Journal
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2009 3:03 PM,
Ryan,
I am happy to report that your brother, Charles (Charlie) Robert Kappes was born on December 2, 2009 at 2:39 p.m. Charlie had some unexpected breathing problems shortly after birth and was admitted to the NICU. Fortunately, the problems quickly cleared and we have just brought Charlie home from the hospital. Being in the NICU again brought back a lot of memories and reminded us of how emotionally and physicallly demanding having a sick child can be. Thank you for being Charlie and Marcy's quardian angel. Your mother, Marcy, Charlie, and I love you very much.
Dad
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 8:39 AM, CST
Happy 4th birthday Ryan!!! Your Mom, Marcy and I love and miss you very much! Please watch over your Mom and your soon to be little brother who should be here by December 8. I am happy to report that your Foundation is going strong having helped over 100 families over the last three years.
Dad
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2009 3:24 PM, CST
Ryan,
Three year's ago today was the saddest day of my life. Even though I miss you so very much I know you are in a much better place. One day we will all be together again. Until such time I will continue to cherish every moment that we spent together. Your Mom and I love you very much as do the rest of your extended family and friends!
Dad
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2008 8:28 AM, CST
Happy 3rd Birthday Ryan! Your Mom and I are doing very well and so is your little sister, Marcy. We all miss you so very much. Marcy came and got in our bed this morning and said "Happy Birthday Ryan". She is starting to understand that she has a big brother. Your Mom and I are going to Jasmine's tonight to celebrate your birthday. I told your Mom yesterday that today is a day to be happy and not sad. You have forever changed the both of us and have given our life so much more meaning and purpose. Without your passing we would not have our precious little Marcy Marce (she's not always precious, she just came up to me as I was typing this and hugged me only to then hit me in the crotch) The memories of the time that we spent with you will forever be etched in our minds. I love you!
Dad
p.s. Your Foundation is still going very strong having raised over $250,000 and helped more than 50 families. Good work!
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2008 4:53PM, CST
Hi Ryan,
I can't believe it has been two years since I have seen your beautiful little face. Fortunately, I can still remember almost every little thing about you (your smile, your cry, your trying to make up for lost time when you were finally able to eat, etc., etc., etc.) I love you as much today as I did when I first laid eyes on you, and I miss you so very much. Your Mom and I are getting ready to go out for a quite dinner (that means no Marcy). I am sure we will talk about the good times and tough times that we had with you during the 72 days we spent together. I would not trade that time with you for anything in the world, and as you know, that is why we started your Foundation. To date, we have helped approximately 27 families be able to spend extra time with their sick child. Several of those children have since joined you in heaven, but many of them have gotten better, and I would like to think that no matter the ultimate outcome, the extra time they were able to spend with their families has or will make a big difference in their lives.
If anyone reading this post ever knows of a family in need please feel free to call Karie or I directly. While we enjoy helping all families it has been especially rewarding helping the several families that have been referred to us by supporters of the Foundation.
THE RYAN SCOTT KAPPES FOUNDATION
P.O. BOX 30647
WILMINGTON, DE 19805
302-893-9522
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2007 4:10 PM, CST
Happy 2nd birthday Ryan! Your Mom, Marcy and I love you so much and we miss you terribly. Two years ago today was the happiest day of my life. Although it has been unimaginably difficult dealing with your death, I am finally starting to feel somewhat happy again. I am sure you know how wonderful and beautiful your little sister is and being around her makes it hard not to feel better.
Your Mom and I are going out to dinner tonight and I am sure we will only talk about you and how proud we are for everything that you have accomplished. Your foundation has raised approximately $200,000 and we have now directly helped over 20 families, and countless others indirectly through contributions to two Ronald McDonald houses and to benefit pediatriac cardiac research.
Your Mom and I have talked to alot of your family today and everyone sends their love to you and us. I hear your sister starting to cry (waking up from her afternoon nap) so I better sign off now.
Love, Dad
TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2007 11:54 AM, CST
Ryan,
I can hardly believe it has been a year. I can fortunately still remember you so vividly. Not an hour of the day goes by when I don't think of you. Your mommy and I miss you so much but we also know that you are in a much better place now. Your mommy and I are going out to a special dinner tonight and I am sure all we will talk about is the wonderful 72 days we spent with you and how proud we are for everything that you have accomplished. Your favorite nurse, Kristen, is going to be babysitting your sister. Please continue to look after her. She is such a good little girl and reminds me so much of you. All of your family loves you so much and misses you terribly.
