Love for Ryan

Love for Ryan

A health update from Ryan Luelf, and ways to support Ryan, Caroline, and their family.

A message from Ryan

Ryan’s video update will be posted here very soon. His written update is just below.

A Personal Health Update & the Journey Ahead ❤️

Many of you know that in October 2015, I was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma. After an incredibly challenging journey, including a recurrence in 2017, I received a clear PET scan in 2018 and have enjoyed more than eight wonderful years of life without any known cancer recurrence.

Unfortunately, I’m now facing another serious health challenge.

After discovering a swollen lymph node in my neck, I underwent several medical evaluations and imaging scans here in Ecuador. The results have raised significant concerns that lymphoma has returned. I’m continuing to work with doctors, evaluate my options, and monitor my health. You can see my imaging and test results further down this page.

I’m taking this seriously, but I’m not living in fear.

I’m already working with medical doctors and exploring a comprehensive approach to healing that includes appropriate medical care, nutrition, rest, supportive therapies, and caring for myself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Beginning sometime in early November, I’ll be stepping away from life coaching, pickleball lessons, social media, and essentially all outside communication for approximately 35 days. I’ll be staying nearby at a friend’s peaceful healing space, completely unplugging and giving myself the time, attention, and environment I feel I need right now.

During that time, I will not be answering calls, texts, WhatsApp messages, emails, or social media messages.

Caroline and the kids will still be able to visit me, and we’ll share updates here on LoveForRyan.com whenever possible.

How You Can Help Our Family

One of the realities of this decision is that stepping away from coaching for several weeks, possibly longer, means a significant loss of income for our family. At the same time, we’re already incurring additional expenses for medical testing, appointments, consultations, treatments, and supportive therapies.

So, for those who have been asking how they can help, we’ve created opportunities to support us financially through this website.

If you’re willing and able to contribute, we would be incredibly grateful. There is absolutely no obligation, and every amount helps.

For our friends here in Ecuador, practical support for Caroline and the kids would also mean so much. Whether that’s helping with transportation, spending time with the children, inviting Arrow over for a playdate, or simply showing our family some extra love.

One important request: We’re choosing not to discuss the medical specifics with our youngest son, Arrow, at this time. Please be mindful of conversations around him and respect that decision.

One Last Thing

Please don’t feel sorry for me.

Love me. Love our family. Support us however you feel called.

This is serious, and I recognize there are no guarantees. But I’m approaching this experience with an incredible amount of hope, confidence, gratitude, and love.

I genuinely believe I’ll come through this healthier, stronger, wiser, and with even more life to experience and share.

For now, I’m choosing to put myself first, receive support, and give myself the space to focus on healing.

Thank you for being part of our lives, for caring about our family, and for walking alongside us during this chapter.

With so much love and gratitude,

Ryan Luelf

For more background, medical updates, and the complete story of my journey:

Support Ryan & Family

Thank you for supporting our family during this season. Your contributions help cover medical expenses, treatments, healing-related costs, and lost income while Ryan takes time away from life coaching and pickleball coaching to focus completely on his health and healing.

Every contribution, no matter the amount, is deeply appreciated. There is absolutely no obligation to give.

Support Ryan’s Healing and Family Needs

Our GoFundMe fundraiser. Goal: $30,000

Donate Through GoFundMe ❤️

Other ways to give

If you’d rather give directly, any of these reach Ryan and Caroline.

  • Venmo

    Ryan Luelf

    @ryanluelf

    Open Venmo
    Show QR code Venmo QR code for @ryanluelf
  • Zelle

    Recipient: INEFFABLE, LLC

    [email protected]

    Send from your bank’s app using the email above.

    Why INEFFABLE, LLC? It’s a business owned by Ryan and Caroline Luelf, and it’s their authorized Zelle account for receiving support for Ryan’s healing journey. When you send, you’ll see INEFFABLE, LLC as the recipient instead of Ryan’s name.

    Show QR code Zelle QR code for INEFFABLE, LLC
  • Cash App

    Ryan Luelf

    $RyanLuelf

    Open Cash App
    Show QR code Cash App QR code for $RyanLuelf
  • Banco de Loja

    For friends in Ecuador

    To keep our account details private, Caroline will share the Banco de Loja transfer information with you directly.

  • Cash in Vilcabamba

    For friends nearby

    If you live in or near Vilcabamba and would prefer to give cash, you can give it directly to Caroline. Send her a message and she’ll arrange it with you.

Where your support goes

Ryan is taking an extended break from life coaching and pickleball lessons to focus on his health. That means a significant, temporary loss of income for our family.

At the same time, we have additional costs: medical appointments, diagnostic testing, consultations, treatments, supportive therapies, nutrition, and Ryan’s healing program. We don’t yet know exactly how long this will take or what the total financial impact will be.

Your donations help with our family’s living expenses and healthcare-related costs during this season.

And if you’re not in a position to give financially, please don’t feel even the slightest obligation. Your love, encouragement, and prayers mean just as much to us.

Medical Imaging & Test Results

For anyone who wants more detail, here’s what my recent tests show, explained in plain language.

Where things stand

  • Suspected

    Recurrence of follicular lymphoma, based on my history and the new imaging. This has not been confirmed by a new biopsy.

