Could it be October already? The time is passing so quickly but not quick enough for Tyler. He started week 12 of his chemo treatment yesterday evening. Charles stayed yesterday and last night and Sarah took over today. Even though this is the tough round of chemo with Doxorubicin and Cisplatin the doctors added a steroid to help with the nausea and it's working. He will remain in the hospital until Saturday morning. Tyler is feeling good and is looking good according to mom. He has his rosy cheeks. This round of chemo makes his counts drop so he will have 2 weeks off to recover. Even though Tyler hasn't eaten much these past couple of weeks his weight has remained around 96 pounds. His doctor's have done a nice job with the TPN fluids. The fluids have given him the calories and nutrients he has needed to maintain his weight.
The doctor's never fully determined what caused his severe pain after surgery. It might have been a reaction to the medicine in the pain block or a spinal headache whatever the cause, Sarah is convinced God released the pain to make Tyler better.
Tyler still has to keep his leg straight while the incision heals. It will take around 6 weeks and then he will begin physical therapy. He needs to be able to bend his leg before PT begins. He is doing great on his crutches. Lunetha, his wound nurse, comes to check his leg several times a day. Evidently it still looks ugly. Sarah took pictures of it so Tyler can see it later. He doesn't have any desire to look at it now. I don't blame him for that. The ugliest part is the skin graph. The doctor's surgical placed a piece of Tyler's skin from his upper thigh over the area where the tumor was removed. It is just starting to dry up and heal but Sarah said you could actually see his muscle through the skin. Yuck! Tyler likes for his leg to remain bandaged so he doesn't have to look at it.
Tyler got news today that he will receive a "Make A Wish". All St. Jude patients receive this and what a nice gift. Dr. Mauer asked him to think about where he would like to go. This is something to look forward to. Tyler, I hope you pick something very special and fun, you sure deserve it!
Sarah and Charles are participating in a 24 hour run on Friday. The "running group" that Sarah joined a few weeks ago is participating. The purpose is to raise money for a team to go to Haiti on a mission trip. Their team's goal is to raise $1500 and they are very close. It is a great way to raise money and train for a marathon. Running 27 miles doesn't sound like too much fun to me but Sarah and Charles are really looking forward to it.
We are thankful that the surgery is behind them. Tyler needs to remain strong and tough to get through these next few months of chemo. I am looking forward to seeing the family back home again. Continue to keep the family in your prayers. God has wrapped his arms around them and your prayers have carried them through. Thank you!
Stay close, Kim
Warning! Pictures of Tyler's leg during surgery. Not for the faint of heart!
The first picture is Tyler's tumor with all the surrounding tissue and bone removed.
The second is what his leg looked like with the tumor out.
The third is the prosthesis they put in.
The fourth shows the gastroc flap the made to anchor Tylers tendons and muscles to and close over the prosthesis.
The last shows everything all stitched up with the skin graft.
12 comments:
OMG!!!!!! thoses pics are sooo gross!!! but the first one is adorable!!! anyways!!! HEYY TYLER!!! its sooo great to hear that ur doin well and that u r recovering good!! :) That is sooo kewl that u get to be on "Make A Wish!!" thats very exciting!! My fried, his name is Jackson Kelly and he was on Make a Wish and got to meet Shaq or someone like that i have no idea but hes rly kewl just like u!! I rly hope to c u soon cuz i miss u very very much and think about u all the time!! I hope that ur recovery goes well, your next round of chemo, and you physical therapy!! I am prayin for u dayily and cant wait to c u!! Well i haf to go start packing for my mission trip im goin on!! soo ill tlk to u later and by the way FIRST COMMENT!!!!! WHOOBLA!!! haha
ILY!!!!
Mary Beth <3 :D
Tyler,
You are so strong and courageous and I'm proud of you. I can relate to the skin graft situation. When I had skin cancer on my arm (the summer after you were in 6th grade) the surgeons had to remove the tumor and graft my skin. It was gross and I didn't want to look at it either! But God is SO VERY GOOD in healing me and I have faith that He will heal you as well. You're always in our prayers. We think of you often.
Much love,
The Heid Family
Hi Tyler, It's the Scull Family here. I showed the boys your photos today and explained how your awesome doctors, with God's help, have performed a medical miracle on you. They said "Is Tyler bionic now?" I have a feeling you'll run faster than ever before. Liam has a cross country meet today and Tristen has a football game. I told them to do their personal best and think of you, Tyler. One day buddy...you'll be on those legs and running around that track and through the grass again too...only stronger than before! Keep that image close...it won't be long. Sincerely, The Scull Family
Hey Tyler!! Ya those pictures were pretty nasty. I showed my mom and she ran out of the room!! hehe. Its awesome you get to be on Make A Wish!! My dad helped sponsor that in Mississippi so Ive heard alot of stories about it. We saw the picture of you and were surprised to see you have hair growing!!! Hooray!!! My mom just loves your smile!!! Well im glad your doing well and getting some rest. we are always praying for you!! TTYL
heyyy tyler!! omg ... those pictures are pretty nasty .... but you're awesome!! and a tough widdle guy!! hehe. just kidding. but you are!! so i know it'll be ok! you're my hero tyler!! i think i've said that before .... but you deserve to hear it again. hehe. well anyway, i hope you're feeling A LOT better and that you get the rest you need. well now i must be off to do some homework ... yay .... well i miss you and hope to see you soon!! and always praying for you!
Love ya!!
((sydney))
Haha When I saw "pictures from tyler's surgry...." I was like OMG DON'T LOOK!! But I did anyways. Sorry But they are really gross. No offense. I told you earlier but you are sooo strong! I mean I freaked out when I had to get an MRI! Hahah! Its soo cool that you get to do one last wish! Well text me later!
LOVE STEPHANIE
hi tyler!!!
to be honest those pics r down right gross...BUT IM SO GLAD EVERY THING WENT WELL!!!! i hope recovery is super duper & that you will come back soon so we can see you!!!!!!!!!! i wanted to be first poster but marybeth got to it first...oh well, love ya bunches & bunches & bunches
sarah shrout
haha sarah!! thats juss b/c im BEAST!!!! haha
tyler!
i'm so glad that youre doing well, and it just amazes me how much God is doing for you and your family. hopefully when you come back down, i'll be able to say hello and see you.
=]
those pictures are pretty cool, the muscle one was the best! (i think i'm the only one that didn't get grossed out by that.) thats pretty cool to see your own leg MUSCLE! praying hard, and you keep on eating them cheeseburgers, my friend! feel better!
love,
sara f.
heyy tyler!!!! ur pictures r sooo gross!!! i hope ur doin well and that u can come bak to school soon!! hopefully u got me and ewings card!! (by the way did u c r DNA???) haha well hope to c ya soon!!
Miranda!!
hey tyler!!! i dont blame you for not wanting to see them... lol but your SOOOOO strong and brave... we all admire you... keep it up... we love you tyler!!!
:D tay
ps.. thats so cool bout the make a wish foundation!!! do something awesome...
haha miranda...
yes tyler, i know you loveddd our card :D
and i think those pictures are AWESOME! but i wouldn't look at them if it were my leg.
keep your head up and keep praying. your doing so much better than i would be if i was in ur shoes.
hang in there bud.
i love you,
ewing
Post a Comment