We
all know people who have been diagnosed with cancer. Sometimes it is common and small and curable
and sometimes it isn’t. Sometimes it is
rare and big and the outcome is much sadder.
In
the past several years my path has intersected with two young men who had
cancer in their bones, both in the legs.
The
first is Ryan Kerr. He was 12, in 2002, when
he was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer.
He was in middle school with Stephanie, and it was early in his fight
against cancer that his family started the ConKerr Cancer Project. All over the country people are still making bright
pillow cases that are delivered to Children's Hospital
oncology wards.
But in late 2002 doctors determined that the chemo wasn't working.
"They performed a limb salvage, which meant removing bone from his leg and
putting in a titanium rod," his mom says. After that, Ryan had to undergo
several surgeries to remove scar tissue. He was in a lot of pain and he could
barely bend his leg. Even harder were the checkups every three months to find
out whether the cancer had come back. In 2004 tests revealed that the disease
had spread to Ryan's lungs. He underwent more grueling chemo treatments and had
to have his leg amputated the following year.
After healing from the surgery, Ryan learned how to ride a bike with his
prosthesis. He managed to rock climb, water ski and snow ski. I think this
spirit is exemplary. To be going through
unimaginable health problems as a young teen and still have the spirit of
adventure and the drive to try new things gives me the courage to keep going
myself. Ryan gave us the call to "Get Living". And I intend to take this to heart as never before. Thanks Ryan, for showing us how it's done!
I was working at the high school as a greeter and would see Ryan
regularly. He was always pleasant. I could tell he had his good days and he had
his bad days, and sometimes he didn’t make it to school at all. But when he did he made us all smile.
Late that year doctors informed the family that Ryan,
then 17, had only a few months to live. He was home under hospice care and died
in February, only a few months before his class graduated from high school.
Ryan had a great attitude through this terrible
time. His family and friends surrounded
him with love and support and he was a great example of how a terrible
situation doesn’t have to stop us cold.
Then:
I first met the Herzlich family in 2006 when Ethan was in
middle school and was playing lacrosse for the first time. We went to the Herzlich home to pick up the
lacrosse equipment and had no idea what we were in for. We quickly found out that there is nearly as
much lacrosse gear as there is football gear, and this family had turned their
home into lacrosse central. The
Herzlichs were cornerstones in the development of lacrosse in this area. Sandy and Barb Herzlich, as well as Mark and
Brad, were there getting dozens of little would-be lacrosse players sized and
outfitted with pads, sticks and helmets and ready for the season. Mark was in high school and well known as an
outstanding lacrosse player, a super football player and an all around nice guy.
When Mark graduated from Conestoga High School he went to
Boston College to play football. While
we are a Virginia Tech family we are also Mark Herzlich fans. Even when BC was playing Tech we were routing
for Tech and Herzlich.
While in college Mark was diagnosed with a rare form of
bone cancer. I can’t even imagine trying
to get through a year of college while fighting cancer. His passion for football and his life were put on hold while
he underwent treatment. For some time
there was a question about whether he would walk again. But he beat cancer and displayed courage and
character while he did it.
Mark has been another example for me of hypomone, remaining steadfast under trials and suffering. He remained faithful to his passion and his
goal and is currently cancer free and enjoying a football career with the NY
Giants.
It is very evident
to me the role, in both of these cases, that family played. Not only did these brave guys get their
awesome spirit from their families, but the families gave their all in support
of Ryan and Mark during their illnesses.
I am so pleased and proud to be able to call them all
friends.
Joshua 1:9
Have I not
commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you
wherever you go
