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Ryan Mossell
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This is Ryan's Story
Two days after Christmas my family’s world started to stop. That’s when Ryan, my youngest son of three, woke up with puffy eyes. Within two days the swelling progressed to his legs and abdomen. My husband, a physician, knew immediately something was wrong. Ryan was admitted to a local hospital and started on oral prednisone. The pediatrician explained that at Ryan’s age, two and a half, this was most likely minimal change disease.
Over the next two months — when Ryan continued to swell and had high blood pressure and blood in his urine — we knew he needed a biopsy. The biopsy confirmed our worst fears. Ryan has FSGS. Ryan and I spent most of January and February at Shands Hospital , about an hour and a half from home. His little body got so swollen he lay listless in the hospital bed. My once active two year old, cried out in pain just walking down the hall to the bath. Ryan’s day started with the sounds of the “blood cart” rolling toward his room. I would lay there and pray they would get the blood with just one stick. After that it was the parade of staff poking and prodding. And then the constant begging for water and chicken nuggets. The night was filled with the loud noises from the roommate’s family keeping the TV on all night. Through it all, Ryan’s strength and wonderful nature kept everyone going.
For the past five months Ryan has been on the Tune-Mendoza protocol. While we are grateful he’s been out of the hospital, he now receives home health as much as three times a week. Sadly enough this has become a way of life for him. The cytoxan keeps Ryan’s immune system suppressed so we never take him anywhere and strictly limit visitors to our house to reduce the risk of infection. Again, through it all, Ryan’s courage and love get us through. We continue to pray and remain hopeful.
Susan Mossell
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