As much as I dread this day, I’m thankful it’s here. After 3½ months, Ryan will finally get his skull plate replaced with a prosthetic later today. The original titanium-mesh plate that was placed in the summer of 2010 was removed in June because it was causing his scalp to breakdown.
Following surgery, Ryan will be admitted to the ICU for monitoring. I expect he’ll be there tomorrow and Friday. If no complications arise then I expect we will come home on Friday.
The fact is, I’ll need some damned compelling reasons to keep him in the hospital any longer.
I’ll keep you updated throughout the day. The next update will likely be this afternoon.
Thank you for caring and keeping Ryan in your thoughts today.
———-
07:30 AM Update: Ryan was up and doing his normal routine before leaving for the hospital later in the day. All hydration and nutrition are now stopped to clear his stomach for surgery.
11:40AM Update: Ryan is in Pre-Op getting the standard routine to get him ready. Surgery is scheduled for 12:45, but it’s entirely too common for it to be delayed.
12:30 PM Update: We were just told that surgery will be delayed for up to an hour.
An exact model of Ryan’s skull and the prosthetic (blue).
1:35 PM Update: Ryan was just taken to the operating room. The surgery should take two to three hours.
4:30 PM Update: Still in surgery. Hoping to hear something!
5:05 PM Update: Surgery is completed and went smoothly! Ryan is in Recovery and we are right beside him. He’ll be moved to ICU in about an hour.
9:10 PM Update: It took four hours, but Ryan is finally in his ICU room. Ryan went into respiratory distress and needed to remain by the operating rooms in case he kept continuing downhill. Thank goodness, he bounced back but continues to be iffy. He is on supplemental oxygen and a Bi-PAP (not sure if that’s spelled correctly) which is basically a ventilator without a breathing tube down his throat. He seems uncomfortable, but not pain-ridden.
Don’t miss yesterday’s highly popular post, Liar,Liar, Pants on Fire, where I explain how I took over the Vantrease’s old website and call people out.
Sending love and good thoughts to you all — looking forward to hearing an update on Ryan soon!!
Hope all is going well and that the respiratory issue has been cleared up–and that you all will be coming home soon. When Ryan is completely healed from this surgery, will he be able to have Catbob back with him again? SHSP NGA Love, thoughts and prayers, Annie
Checking in and still praying
Checking in…praying all is going good.
Just wanted to check in and see how Ryan and everyone is doing this morning! Hope all is well. Praying hard that Ryan gets to come home soon! Much love from WV! <3
Checking in for any news this morning. Always here and thinking of all of you !
All my love and thoughts today and always! Driving to WVU right now. Makes me think so much of all of you! I’ll fill you in after Ryan is home .
Just checking in…praying for an uneventful day.
Good Afternoon Diviney Family! Hope Ryan is progressing well and gets to come home soon. My family, friends, and I are praying very hard for him each and everyday! We know that God is watching out for Ryan and that, in time, everything will be okay. We also know that God will punish those for what they did to him that night! Karma is also watching them so they better watch themselves. The state of West Virginia loves you all! Much love and prayers!
Hi Ken, I hope things are going okay with Ryan and he had a smooth night. Just checking in to tell you I am thinking about you and your family.
Love & hugs,
Paula
Thinking of you this morning and praying for you all.
I’m glad the surgery went well in spite of the respiratory distress. Ryan has been thru so much–and so have all of you. You have a LOT of prayers going up to heaven and I have faith that God DOES hear us. we did have our Prayer Table yesterday & I lifted Ryan and you in prayer, explaining the situation. Deacon Sue uploads the petitions to the Worldwide Episcopal Conference–that’s a LOT of prayers! The future of the Prayer Table is a little uncertain. Sue got a promotion, will no longer be working across the street in the (dilapidated!) State Office Bldg. (You have to have 8 hours of training by the Episcopal Diocese–confidentiality & all that). But there will always be prayers. God be with & care for ALL of you. Get some rest, Ken. You all need it. God bless. PK & Tim
PK Miller, I always enjoy your posts!!!
First thing this morning my thoughts go to Ryan and his wonderful family. Praying for Ryan and can’t help but think of the monster who did this to him. There’s a place for him it’s called in HELL.
Thank you so much for the update, Ken. I’m praying and thinking about you, Ryan, Sue and Kari. I really appreciate the updates. Not sure if I can sleep tonight. I’ll be checking in …….. Hugs, Love, Good thoughts ….prayers…. Paula
Always here ,Always praying .Thankfully surgery is over and went well and pray no complications..A comfortable night for Ryan and you all
love gail
So glad to hear that Ryan is recovering from surgery and breathing issues. Prayers will continue through the night for him. Praying that you and Sue can get some peaceful rest too <3
Continued prayers for a full recovery and praise for a successful surgery. We got this! SH NGA! Love to all of you.
Dianne
So glad all went well Ryan Have a peaceful night
Praying for you all <3 <3
Joining so many other in thinking of you all and praying for the best outcome today.
