Support Ryan's Family Through Their Loss

With a heavy heart, I share that our dear Ryan Smith is approaching the end of his journey and he is taking his final breaths. His health has declined significantly, with his skin being the most visibly affected organ, developing a Kennedy Terminal Ulcer. The paralysis caused by his spinal cancer is now the only favorable condition. I seek your support during this challenging time. We have depleted our resources, including his retirement fund, and I must ensure the well-being of my children for the upcoming months. Your assistance in laying Ryan to rest and giving him a beautiful farewell would be greatly appreciated. Today, I secured his burial plot, and I am determined to make his final journey as smooth as possible.

Ryan remains a beacon of light in a world that often seems dark. He is a shining example of the power of resilience and determination in creating a brighter future for ourselves and those around us. His unwavering dedication to his family and dreams solidifies his unshakeable strength of character. After a decade of commitment to his previous employer, Ryan landed his dream job with a local HVAC company, a true family business. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Ryan shed tears of joy at the opportunity to work alongside such a supportive team. However, in the summer of 2022, Ryan was diagnosed with cancer for the fifth time, with a tumor on his spine (T6). Despite this setback, Ryan continued to work tirelessly until the cancer center advised him to prioritize his time with loved ones in January 2023.

The cancer diagnosis was grim, with surgical intervention deemed impossible and radiation therapy contraindicated due to recent treatment. Chemotherapy was viewed as a last-ditch effort, unlikely to produce meaningful results. Recurrent germ cell cancer is generally resistant to chemotherapy. However, we are willing to explore any treatment options that could grant us more time with Ryan.

Ryan persevered through a grueling year of pain and exhaustion, only to find solace in hospice. As his devoted caregiver, I juggled homeschooling our four children while ensuring his health remained a top priority. Despite the challenges, homeschooling became a testament to our unrelenting spirit, demonstrating that even in the face of adversity, we can cultivate strength and flourish. However, the vicissitudes of life proved formidable when Ryan's cancer spread to his spine in March 2024, cruelly rendering him paraplegic within a mere week. I found myself having to adapt quickly, learning new skills to ensure his comfort and wellbeing. Ryan's cancer fractured his vertebrae with over 50% height loss in March 2024, rendering him paraplegic within a week. I had to adapt swiftly and learn new skills to ensure his comfort and well-being. The children's education and sense of stability were impacted.

Ryan's passion for tinkering was unparalleled. He transformed broken items into functional masterpieces, leaving everyone in awe. He was also a wrench monkey. He loved his classic cars. The first car was a 1966 Bel Air he drove full time after his original cancer diagnosis at age 17. After the harsh loss of the Bel Air he bought a 1966 Impala. The Impala interior was just finished last summer. Despite just finishing chemo, he still tore out all the rusted through floor pans and replaced them and carpeted the inside. His latest passion for tinkering was 3D printing. After the car was finished and Ryan’s physical abilities declined he knew he needed something to keep his mind busy. Starting with a small used printer he rebuilt and repaired. Some of the replacement pieces needed he printed himself. He then worked his way up to a brand new 3D printer. He has filled our home with creative and useful items. He made sure to print us all specialized gifts to remember him by.

After 15 remarkable years with Ryan, life will never be the same, but the memories and love we shared will always be cherished. I am so grateful to have known and loved him, and his children will miss him dearly. Thank you for all of your love and shared kindness over the years. Ryan never gave up the fight. If you find me on social media there are many public posts about Ryan’s health journey.

If you'd like to to donate otherways:

venmo @Jerica-Smith- Cashapp $Jerica1Smith1