Ryan was always optimistic and yet realistic about his condition. New treatments were pursued to give Ryan the best hope for a cure.
Rhabdomyosarcoma – Ryan’s Story
Ryan lived and breathed sports, and his passion for baseball and hockey had him on the field and on the ice at age 4. He never missed a hockey game — until the summer of his 15th year. After two months of tests, the doctors diagnosed the high school hockey player with stage IV rhabdomyosarcoma, a very rare and dangerous form of cancer in the soft tissue. "He was a kid who was never sick and never complained about bumps and bruises,"said his mother, Suzi.
A Devastating Discovery
Doctors discovered a softball-size tumor between his bladder and prostate, a tumor on his spine and several in his pelvic/hip bone and sternum region. Cancer had also spread into his lymph nodes. "It was shocking,"Ryan said. "That’s not something you expect at my age."
Ryan’s 42-week treatment routine consisted of a week at the University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview for chemotherapy every 21 days, followed by one week off for recovery, then one week of part-time school. In addition, Ryan underwent 28 rounds of radiation in the bladder/prostate region. Ryan’s last scheduled round of chemotherapy and radiation ended on July 15, 2005. On that day, his status changed from a cancer patient to a cancer survivor.
In January 2005, prior to Ryan beginning his radiation and at the suggestion of his family, he donated his own stem cells for harvesting in the event that he would need a future transplant. Ryan was able to donate enough stems cells for two transplants. At the time, little did the doctors or Ryan know that he would need to receive a transplant at the end of his treatments. As a result of his final 12 rounds of complete bone radiation, the doctors recommended that he receive the stem cells back in order to help him recover.
Through its Stem Cell Biology Program, Children’s Cancer Research Fund is enabling the University of Minnesota to continue its pioneering efforts in stem cell transplantation using stem cells from umbilical cord blood and adult sources. This support allows researchers to expand their studies to further develop novel approaches for treating pediatric cancer patients, such as Ryan, who require marrow transplantation.
Always Optimistic
Ryan was always optimistic and yet realistic about his condition. Despite his off-the-ice battle, his dreams remained rich and alive. After high school, Ryan hoped to play in the USHL and then become a college hockey player. The ring he wore was a testament to his hopeful future: EPHS Class of 2007.
Ryan began training hard to return to the ice for his junior season of hockey. However, his dream was cut short when he felt pain in his left knee after his first day of tryouts. That pain proved to be a tumor in his lower left femur and two small spots in his right femur as well — just four months after being declared cancer-free.
Round two of the battle began. The cancer quickly spread through his body. Ryan battled courageously and never gave up hope for a cure. Unfortunately, a little more than two years from his original diagnosis, he lost his battle with rhabdomyosarcoma.
"Ryan always had a giving spirit. He spent most of his young life working on different service projects and giving to others,"said Suzi. "I find it ironic that Ryan was forced to be on the receiving end of these selfless gestures, and he realized how good it made him feel."Ryan helped with many service projects for Children’s Cancer Research Fund, including the KS95 for Kids® Radiothon, the Time to Fly™ Walk/Run, and as a contributor to the organization's special 25th anniversary quilt. He also served as an honorary spokesman for the Relay for Life event in Eden Prairie.
A Life with a Purpose
The Shuman family believes there was a purpose to Ryan's battle with cancer and they always made the best of the situation. "You don’t wish for this to happen to anyone,"said Suzi. "This is a horrible thing, but we’ve gained so many friendships with great people."
According to Bob and Suzi, an estimated crowd of more than 1,500 people attended Ryan's visitation and funeral service. At the end of the service, Ryan was led out to the church foyer by the boys' hockey team — with sticks in hand — and followed by the girls' team to give Ryan a true hockey salute and farewell.
The next night, between 300 and 400 of Ryan's classmates walked to the Shumans' home to sing holiday carols. They parked at a local elementary school, lit candles and led a vigil walk to their house. These caring classmates walked one mile in the cold to show their love for Ryan and support the family.
Although Ryan died 11 days before his 18th birthday — the age many equate to entering adulthood — he always lived life and faced death with the maturity, courage and optimism of a person at least twice his age. Ryan truly touched many people's lives — all in a very short period of 18 years.
Twenty percent of cancer patients, like Ryan, need new and innovative treatments outside of the traditional therapies of radiation and chemotherapy to battle cancer. Children’s Cancer Research Fund is helping find those treatments by providing critical funding to the University of Minnesota’s Phase 1 Experimental Therapeutics Program. This initiative tests new therapeutic combinations as well as new agents to help kids like Ryan survive.
