Update from Ryan below:

Hi everybody,

Chemo #41…..Not Today

Due to various numbers in my labs today, I did not get treatment today. I am disappointed, but my body is obviously not feeling good as I tell you more about below. We will follow up with the doctors on the treatment plan moving forward.

I am going to be honest and say that this week was quite miserable and I have been in a negative mindset all week.

After having a great week over Christmas and being relatively pain free, my Taxane Acute Pain Syndrome in my legs was almost unbearable even with some heavy hitting pain meds. The pain started New Year’s Day and lingered around until last night.

To add onto that, I have had issues again with bloody noses for the past two days. We are not sure exactly the cause of these, but I did have issues with them a couple of years ago while on my first chemo regimen. We think it is the mixture of chemo while also being on blood thinners, but who knows. Hopefully this doesn’t become an issue moving forward.

I feel like I haven’t been there as much for the kids and help them enjoy the rest of our winter break together. We start back to school on Monday already, and I’m not sure where the time went.

Also, hearing about the death of a Jefferson High School teacher that I had for government due to suicide along with the Perry school shooting added onto the tough week.

Ending on some positive news: Yesterday, I was able to talk on the phone to a newly diagnosed cancer patient in his 20’s who lives in the area. He has a very rare type of cancer. After talking for nearly two hours about our stories and experiences, we really both felt better mentally as we ended the conversation. Experiences like these are why Brooke and I share our story and journey. We want to help others who are going through the cancer battle themselves or with loved ones.

Looking forward to a break and some reprieve. Have a great weekend and week!

Ryan