Please help Ryan and Alli as Ryan faces stage 4 oral cancer.

The Kos family recently received some devastating news. Ryan was diagnosed with stage 3 oral cancer and will soon be undergoing chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and eventually surgery to remove the tumor once it shrinks to an operable size.

At the beginning of 2024, Ryan noticed a lump on the floor of his mouth that was making it difficult to eat and speak clearly. His visited his primary doctor, and then spent the following 5 months being passed between a facial surgeon and an ENT surgeon attempting to get a biopsy. By May, the growth had grown under Ryan’s jaw and into his neck, making it difficult to swallow. His primary attempted again to get his biopsy scheduled, and in the meantime expedited an MRI scan since the growth had progressed so much in only a few months. The MRI results showed a malignant 3.4cm x 3.5 cm x 3.1 cm tumor invading into his sublingual and submandibular glands, and they were unable to see if it had spread to his lymph nodes. These results confirmed cancer, and we were able to finally get Ryan an appointment and biopsy with the ENT. A few weeks later we received the pathology results that it was Invasive Squamous Cell Carcinoma that is poorly differentiated. This means it is a rare, more invasive type of SCC that has a higher rate of recurrence over time.

During the initial visit, the surgeon determined that he does not want to operate until after chemo/radiation in an attempt to preserve Ryan’s jaw and prevent the need for a feeding tube in the future. Our next steps are a PET scan to confirm that the cancer has not spread to distant areas, and starting the treatment process. More information will be available once Ryan has his initial appointment with his oncologist.

This comes at a time when the family should be celebrating the upcoming arrival of baby number 4, a little girl due at the end of September.

As of now Ryan will not be able to work full-time as a stay at home dad caring for their three young boys (ages 6 4, and 1) and upkeep of their home. Nor is he able to his part-time job outside the home while undergoing treatment and recovery.

Allissa works full time and may need to take some additional unpaid time off to care for Ryan and the boys, which may impact her upcoming maternity leave. Thus this fundraiser will help cover the medical expenses, any loss of Allissa and Ryan's income, help with childcare costs, as well as a buffer for unexpected expenses.

The family could use lots of prayers as well as help from their friends, family, and the community to help them get by as best as they can. The goal is to also have as little of disruption in the daily routine of the lives of their 3 young sons. Given their ages they most likely will not understand why Dada isn't feeling well.

Please help by sharing the link to family and friends and making a donation to this cause. Yet foremost keep Ryan and Alli in your prayers. There is a long road of recovery ahead.

We will keep everyone posted as updates become available. Respectfully Tammy (Ryan's Mother-in-Law)