Foreword

It was a bright and sunny September day, with just a hint of fall in the air. Who could have known our lives would change forever that day? Who could have known we would be starting a life or death fight for our son? When your child has a life-threatening diagnosis, your world becomes very small and survival becomes your only focus. Survival of your child, your family and even life as you once knew it, are the only things on your mind. You want to keep everything as normal as you can for those you love, all the while fighting for a life sparing outcome for your family.

As hard as Ryan’s ‘army’ was fighting and believing we were keeping most of the true issues away from him, little did we know that his wars were not only the outward physical and medical issues, but also the thoughts and demons that came to haunt him in the dark. During waking hours, his great imagination led him to play many detective games with stuffed animals and plan new worlds like Awesome Waters. Or even his creation of a ‘hotdog’ soup and going room to room pushing an IV pole and serving it to all his fellow patients.

But sleep took him many dark places….

This book is a true testament to the strength and the courage a little boy had, to beat everything thrown at him and result in a happy ending for him and his whole family. His sense of humor and perseverance were the weapons he used against the evils inflicted on him– in both worlds. Having been part of his army, I know that no one is more qualified to tell this story than him. Ultimately, family was the glue that held all of us together. It was a true roller coaster of a ride we were on, but an adventure that needs to be told. It is an understanding that with love and hope, all things are possible.

To say I’m proud of my son would be an understatement. He not only endured the years of treatment for his disease back then, but then put himself through reliving at all, to write this book.

We stand in awe of the work done by countless doctors, nurses and support staff at the hospitals Ryan was treated at over the course of several years. They are truly amazing people.

-Cathy and Bob Olson