Finally! We now have a firm date for Ryan’s surgery; to have the replacement prosthetic skull plate inserted.
Tuesday, October 8.
In preparation for this I took Ryan to our family physician, Dr. Mike Rodriguez, yesterday. While there the following pre-op labs and tests were performed:
- EKG. This came back normal.
- Blood Work. The results will likely be available early next week.
- Flu Shot. I got mine too.
- General Check-Up. Ryan is in pristine condition! Well, physically, that is.
Ryan in ICU the day following surgery (June 24). His face is swollen and eyes are bruising. Blood has saturated his dressing.
Ryan will certainly spend at least twenty-four hours in the ICU following his surgery. It’s more realistic to expect additional recovery time. I’d say a total of two or three days.
For me, it can’t come soon enough. Since his surgery in late-June to remove the titanium plate, that had failed, I have been a nervous-wreck. No, more like a nervous-diaster. My concern for him — the vulnerability of only having skin and membrane protecting his brain — has completely exhausted me. Everything I do with him throughout the day reaches a level a delicacy that is impossible to explain.
It’s taken it’s toll on just about every part of my life; both mentally and physically. I hate to admit it, but I’m a shell of a man. That hurts my pride to be in such a state.
Still I’m more than a thousand times the man who [violent felon] Austin Vantrease and Jonathan May are. While I’m at it, that goes for Austin’s wimpy-ass dad too. As for his mother, Gale Vantrease… she’s more of a man than the others, but I still have her beat.
October 8th… please get here! Now!
Thinking of you all. Always, always praying. <3 carla and family
SHSP NGA Love you Team D Annie
I think of Ryan often. ❤❤ praying !!
My thoughts and prayers will be with you all on Oct 8th <3
Hi Ken, after handling all the stress and fatigue you deal with on a regular basis, I understand how you may feel like a “shell of a man.” Of course for myself and the rest of us standing on the outside looking in, you are anything but a shell of a man. You are a strong, competent, extremely intelligent, versatile, complex, amazing man!!!
Second — I will also feel relieved after Ryan’s surgery is done. Thank the Lord it will happen soon!!!
Last — oh my word, the penultimate phrases made me burst out into laughter — LOL!!! That’s what I love about your writing — one just never knows what’s coming around the bend, which makes it so satisfying to read. Thanks for the smiles. Making other people chuckle in the midst of great stress is something that can only be accomplished by a very together and erudite man. Cheers : )
Praying – love all of you. I will pray that it all goes well and for you to be comforted.
Glad all of Ryan’s vitals are in good shape. Puts him in great position for successful surgery and quick recovery. Good job taking care of him. We’ll be praying for you guys now and on October 8th.
Prayers!!!!
Best of luck for a smooth surgery and Ryan’s recovery.
Continued prayers for Ryan and the entire family. You are amazing!!
This has been beyond an excruciating summer and start of autumn for Ryan and you. I’m so sorry this has taken such a horrible toll on you, Ken; emotionally, too. It’s no surprise though.
I am hoping with all hope that the days fly by and you and Ryan are back home again…healing bodies, minds, and hearts. Don’t forget heart. There is so much hope there…just waiting for you. Hold tight and never let go!
What an incredible relief that will be for all of you! Praying that all goes smoothly for Ryan. And you are stronger and more impressive even in shell form than any other whole man I know. Seriously. Your family is so blessed to have you, Ken.
Prayers. Hope all goes well.
Ken, you’re a twin of my father. You have given everything up to help your son. You’ve never been a shell of a man. You’re an example of true unconditional parental love. Your son certainly did not deserve this horrific injury. Hold on tight, better will come, so glad to hear of the upcoming surgery , you all are in my thoughts and prayers.I wished I lived closer so I could help you. Ryan may not be able to talk to you, but he knows you have been with him all the way. He thrives because you, Sue and Kari love him. Never give up, hang in there.
