The Ryan Mondy Story
Ryan Mondy, an active six-year-old boy, went to the doctor on November 3, 2006. He had been suffering from what was believed to be sinus problems. He had recently finished a round of antibiotics for a sinus infection but did not seem to be recovering. The doctor decided to do a CT scan and see if anything showed up. When the CT scan was done, a mass showed up in Ryan's skull.
The decision was made to air lift Ryan from northwestern Arkansas to Childrens Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas. Due to space limitations, he had to fly by himself (without Mom and Dad). During the flight, Ryan got hungry and asked for something to eat. They told him they didn't have anything, so he tried to talk them into stopping along the route at a McDonald's and getting something to eat. When they wouldn't stop, he promptly told them that if his Mom was there that she would have had something for him to eat.
Upon arriving in Little Rock, he was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Friday night he began to have severe pain due to the tumor's increased size. After a hurried morning on Saturday, November 4, an in-depth MRI was performed, immediately followed by surgery to remove most of the tumor.
For eight days following the initial surgery, Ryan was unconscious in the PICU in critical condition.
When the pathology report came back on November 14, the diagnosis was Level Four Glioblastoma Multiforme, which is a very agressive form of tumor.
During November, December, and January, Ryan bravely fought through many medical procedures, including chemotherapy and radiation. He was released from the hospital during that time, but had to remain in Little Rock to continue radiation as an out-patient.
Returning home in January 2007, the family breathed a collective sigh of relief, even though they knew the battle was not over. Ryan continued maintenance oral chemotherapy at home five days per month and made many trips for physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, MRI's, and other tests.
February 23, 2007, brought another surgery to remove the remaining tumor. Ryan's progress after the second surgery was remarkable, being released from the hospital on February 28.
This is the beginning of a journey which has lead a child and his family to touch countless lives in amazing ways. From a little town in Northwest Arkansas, Ryan's story has reached around the world to inspire thousands of people.
From the Mondy Family web site you can order the book, "Memoirs of Miracles", which was written by Uncle Tim to chronicle Ryan's battle.
The family is forever thankful for the prayers of so many people all around the world. God has surely seen us through the most dificult times. He is faithful.