Monday, December 29
Nine days and counting.....yes Tyler remains in the hospital. This is crazy that he still has a fever even though he is on 4 strong antibiotics. The last 4 days his white blood counts have been low, which is called neutropenic. Since he has already had a platelet and blood transfusion, the doctor's are still baffled. His bone marrow is suppressed also but this is a side effect from the antibiotics. He can't leave the hospital until his fever is gone for 24 hours and his counts return to a normal range. He will remain in his 10 x 10 hospital room for another 3-4 days (minimum). Mama Bear (Sarah) had her claws showing today. She expressed to Tyler's doctor's today how she wants a break from chemo for Tyler. They agreed! After he is released from the hospital he should get about a 2 week break from chemo. He needs to regain his strength before another round of chemo.
Tyler does look better today. He has his color back and not that ugly grey color. He had more energy today and was able to get out of bed for the first time and sit on the couch in their room for about 3 hours. He had been so weak he wasn't able to get out of bed on his own or go to the restroom. He is gradually improving but what a long haul this has been. As always thanks for your prayers. We're praying that the new year will bring a healthy, happy and stronger Tyler back to all of us. Stay close! Kim
Not a Merry Christmas
Thursday, December 25
As you can tell by the title it has been a Christmas that would rather be forgotten. Tyler continues to feel extremely bad and is still in the hospital extremely sick. His fever remains very high and he was septic today. Sarah said she hasn't seen him look this bad since he started treatment. They were very concerned for Tyler yesterday and this morning. He became so weak and very grey in color and he has been bleeding from the nose. The doctor's still remain baffled as to what is making him so sick. He had a blood transfusion and platelets to help with his counts and to help with his nose bleeds. He is on so many different antibiotics to treat a possible viral, bacterial and even fungal infection. While Sarah keeps her faith that God is holding them tight, she was feeling so overwhelmed today. She is so distressed and low. Sarah and Charles covet you prayers for their boy as he is not responding to any medications to fight off what ever it is he has. On a day that is so bright for so many it is dark for them. Sarah said she would trade all of her earthly possessions along with all of her money to have Tyler's health restored. She can never explain how bad of a situation this is and only people who have experienced this can know the true torture it places on a family. To see your child suffer so and not be able to do anything is excruciating for a parent.
Last night Charles and Sarah were given the opportunity to shop for presents that St. Jude offered their patients who had to be in the hospital for Christmas. They selected gifts for Tyler, Elijah and Christian from hundreds of gifts that were donated from stores. St. Jude wrapped the presents and Santa placed them in his big red bag and delivered them to the boys this morning. The family spent the night in an adjoining room so they could be with Tyler the first thing this morning. Unfortunately, Tyler was so sick he couldn't open any of the presents until later this afternoon. Sarah said she has never seen so many gifts from the hospital, their friends in Louisville and family. She said it was amazing and the kids have never had anything like this before but she would trade all of the presents for a normal day at home with just healthy boys. They so appreciated the "light" of encouragement to help them through this dark time.
Please take time out for special prayer today for Tyler. Every time we come together as a family God responds by giving Tyler a healing boost. He definitely needs one at this time. Thanks for your love and concern. Happy Birthday Jesus! Stay close! Kim
As you can tell by the title it has been a Christmas that would rather be forgotten. Tyler continues to feel extremely bad and is still in the hospital extremely sick. His fever remains very high and he was septic today. Sarah said she hasn't seen him look this bad since he started treatment. They were very concerned for Tyler yesterday and this morning. He became so weak and very grey in color and he has been bleeding from the nose. The doctor's still remain baffled as to what is making him so sick. He had a blood transfusion and platelets to help with his counts and to help with his nose bleeds. He is on so many different antibiotics to treat a possible viral, bacterial and even fungal infection. While Sarah keeps her faith that God is holding them tight, she was feeling so overwhelmed today. She is so distressed and low. Sarah and Charles covet you prayers for their boy as he is not responding to any medications to fight off what ever it is he has. On a day that is so bright for so many it is dark for them. Sarah said she would trade all of her earthly possessions along with all of her money to have Tyler's health restored. She can never explain how bad of a situation this is and only people who have experienced this can know the true torture it places on a family. To see your child suffer so and not be able to do anything is excruciating for a parent.