I pray for all to go well with the surgery and have faith that it will. Mr. Diviney, I do not personally know you but have read every post. Although I cannot imagine what you go through on a daily basis, I know how exhausting it is to care for a loved one. Because of that I hope that you can somehow take a small bit of time for yourself. If you do not get some rest (easy for me to say) you will be so exhausted that one day you will physically collapse. I have typed this and deleted it several times, but feel that I must say these words, even if you’ve heard them over and over and are sick of it. The physical exhaustion piled on top of the mental exhaustion can just be simply overwhelming. I know that I went through days when I wanted to scream to someone that I just couldn’t do it anymore — trying to hold down a job, taking care of Dad, trying to see that my mom’s fragile health didn’t get overlooked, ….. Nothing you don’t already know a million times over, but I read your posts and my heart aches for all of you. Thank you for updates on your precious young man – please keep them coming when you can.
You know we will continue to pray for your whole family! You all are heroes to so many and you keep giving and giving. Regardless of how delicate everything is and appears to be you still manage to get through each day. I read Scripture everyday and that is when I really turn it over to God. Of course, when things get tough like it is for you all is when you actually perform your best. You are a magnificent family and your care is second to none!
Prayers of rest for you. Prayers of quick recovery for Ryan.
So glad to hear Ken ,for you and Ryan.
Thinking of you all and hope you feel better
Praying for Ryan….. and the rest of your family…. Sending positive thoughts and prayers for healing…..
Thoughts and prayers are always with Ryan and your family. Can only imagine the stress you’ve been under lately. Whoa– not just lately– but almost 5 yrs. of stress. Stay strong for Ryan and praying you get a little relief from stress after his upcoming surgery.
Best of luck Ryan, praying for you buddy.
Hang in there Ken, praying for you too.
Happy dance! Will be praying for you!
Prayers for Ryan and family
I continue to pray for you and your family.
Keeping you all in prayers.
will be thinking of you all that day, and praying for a great outcome! stay strong Ken.. you are one hell of a Man !!!
God bless, Ken. I pray everything goes well. I will email Deacon Sue and ask her to forward this to the world-wide Episcopal Network. We didn’t have a Prayer Table last Wednesday. Sue was unable to be there & the Dean’s wife who often covers, had another commitment. We have a class on St. Paul’s letters to the Philippians Tuesday evening and we go around the table and ask form prayer requests and I shall, of coruse include Ryan.
But Ken, again you have to get REST. If you end up in the hospital, utterly exhausted, you wont do Ryan any good. When we were caring for my mom, the facilitator of the Caregivers of Aging Parents support group we attended (I dragged Himself along kicking & screaming!) told us again and again, The first Commandment of being a good Caregiver is TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. Please remember that, Ken. It’s hard. We all think we’re superhuman. Surprise–we’re not!
One last thing. I know I’m very verbose–curse for years and years–I should have Tim write this, he’d say what needed to be said in 2 sentences! I hope you’ve done financial planning for Ryan for when youre no longer here. We all think we’re immortal, too! He will probably have complex medical and care needs the rest of his life until he, too, is made whole in Christ and his attackers will get their just due.
Peace. PK & Tim
Yep. His Special Needs Trust Fund is in place.
Prayers that the surgery goes very well.
Continued prayers!!!
His pre-op labs will come back great, he will sail through surgery, recovery and be back for fall evenings on the deck.
Thinking of you and your family Ryan.
Exciting news!! Have been following your blog for awhile, prayers for you & your family! Happy belated birthday, Ryan!
Tough waiting! Even tougher recovery period! We’ve got you covered in prayer. Can’t imagine what you have been through already!
Always here sending kind thoughts and fervent prayers!
So excited for you and Ryan! I know everything will go well. My thoughts are with you.
June until October is a long time….I can imagine how exhausting it’s been.
Been waiting for this…
Great news for Ryan and the family! In our thoughts and prayers.