Page 123 - yearbook sample ammerman covington catholic

0 mum', Junior Philip RyanJs a well-rounded, friendly',
felloiv Colonel. Mam' do not know that Philip has a
stoiv to tell. Many do not know that Philip has fought

i f e and defeated something' with which most cannot
1 imagine coping.

O tlThanksgiving of 1 9 9 9, Philip lay dowmomthc couch to fall asleep im
hopes that the throbbing' pains imhis head would recede. Unfortunately,
this was not the case. Philip was diagnosed with a malignant, inoperable,

braimtumor. Most shudder just at the mciitiomof these words. But Philip
was unfamed. Despite the fact that his doctors said there was not much
hope ami it would take a miracle, Philip’s optimism remained unflinching. He says that ‘from the

beginning' I always knew it was going' to be all right." A t am age when, many would have trouble
comprehending the gravity of this situation* Philip found and fully comprehended *a feeling of
peace ami calm that was amaznng," a feeling' that he still carries with him today.

After multiple surgeries to install shunts to dram the cerebral

fluid and 1 S rounds of chemotherapy', Philip developed a n
allergic reactiomto the therapy. A t this point, Philip ami his
family made the decisiomfor him to quit the treatment and leave
Ins healing process in the hands of God. A t his next CAT scan*

doctors discovered the cerebral f luid buildup had drained
completely.

Kperfect coherence with our yearbook theme, Every Colonel
Has a Story to Tell, Philip was given the opportunity to share his
stor\' with around 2 4 ,0 0 0 people this year at the National

Catholic Youth Conference held imKansas City. A t the
Conference, Philip told the audience of many stories from his
fight against cancer ami how Ins family’s faith im God healed

him.
Tic last time Philip went to the hospital, he was told his tumor
was ‘Stable upon diagnosis." Since then* it has beemfivc years

ami nothing has changed. There has beemno growth or
complications from the tumor. Philip ami his family knew he has

beaten this disease, not just because of medical treatment, but
because of their belief inthe healing power of God.