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Guns ‘N Hoses
June 16, 2011
By Mary Pechar
Lt. Jim Ripley and Lndsay Ripley
Tribune Photo/Fred Poese
The 8th annual Guns ‘N Hoses benefit motorcycle ride was held Saturday, June 4th. Hosted by the Heartland Police Motorcycle Association, this ride was an opportunity for police and fire professionals to come together with the community in taking care of those who protect and serve in the metro area. This year’s 70 mile escorted ride benefited Lee’s Summit resident Lindsay Ripley. The Guns N Hoses Motorcycle Ride committee is comprised of several members of various metropolitan police and fire agencies, both Kansas and Missouri. Primary members were Lee’s Summit PD, Missouri Highway Patrol, Prairie Township Fire Dept and both Lenexa Fire and Police. Lee’s Summit provided two motorcycle officers for the escorted ride, and numerous officers and retired officers and LS Fire employees participated as well as several Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers. All together over 350 people participated in the ride and raised $12,500 for Lindsay’s benefit. Lindsay, whose father is Lt. Jim Ripley with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, just turned 21 on May 21st. She graduated from Lee’s Summit High School in 2008 and completed an Associate of Arts Degree at Longview Community College. Her goal is to attend nursing school. She encountered her first road block in November of 2009 when she began to experience extreme balance issues. Initially diagnosed with an ear infection, the symptoms continued and brought concerns of a brain tumor which were dismissed after an MRI. As symptoms still remained the next stop was an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist who discovered a 100% hearing loss in her right ear with no apparent cause.
By September of 2010, Lindsay began to experience difficulty swallowing her food, and within a few weeks, experienced the loss of her voice. More visits to the ENT and a speech pathologist resulted in no new information, but came with the recommendation she see a neurologist. Another MRI followed and finally a root cause diagnosis, a tumor known as a paraganglioma, glomus tumor, or tumor jugular. These tumors are very rare and grow out of and around the jugular vein and ear canal. It was determined that Lindsay’s tumor had been there for about 5 years and should have been seen on the first MRI. On February 1, 2011 Lindsay’s tumor was removed at the St Vincent’s Medical Center in Los Angeles by a doctor at the House of Ear Institute recognized as the best surgeon in the world for this type of tumor. Vocal cord surgery and surgery to insert a feeding tube followed. After returning home to extensive speech, swallowing, physical, and occupational therapy, she also had to endure additional vocal cord surgery and now faces surgery on her palate. The palate, also affected by the tumor, does not function properly — allowing liquids, secretions, etc. to go up through her nose. Lindsay also requires a portable suction machine at all times to clear the saliva from her throat as she is unable to swallow or manage it in her throat.
It was a great day for a ride and a great opportunity to recognize and support a beautiful, strong LS resident.
To purchase Tribune photos, contact Fred Poese at http://www.fcn.photoreflect.com or email:sports@lstribune.net.
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