Dad
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2006 10:19 PM, CST
Ryan,
It was a year ago today that we brought you home from the hospital. What a special time that was. I have visited you every day for the last three days and it sometimes still seems unreal that you are not with us. We all miss you so much, but we are all so thankful for the time that we got to spend with you. We had a dedication ceremony for you at A.I. DuPont this past Monday and they presented you with a very special placque that was hung on the wall in the cardiac outpatient waiting room. Everyone is so proud of everything that you have accomplished. It is so hard not having you around on Christmas Eve even though I know you are never far away. It just makes me so sad to think that Marcy is not going to be able to meet you but I promise to tell her all about how brave, courageous, cute, and loving her big brother was. Merry Christmas. We love you so much.
Dad
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2006 06:03 PM, CST
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!!!!! I can't believe a year has already gone by yet in some respects it seems much longer. Your mom and I and all of your family miss you very much. I feel you with me all of the time and know that you are never far away. Please continue to look after your baby sister who is doing great. Today happens to be her 6 week birthday! We love you as much as ever and not an hour goes by when I don't think about you. Your foundation is going very strong and we have just found our first two families to help. We are so very proud of the gift that you are giving to these two families and we know there are many more to come.
Love Daddy
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2006 08:49 PM, CDT
Hi, Ryan. I am sure you already know but your sister, Marcelle (Marcy) Ashby Kappes, was born one week ago today. She was 6lbs. 9oz. and 20 inches long. I am happy to report that she is a very healthy and happy little girl. It is amazing how much she looks and acts like you. You have done a great job of looking out for your little sister so far so please keep it up. We love and miss you very much but we are very happy with the wonderful new addition to our family.
Dad
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2006 10:56 PM, CDT
Hi Ryan. Sorry it has been so long since I have written. Your sister Marcy should be here very soon. Your mommy is scheduled to be induced on October 15. We are quite nervous but I am sure you are going to be watching over us and making sure everything goes alright.
We had your golf tournament in Washington on Monday to benefit your foundation. It was a huge success raising almost $75,000. Dr. Baffa spoke after the tournament and she had so many wonderful things to say about you. It really made me feel proud of you and reminded me of how many lives you have touched.
We are getting ready to make a $20,000 donation to the Nemours Biomedical Cardiac Research Fund and we just picked out a room at the Wilmington Ronald McDonald House that we are sponsoring in your honor. We plan to start helping families this coming January.
Your mom and I love you so much!
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2006 09:59 AM, CDT
Hey Babar! Sorry it has been so long since I have written. Your Foundation is up and running strong having raised approximately $70,000 to date. We had a very successful wine event over Memorial Day weekend. We also participated in the Quiet Resorts Charitable Foundation's golf tournament a couple weeks ago and a portion of the money from that event is going to be given to your Foundation. Last night we had the kickoff happy hour for your September 25, 2006 golf tourney at Mt. Vernon Country Club. We had three members of Congress present and the CEO of PhRMA. PhRMA is making a $15,000 donation/sponsorship to the golf tourney.
Your sister seems to be doing very well. We have had several tests and everything looks good so far. Keep looking out for her. She is due on my 40th birthday which is October 24. What a great present that is going to be. Your mommy and I are doing pretty well but we sure do miss you, and love you more than you can imagine.
Love, Dad
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 2006 06:38 PM, CDT
Hi Ryan! I haven't written you in a while but I just wanted to remind you that today is your mommy's birthday. She is very sad that you are not here to celebrate it with us, but I keep telling her that you are with us all of the time. Friday is a very big day for your brother or sister since your mommy is having a fetal echocardiogram which will show whether her/she has any heart problems. Make sure you pray hard for good results. Sunday is also going to be real hard since it is Mother's day. You are very fortunate to have such a wonderful mother. We both miss you terribly, but we are doing o.k. so don't worry. I love you.
Dad
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2006 09:32 PM, CDT
Sweet Angel Ryan --- today is 72 days since you died -- and a moment hasn't passed that I haven't been thinking about you. Your Daddy and I love you so much and think about you every second of every day. We had an appointment this week and saw your brother or sister's heartbeat and it was a miracle - I know that you were there and that you thought so too. You're going to be the BEST big brother!!!
Thank you for looking out for us always --- we love you lots and lots.
