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"A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz." - Humphrey Bogart

Nancy Ryan, 2008 Honorary Co-Chair for Relay For Life of Chisago County, along with Gerald Vitalis, was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia in October of 2005 and went through chemotherapy and side effects. Like a seasoned athlete she played through the pain and stepped up to the plate for the next inning.

Glennys Smith, of North Branch, is Nancy's mother. She commented, "Nancy is a loyal Twins fan. I remember when she was in high school she came down for breakfast one day and said, 'Do you know what day it is today? It is Harmon Killebrew's birthday!' Her father and I laughed, but we knew that the Minnesota Twins and baseball was a passion for our daughter then and it always would be something she enjoyed. Nancy and I watched the season opener for the Twins this year and of course she has big hopes and dreams for this year's team."

Ryan added, "I am a long-time Minnesota Twins baseball fan and look forward to their games each and every year. Life is similar to baseball in that you have good and bad years and only time will tell how the season pans out. When I was diagnosed with cancer in 2005, my game plan changed dramatically. I had to deal with the disease and fight it with every ounce of might that I had.

"I am most thankful to my daughter Anne, who quit her job and stayed with me when I was going through cancer treatment; I couldn't have made it through all the trauma without her. She was a constant source of strength and was beside me night and day. Also, my mother Glennys has been a God send for me now and always. "

Nancy's daughter Anne added, "My mother is my hero! She has had a tough journey fighting cancer; chemotherapy and cerebral ataxia has left her with some speech struggles, issues with walking, and health concerns, but her positive attitude has pulled her through. My father passed away from Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia when I was 18-years-old and I couldn't even fathom losing my mother to the same disease. After my father passed away, I learned just how important family is and not to take for granted the love and support we are blessed to have. I left my job when mom was diagnosed because no job in the world was worth not being able to be with her when she needed me the most!"

Glennys recalls, "Nancy was so very ill when she was going through chemotherapy. She had never really been sick a day in her life and it is a parent's worst nightmare to see their child suffer. I remember asking her if she just wanted to stop the treatments and leave the hospital. She said, 'No mother- I am going to lick this disease and we are going to get through this together!' She lived with my husband and me for a while when she wasn't able to stay in her apartment alone, and then when my husband passed away in August of 2006. She gave up her apartment and decided to live with me. The Lord knew what to do to help both of us in time of need. Nancy is a constant comfort and a joy to be with."

Family, friends and co-workers at the American Red Cross rallied behind Nancy and helped her on her journey to recovery.

Anne's advice to caregivers is:

•Try to be positive, no matter how grim the diagnosis is. Negative thinking does nothing to help anybody.

•Do not be afraid to take friends/family help when it comes to inspiration or helping with every day tasks.

•Self-care is important. You cannot help anyone else if you are burning the candle at both ends.

•Celebrate the milestones -- first treatment through, days out of the hospital, etc.

•Journaling helped me through the process. The website caringbridge.org was a thread for me to keep in touch with all of those that know and love my mom.

Anne is back in graduate school at Argosy University majoring in Marriage and Family Therapy. "I am thankful for the loving family that I have," said Anne Ryan. "My grandparents Jim and Glennys Smith were married for 59 years before Grandpa passed away, and they are the reason I entered the field of Marriage and Family Therapy. They are truly an inspiration to me. I know the value of a family staying together and supporting each other and I want to help others to keep that bond in their lives. Family is so important to someone going through battles with a disease. Cancer is a monster but life goes on and you will never be sorry that you gave of your time and your love to someone going through such a life altering struggle."

Nancy Ryan added, "I am thankful for every day of my life, even if my health is not the same as it used to be. I am thankful for each and every person that helped me fight to stay alive. There is always somebody that has it worse than you and you cannot focus on what you do not have. I try to focus on people I love. My daughter Anne, my son Christopher and my daughter-in-law Amy, my sister Pam and brother-in-law John Goranson, my mother Glennys, family, friends and all the wonderful people that have been so good to me. So, that is enough about cancer...on to baseball."

It's been said, "Things could be worse. Suppose your errors were counted and published every day, like those of a baseball player!"

With joy in her voice Nancy Ryan discusses the Minnesota Twins. "Last year I went to a baseball game with my family. Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau are my favorite players on this year's team. I was glad that Torii Hunter (someone who gave the Twins 15 years of his professional career) was greeted with respect at his homecoming game at the dome with the Angels. I hope that Francisco Liriano, our left-handed pitcher, is able to pull off a good season and not suffer from previous injuries. I am a bit worried about our pitching- now that we no longer have Johan Santana. We seem to have some fresh, new talent on the team and I hope Gomez continues to burn up the field with his fast running. I have Homer Hankies from the 1987 and 1991 season and I look forward to a good year for the Minnesota Twins. I could go on and on about baseball...I love the game!"

Ending this Relay For Life profile on a positive note, the public is invited to join the Relay For Life of Chisago County team. Call Sue Frame for information at 257-2033, visit the website at www.events.cancer.org/rflChsiagoMn. The next meeting is Thursday, May 1, at Trinity Lutheran Church, in North Branch. Learn what Chisago County is doing to prepare for the July 25 Relay For Life at the Almelund Threshing Grounds.

Harmon Killebrew once said, "My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say,' You are tearing up the grass.' My father would reply, 'We are not raising grass; we are raising boys.'"

Let's play ball!

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