Ryan would not want us to complain.
Our second child, our only son, died on this 16th birthday, finally succumbing to the brain cancer he had fought for more than half his young life. But Ryan would not say medicine had failed him. He'd say it gave him a fighting chance, and he would want us to tread carefully as we rush ahead toward health reform.
Let us tell you Ryan's story to help you understand.
Ryan was diagnosed when he was 6 years old. Over the years he had 4 brain surgeries, 60 rounds of radiation and 25 months of chemotherapy. About a year ago when he had his next-to-last operation, his doctor wanted him on medication to keep the tumor from growing back. But we did not want whatever time was left marred by drugs that would make him feel sick.
There was such a drug. A pill Ryan could take by mouth that doesn't make you sick to your stomach or cause your hair to fall out. But it isn't approved for brain tumors. So insurance would not cover it, the waiting list was too long for Ryan to enter a clinical trial, and we could not afford the cost for a year's supply of the drug.
Instead, Celgene, the company that makes it, gave it to Ryan. He of course was grateful. And when he wrote to thank the company, they reached back with friendship. They were grateful to Ryan for his optimism, his humor and his buoyant outlook on life. So Ryan took the drug, welcomed his new friends and fought on for as long as he could.
As senators and representatives speak to their constituents about health reform during the congressional recess, Ryan would want us to focus on that chance he was given. Yes, parts of our health care system are broken. We need affordable health care and insurance coverage for everyone.
But Ryan would remind us that parts of our system work very well, tackling disease and developing new treatments. As we look to manage costs, we must be careful not to stifle innovation, and we must maintain the resources that keep medicine moving forward.
Some people would say that for Ryan it did not matter. In the end the drug was too little, too late, and could not save him.
But Ryan would want the research to continue to give the next child a better chance, and the child after that an even better chance. Were he still with us today, Ryan would tell us to fix what needs fixing -- but don't stop fighting or pull back resources until there is a cure.
Early in his battle, Ryan adopted the slogan of "Fight On" from his favorite football team, the USC Trojans. In his final public speech that he delivered in New York last summer, Ryan said: "We all have our struggles. Some life threatening, some you face every day. No matter what, we all need to Fight On!"
The Davidsons live in Sun Prairie.