Archive for 2010

Well surgery is over…number 43 according to Ashley, although I thought it was 41. Tyler is doing okay. The doctor said that the screws were embedded deeply and he had to dig them out. Tyler will be sore for a while but hopefully he will be able to walk soon. The doctor is not sure the foot will stay where its supposed to with the fibula missing and that Tyler may end up with a brace or cast for a while. We will have to wait and see.

Goodness what these children have to go through. Even when the cancer is in remission it doesn’t mean its over. Tyler will be having surgeries the rest of his life. We will just thank god he’s alright for now and thank all of you for your continued love, prayers and support of Tyler. It’s been a long hard day.

Tyler’s leg surgery is tomorrow. Please say a prayer for Tyler that he won’t have much pain and will be able to walk soon…

God bless.

Darlene recently came across this video on the youtube childhood cancer channel featuring Tyler’s story. It’s current to approximately late last year. Since this video was made, Tyler has undergone five more procedures, including the placement of a titanium jaw.

We are now even more concerned about Tyler’s health, after a recent bout of scarlet fever accompanied by a rash. We are waiting the biopsy results from the dermatologist. Please keep praying for Tyler. According to the information here, most children with Tyler’s cancer don’t make it five years past the date of diagnosis. Our little trooper has made it almost eight years. Keep praying with us!

Hi everyone,

Well it’s been a long hard week. Our journey with Tyler seems to get better then worse. We have been to the doctor every day this week. Tyler went to see Dr. Olson first because he was having a hard time and could hardly swallow with the pain. He had a rash all over him and wasn’t feeling good at all. His skin was peeling off him.

Dr. Olson said he had strep and that she thought the rash was from that. Well then he said his jaw was hurting and he couldn’t swallow, so back to the doctor. They wanted him to see Dr. Pye, the skin doctor. By this time Tyler was really broken out and peeling really bad. We got there and she said that sometimes leukemia can have a rash like this, so she did a biopsy and took a chunk from Tyler’s stomach.

Tyler screamed during the biopsy because it hurt and the doctor was not sympathetic at all…told him to stop that or he was going to make her stick herself (Tyler should have such problems). He would not have said it hurt if she wasn’t hurting him He ended up with four stitches that will have to be taken out in two weeks.

Anyway, we have to wait two weeks for results. I pray its not cancer. It also could be a lot of other things. She gave us cream to cover his body twice a day. It’s like Vaseline [ yuck ]. He has not been able to return to school.

We went home and got a call from Ashley. She said the air conditioner had made a great big pop. George went down to Tyler’s house and the air conditioner was smoking. Called out a repairman and the darn thing has seen its last days. Couldn’t be fixed and it would cost $3,500 to get a new one (August in SC is no time to be without AC).

The next day on the way to the doctor again, the air conditioner man called back and said after seeing Tyler, there was no way he was charging for his part and would get it for $2,300. Big discount, yes, but where’s the money coming from? So that means no air. That won’t be good for Tyler at all. Can you imagine having that rash and no air? I just have to put it in God’s hands.

Then were were off to see Dr. Bedrux, Tyler’s jaw doctor. He said that he can see and feel Tyler’s jaw pulling to one side that he has to call Dr. Rodriguez in Maryland. There was nothing he could do here in SC to help Tyler. Now we are waiting to here from Dr. Rodriguez. Tyler is now back on pain meds.

After the doctors visit, all four boys were starving so we were off to feed them. Tyler got sick at the Golden Coral, with the other three screaming to stay and eat [ geez! ].

So, Monday we are all ready to start again. Time to see Dr. Becks, the leg doctor who is suppose to set him up for surgery on his legs.Tyler is limping once again. He is also walking bow legged and on the sides of his feet, saying that his legs hurt.

THROUGH ALL THIS I AM BLESSED TO HAVE TYLER WITH US TO BE ABLE TO DO MY BEST FOR HIM AND GIVE HIM MY UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. TO KEEP MY FAITH AND KNOW THAT WHEN THE DEVIL DISHES IT OUT GOD IS THERE TO PUT US BACK ON TRACK.

One more thing…Tyler’s mom also suffers and needs your prayers. She’s an awesome mom. Can you imagine having to go through this with your child? Sometimes Jayden feels left out, being too little to understand all that’s going on.

I watched a movie last night called “Letters to God.” It was about a little boy named Tyler that had cancer. I couldn’t finish it. It was too much like what we are going through, except he had a brain tumor. If you have a child with cancer or in remission from cancer, I wouldn’t watch this movie. I had to turn it off. It just made me cry.

Thank you all for your love and support for Tyler. We love you all. He really enjoys all the snail mail. It makes Tyler smile. Thank you for all the cards that children have made for him in bible school. May God send his blessings to each and every one of you.

–
FROGgin’

for

Tyler

Tyler Tucker c/o Darlene Cox
PO BOX 14386
Greenville, SC 29610

Please pray for Tyler. His face is pulling sideways again. This picture was taken today.

–
FROGgin’

for

Tyler

Tyler Tucker c/o Darlene Cox
PO BOX 14386
Greenville, SC 29610

Hello Everyone:

Tyler got sick last week. He said his stomach hurts and that he feels like he’s going to throw up. He also broke out with a rash all over. We thought he must have a stomach virus. He was better on Monday so he went to school. But he came home today with the rash again and he said that his stomach hurts.

