Ryan Plowman, 17, of Crestwood, died Saturday from mononucleosis, a common illness that deteriorated rapidly.
“You shouldn’t die from mono, but he just had a perfect storm,” said Daniel Plowman, his father.
Ryan’s immune system had been compromised by Crohn’s Disease, and his body was unable to fight off the mono.
“It’s difficult to see your child suffer. Nobody should ever have to go through anything like this “According to Daniel Plowman.
“I have images burned into my brain that I don’t know how I’m going to escape,” mother Jennifer Plowman said.
Ryan spent a week at Comer Children’s Hospital fighting for his life after suffering from a stuffy nose and sore throat. Anyone who knew him will miss his positive attitude, magnetic personality, and pure joy.
“Just how sweet he is,” his girlfriend Kadence Jones said. “I’ve never met a kinder soul, and someone like him didn’t deserve to go through what he went through.”
Ryan, a standout soccer player, led Shepard High School to the regional championship this year.
“I always said if I could have a full team of Ryan Plowmans, there’s no team that could ever beat us,” coach Zeno Toscas said.
The only thing keeping his family going through this tragedy is the tremendous community support and the hope that they will see him again.
“Now he’s my angel,” Jennifer explained. “Now I have to live by him, and for him.”
“Hug your kids, love your kids,” Daniel advised. “I didn’t tell him enough that I loved him but over the last couple days, his friends showed me text messages that he knew he was loved, I didn’t have to tell him.”
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