Sophie Ryan, 13, Reaches Major Milestones in Her Battle Against an Optic Pathway Glioma Brain Tumor
Photo courtesy of Tracy Ryan’s GoFund Me Page.
We have been following Sophie Ryan’s journey for some time now, and wanted to share it with you. Sophie just had her 7th brain surgery at just 13 years old! Sophie was diagnosed with an Optic Pathway Glioma brain tumor at the age of 8 1/2 months old. If you would like to follow Sophie journey you can do it on her Facebook or Instagram page.
Photo courtesy of Sophie’s Ryan Facebook Page
Sophie just recently underwent brain surgery where doctors successfully removed approximately 60% of her tumor. This surgery successfully cleared out a giant cyst, dropping the dangerous fluid pressure in her brain. She was moved out of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and into the regular oncology ward. Her medical team reports she has experienced minimal bruising, no swelling, and very little physical pain. Sophie’s doctors are monitoring her external ventricular drain (EVD) output. This will help determine if she needs a follow-up shunt revision surgery or if her brain is absorbing fluid naturally.
Photo courtesy of Tracy Ryan’s GoFund Me Page.
We follow several children battling these horrible diseases. It breaks my heart to see a children like Sophie suffering, at times it make me question God. I know that God’s ways are not my ways, and I believe that God has a purpose for everything He does, but my small mind will never comprehend His ways. But still, we serve a God who breaths planets! Healing Sophie would be nothing for Him. But, I choose to trust Him.
As you follow Sophie’s journey she is always smiling, happy, and cracking jokes with mom and dad. It just amazes me the positive spirit these children have in the midst of this horrible suffering. On Facebook, in her recent post, Sophie expressed that she wanted to be baptized!
Photo courtesy of Sophie’s Ryan Facebook Page
Sophie’s family need our prayers and support. The family has paid $35,000 for NK cell Immunotherapy out of pocket. Both parents are currently unemployed. Here is a quote from Tracy:
“Josh is now a full-time caregiver for Sophie’s constant appointments, and I was recently let go from the company I founded. We’re pouring everything into our girl without the income we once had. Any amount helps us cover her care and keep our family afloat — and sharing this post helps just as much.”
It is just horrible that a company that Tracy created let her go. In her Facebook she explains that she is not the CEO or on the Board of Directors, so she had so control over this.
What we can do as a community? First, let us all lift up the Ryan family in prayer. I would encourage you to post a prayer at the bottom of the blog. Second, the Ryan family has a GoFundMe page set up. Any help that we can provide would greatly help them.
“To everyone who has donated, prayed, shared her story, and refused to let us walk this alone — thank you. You are the reason we keep going. Soph feels every bit of your love, and so do we. Keep fighting with us. She’s not done. Neither are we.”