Last night Charles and Sarah were given the opportunity to shop for presents that St. Jude offered their patients who had to be in the hospital for Christmas. They selected gifts for Tyler, Elijah and Christian from hundreds of gifts that were donated from stores. St. Jude wrapped the presents and Santa placed them in his big red bag and delivered them to the boys this morning. The family spent the night in an adjoining room so they could be with Tyler the first thing this morning. Unfortunately, Tyler was so sick he couldn't open any of the presents until later this afternoon. Sarah said she has never seen so many gifts from the hospital, their friends in Louisville and family. She said it was amazing and the kids have never had anything like this before but she would trade all of the presents for a normal day at home with just healthy boys. They so appreciated the "light" of encouragement to help them through this dark time.
Please take time out for special prayer today for Tyler. Every time we come together as a family God responds by giving Tyler a healing boost. He definitely needs one at this time. Thanks for your love and concern. Happy Birthday Jesus! Stay close! Kim
Back In The Hospital AGAIN
Monday, December 22
After a week of feeling decent, Tyler had his 6th round of chemo on Friday. He is expected to feel poorly after receiving a high dose of methotrexate but this time he spiked another extremely high fever-104 this time!
On Saturday, the Thompson family (Jill, Mike, John and Mark) were traveling to Dallas. A mid point for them is Memphis so they stopped to spend the night to break up their trip. This trip they had a little extra baggage about 30 wrapped presents for the Hanson family. Friends of Tyler's generously gave over $900 for the family to have a Merry Christmas so gifts were purchased. Mike, John and Mark delivered the gifts to the family Saturday evening. Tyler was feeling so poorly that he laid in bed while the Thompson's visited. Sarah couldn't figure out why he was so weak and tired even though he had just had chemo. But later on that night they realized why when he spiked a fever. He was admitted to the hospital early Sunday morning for tests and cultures. They all came back negative so the doctors are baffled again. He is on strong antibiotics to fight off what ever it is he has. Once the fever has been gone for 24 hours he can leave. It looks like Tyler will be in the hospital Christmas day, how sad is that!
Sarah and Charles decided to have the boys wait to open all their presents, all but one. They took one to the hospital for Tyler to open. It was a new phone that he had asked for. When he is feeling stronger, expect a text or call. He was excited to get the phone. Thanks to everyone who contributed money to purchase all the gifts for the family.
Tomorrow Tyler will have a cat scan and Echo cardiogram. They are always checking his heart and his body to make sure he is cancer free. He had x-rays of his leg and they came back great. Since he has a metal prosthesis there is always a possibility of infection so this fever could be a result of that.
Last night Sarah's Aunt Sharon died of cancer. The family is very sad and they are very far away and won't be able to attend the funeral. She lived in California. Tyler has a psychologist to help him through situations such as this. He has been very emotional recently and he fought seeing this psychologist, but since he has been seeing her he really enjoys the time talking with her. Tyler is having to deal with life skills that we adults deal with and talking with an expert really helps him to cope better.
Life is fragile! Take a moment tonight to tell your family how much you cherish them. Christmas is a time for family. Spend time with your family this holiday. Tell them you love them! Remember the one that holds you the closest, our Lord and Savior!
Merry Christmas!
Kim
After a week of feeling decent, Tyler had his 6th round of chemo on Friday. He is expected to feel poorly after receiving a high dose of methotrexate but this time he spiked another extremely high fever-104 this time!
On Saturday, the Thompson family (Jill, Mike, John and Mark) were traveling to Dallas. A mid point for them is Memphis so they stopped to spend the night to break up their trip. This trip they had a little extra baggage about 30 wrapped presents for the Hanson family. Friends of Tyler's generously gave over $900 for the family to have a Merry Christmas so gifts were purchased. Mike, John and Mark delivered the gifts to the family Saturday evening. Tyler was feeling so poorly that he laid in bed while the Thompson's visited. Sarah couldn't figure out why he was so weak and tired even though he had just had chemo. But later on that night they realized why when he spiked a fever. He was admitted to the hospital early Sunday morning for tests and cultures. They all came back negative so the doctors are baffled again. He is on strong antibiotics to fight off what ever it is he has. Once the fever has been gone for 24 hours he can leave. It looks like Tyler will be in the hospital Christmas day, how sad is that!
Sarah and Charles decided to have the boys wait to open all their presents, all but one. They took one to the hospital for Tyler to open. It was a new phone that he had asked for. When he is feeling stronger, expect a text or call. He was excited to get the phone. Thanks to everyone who contributed money to purchase all the gifts for the family.
