First, we want to say thank you to everyone who has been walking beside us since this crazy journey began 2 weeks ago. We cannot say thank you enough for all of the prayers, love and light that we have been showered in. We are continuously wrapped in the comfort of the Lord, so we can feel all of the prayers you’re sending up on our behalf. We want to thank you for your patience as we continue to learn more. As we continue to process. And as we continue to move towards acceptance.
Along with saying thank you, we also want to update you.
We were sent home last Thursday, just 2 days after surgery. And we landed right back on our beloved 4 South (Neuroscience floor at Butterworth) on Sunday afternoon; and continue to wait patiently to return home. Ryan has been having seizures since Sunday. Thankfully they are small, and modern medicine is AMAZING and is helping to control them but we are in a waiting game as they dial in the exact concoction to get his brain waves back to normal.
Since we’ve been here we have met with the Neuro-oncology team who looked at the pathology of the tumor. They told us that Ryan’s tumor is what they call a Grade II Glioma. Specifically a Diffuse Astrocytoma. This means cancer. Which is a really hard word to hear. But there is some light in the darkness. Grade II is best case. And some testing revealed that Ryan is IDH Mutant (I cannot tell you what this means specifically) but research has shown that those with this mutation respond better to treatment. So we keep the faith and have hope for the future.
We daily experience a rollercoaster of emotions as we slowly come to terms with this diagnosis. But we take comfort in the knowledge that we serve a Big God, and that He has known about this since the beginning. We take comfort in the amazing team who is fighting for us. and we take comfort in our weakness; that in our weakness He is strong. While we grieve at this diagnosis we find hope and joy knowing that our life has new purpose, that God has a plan and that He has chosen us as His vessels.
We haven’t had a formal sit-down with our Oncology team yet, but the outline that they presented us with is intense. We are wanting to be aggressive up front with treatment in order to give Ryan the most time before the tumor grows back. Because it will grow back. So after he recovers from surgery (4 weeks) we are planning to do a 6 week course of treatment that includes chemo and radiation. Which would be followed by a 4 week break. After that we will be doing another 6 months of chemo.
We take it day by day, and know that our God is here. That He suffers with us. We are in the valley right now, but the Lord is here, beauty is here.
Even here, grace abounds and life can still be beautiful. — Morgan Harper Nichols
Even Here, Grace Abounds 
You are loved, you are prayed for, you will conquer. God’s love and grace is stronger, is bigger, than any obstacle that is thrown your way…than the cancer itself.
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Continued prayers as you travel through this journey to victory. God is good and right beside you seeing you through this battle.
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Awe guys, so much love, thoughts and prayers to your beautiful family. Thank you for updating us. Your strength and faith is amazing. God is faithful and we continue to pray that you will experience His peace, power and presence daily. We will continue to walk beside you through this journey. Love you guys!
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Thank you Kregel family
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I am so sorry to hear this news, but happy there is some news better than could be. I am glad of your strong faith in our wondrous God. He will be with you and guide you. My prayers for you and your family as you stay strong in this fight
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Ryan you are continually in our thoughts and prayers. We are thinking of you and your family through this difficult journey! We serve a big God and we are praying for a miracle in all this!
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Thank you!
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Ryan and Bring I have had you in my prayers from the beginning. You two amaze me with your faith. My prayers for you will continue through this journey you are about to begin. God is good and I know he is watching over all of you!
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Ryan we are praying for you and your family that God will give you the strength through this difficult journey.
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Thank you dean’s!
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As I was travellong to omaha, I visited our co colleague david white. Pam and I wish you safe and speedy recovery to remission. In our thoughts and prayers.
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My prayers are with you all. God is great, always and he is our comforter in these times.
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Thank you addlemans
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Continued prayers for your family and Ryan as you go through this difficult journey.
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The Name of the LORD is a strong tower. The righteous run to it and they are safe! “
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Thanks grandma!
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Thank you for sharing. You, Ryan, and your whole family are in my thoughts and prayers every day. Knowing how strong you and your family are, I know it will carry you through every day. And I know all to well the difficulty of the one day at a time, next step process to diagnosis and recovery. Wishing you all the best during this difficult time and a speedy recovery for Ryan.
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