  • Possible

    Stage III lymphoma, because enlarged lymph nodes appear both above and below my diaphragm. This has not been confirmed by a complete staging evaluation.

  • Reassuring

    No fluid around my lungs or in my abdomen, normal blood counts, normal kidney and liver function, and low inflammation markers.

My history with lymphoma

  1. October 2015

    Diagnosed with stage 4 follicular lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

  2. About 15 months later

    Clear PET scan, with no detectable cancer.

  3. 2017

    The lymphoma returned, again stage 4, this time with three areas of involvement.

  4. April 2018

    Another clear PET scan.

  5. 2018 to 2026

    More than eight years without any known recurrence.

  6. October 2026

    A swollen lymph node in my neck led to new imaging and bloodwork in Loja, Ecuador.

Front-view CT scan of Ryan’s head and neck, with two red arrows pointing to enlarged lymph nodes on the left side of his neck.
CT scan of my neck, viewed from the front. The red arrows point to the enlarged lymph nodes. Scans are shown as if you’re facing me, so my left side appears on the right of the image. Tap or click to enlarge.

CT scan of the neck Concerning

  • Multiple enlarged lymph nodes on the left side of my neck.
  • The main cluster measures about 6.5 × 3.0 × 3.0 centimeters (roughly 2.5 × 1.2 × 1.2 inches).
  • More enlarged nodes were found farther down the left side of my neck.
  • The radiologist described these findings as concerning, given my history of lymphoma.

The reassuring part: the report doesn’t describe invasion or major compression of my airway or the large blood vessels in my neck.

Black and white ultrasound image showing several dark, rounded shapes, which are enlarged lymph nodes.
Ultrasound image. The dark, rounded shapes are enlarged lymph nodes. Tap or click to enlarge.

Abdominal ultrasound Concerning

  • Multiple enlarged lymph nodes in my upper abdomen, near my pancreas.
  • These nodes average about 1.5 centimeters (roughly 0.6 inches) across at their narrowest.
  • There’s a question of whether my spleen is mildly enlarged. Lymphoma involvement of the spleen has not been established.

Encouraging: the ultrasound showed no abnormal fluid in my abdomen. That matters to us, because significant abdominal fluid buildup was part of my original cancer journey.

Reassuring

Chest X-ray

  • No visible fluid around my lungs.
  • No major abnormalities identified.
  • No obvious enlarged lymph nodes in the center of my chest.

This is especially meaningful because fluid around my lungs was a major complication when I was first diagnosed in 2015.

Generally reassuring

Bloodwork

October 22, 2026

  • Normal blood counts, with no anemia or low platelets.
  • Normal kidney and liver function.
  • Low inflammation markers.

Normal bloodwork is encouraging, but it doesn’t rule out lymphoma or show how active it may be.

Being considered

Additional blood tests

  • LDH
  • Beta-2 microglobulin
  • Uric acid
  • Albumin

We’ll add these results here if and when they’re done.

What hasn’t been confirmed

I want this page to be medically accurate. The recurrence, the exact subtype, and the stage have not been definitively confirmed by new pathology or a complete staging evaluation.

At this time, I’ve personally chosen not to pursue a biopsy or PET scan. This is based on my concerns about potential risks and my preferences regarding medical testing. I understand this leaves some diagnostic uncertainty.

I’m continuing to seek professional medical guidance, evaluate my options, and monitor my health. We’ll add any new findings to this page.

This is a plain-language summary of Ryan’s reports for family and friends. It isn’t a medical report or medical advice. Last updated October 27, 2026.

Latest Updates

While Ryan is offline, Caroline and Addison will share news here. Check back anytime.

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Contact & Local Support

Ryan is offline for a while

Beginning in the first week of November, Ryan is stepping away for approximately 35 days, possibly a little longer, to rest and focus on his healing.

  • Calls
  • Texts
  • WhatsApp
  • Email
  • Social media

He’s pausing life coaching for at least six weeks and pickleball lessons through November and December, with the hope of returning in January if he’s feeling well enough.

Please follow this website for updates rather than contacting Ryan directly. If you reach out and don’t hear back, he’s not ignoring you. He’s choosing to be fully present with himself.

Reaching Caroline

The best way to reach Caroline is WhatsApp. Tap below and it opens a chat with her.

Caroline’s contact details will be posted here soon.

Caroline is balancing work, the kids, and a lot more right now, so she may not always be able to respond right away. Thank you for your patience and kindness.

Helping locally in Vilcabamba

If you live nearby, practical help for Caroline and the kids would mean so much:

  • A ride somewhere
  • Help with the children
  • Inviting Arrow over for a playdate
  • Simply checking in on the family

And if you see Caroline or the kids around town, give them some love. A hug, a smile, a little encouragement.

A note about Arrow

We’re not sharing the medical specifics with our youngest, Arrow, at this time. If you’re spending time around our family, please be mindful of what you say in front of him. We really appreciate that.

Ideas and resources

If you have personal experiences, helpful resources, or ideas you believe might be useful, you’re welcome to share them with Caroline.

We’re already exploring many approaches and working with multiple practitioners, so we won’t be able to review every suggestion or pursue every possibility. We’re going to listen, learn, use discernment, and make the best decisions we can for our family.