Tomorrow Tyler will have a cat scan and Echo cardiogram. They are always checking his heart and his body to make sure he is cancer free. He had x-rays of his leg and they came back great. Since he has a metal prosthesis there is always a possibility of infection so this fever could be a result of that.
Last night Sarah's Aunt Sharon died of cancer. The family is very sad and they are very far away and won't be able to attend the funeral. She lived in California. Tyler has a psychologist to help him through situations such as this. He has been very emotional recently and he fought seeing this psychologist, but since he has been seeing her he really enjoys the time talking with her. Tyler is having to deal with life skills that we adults deal with and talking with an expert really helps him to cope better.
Life is fragile! Take a moment tonight to tell your family how much you cherish them. Christmas is a time for family. Spend time with your family this holiday. Tell them you love them! Remember the one that holds you the closest, our Lord and Savior!
Merry Christmas!
Kim
Hanging Tough
Wednesday, December 17
Tyler's 7th round of chemo was last Friday and he has done amazingly well since. He has experienced being nauseous on and off and tired but he hasn't been throwing up. Yipee!!!!!
He will receive his 6th round of chemo again this Friday. I am glad they can peel those numbers off the wall and celebrate each time he has finished a treatment. Hang tough Tyler you are getting close to the end. I know we will be rejoicing in Louisville with the angels above when the last number is peeled off that wall and thrown away!
Ice seemed to hit the city of Memphis yesterday and it was a tough commute to the hospital. Sarah said there was ice on the bridges and lots of "idiots "causing accidents. People need to drive differently when there is bad weather. Oh well! I am glad the Hanson's were not involved in one of those accidents.
Thank you to everyone who donated money to bring Christmas cheer to the Hanson family. Jill, Clay, Chad, Jenna Finnesand, Tommy English and Conner and myself shopped until we dropped on Sunday spending over $900 that was collected from friends of Tyler. It was a lot of fun shopping for the family and I know they will greatly appreciate everything they receive. A big thank you to Jill and Mike Thompson who have volunteered to deliver the packages as they travel through Memphis this coming weekend.
Continue to pray for our special Tyler! The family feels those prayers and knows that God has something very special in store for them.
God Bless! Stay close! Kim
Tyler's 7th round of chemo was last Friday and he has done amazingly well since. He has experienced being nauseous on and off and tired but he hasn't been throwing up. Yipee!!!!!
He will receive his 6th round of chemo again this Friday. I am glad they can peel those numbers off the wall and celebrate each time he has finished a treatment. Hang tough Tyler you are getting close to the end. I know we will be rejoicing in Louisville with the angels above when the last number is peeled off that wall and thrown away!
Ice seemed to hit the city of Memphis yesterday and it was a tough commute to the hospital. Sarah said there was ice on the bridges and lots of "idiots "causing accidents. People need to drive differently when there is bad weather. Oh well! I am glad the Hanson's were not involved in one of those accidents.
Thank you to everyone who donated money to bring Christmas cheer to the Hanson family. Jill, Clay, Chad, Jenna Finnesand, Tommy English and Conner and myself shopped until we dropped on Sunday spending over $900 that was collected from friends of Tyler. It was a lot of fun shopping for the family and I know they will greatly appreciate everything they receive. A big thank you to Jill and Mike Thompson who have volunteered to deliver the packages as they travel through Memphis this coming weekend.
Continue to pray for our special Tyler! The family feels those prayers and knows that God has something very special in store for them.
God Bless! Stay close! Kim
It's Time to Heal
Wednesday, December 10
Tyler has gotten another stomach virus so he will not be having his next round of chemo (methotrexate) until he is over it. Sarah seems to think that her two younger boys brought the virus home. Christian and Elijah attended a Build A Bear party and one of the children at the party had the stomach flu. They probably brought some of his germs home. They can't be careful enough around Tyler. It is very hard to keep their home sterile and germ free. But they try! Last night Tyler received the first "tub" bath in a very, very long time. There is nothing better than a warm bath especially when you are sick! We so take for granted the simple pleasures of life until they are snatched from us.
Tyler's EKG/Echo cardiogram came back normal. It is hard to understand but they measure the pumps of blood that are pushed from his ventricles and they have been low but were in a more normal range this week. They will do an additional EKG/Echo cardiogram next week. The doctor's have to constantly monitor every part of his body. It is hard to fathom the amount of money it costs to treat a patient at St. Jude. Let us give thanks to the thousands of dollars that are donated each year to this wonderful hospital to enable such great care to patients such as Tyler.
