Lee H Ryder

Lee Ryder, of Franklin, TN, peacefully passed away on October 29, 2011.

He was born on July 5, 1937 in Matamoras, PA to the late Herbert and Mildred Ryder. Lee was a 1955 graduate of Port Jervis High School and went on to earn his Bachelor of Science Degree from St. Lawrence University and his MBA from New York University.
Lee began his career at Citibank in New York City before returning to Matamoras to carry on the family business as President of J.O. Ryder Rendering Company alongside his late cousin, Kent Ryder.

Lee was an avid skier and resided for a period of time in Taos, NM. He was also an accomplished cyclist and cycled the entire Lewis and Clark Trail from St. Louis, MO to the Oregon Coast. Additionally, Lee was a car enthusiast which inspired him to race Formula Fords on the Northeast Racing Circuit.

Lee Ryder is survived by his wife, Elaine and son, Casey of Franklin, TN; his daughter, Karen and her husband, Jack Warrington of Denver, CO; his daughter, Amy and her husband Christopher Kranick of Nolensville, TN; his son Lee Ryder, Jr. and his wife Kristin of Denver, CO; his brother, Robert Ryder and his wife Carolyn of Lady Lake, FL; his sister, Linda and her husband, Ralph Cowell of Milford, PA; as well as his five grandchildren: Cooper Warrington, Emily and Natalie Kranick, and Burke and Teo Ryder.

Visitation will be at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens located at 3009 Columbia Avenue, Franklin TN 37064 on Thursday, November 3, 2011 from 5:00-7:00pm.
Funeral Service will be at Franklin First United Methodist Church located at 143 Fifth Avenue, South Franklin, TN 37064 on Friday, November 4, 2011 at 1:00pm.

Donations may be made to:
The Vanderbilt Hematology/Oncology Department at Vanderbilt University Medical Center
3927 The Vanderbilt Clinic
1301 Medical Center Drive, Nashville, TN 37232

8/15/11

My last post really says it all. I am living a fairly pleasant lifestyle determined by the Leukemia treatment necessary. We will keep doing what we are doing as long as it works. Elaine never ceases to amaze me with her devotion and care.
Lee

7/15/11

It has been a month since last posting. Sorry. I have been busy adjusting to a lifestyle controlled and determined by my illness. The good news is that I do not feel sick. Even the chemo is not so bad. The new lifestyle is one of semi isolation - no public involvement. We spend Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at the hospital on blood tests and any necessary transfusion. Once a month I will do three days of chemo in the hospital. Generally my spirits are good.

Elaine continues to carry the ball like a champ.
Thanks for all your support.
Lee

6/15/11

I am back in the hospital. It seems that the Leukemia causes temperature problems that can be confused with infection. With low white blood count, infection is very serious and I must get to the hospital with any temperature increase. Just another complication but I remain in good spirits. Had the nurses in stitches today. Elaine,Casey and the older children bring me great joy every day.
Lee

1/4/11

Elaine,the children, and I have decided on the treatment option that gives the best chance of quality life for the longest period of time. No guarantees but I am up for it.

Today I started a new three day round of chemo at Vanderbilt and expect to be home by Tuesday. Lee Jr. was here last week and Karen is commig tomorrow.
Lee

6/1/11

It has been over a week since I posted an entry. Much has happened. At the moment I am enjoying an unscheduled stay in the ER at Vanderbilt due to an infection. Last week we were at MD Anderson Cancer Research Hospital in Houston. We talked about stem cell transplant and clinical trials. Unfortunately my Leukemia is the most difficult which diminishes the success of any remedy. We are back in Nashville exploring options here. We must make a treatment decision soon because the cancer showed up in my blood again.
Love and thanks to all.
I am determined to keep smiling every day.
Lee

5/24/11

Off to MD Anderson in Houston tomorrow to investigate stem cell transplant.
Wish me luck.
Lee

5/2011

It has been a week since I made a post. That means life is good and the white blood count is moving up - 1230. We have had visitors, dear friends, from Memphis and Pennsylvania. Sure good for my spirits to relive some old times. Thanks guys.
Lee

5/13/11

Some numbers go up and some numbers go down. Treatment for the disease I have is more an art than a science. Various drugs and infusions to get my blood system stable and healthy. While the game is played, I feel good and am not feeling sick - just get tired late in the day.
Lee

May 9, 2011

Leukemia is a very complex disease. We met with the doctor today and learned that the chemo has eliminated the cancer cells. However, there are other blood cell complications that will cause the cancer to return. Further treatment is yet to be determined. We have the option to investigate a bone marrow transplant. The important thing is that I am fighting this disease and remain in good spirits and am comfortable with the dawn of each new day.