Praying <3
Glad to hear he is out of surgery!!! Keeping you all in our thoughts!
So happy to hear Ryan is out of surgery and it went well. Prayers up that he can get home soon. I think this calls for a crab cake celebration, Ken. 🙂
Love to all of you ~
Carla & family
Now for speedy recovery and to get Ryan home!
One hurdle over….keep them on their toes over there Ken!
I’m praying for Ryan and your whole family!
Praise God that the surgery went smoothly — what a relief!
Ken, I did not realize just how big the plate was until I saw this mold you posted. .can’t believe that much of his skull was crushed..I have nothing but pure hatred for the scum that did this to your son.. Aids and a slow death would be too good for those two who did this. I wish I could just give Ryan a big hug. Thinking of you all.
Will be there in spirit praying so hard for everything to work out ok. So glad that you are going to keep us posted as the day goes on. Love from Clayton Georgia. Hang in there Ryan and family.a big shout out to you Ken and family for everything y’all do on a daily basis for Ryan.
Best wishes… <3 Ruby Memorial Hospital WVU… great surgeons, doctors, nurses, care takers, and so much more there watching out for their patients…
<3 Praying Always
How are you guys?! Many prayers on your way!
Yes, please keep the up-dates coming. Prayers and thoughts, just MORE of them today. God Bless. Love, Annie
Sending positive thoughts……waiting to hear all is well
Praying for your family and steady hands for the surgeons. I also pray Ryan’s recovery is uneventful and he can go home on schedule.
Prayers as always !!!!
Hope all is going well during Ryan’s surgery. Look forward to your next update. God bless you.
We are lifting Ryan up in prayer today and praying you all through this hospital stay as well. As Churchill said so succinctly, just keep going, Divineys — we’re with you every step of the way <3
Praying for u all today and looking forward to the updates of good news.
My thoughts and prayers to you and your family especially today and always. My daughter attended West Virginia University a few years ago, and told me Ryan’s story. I have been following it ever since. Hope for a successful surgery today and hopefully a little rest for you too.
Praying for your beloved son.
Praying for God to guide the surgeons’s hands and protect Ryan. Also praying for a short time in ICU and a swift recovery from the surgery itself. God bless you all.
Extra prayers coming ur way today.Will be watching for updates.Ur love for ur son just totally amazes me!! Wish there was more fathers like u on this earth.May God be with u today and every day.Just remember–YOU GOT THIS.
Praying!
Sending love strength and positive energy.
Praying hard for Ryan, the doctors and family.
Hope everything goes well for Ryan today. He deserves a break. I read the article from yesterday, way to go Ken, just sorry all this has happened to your family. Try to find little joys in every day, Ryan wouldn’t want you to suffer also. Hugs, prayers and compassion. Hugs to all the family also.
Praying.
Prayer to your family and the medical team.
Praying for Ryan today and every day!
Thoughts & prayers with Ryan and your family today!
You’ve got this, Ryan!!!! Prayers for you and the family.
In my thoughts and sending love to all of you. ❤️
Sending prayers for completely successful surgery.Will be checking for updates when you can
and thinking of you all .Stay Strong
love Gail
God be with you all. I don’t know if we’ll have our Prayer Table today. Deacon Sue got a promotion, no longer works in the State office complex across the street from our Cathedral. But I raised you all up in prayer last night after our class on Philippians and posted on my Facebook page. I pray everything goes well & God guides the surgeons & other caregivers.
PK & Tim
PS You DON’T want Ryan to stay in the hospital any longer than necessary. Theyre, alas, great vectors for infection! And Ryan will recover better, faster surrounded by his loving family.
Praying for all of you.
I’ve said a prayer for Ryan, the doctors, and your family.
I am praying for Ryan and your family today. I’m so sorry you all have to go through this.
praying
Hang in there today Ken…
Praying hard for Ryan and the entire family. I have you all on our prayer list at my church and at work. I pray everyday that Ryan wakes up soon. I can’t fathom how hard all of this is on your family, but I know that God is watching over all of you and has a plan. Everything will be okay in the end! God bless you all! Much love!
Prayers sent.
Prayers……
Praying!
Praying and waiting to hear updates – will be checking in throughout the day (and night and tomorrow/night and next day. Can’t wait til Ryan is back home!!! Hugs & Love
Prayers
Praying for Ryan and family
<3
Keeping all of you in my prayers. May God continue to grant you the strength you need each day.
We are right here waiting.
Sending prayers!!
Prayers for you all!! ❤️
Thinking of you and sending positive thoughts your way. xx
Praying for Ryan today as always!!
Prayers for your family & Ryan
Prayers
Prayers!
Sending positive thoughts and prayers Ryan’s way!! As well as to you, his mom, and sister!
I will be thinking of Ryan and your family all day!
My thoughts and prayers are with y’all today.
Praying for The Doctors and Nurses, Ryan and your family
Love and Hugs
Ryan and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers today.
We will be praying without ceasing today for the surgery to go as planned, if not better.