It’s been a hell of a year.
For the time being, there is no let-up in sight. It wasn’t even thirty days ago that Ryan was extremely ill and in the ICU (for seven days). Both of his kidneys were infected with not just one, but three, extremely nasty bacteria strains. It took powerful intravenous antibiotics for his recovery; that I had to continue at home. You can read about it here: Ryan in ICU: What If I Ever Miss Something?
I thought his infection was eradicated.
Turns out, I might be wrong. If so, it could be devastating… potentially a matter of life or death. This could get real serious… real fast.
Here’s the short of it. Ryan again has a urinary tract infection (UTI). It developed fully within the past 24 hours. I know this because I sample his urine daily with a home test kit strips. Yesterday the results went to hell (i.e., I retested hourly for the next three hours to confirm).
Here’s the concern… if this currently active UTI is caused by any one of the three bacteria that infected his kidneys then we might have a problem. It is then highly likely that the IV antibiotics didn’t eradicate it, and merely suppressed it. Simply stated, these bacteria would be resistant to the powerful antibiotic(s).
Not good.
This image was created by Ryan’s Rally LLC. Copyright 2016.
Sure, there might be other powerful antibiotics that could be used. In fact, that’s likely. Then again, there might not. No matter, because those that were used are no longer effective for him.
Losing the availability of any antibiotic, let alone powerful ones, is like taking a bullet — a silver bullet, at that — from the holster.
Now We Wait
Within hours of confirming Ryan’s UTI yesterday, via home urinalysis, I had his urine at the lab for culture. It takes around 48 – 72 hours for it to grow out enough to be able to identify the bacteria (i.e., Bacteria is the plural form, while bacterium is singular. I’ll use the plural since this is what people are familiar with).
So, we should know something as early as tomorrow afternoon or Thursday at the latest. Until then all we can do is wait… and worry.
Killer Contaminants
It’s a real kick in the nuts that survivors of traumatic brain injury are nearly always taken down permanently by bacteria, and not the lingering injury itself. Mainly urinary infections or pneumonia. To think, after everything that looms so large, it becomes microscopic.
Sure, that will almost certainly be Ryan’s fate, but that isn’t what kills him. It rests squarely on two monstrous thugs, Austin Vantrease and Jonathan May (both from Newark, DE). They beat the existence — the very essence — from Ryan.
They ended his life.
Johnston says
March 8, 2018 at 9:47 AMAny news? Praying
Ann H Tearle says
March 6, 2018 at 4:44 PMI just want to reassure you that I am here, I am praying for you daily, and, I will hold off posting anything further until you are ready to share with us whatever you may wish to share. I do not want to be a pain in the butt always asking for updates. Just wanted you to know that just because I am not posting, does not mean I have abandoned you! I am rooting for you and Ryan all the way. My love, Annie
na says
February 23, 2018 at 3:41 PMany update?
Ann H Tearle says
February 20, 2018 at 11:28 PMSHSP NGA……you all are on my mind constantly. I pray for a good outcome. Love, Annie xo
terryrighos says
February 16, 2018 at 1:32 PMPraying no news is good news.
Ann H Tearle says
February 13, 2018 at 4:06 PMPraying…
Ann H Tearle says
February 10, 2018 at 12:04 PMKen may not be able to update us if he is in the middle of returning Ryan to the hosp. I am hoping the infection will be stopped in it’s tracks, please Lord. Prayers and love.
Colleen Brunelle says
February 10, 2018 at 11:03 AMHoping all is well – concerned that there has not been an update – still in my prayers each and every day.
Christine Marino says
February 9, 2018 at 10:59 AMThinking of you all & praying, too! XoXo
Mary T says
February 9, 2018 at 7:01 AMMy thoughts are with you & Ryan! Hope it turns out ok. Love to you and the family.
Ann H Tearle says
February 8, 2018 at 11:54 AMWaiting with you, and prayers.xo
William Niermeyer says
February 7, 2018 at 4:29 PMIn hopeful prayers for Ryan’s healing and for strength to Ken and the family.