Lee

May 8, 2011

Hello Loved Ones,

We have been very quiet because we have nothing much to report. We are still awaiting the result of last week's bone marrow biopsy. I trust we will have the results tomorrow when we go for our regularly scheduled apt. Lee and I strongly suspect that he will be readmitted to the hospital for another round of chemo sometime this week, although that is only our guess. We continue to count on your prayers and support.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you fabulous mothers out there. Hope you got to hug your baby(s) today. :)

Elaine

5/3/11

Time marches on and there is nothing happening here. White cells are stuck at 800 and I had a bone marrow biopsy yesterday. It will be a few days before we get results.

Strange as it may seem, I feel pretty good. No pain or discomfort, just tire easily. I miss riding my bike.
Lee

4//28/11

Nothing to report. I feel ok and am anxious to get bone marrow look see on Monday.
Lee

4/26/11

Some days it is difficult to stay positive. I was having a bad day and then Elaine sent me this quote.

I SELDOM THINK OF MY LIMITATIONS, AND THEY NEVER MAKE ME SAD. ONE THING I HAVE LEARNED THE HARD WAY WAS THAT IT DOES NOT PAY TO GET DISCOURAGED. KEEPING BUSY AND MAKING OPTIMISM A WAY OF LIFE CAN RESTORE FAITH IN YOURSELF Denzil Washington

Bone marrow biopsy scheduled for Monday. I feel good - just tired in the afternoon.
The prayers, the calls, the notes, and continuing good wishes are a great comfort to me - thanks.
Lee

4/25/11

Spent the morning at the hospital yesterday. The plan was for my white blood cells to come back after chemo in about two weeks. It is just not happening fast enough. My doctor decided to do another bone biopsy this week to access the situation.

I still feel pretty good and am able to eat. Just another bump in the road.
Lee

4/19/11

I have been busy with taxes same as everyone else. Was at the hospital yesterday for weekly checkup. White cells are moving up - we are now at 800. Doc says another week or two to get back to an acceptable level. I feel fine but tire easily.

Today I went to a remote area of the golf course to see if I could swing the club. Alas, just not enough strength - soon.
Lee

4/14/11

Blood test good today. White count up from 620 to 740. Still a long way to go.
Lee

4/12/11

Can you believe I am happy to be able to sit at my desk and work on taxes.

Spent the day at the hospital yesterday - blood tests and transfusions. Blood counts are starting to improve but too damn slow - patience. Generally I feel good and am not in pain, just tired.
Lee

4/8/11

Information for thoes who know of our fight with the school board. Thanks to Elaine, we won and Casey will stay at Franklin High.
Lee

4/7/11

It has been 40 days since our world was tilted by discovery of my illness. However, thanks to the love and support of family, friends, and especially Elaine we are now settled on a new center.

We got a good report from the doctor yesterday. White blood cells are starting to recover. Now we must wait for further recovery, a week or two, and then a bone marrow biopsy to determine further treatment. I feel good but tire easily.
Love to all,
Lee

4/5/11

Nothing to report. I am hanging out home trying to eat enough to retain weight. Tomorrow I will go to the hospital and see if my blood is recovering. Will report tomorrow evening.
Lee

4/3/11

One thing they did not tell me about chemo is that destroys your appetite and your will to eat. I lost 18 pounds in 30 days and that is all I can stand to lose. The result is that I am searching for high calorie foods so I can get in 1800 calories per day. Yes searching for high calorie foods - it would be a good education for a dieter.
Lee

4/2/11

They kicked me out of the hospital with an armload of pills and instructions to lay low for two weeks. Sort of like house arrest with no visitors. But home with Elaine and Casey is a good place to be confined.

