Amazing the difference A year will make. Last June Ryan was carrying Ryder on all of our hikes in a backpack. We definitely got a lot of sideways looks during that time because he was so big but he just didn’t have the stamina. To see him now though, you just see a little boy living his hard earned best life.
Childhood Cancer. Why do kids get cancer? What can be done? What therapies are best? How do parents maintain a positive emotional and mental state? All of these topics and more will be covered on the Gene Queen Podcast: Childhood Cancer with Ryan Sternagel interview.
It was 11 days before our sons Ryder’s birthday on May 16, 2014 that he was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer of the nervous system. After stopping chemotherapy, The Sternagel’s consulted countless doctors and other health experts of all disciplines to employ an integrative approach. . . that cut the amount of conventional treatment Ryder received in half. It was through this integrative mix of super nutrition, complementary therapies and energy medicine. Along with a lot of prayer and healthy lifestyle changes that today Ryder is cancer free.
During pregnancy, Teddy was in a continually stressful and mentally draining work situation…. Coupled with the physical chronic stressor of the EMFs resulting from a tech-heavy job… Combined with the acute stress of a car accident…
We’ll never know for sure of course…
But it’s very interesting given this information that Ryder was born with a cancer of the NERVOUS system.
Neuroblastoma.
As such, as we continue to ensure he is fully healed, we’re particularly interested in regulating his autonomic nervous system.
Sympathetic (fight or flight) vs parasympathetic (rest and digest).
And Ryder seems to know a good thing when he feels it.
We’ve done deep breathing for a long time, but he’s REALLY taken to these box breaths lately. Also known as square breathing. Breath in, hold, breath out, hold, all for the same number of seconds. It’s super calming and studies have also shown it to down-shift the nervous system… So it’s not surprising (yet highly pleasing) that he can’t get enough of it.
Bob Wright of the American Anti-Cancer Institute was our first “cancer coach.”
Amazing looking back at how things happen.
Bob is known around the world, yet lives in our old home state of Washington.
Immediately after Ryder was diagnosed, a friend pointed us to a friend, who pointed us to Bob.
Within days of diagnosis, Bob was spending hours on the phone with us helping cut through the clutter to what was really important…
Refusing any form of payment for his services.
His book, Killing Cancer – Not People, was the first cancer book we read and was never far from our side in the early days.
It was with us late nights in the hospital, at home, and even made a very helpful companion at the grocery store.
And perhaps best of all were the many stories of hope it included from folks who had “beat the odds.”
Just as we were determined to do.
That was when it was in its third edition and had already sold hundreds of thousands of copies, literally all over the world…
The fourth edition just came out… and look who’s featured in those stories!!!
There have been so many amazing full circle moments over the past couple years, but this one just might take the cake.
It’s truly an honor to be featured as part of work that’s already helped so many and to know that Ryder’s story is now immortalized in this book and find its way to those that need it in the future.
If a DETAILED (like down to preferred brand names and prices detailed) book on reversing cancer…
Based off decades of research and written a passion that after all this time still jumps off the page…
Would be helpful to you…
It’s quite the feeling seeing this, after having just crossed the five year mark since the day he was diagnosed with stage four cancer…
Ryder’s favorite part of this chapter, the one that he asks about most, are the verses following The Good Shepherd passage…
“The works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.”
Jesus seems to be saying here that it doesn’t really matter what He says, it’s what He does. As Ryder heads into his sixth year, our greatest hope is that we can guide him to center his thoughts and emotions on the Will of his Creator…
And take action to reflect it.
He’ll probably take to that just fine.
Hopefully, some of it will rub off on us…
And maybe a few others as well.
It’s been quite the six years buddy, you’ve taught us so much.
You are, and have, such a special gift.
And although we often feel like we’re not doing enough to nurture it…
Given the circumstances we’ve probably done alright by you.
We can’t wait to see what the next years bring…
And pray that your fascination with The Good Shepherd stays with you…
And that you do Him proud, as much so as we are of you now, in modeling it.
But one day before his sixth birthday, Ryder has mastered John 10 as well.
We’re so proud of our Ryder man!
Ryan and Teddy Sternagel are co-founders of The Stern Method, a platform informing and inspiring families going through cancer to succeed on all fronts. The Stern Method | Inspiration & Suggestions
Please:
Attend The Anti-Cancer Revolution online conference beginning June 17th
https://anticancerrevolution.com/
Check the Sternagel’s out on social media
https://www.facebook.com/thesternmethod/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1w-DgjbWCcBu_keRUsP5gw
https://thesternmethod.com/