Thanks for caring! Stay close! Kim
Tyler has gotten another stomach virus so he will not be having his next round of chemo (methotrexate) until he is over it. Sarah seems to think that her two younger boys brought the virus home. Christian and Elijah attended a Build A Bear party and one of the children at the party had the stomach flu. They probably brought some of his germs home. They can't be careful enough around Tyler. It is very hard to keep their home sterile and germ free. But they try! Last night Tyler received the first "tub" bath in a very, very long time. There is nothing better than a warm bath especially when you are sick! We so take for granted the simple pleasures of life until they are snatched from us.
Tyler's EKG/Echo cardiogram came back normal. It is hard to understand but they measure the pumps of blood that are pushed from his ventricles and they have been low but were in a more normal range this week. They will do an additional EKG/Echo cardiogram next week. The doctor's have to constantly monitor every part of his body. It is hard to fathom the amount of money it costs to treat a patient at St. Jude. Let us give thanks to the thousands of dollars that are donated each year to this wonderful hospital to enable such great care to patients such as Tyler.
Thanks for caring! Stay close! Kim
Worn out!
Monday, December 8
It is too bad that drugs that save our life can be so dangerous. This is definitely the case with chemotherapy. While Tyler is beating cancer through chemo, the chemo is wearing down poor Tyler. His poor little body has been through so much. Even though he is feeling a little better, he is so tired and weak.
Tyler came home late last Wednesday night from the hospital. He had to return only once more last week for blood counts, clinic, physical therapy and tutoring (school). He had an echo/EKG last week also and will have to have another today. His heart beat was weak and they didn't know if that was accurate or a problem with the machine so they were repeating the tests again today. Let's pray there is nothing wrong with his heart! Chemo can damage the heart and we do not want for Tyler. he is scheduled for another round of chemo tomorrow (methotrexate) depending on the results of the echo/EKG today. Let's pull together and pray Tyler can withstand these next treatments over the next 3 straight weeks.
Tyler received posters from his friends at CAL. He had a great time reading them. Cards, posters, balloons, etc. are a reminder to him that his friends are there pulling for him (even though they are far away) .
This weekend St. Jude held a big marathon to raise money for the hospital. Charles and Sarah participated. Friends from Louisville, Gena and Craig McFarland drove to Memphis to visit and participate also. Gena ran in the race with Sarah and Charles while Craig, Elijah and the Ross family cheered them on. Their goals were accomplished when they crossed the finish line. It was an emotional day! Everyone person on the course and standing on the side lines had a story and their own personal reasons for being there. It was truly amazing to see the support for St. Jude hospital. There was even another Team Tyler. Though they were running to remember and honor their son who had died in September of this year. They all cried and hugged and wished each other well. The Hanson's are so very thankful for St. Jude and for Tyler's life! They are confident that Tyler will be completely healed.
Pray for strength and that God will provide a miracle for Tyler. He has 10 more weeks of chemo and we want him to sail through these next weeks without any nausea, vomiting, fever, infections, mucousitis or anything else! Philippians 4:13 reminds us "I can do everything through HIM who gives me strength".
Thanks for the support! Stay close! Kim
It is too bad that drugs that save our life can be so dangerous. This is definitely the case with chemotherapy. While Tyler is beating cancer through chemo, the chemo is wearing down poor Tyler. His poor little body has been through so much. Even though he is feeling a little better, he is so tired and weak.
Tyler came home late last Wednesday night from the hospital. He had to return only once more last week for blood counts, clinic, physical therapy and tutoring (school). He had an echo/EKG last week also and will have to have another today. His heart beat was weak and they didn't know if that was accurate or a problem with the machine so they were repeating the tests again today. Let's pray there is nothing wrong with his heart! Chemo can damage the heart and we do not want for Tyler. he is scheduled for another round of chemo tomorrow (methotrexate) depending on the results of the echo/EKG today. Let's pull together and pray Tyler can withstand these next treatments over the next 3 straight weeks.
Tyler received posters from his friends at CAL. He had a great time reading them. Cards, posters, balloons, etc. are a reminder to him that his friends are there pulling for him (even though they are far away) .
