last night’s MRI. No bleeding was detected and nothing else unusual (other than what they already knew). Dr. Holmon came in and spoke with Ryan, explaining the next steps to be taken. Waiting on the Pathologist report….maybe Tuesday! Dr. Holman also stated that he would like to keep looking to see if he can find what caused the bleeding to begin with…this will take time…and no answers may be found.
Once the Pathologist Report comes in we will meet with a Neuro Oncologist (Dr. New). This doctor will determine what course of treatment will be necessary to complete his care.

Please continue to pray for Ryan as he still has a very long way to go!!