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8/9/2020 14 Comments

1st Blood Birthday

I’ll be honest: There was a point in my life when I believed this day would never come. That’s a harsh reality for an 18 year old to come to terms with.

Over the last 2 and a half years, I’ve been able to reflect on what it means to overcome. I’ve had to grow up and learn lessons that many adults never come to understand. I’ve had my life flash before my eyes and I’ve been told that the journey was going to be difficult.

But, I’ve also been reminded that God’s sovereign hand over me was all that I needed to get through each day. I’ve been reminded of my strength and the human body’s capabilities to physically fight with you as your emotional and mental strength fluctuate with your ever changing situation. I’ve been reminded of what it means to love each day, rather than assume that the things in your life will forever and always be there. I‘ve been reminded of the BLESSING that can be found in our healthcare system. These people have changed my life y’all. I have built countless relationships that will forever hold the most endearing place in my heart because without those conversations about Princess Diaries, common life activities, and the cooperation of my short hair that day...I don’t know if I could have gotten through it. These men and women fought for my case daily, so that I could write these words...so that I could be here now.

Last year at this exact moment I had just finished an extensive amount of a heavy 8 day - I’m talking every 12 hours nonstop - chemo treatment. A few weeks before that I had harvested my stem cells for an Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant where my body was going to be wiped clean of EVERY blood cell, both the good and bad ones, therefore compromising my immune system and breaking me down to my most vulnerable state in order to kill off every blood cancer cell in my body.

To summon my inner transparency: my experience is a result of the way that I have approached it. Cancer is just about one of the most evil things this world could battle. There is so much uncertainty in every conversation involved with this disease. There is so much pain involved with battling something so physically and mentally. There are so many sleepless nights and ‘hard to breathe’ moments.

Yet, I would not trade it for anything. Which is probably the confusing thing about my perspective of this disease. I have gained an understanding of a level of faith that in my opinion is nearly impossible to obtain having not walked through a dark time. My understanding of the Lord’s presence is something that I will never take for granted. Personally, this kind of relationship was found in the moments when I LITERALLY could do nothing else but ask God for his hand. I’m talking feelings of complete brokenness…feelings that I did not experience…IN ALL HONESTY until I had found out I would be going through cancer treatment for the third time ending in a Bone Marrow Transplant.

Today is August 9, 2020. Our world is really screwed up right now and we all know that things have ceased to go the way that we had planned for them to go. Whether that be on a personal level, or in response to COVID-19, or racial injustices, or death, or in my case…cancer. If my words do not reach you in any other way than this next sentence, then let these be the only words you remember: His plan is greater. It is impossible as humans, for us to let ourselves assume that we can control the events that are to come in our lives, because we will never be able to do that. We can work toward goals, share aspirations, get the job, move to the new city, and start the new school, but none of this would be possible without a plan that God has already crafted for us before we even drew our first breath. Cancer was written into my story. A Bone Marrow Transplant was written into my story. Hardship was written into my story. Surrender was written into my story. Joy was written into my story. Sacrifice was written into my story.

So what does August 9, 2020 mean to me?

A year ago today, as previously mentioned, I received my Bone Marrow Transplant: a shot at a new life and new blood cells. Cells that had been rid of disease and an attempt at ridding myself from Cancer for good. The experiences involved with this transplant are stories and realities I am willing to speak about with anyone willing to listen. As many of you know, I am an open book when it comes to my diagnosis and my relationship with the Lord. If you have questions or are just curious, please reach out to me.

Celebrating this day or my ‘1st Blood Birthday’ as one of my friends has called it, means continuing to be vocal about my response to Cancer. Today is a celebration of being one year out from one of the darkest times of my life, but it is also a continuation of my praises and communication of what it looks like to walk through something like this. Today is a reminder that the Lord is faithful as well as detailed and purposeful.

I have my official 'One Year' scans coming up this week on Wednesday, August 12th at 9:00 am. I would appreciate each and every one of your prayers. 

Happy One Year. Thank you for joining me on this journey.
14 Comments
Jenny Mashburn
8/9/2020 11:16:28 am

Still praying every morning for you. It is my honor and my privilege.

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Kimi
8/9/2020 11:27:20 am

Rylie, you have blessed so many on your journey and you continue to bless others! God has big plans for you because you are an amazing Warrior of His!

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Jill Calder
8/9/2020 11:48:59 am

I will be praying this week and especially Wednesday that every scan and test will show that you are free from cancer. You have been an inspiration for so many of us with your faith and courage through these 2.5 years. You vulnerability has shown us what submission to God and true faith look like. Your courage to face the trials and pain of not only the cancer, but the treatment have left us amazed and speechless at such faith and perseverance. You are a testimony of what God can do with a willing heart. You have reached countless people, many of whom you do not know with your story.
My love and prayers for this week and this year, precious girl, Jill

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Sara Reed
8/9/2020 12:03:51 pm

The story of journey gives me comfort and peace as my husband approaches his first transplant next month - prayers for an awesome report Happy Birthday ♥️🎂🎉

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Cammy Burkhalter
8/9/2020 01:29:14 pm

I continue to pray for you, Rylie. Your story and faith has inspired so many to keep pressing into the Lord so that, ultimately, He would be glorified. Thank you for continuing to share your journey.

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Rebecca Lingerfelt-Brown
8/9/2020 01:35:49 pm

So completely in awe of your words and your story! What a God we serve and Praise! Thank you for this update, thank you for being who you are and for sharing your story! Will be praying for sure and can’t wait for the next chapter! Love you my Sister in Christ!💜

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Marilyn Gripon
8/9/2020 01:43:58 pm

You are such an inspiration ! Prayers 🙏🙏🙏

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P.D. Shabay
8/9/2020 01:55:17 pm

Rylie...your strength and understanding of both God and your fight against cancer shows wisdom way beyond your years. My prayers are with you always.

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Sharon Foster
8/9/2020 04:29:43 pm

Rylie,
My family and I have been praying for you since your first diagnosis. We will keep on praying! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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Doreen Reedy
8/9/2020 08:20:53 pm

What a beautiful, inspiring story you will pass on, not only to your children, but will live on in the hearts of all of us who have been a part of your journey. Prayers continue for Wednesday. Thank you, Rylie.

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Cindy
8/10/2020 08:42:59 pm

I so admire your openness to share how the Lord is the one that walked with you this whole time. You are wonderfully made.

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Tricia Raley
8/11/2020 03:12:28 am

Dear Rylie,
God surely has amazing things in store for you... You have fought the good fight, you have taught us how to be fervent prayer warriors, you have shown us how to grasp the right hand of our almighty God, and you have shone a brilliant light into the darkness. Thank you!

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Sørina Higgins
8/29/2020 02:05:48 pm

Rylie! I've been thinking about you frequently during this hideous pandemic, wondering whether you were safe and well. Thank you for continuing to share your story (and your powerful writing). I'm proud of you! Drop me a line if you want to stay in touch. I'd love to hear whether you're on campus this year and what it's all like for you. And don't forget about cupcakes.

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11/2/2020 10:21:05 pm

I’ve read some good stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much effort you put to create such a great informative website

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