The two weeks is to see how well my blood repairs itself after the destruction of chemo. Then another bone marrow biopsy to plan the next move.
Home at last,
Lee

April 1, 2011

I did get home Thursday afternoon. Of course it is great to be home but the change of environment tired me out and scared me. During the night I woke up with the feeling of being in a lifeboat cast off from the mother ship. I did survive the night and today Elaine and I are making the lifeboat quite comfortable.

We will set up Skype tomorrow
Lee

Thursday, March 31, 2011

3/31/11
I am home and all is well. Time to settle in this evening.
Thanks to all for helping maintain my spirit and love of life.
Lee
Posted by Lee H Ryder at 3:45 PM 0 comments

3/30/11

My favorite nurse just stopped to say goodbye. The word is out - home tomorrow.

Having a life threatening illness delivers some degree of certainty to the term of my life. The same illness burdens Elaine with a heightened level of uncertainty in her life. It takes a strong, loving, and spiritually sound person to deal with such a situation. Yet Elaine has held my hand and dried my tears to love us through the past month. How do I thank you for being you.

Love,
Lee

3/29/11

Still waiting for the numbers to stabilize. Doc says he will get me out of here this week. Meanwhile I decided to think of something positive that has come with this experience.

First day in the hospital, Lee Jr. set my computer up with Skype, Netflix, and go to my PC. This allows me to operate my home computer from the hospital, see and talk to my children and grandchildren every day, and watch a movie at any time. As Rocky said in the ring following a vicious punch, "that ain't so bad".
Lee

3/27/11

OK - so the numbers are not going to perform exactly as I hoped. The doc says the white count will vacillate and we need to wait for it to stabilize. Couple more days.

Elaine has three sisters and a brother. As soon as we knew I would be in the hospital for a month, Elaine's sisters arranged for one of them to be here and run our household so she could spend time with me. Kay came from Memphis; then Gwen came from Houston, and Gail from Florida. How neat is that - thanks ladies. Apparently Robert was not invited due to the lack of domestic skills.

Elaine's maiden name is Gardner. I wonder if after a months' exposure if Casey has been Gardnerized. I better get home fast to neutralize the situation. For example, Casey just got his driving permit and has been driving only with Elaine and Gail. Does this mean he will never get a speeding ticket? A little humor tonight, Lee

3/26/11

Count went down to 800 but Dr says we are still looking at Monday.
Too tired to write tonight.
Love to all,
Lee

3/25/11

White count came in at 900 - only 100 short of go home. The doc says it looks like Monday.

How can it be so important to hug Casey, Laugh with Elaine, take Snowy for a walk, and greet the neighbors from the porch of 1560 Championship. Just a simple dream for Monday.
Lee

3//24/11

Its tough at age 73 to discover that you are not superman. All is out of your control - each new day is a mystery. Today as I was talking to Elaine; she seemed so strong and confident, it occur ed to me that this is just another one of life's adventures. Each day there is time to feel and enjoy the love of friends and family.
Thanks,
Lee

Ps - I hope to report some good numbers tomorrow

3/22/11

My father wanted to be a doctor. He said the best way to accomplish this was to become a podiatrist - one only had to study from the ankle down. So here I am in need of an MD degree but only have time for blood study.

It seems the white blood count is critical to the immune system. In order to fight the bugs and disease floating around, one needs a count of about 3000 white. My count has gone from 100 to 600 in the last few days. When my count reaches 1000 I get to go home for a week or 10 days. One step at a time.
Lee

3/21/11

Thanks to the neighbors

Spring is the time to clean up the yard and prepare for the season of blossom - not something I look forward to. Behold, four neighbors by name Carin, Tom, Tom, and Sarah descended from heaven and did the job. Thanks guys.

Lee

3/20/11

Today was a big day. Casey came to visit. We were able to meet in a courtyard outside the hospital. He ia a fine young man and I am proud.
Lee

3/19/10

Some days simple pleasures are enouge. Leukemia messes with your blood. Today it served me up a nosebleed that would not stop. The nurses said if we could not get it stopped we would call the ENT people in to help. The ENT people stuff your nose with a tampax type product coated with a cocane derrivative. No ain't that sweet.