This weekend St. Jude held a big marathon to raise money for the hospital. Charles and Sarah participated. Friends from Louisville, Gena and Craig McFarland drove to Memphis to visit and participate also. Gena ran in the race with Sarah and Charles while Craig, Elijah and the Ross family cheered them on. Their goals were accomplished when they crossed the finish line. It was an emotional day! Everyone person on the course and standing on the side lines had a story and their own personal reasons for being there. It was truly amazing to see the support for St. Jude hospital. There was even another Team Tyler. Though they were running to remember and honor their son who had died in September of this year. They all cried and hugged and wished each other well. The Hanson's are so very thankful for St. Jude and for Tyler's life! They are confident that Tyler will be completely healed.
Pray for strength and that God will provide a miracle for Tyler. He has 10 more weeks of chemo and we want him to sail through these next weeks without any nausea, vomiting, fever, infections, mucousitis or anything else! Philippians 4:13 reminds us "I can do everything through HIM who gives me strength".
Thanks for the support! Stay close! Kim
Test Rsults
Wednesday, December 3
All of Tyler's scans came back clear but the culture for the c-diff came back positive, It means that the good bacteria that lives in the digestive system were killed in Tyler's from all the antibiotics he received and the bacteria that was left breeded and made him sick again. So the doctors are giving him more medicine. He hasn't had a fever today so that is good news! They are not sure when he will be discharged from the hospital but hopefully soon!
Thanks for caring and praying!
Stay close! Kim
All of Tyler's scans came back clear but the culture for the c-diff came back positive, It means that the good bacteria that lives in the digestive system were killed in Tyler's from all the antibiotics he received and the bacteria that was left breeded and made him sick again. So the doctors are giving him more medicine. He hasn't had a fever today so that is good news! They are not sure when he will be discharged from the hospital but hopefully soon!
Thanks for caring and praying!
Stay close! Kim
More tests
Tuesday, December 2
Just when the family thought Tyler was getting better and going home from the hospital, he started throwing up again and his fever returned. Ok it is time to stop now! Tyler needs a break there is no doubt. Since he started the fever again the doctor's decided to run some tests. He had blood drawn this morning and the blood cultures were negative so there are no blood infections. Next he had cat scans of the stomach and abdomen. He also had an echo EKG of his heart. I don't know the results yet from these tests. He still is on morphine for pain in his leg. He tried to have physical therapy again today but this stresses Tyler out. There is pain when he moves it and they make him stretch it to try to build strength. As soon as chemo is finished he will be able to rehab his leg quicker.
The doctors have decided to wait until next week for another round of chemo because he still is sick. The good news is only 7 more treatments which could be 10 more weeks and it is over. Pray he will stay on schedule so it can be over and done! He just needs to recover now. The poor child hasn't eaten in so long he might not remember how to eat. It's a good thing he is on the TPN fluids for nourishment. Hang tough Tyler you have so many people pulling for you!
We love you! Stay close! Kim
Just when the family thought Tyler was getting better and going home from the hospital, he started throwing up again and his fever returned. Ok it is time to stop now! Tyler needs a break there is no doubt. Since he started the fever again the doctor's decided to run some tests. He had blood drawn this morning and the blood cultures were negative so there are no blood infections. Next he had cat scans of the stomach and abdomen. He also had an echo EKG of his heart. I don't know the results yet from these tests. He still is on morphine for pain in his leg. He tried to have physical therapy again today but this stresses Tyler out. There is pain when he moves it and they make him stretch it to try to build strength. As soon as chemo is finished he will be able to rehab his leg quicker.
The doctors have decided to wait until next week for another round of chemo because he still is sick. The good news is only 7 more treatments which could be 10 more weeks and it is over. Pray he will stay on schedule so it can be over and done! He just needs to recover now. The poor child hasn't eaten in so long he might not remember how to eat. It's a good thing he is on the TPN fluids for nourishment. Hang tough Tyler you have so many people pulling for you!
We love you! Stay close! Kim
Doing Better Finally
Monday, December 1
Finally Tyler is feeling better. He may get to go home from the hospital tomorrow morning as long as he continues to do well though the night. His fever is finally gone, he is free from nausea and his mucousitis is better. His throat is still sore but it is healing now that he is no longer throwing up. He did physical therapy today. It was really hard on him since he hasn't moved around much in three weeks. Sarah said he is going to have to be tough and push through the pain because he lost some of the ground he made after the surgery. The family is so anxious for Tyler to go home. It has been a tough week!
Tyler received a bouquet of balloons and candy from his friends at school. He really appreciated everyone thinking about him and caring so much. Thanks to all who contributed! We pray for Tyler to be stronger and healthier soon. Hang in there Tyler because you have a lot of people who love you and are praying for you!!!!! Stay close! Kim
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