Ryan’s Story

Site created on October 11, 2020

Thank you for taking the time to visit our site and learn more about Ryan's journey. (UPDATED 4/7/2021)

It is not easy to put words on a page, to share our story as it has just begun. Sadly we are facing a long journey of treatment for Ryan as he battles melanoma. What started as a lymph-node in his left armpit has become something much more daunting, with cancer cells detectable in many areas.


We are still looking forward to the good news we will share here as time goes on and we thank you for sticking with us through what may be a long, sad and painful season that we anticipate will have it's share of bad news as well. We will stand believing for healing, sticking to our truth that God is good and waiting for a victory. We appreciate your prayers, support and words of hope and encouragement. 

If in this season you have questions please don't hesitate to reach out, cancer treatment can be complicated and confusing. We will do our best to be open with those who are standing with us in this fight.

We know people will want to help, many have already asked what they can do. It is hard for us to accept this but we know we will need help. We have shared some links in the "ways to help" tab at the top of this page. 

If your wanting to love our family by providing a meal, we thank you however due to Luke's egg allergy and some other dietary restrictions, we are not able to have homemade meals brought to us. We know often times that is a gift given to families facing crisis. You can still bless our family with a meal by providing gift cards to local restaurants, grocery stores and meal delivery services, we truly just need the food cooked at home.  We will also be traveling from Enumclaw to Seattle quite often so gas gift cards are helpful, generally getting gas at Costco, Safeway or Fred Meyer.

We have included the Amazon wish list in the "ways to help" section as well, as many have asked if they can send a gift for our children, Ryan or myself. We will try to keep this up-to date through this journey.

It is very hard for us to accept any type of gift please know there is never an expectation. When we first started this site many blessings came pouring in. We have been able to assist Ryan's mom Wanda with fuel money so that she can travel from her home in Oregon to come and help us with the kids, we have been able to prepare some special meals as a family and our fuel costs driving into Seattle have been minimized by the generous love that we received. We were also able to put a remaining small amount of funds toward the initial medical bills. We are blessed by any gift but expect nothing beyond love and prayers. 

We look forward to spending time with our family and friends enjoying company and experiences to create memories in this season, our family has been writing down ideas for things to do such as go to the zoo, eat at a fancy restaurant, go camping and fishing, have a tie-dye party. I look forward to sharing our fill the hearts, memory making list with you in a future journal post. If you have an idea for our family please feel free to comment and share.  If you are hoping to visit please let us know and we will do our best to make time in a safe space.

Many have asked for our address, please reach out so that I can privately send this info to you if you would like it.

Much love ❤
Ryan, Katie, Ella Jo & Luke 



Newest Update

Long Overdue Update

Journal entry by Katie Mikesell —

I know it has been a while since our last post, we have just been trying to live life as normally as possible, although we are not quite sure what that even looks like anymore.

Ryan had a scan in June that seemed clean and we were cautiously optimistic for the following 3 months. While we awaited our next scan appointment Ryan continued to take oral chemo as he has been doing for quite some time. So even though he had no evidence of disease (NED), we were still treating cancer.

Another scan was done in September and we were told that a small spot in his frontal lobe had appeared, this is a tiny 2mm spot and they will watch it and keep treatment the same. New scans will be done in February after the holidays.

We will be enjoying the season, soaking up time together and continuing on.

Both Ryan and I have had changes in our jobs recently, the kids are back in school and we are balancing life.

Thank you for your continued prayers, positive thoughts and support. Three years is too long to be walking this journey but we are thankful for those who have stuck with us.

 

❤️Ryan & Katie 

Read More of the journal titled "Long Overdue Update"
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