SANDRA BARB says
February 7, 2018 at 2:10 PMAlways on my mind and in my prayers, May bless you and your family!!
Ann H Tearle says
February 7, 2018 at 1:32 PMIn my thoughts constantly for all the support that can be gotten with prayers and love. Ken, hang in there, rooting for Ryan and you all the way.
Carole says
February 7, 2018 at 1:17 PMKen, Sue, Kari and Ryan. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I think about you and pray every day for his healing. God bless!
ANNA says
February 7, 2018 at 8:41 AMThinking of you all today and every day and praying for the best antibiotic to be available and effective.
Everyone who reads this story knows that Jonathan May and Austin Vantrease are the cause of the end of the life Ryan excelled in and enjoyed. Google their names and this story will forever follow them. What a legacy! Prayers your way.
Jenny says
February 7, 2018 at 3:44 AMI’m so sorry to hear of Ryan’s UTI. He, you and the rest of your wonderful family are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless.
Dianne says
February 6, 2018 at 8:51 PMPraying for Ryan’s complete healing with the right antibiotics to zap these bacteria. Praying for you, Sue and Kari to have peace through this. You’re a phenomenal dad!!
Paula says
February 6, 2018 at 8:31 PMSo painful to read, but this horrific reality that Vantrease and May created for Ryan is one of the most gut wrenching things anyone will ever read. It’s not even possible to tally up the emotional, physical and financial cost of their actions — the amount is astronomical. And terrifying. And unending. But in spite of this, I continue to hold you Ken, Ryan, Sue and Kari in the highest regard. The Vantrease clan lacks even a scintilla of the strength, dignity and power of your family. That is something I actually can quantify.
Rhonda Morin says
February 6, 2018 at 7:22 PMLifting Ryan and your family to the Universe for healing, support and good health. You will be in my thoughts until we hear he has a common simple easy to fix UTI.
Vicky and David Scott says
February 6, 2018 at 7:11 PMPraying. We have had these conversations and are going down this road. We have been told numerous times not to test but no way we are going to stop. Totally understand your concern and dismay.
Cass says
February 6, 2018 at 6:11 PMStill here, and still praying, Ken. For everyone. I am so thankful that you are Ryan’s dad.
Lora Brown says
February 6, 2018 at 6:11 PMContinued prayers for all of you! So not fair. You are a wonderful Father!
Dan says
February 6, 2018 at 6:07 PMGod Bless you Ryan , we are all praying for you and your Family , been following your story since your Sister posted the terrible thing those two assholes did to you , God will take care of them in the end , I pray that you are in comfort. Ken you are a strong Man you are the greatest Dad God bless you. I hope that God helps you handle what you are givin.
Carla Liberty says
February 6, 2018 at 5:36 PMPraying for Ryan and for all of you. Absolutely hate this for you. SHSP, NGA. <3
Debra says
February 6, 2018 at 5:28 PMWe wait and we pray for God’s intervention to this deadly bacteria. I lit a candle and adoration today
Hang in there buddy, we are praying for a fast recovery.
Connie says
February 6, 2018 at 5:13 PMPrayers for you and your family. God give you strength and peace.
Kaila Richmond says
February 6, 2018 at 4:42 PMSo sorry to here this and hoping for positive outcome.
William Niermeyer says
February 6, 2018 at 4:33 PMIt is best to wait with hope. Stressing out gets us nowhere.
Rita Hoop says
February 6, 2018 at 4:05 PMOh Ken, we are praying very hard for God to show mercy to your family and heal Ryan of this infection quickly and completely. Please let us know if there’s anything we can do for you as you deal with this latest challenge.
Ally Smith says
February 6, 2018 at 3:58 PMWishing, waiting, hoping…
Gail Doyle says
February 6, 2018 at 3:50 PMThinking of Ryan and you and one time I hope you’re not right,and it’s not serious . Praying for all ❤️