After two hours of ice, pinch the nose, and promise of Saint like behavior, the bleeding stopped.
Life's simple pleasure.
Lee

3/18/11

I retired 26 years ago. This freedom from work has left me with an unusual amount of time to think, study, and learn. Many important lessons have been learned but the most important came just this week.

The doctors said I will live another day and maybe many more -and that is enough. Elaine is holding my hand, our children all stand tall, our home is warm and cosy, and people all across the land are cheering for me.

The lesson, of course, is that each day is a blessing to enjoy all that you are and all that you have - don't screw it up by feeling sorry for yourself.

Love and thanks to all,
Lee

March 16, 2011

Before the barber (Lee, Jr) After

Just visited with the doctor about the results of Lee's bone marrow biopsy. Although the chemo did not get all of the leukemia, we are down to 8%. It can continue to go down. This being the case, they are not recommending another round of chemo at this time. He will stay in the hospital until his counts come up enough to go home. Most likely by the end of the month. They will repeat the bone marrow test some time after he goes home to determine where we stand. There is more chemo in his future, but it is not imminent. Thanks for all of your prayers!

Elaine

3/15/11

They gave some morphine to get through a bone marrow procedure. That stuff is a little bit of alrighty. the only problem is comming down, I an doing ok.hanks for all the calls
Lee

March 13, 2011

We have had an eventful day, but all is well. We started the day off with an exceptionally high heart rate. An arrhythmia is not uncommon with these doses of chemo and all that it entails. A good dose of beta blockers and everything settled back down to normal. He has maintained that for the duration of the day. Then, tonight he took a little tumble and is now sporting a beautiful shiner. Thankfully, it is all superficial. Needless to say, we are tired tonight. Tomorrow is another day!

Goodnight all,
Elaine

March 12, 2011

Lee is approaching the half-way mark of his time in the hospital. Monday he will have his bone marrow biopsy, with results to follow on Wednesday. We are looking for a report that shows all of the leukemia gone. Keep your prayers coming!

Elaine

March 11, 2011

Day 12 in the hospital. Chemo is finished and my body handled the beating well. Monday, 3/14 comes bone marrow biopsy to confim the slaying of the dragon. Wish me well on that.
Lee

March 10 2011

Greetings from paradise - well not exactly paradise but the nurses are cute. The doctors say I am responding to treatment like a teenager. Never saw a problem I coulden't solve or beat to death. This Leukemia is tough but i will prevail. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.
Lee

March 8, 2011

Hi All,

Casey was home from school sick yesterday, so I was not able to go to the hospital for fear of infecting Lee. However, I did speak to him several times yesterday and Casey and I had a nice Skype with him, too. He has now officially completed his 7 days of Chemotherapy. He is very, very tired as was expected. Generally, he is in good spirits and hanging in there. He did spike a fever last night, but they quickly had that under control and have started him on some antibiotics. He received platelets today.

Thanks for all of your positive thoughts coming our way.

Elaine

March 6, 2011

Hi All,

Just checking in on Lee's day today. He was very tired and feeling the effects of 6 straight days of chemo. His stomach was rebelling a bit today, but I find it amazing that this has just surfaced. He is so STRONG! He was not up to much Skyping or telephone talk, but don't give up. Tomorrow is another day.

Thanks for your support,

Elaine

3/5/2011

Hello All,
 
I am putting together an email list so I can update you on Lee’s progress/condition in an efficient manner.  If you, for whatever reason, do not want to be on this mass email, please do not hesitate to let me know and I will take your name off asap. 
 
That being said, Lee is on day 5 of 7 days of 24 hour chemotherapy.  He will be finished with the complete round at midnight on Monday.  The amount of fluid being infused has caused some rise in his blood pressure, but that has been handled nicely with a diuretic.  Today his blood pressure was in a much better range.  His blood counts are dropping according to plan and his doctor says that he is responding to the treatment as expected.  Nothing unusual happening.  
 
I will be in touch with updates as I can.
 
Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers,
 
Elaine