Mommy
SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2006 08:11 PM, CST
Happy 4 month birthday Babar! Your Mommy and I really miss you. I imagine you already know, but you are going to be having a brother or sister in about 31 weeks. Your Mommy and I are very excited about that but we also are very nervous. The biggest responsibility of being a big brother is looking after your siblings, which I am sure you will do a great job of. We love you so much.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 01, 2006 07:01 PM, CST
Hey Babar. Sorry it has been so long since I have posted. I am sure by now you have found all of your relatives and friends and that you are enjoying heaven. Your Mommy and I had as nice a time as possible in London and Beligum. We are both doing pretty good but we do miss you terribly. This is my second week back at work and your Mommy has been spending alot of time working on your Foundation which is off to a very fast start. We have already received contributioins of almost $10,000 and we are in the process of planning some very nice events. Pretty soon we will be able to start helping families at A.I. DuPont and the Children's Hospital in Washington D.C. Our initial plans are to focus on the cardiac centers at these two hospitals with possible expansion to other children's hospitals in the region down the road. Thank you to everyone for all of your continued love and support.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2006 11:26 PM, CST
Hi Ryan,
Your Foundation site is up!!! www.ryanscottkappesfoundation.org!! We are going to make some modifications but it is now up on the web. I am so sorry for the delay - we had a little sna-fu but that happens at times... We have the certificate of organization back from the DE Secretary of State and are moving full steam ahead on settting up all other guidelines for the Foundation in your name. You have done something for all of us, Ryan, you have given us a reason to be an do more in this world and everyone who have come to know you and love you will be a better person because you came into this world. XOXOXOOXXXOOX We love you with all that we are and all that we strive to be!
Love,
Aunt Tori
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2006 02:09 PM, CST
Dearest Ryan,
As you know, your Mommy and Daddy are in London and had a tour of Parliment and Big Ben today. I know that you can see them from Heaven and that you are guarding over them as they travel. The purpose of this update is to let all of your friends know that the website for your foundation should be up by tomorrow morning. As we mentioned earlier, the website will be www.ryanscottkappesfoundation.org. We have also set up an email for your foundation and it is ryanscottkappesfoundation@yahoo.com.
As your Daddy reported, your funeral was absolutely beautiful and you had hundreds of friends who came to celebrate your life. We all love you so much and will continue to keep you in our hearts forever.
Love,
Aunt Tori
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2006 07:59 PM, CST
Your Mommy and I have arrived safely in London and are getting ready to go to dinner with Marc and Ines. We miss you but we are having a good time. We love you very much.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2006 11:26 AM, CST
Goodmorning Babar. I just got back from having breakfast and visiting with many of your family and friends at the Staybridge Suites hotel in McLean. Thank you to the owners of this very nice hotel for accomodating so many on such short notice and for providing us with discounted rates.
Thank you to St. John's Episcopal Church, for the beautiful funeral service yesterday. A special thank you goes out to Reverend Louise Lusignan presiding over the service and for being a great spiritual advisor and friend to our family. I would also like to thank Troy Adams from Murphy's Falls Church Funeral Home for making everything so easy on us and for making sure everything went flawlessly yesterday. Most importantly, I want to thank you Ryan for bringing so many people together and helping to teach them what truly is important in life. At the request of several people, I will share with everyone some of the lessons that you taught me during your 72 days:
*there are many more sick kids than you know
*take nothing for granted
*donate your organs
*life is precious and fleeting
*when something is worth fighting for - do not give up
*be compassionate to the sick
*don't be afraid
*don't judge anyone on how they look, talk, walk, etc. - you don't know what they have been through or overcome
*patience is a virtue
*medical professionals and not athletes, musicians, actors, etc. are the true heroes in the world
*if you are a medical professional, your compassion and communication skills are as important as your medical knowlege
*live each day as if it could be your last
*everyone should have medical coverage and cost should be of no concern when treating the sick
*don't be afraid to cry
*give people the benefit of the doubt - you don't know what they have been through lately
*if you love someone, tell them
*it's ok. to pick up the phone when someone is sick or dies
*medical research should be continually pursued
*cherish every moment with your children
*family and friends matter most
I am sure you have taught us much more than this, but these are some of the ones that I could think of and are the ones that Andy read at the funeral yesterday.
Your Mommy and I are getting ready to leave for London for 10 days so I don't imagine I will be posting anything more until I get back. My hope is that your Foundation will be flourishing by the time we return home. I have asked your Aunt Tori to keep everyone posted on any new developments.
