By the time Tyler was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma, one eye needed to be enucleated immediately, the other treated aggressively.
He was 15 months old and for the next several years he spent a great deal of time at the hospital.
Dr. Murphree was his physician and helped us cope with difficult decisions and treatment options. He always had time to answer our questions.
When Tyler was about 27 months old, the tumor suddenly grew very quickly and spread to his optic nerve. At this point enucleation of his remaining eye was imperative. Chemotherapy began shortly after surgery.
For years, Tyler spent his days at the hospital or recovering from treatments related to his retinoblastoma, but he never lost his sense of humor, his desire to explore the world around him, his ability to love life and embrace it for all it had to offer.
He seemed almost relieved after his second enucleation. Finally, his vision was stable because it was gone. No longer was the world a confusing blur of shadows and images taking him by surprise.
Upon return from the hospital at age 2 1/2 he lay on the grass under our apricot tree with his face toward the sky and smiled. He told me he felt good. I knew he was more relaxed than I ad seen him in a very long time.
Chemotherapy treatments were mixed in with a life that included the addition of a new brother, a day or two at pre-school with mom, learning to be a tactile learner and finding time to play, explore and have fun.
Years past and doctor visits got further and further apart, but we were careful to identify any swollen area that didn't have a reason for being there because we knew the risk of osteosarcoma.
When Tyler was 10 years old, a swollen area on his shin below his left knee was determined to be osteosarcoma. Thus, we began the journey again.
This time he was old enough to participate in making decisions and treatment plans. He was old enough to share his heartache and thoughts about life.
He never failed to think of his family, appreciate those who helped out and care about what his friends were doing. I know the support he received from his extended family and friends helped him maintain a perspective about life that continues to inspire me.
He was just beginning the 5th grade. His classmates were able to write him cards or notes almost everyday.
When Tyler called from the hospital, his teacher stopped her lesson so Tyler could talk over the speaker phone. He felt connected to his friends and his life away from being "sick."
After several rounds of chemotherapy, it was time to decide what type of surgery would work best for Tyler.
After careful consideration he made the decision to have his leg amputated because, of all the options available, it gave him the best chance to stay active, recover quickly and begin healing.
Many people were surprised with our willingness to let him choose, and his choice to amputate.
Soon after surgery he returned to riding horses and a tandem bike.
Enduring the rounds of chemotherapy was far more difficult than learning how to walk with a prosthetic leg.
Tyler is now an active teenager. He is bright, healthy and productive.
His main interests are music (he plays the trumpet and piano), fishing, horseback riding, boogie boarding, and spending time with his brother and two good friends who live nearby.
Academically, with hard work and hours of study Tyler maintains a 4.0 GPA.
This year he worked hard to participate on the high school track team as a shot put and discus thrower. He loves to go on adventures camping, boating, skiing, rock climbing, etc.
Tyler knows who he is, and that lack of sight or the loss of a leg does not determine a person.
He is a loving, interesting and capable young man. As I watch him grow up I see him learning about life, creating a standard to live by, and respecting others with more thought than most teenagers.
He has experienced more than most other teens I know. He is a loving son and brother.
My life is enriched knowing Tyler as a person in addition to having him as a son.
Written by Tyler's Mother