Monday, July 16, 2007

Rest

There is not much to update you with this evening, except to say thank you again for all of your continued prayers. James has had no immediate allergic reactions to any of the drugs he has been given. He has been administered four different chemo drugs, one more specifically a steroid that also kills cancer cells. He has also had no side effects to speak of at this point. We realize it is early in his treatment, but we take every day as it comes and praise God for what small blessings we receive along the way. There are times when we do think he is experiencing pain, but it is managed through meds, and it is hard to say for certain exactly where it comes from since he is so young. The doctors are saying he is responding well. The blast cell numbers are dropping in his peripheral blood, so we can hope the same is happening in the marrow. He did receive another platelet transfusion last night, but it went well and his platelet counts were as high as they have been this afternoon. (higher is better for platelets, lower is obviously better for blast cells) But the main thing I am emphasizing in tonight's entry is.......

Please ask the Lord to give them all REST. Many of us can imagine what it is like trying to sleep on a small cot in the hospital, a reclining chair in the corner, or even an unfamiliar hospital crib. These are their accommodations. Add to that a central venous catheter, iv fluids, periodic vital sign checking, diaper changes every two hours due to chemo drugs and fluid for James and just plain being 7 and a half months pregnant for Joy, and being way too tall to sleep in a tiny chair or cot for Greg and you have a recipe for restlessness. So prayer is the key. God can do anything, even provide rest for this weary family in less than ideal sleeping arrangements.

Thank you also for all of your encouraging comments and for signing the guestbook on the other site, as well as the emails and messages sent to the hospital. These mean so very much to Joy and Greg. Keep up the good work....especially joining with us in prayer.

13 comments:

Julie Fox said...

I am praying for your little man and your family everyday. I know he will be ok. Sending you love from the foxes!!

Jodi Milstead said...

Please know that we have shared baby James' story with the entire First Impressions ministry here at Fellowship of The Woodlands. We have asked that each team lift him & your family up is continuous prayer until he is healed and God uses this situation for His glory!
You are loved.
Godspeed...

Lorren Says... said...

Precious friends,
We think about you and pray for you all the time! We'll especially be praying for your comfort and for ample rest at night.

You are in our thoughts all the way here in Oklahoma!

Much love,
Aaron, Lorren, Zoi and Audra

cobywon said...

We are thinking aout you and praying for all of you guys, for rest and healing.

You are loved from Alabama!
Lee, Coby & Marlee Mackin

Dean and Brandi said...

Stepanie,

We just got back from a week in Crested Butte. While we were gone we got the heart-breaking news about baby James. We were devastated. We have been in constant pray for the entire family. Thank you for the continued updates and now the blog. PLEASE let us know if there is ANYTHING at all the Melton's can do to help. I notice your blogs are usually written so early in the mornings and I know you are tired and weary also. We would absolutely love to help in any aspect. In the meantime, we are praying and spreading the word for more prayers for the Ryan family. Tell Joy and Greg our thoughts and prayers are with them all. I bumped into Frannie Overbeck and told her about James. They found Leukemia in her 2 year old niece in almost the same way. She went through all the treatments, etc. and is 11 years old now and perfectly healthy and active like all her friends. I sent her this link so she could give the family another story of hope. Our God is awesome and I know little James is going to do great!

We love you all!

Brandi and Dean

Anonymous said...

I just wanted to pass on a verse of encouragement. My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time.

Isaiah 41:13
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

jana said...

Dear friends,
We love you guys so much and are thinking about you constantly. We will pray for continued good response to the treatment by James and for rest for all of you.
With much love,
Jana, Craig, & Micah

Lily Cosse' said...

Our love and continuous prayers for the entire Ryan Family.


Old Neghbors from Pleasant Grove

Anonymous said...

Dear Ryan family,
Kim Strong forwarded this info to me today. One of my favorite scriptures is found in Jeremiah 32:27. "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?" May He be pleased to show His power toward your family.

We will continue to pray for your little James and for both of you during this trial. Greg, you will remember me as Kim's mom and the sub AP for Ginger.
Becky Kelley

Anonymous said...

Joy,

I heard of your sweet baby being diagnosed last week. I know that we have not seen each other in a very long time, but I wanted to let you know that I will be praying for James and your family during this difficult time in your lives. Remember God never gives us more than we can handle.

Lori (McKenzie) Gibson

Anonymous said...

The Ryan family is in my prayers throughout this most difficult time. James is a beautiful child.

Anonymous said...

Joy, Greg and especially James we from Journey's Hair Studio and Spa Jaeger send you our humble blessings and wish you the best in your time of struggle.
We will keep you in our prayers.
God Bless You and Your Family.
Love,
Journey's Hair Studio and Spa Jaeger

Anonymous said...

Iam praying for your little buddy and your family everyday....Heidi