Ryan, your Mommy and I love you so so much. This chapter of your life has now come to a conclusion. I have no doubt that the chapters that are yet to come will be filled with many happy times and memories. I also have no doubt that your passing will allow medical advances to be made and families to stay together during their difficult times. Thank you for having such a great purpose during your short but wonderful life.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 03, 2006 07:03 PM, CST
Hey Babar. What a wonderful day we have had celebrating your life. Your funeral was absolutely beautiful. We are in the midst of the largest party the Barnes household has ever seen. You have touched so many people, it's just amazing. I will write more tomorrow, but I just wanted to give you a quick report on how things went today. Your Mommy and I, and everyone else, love you so much. We also know that you are going to accomplish big things in the days, weeks, months, and years to come.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 02, 2006 07:25 PM, CST
Ryan, believe it or not, your Foundation (The Ryan Scott Kappes Foundation) is officially up and running thanks to the hard work of Tori Barnes, Gail Wagner, and Beth Clingaman. The money that we raise is going to help many families cope with their children's sickness. I have met so many families over the last 10 weeks that just did not have the financial means to be with their children while they were in the hospital. One couple I remember vividly, from early in our stay at A.I. Dupont, was a couple that spoke exclusively Spanish. We communicated only non-verbally but I knew what they were feeling. We would see this couple arrive at the hospital around 7:00 every night, looking very tired and disheveled, I assume from a long day of physical labor. They would spend a short period of time with their child and then assumingly return home for a few hours of sleep before going to work again. Like Ryan, their child did not make it, and unfortunately they did not have the time to develop as strong a bond with their child as we did with Ryan. I can't imagine how I would feel right now had I not had the opportunity to spend all 72 days with Ryan.
Ryan, we are getting ready to have dinner with most of your family. Everyone is in pretty good spirits and discussing their favorite moments with you. We all love you very much. We will see you tomorrow morning.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 01, 2006 05:43 PM, CST
Hi Babar. It has been a long day of planning for your Mommy and I, but I think you are going to be very happy with how you will be honored on Friday. I think the church is going to be overflowing. I have been thinking about what I wanted to put in your coffin and I decided on my Cal Ripken autographed baseball. Cal Ripken is a good person who always gave back to his community, and was a great baseball player known mostly for "the streak". As amazing as his streak was, I think your streak of 72 days was much more impressive. You see, I have been doing alot of thinking lately and have come to understand that you were probably not meant to live even one day, let alone, 72. I am so proud of you and love you so much.
Your Mommy and I are doing better today. We are both comforted about our plans for your foundation and the level of interest it is already generating. Take care, and tell all of our other family and friends in heaven we say hello.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 01, 2006 09:43 AM, CST
Dear Ryan,
Your Mommy and Daddy are on their way down to Virginia right now and stopped first at the Post Office in order to arrange for the P.O. Box for the Ryan Scott Kappes Foundation.
The P.O. Box is:
The Ryan Scott Kappes Foundation, P.O. Box 30647, Wilmington, DE 19805.
We are still working on the tax id number and will get that out as soon as we have it. There will also be a website established soon.
Your notice is in the Washington Post Metro Section today and should be in the Wilmington paper today and/or tomorrow.
We also want to remind your friends that they can call Tori at anytime (202-422-7445) if they have messages for Karie and Scott or need any help as they travel to honor your special life.
We love you Ryan and feel your presence constantly.
XOXOXOX love, Aunt Tori
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2006 05:18 PM, CST
Dearest Ryan -
We have made some plans to honor your special life and your Mommy and Daddy have been working so hard to make everything perfect for you...
There will be a viewing of Ryan at Murphy Funeral Home in Falls Church from 11am-1pm on Friday, February 3. The address is 1102 West Broad Street, Falls Church, VA. 703-533-0341.
Following the viewing, there will be a funeral service at 2pm at St. John's Episcopal Church in McLean. The address is 6715 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA. 703-356-4902.
Additionally, regarding hotel stay in the McLean/Great Falls area. There is a block of rooms at Staybridge Suites in McLean. Phone number is 703-448-5400. Please note that you are with the Kappes Group and you will recieve a special rate (Thank you to Leigh & Brian Pence for making this possible). A regular studio room in the special block for Thursday and Friday night is $99. A one bedroom suite is $129 and a 2 bedroom suite is $159. The address is 6845 Old Dominion Drive in McLean.
As your Daddy mentioned earlier, we are in the process of setting up a 501 C-3 Foundation - The Ryan Scott Kappes Foundation. We will provide a tax-id number and PO Box as soon as they are completely established.
We love you so much Ryan and are so grateful to all of the friends and family who are such an important support system.
Love,
Aunt Tori
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2006 03:01 PM, CST
Goodmorning Ryan. I am sure by now you are in a much better place and some of your relatives have found you. I hope you had a good night's sleep which I imagine would have been your first. I miss you so much already.
In your honor, we are going to establish a foundation in your name to help other families that are going through something similar to what we did. Just two days ago, a young father named John introduced himself to me. Despite having a very sick baby himself, he was quite interested in how you were doing. His baby was having similar problems to you and had just suffered a very serious stroke, paralyzing her entire left side. John had to go back to work yesterday after only being gone a week or so, leaving his very young wife or girlfriend (she could not have been more than 20) by herself in the hospital. I don't imagine I will ever see John again, and I don't imagine he had the financial means to continue to miss work. I can't imagine what this experience would have been like had I not been able to be with you around the clock. I want to be able to help families like John's stay together during extremely difficult times like these, because Ryan, the most important lesson that you taught all of us, is that nothing is more important than family and friends.
Ryan Scott Kappes Foundation, 1408 N. Harrison Street, Wilmington, DE 19806.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2006 09:43 AM, CST
Dear Ryan,
There are so many wonderful people that love you still and want to be with you as we say goodbye. To make it easier, we want to list some places that people may want to consider staying.
The Staybridge Suites in McLean is in the middle of where the church and reception will be held. The number is 1-877-238-8889. This is probably the best location because it is easiest to get everywhere. The rooms are $109 per night.
A couple other options include:
The Marriott Courtyard in Tysons www.hotels.com - $89 per night.
The Sheraton in Reston www.sheraton.com - $89 and there is also a Hyatt in Reston www.hyatt.com which is in Reston Town Center.
As we know the final arrangements, we will post them here and also in the paper. We will be leaving Wilmington on Wednesday to head back to Washington. Please feel free to call me (Tori) on my cell (202-422-7445) if I can help anyone with any arrangements.
We love you so much little guy and we all miss you so very much but know that you are truely an amazing angel that will be with us every day for the rest of our lives.
Love,
Aunt Tori
MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2006 09:58 PM, CST
Sweet Ryan, your time has come and you are gone, thank goodness your spirt is still with us. I miss you already and am so proud of you and your strength. You are amazing, I wish that everyone reading would know how truly amazing you realy are. You are the most special gift that I have ever received. I will love you until the day that I die -- that is for sure. Your smile stilll lingers when I close my eyes and I have such fond memories of you wherever I am. You are a gift from God. I am looking at your Daddy now and want to know how to comfort him, he is so upset and there is nothing that anyone can say or do. I know that you will be here for us in the future and I can't wait to see you again.
Ryan, you are truly an inspirration to many and a pure dream and king to me. I love you more than I imagined loving anyone else and know that we will meet again.
You are my hero now and forever. I love you, Ryan --- you are amazing!
Mommy
MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2006 07:55 PM, CST
Babar, thank you again for making things easier on us. You died very quickly and peacefully in our arms. My heart is breaking right now and I just don't think I will ever get over losing you. Not a day will go by without me spending time with you. I sure hope you will be able to hear me and know what I am thinking, and I hope I will be able to feel your presence with me. I also hope someday to be able to develop your strength and courage so that I can hopefully pass that on to your little brother[s] and/or sister[s].
Your Mommy and I wanted to donate some of your organs to help other babies, but you were too little. We are letting the doctors take your heart so they can research what went wrong. I hope and pray that your death will allow the doctors to have a better understanding of your condition in order to prevent other families from going through what we have been through. Don't get me wrong Babar, I wouldn't trade these last 10 weeks with you for anything.
God please bless little Babar, our families and friends, and all of the other sick children at A.I. DuPont, Chop, and all over the world. I wish every sick child and family could have a support network like ours.
to be continued:
MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2006 05:14 PM, CST
Babar, the surgeon is with you now removing the ECMO machine and closing your chest. We will be back to see you again in a few minutes to say our final goodbye's and then the doctor will remove the ventilator. I think you are ready to go. Please don't fight any longer and leave us peacefully. I know you are going to a much better place.
Services will be on Friday at 2:00 in McLean, Virginia at St. Johns (the same church where your Mommy and I were married) In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity to be determined at a later date. However, so many of you have already done so much, so please do not feel obligated. Your continued heartfelt wishes and prayers is really all we need. Thank you all so much for all of your love and support.
We all love you so much! Hopefully your Mommy and I will be able to have a brother or sister for you before too long. Make sure you watch out for him or her while you are in heaven.
MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2006 03:31 PM, CST
Babar, we have been told its time to give up fighting. It is just about time for you to move on to a better place. I am going to devout the rest of my life to doing things that will ensure that I will be with you in heaven some day. I love you so so much and I just don't know what to say or do right now. They have given you a private room and we are all getting ready to go back and see you before you are removed from the ECMO machine. Thank you for making the last 10 weeks the most special of my life, and thank you for making the hardest decision of our life, easy. There is no question that this is what is best for you, and that is all we ever wanted.
MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2006 11:43 AM, CST
Ryan, you made it back to the CICU. Your heart rate did drop for a bit but it looks like everything is o.k. with that now. I will post the results as soon as I receive them.
MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2006 10:43 AM, CST
Ryan, you are on your way to the CT Scan as I type this post. You have approximately 8 doctors and nurses accompanying you and even an armed security guard. The test only takes about 5 minutes but it will take about 15-20 minutes travel time each way. I don't think we will get the results right away. As your Mommy was kissing you and telling you to have a good trip you briefly raised your left arm as if you were telling us everything will be o.k. We love you and are praying for good results.
MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2006 08:15 AM, CST
Sweet precious Ryan --- we are on our way to see you now. You have a huge test today - I hope that you get good results as your Daddy and I are likely to be faced with the most difficult decision of our lives. I am sick to my stomach and didn't sleep much last night - I had visions of you in my head and couldn't risk loosing them by falling asleep. We checked on you numerous times last night and you were comfortable. I just spoke to your nurse and they are getting you ready for your CT scan - the EEG people are coming to take off the leads on your head so that there is one less thing to transport. This is another very risky transport and I hope that you make it sucessfully. I want to thank you for giving me the best 10 weeks anyone could have ever imagined and for giving me a piece of you in my heart. My heart is filled with love for you and your daddy and no matter what happens that love can only continue to grow. You are such an amazing little boy and someone that I will continue to admire and look to you often for advice etc. Good luck Sweet Ryan --- I love you tons!!!!
Mommy
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 2006 06:47 PM, CST
Ryan, it appears that your seizures have finally stopped. All of the doctors are real concerned that you may have sustained serious neurological (brain) damage. I hope and pray this is not true. You are going to have a brain CT scan tomorrow at 10:30. This is a very risky procedure and it will take up to 10 people to move you and all of your equipment to Radiology. Your Mommy and I will have some very difficult decisions to make depending on the outcome of this test.
We spoke with Father Nash before church this morning and he made us feel a little better. He included you several times in his sermon. He also blessed your St. Christoper medal that your grandparents brought you from Paris. I am wearing it around my neck until you are able to. Whatever happens tomorrow, and later this week, you will always be our special little boy. I could never have imagined that I could love someone so much. You have touched so many lives during your 10 weeks of existence, it is truly amazing. Perhaps that is why you were put on this earth, and if it was, I just wish you could have taken a little more time to accomplish your wonderous feat. Regardless of the outcome this week, I know that you have made me a much better person.
Please everyone continue to pray for Ryan to have a normal CT scan tomorrow and to have a safe trip to and from Radiology.
Thank you to Kyle, Renee, Noah, and Lucas Kemmer for there donation to A.I. Dupont in Ryan's name. You guys have truly gone above and beyond anything I could have expected.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, 2006 07:53 AM, CST
Ryan, it looks like you had a pretty good night. You apparently opend your eyes for a moment or two and have moved both hands and feet a little bit. You did have another episode of hypotension around 8:00 p.m. but the attending doctor decided to remove one of your medications and you have not had another since.
Your Mommy and your grandparents (Barnes) and I watched RUDY last night. This is one of my favorite movies, and an undeserving nickname given to me by my Wilmington friends. My heart is nowhere near as big as Rudy's, but I know yours is. You are fighting so hard and I admire you so much for it. What stuck with me from the movie last night was Rudy continually asking himself and others, "have I done everything I can". I know you have Babar, and I hope your Mommy and I have as well. We are on our way to church and will be up to see you in a few hours. We love you!
To make donations or for more information on the Ryan Scott Kappes Foundation
please Contact us at: P.O. BOX 30647 - Wilmington, DE, 19805
Email address: helpingfamilies@rskfoundation.org