He has appointment eight in the morning to see the family doctor. When you have a child that has had cancer the first thing you think is cancer. I pray not. I will let you all know what his doctor says. Tyler has to go to musc cancer clinic for a heart test on September 13th and they will also be checking his ear that had a hole in the drum to see if he can still hear. At one time he couldn’t hear out of his right ear. He has an appointment with the leg doctor September 26th to set up leg surgery and another appointment in August to check on his jaw. Tyler is eating but not gaining weight…he’s still about 59 pounds. His doctor isn’t happy about that. He looks so, so skinny and his legs are hurting him again. Their is just never an end, but we are so lucky that Tyler is doing as well as he is. God’s with him.

I want to thank Uncle Jermey for his love of Tyler, for fixing Tyler’s computer and all that he does to help Tyler.

Tyler wants to go eat hot chicken wings, so I think we will get up money to take him to do this with his brothers. I don’t no how he eats it with no teeth, but he does.

Tyler’s school is going to help with getting things he can eat so he will be able to eat at school. Thanks once again to Steven, for getting the parts to fix Tyler’s computer. He’s Tyler’s guardian angel and is always there for TyTy.

Stevens son must be so proud of his dad, o care of a child like Tyler the way he does. He’s got to be one heck of a dad to his boy. God bless you Steven.

Tyler is in third grade and growing so tall. He will be 10 years old on October 9th, and has been through so much in his short life time. He really is a trooper.

Tyler wants me to ask that you pray for him and that you sign his page. We count that as a prayer for TyTy. Thank each of you for the card and books, stickers and gifts that have been sent. Tyler loves his snail mail. Thanks to a man named Frankie and his wife Cathy. They came up with $100 and put in Tyler’s account for him. Lord we sure need it.

We have to spend so much on gas and food for the boys while at the doctors. I have a bill here for $2,000 that has to be paid before Tyler can have his next surgery. Medicaid didn’t pay that much on his hospital bill.

Not to fuss, but can you just imagine how much that surgery was for? A titanium jaw, and then to have to go back in to his jaw to remove packing, and straighten his jaw. Tyler must be a million dollar miracle boy. Forty-one surgeries is a lot for such a little boy.

They are planing a another cruise in for Tyler at the Little Rebel in Greer

SEPTEMBER 18TH 5-9
LEEANN AND HELEN LOVE TYLER AND WANT TO HELP HIM

GOD BLESS WE LOVE YOU ALL

****Up Date******

We just got back from the doctor. Tyler has strep that has turned in to scarlet fever. That’s what the rash is. He also has a bladder infection and some other infection that they don’t know what it is. They sent it to be cultured.

Prayers need for Tyler…his little face is swollen and red. He is very contagious and won’t be able to go to school. Please pray for Tyler, and I know our little hero will be feeling better in no time!

–
FROGgin’

for

Tyler

Tyler Tucker c/o Darlene Cox
PO BOX 14386
Greenville, SC 29610

Hello everyone,

Tyler saw the doctor yesterday about his jaw. They said that the skin is pulling too tight on his scar and they want Ashley to massage it. They will have to watch this closely because it can cause a lot of pain. But it hasn’t yet.

Tyler gets scans in September to make sure the monster isn’t back in his body. [I HATE CANCER!!!] He will all so have leg surgery around the end of September on both legs to remove his screws. I just pray he will be able to walk.

We are hoping to send him to school so he can be around other kids besides his brothers…and he will learn so much more. Tyler will be in third grade. I got him a few new pairs of pants and was able to find him some shirts at Wal-Mart marked down to five dollars.

Tyler is playing his Xbox again thanks to Mr. Steven and his son. They sent Tyler a box of games. We opened the box and Tyler went, “Wow just look at this!” He said, “Nanny, Steven really cares about me. He’s really a nice man.” Thank you Steven. You have always been here for Tyler. We thank God that he sent you to Tyler and our family!

Thanks everyone who has helped Tyler fight his cancer. You all are the reason he’s here. God heard your prayers. But please let’s pray Tyler stays in remission.

The Little Rebel is going to have another cruise-in for Tyler on September 18 to help us with gas and the other things Tyler needs. We have a $2,000 hospital bill in Maryland that has to be paid before Tyler can go back up there for his next surgery. Medicaid doesn’t pay everything. But thank God, it paid the most of it. Dr. Rodriguez donated his services for Tyler. He’s just amazing and such a great doctor. God has sent us so many angels!

Please say a prayer for all the cancer kids. Unless you have a child with cancer, you don’t know what these families go through each day. Even when the child’s in remission, there is just so much worry. Will it come back? Will God take our child to heaven? And like Tyler, his little body is all cut up with scars everywhere. You have to go watch him suffer with shots, being cut open, not knowing if he will pull through the next surgery. Can you imagine this little nine-year-old having 41 surgeries?

God is still with us and I have my faith. There are even kids that go through more than Tyler has. Kiss your kids each day and tell them you love them. I do. You don’t know what tomorrow will bring.

God bless. We love you all.
–
FROGgin’

for

Tyler

Darlene Cox

Tyler Tucker c/o Darlene Cox
PO BOX 14386
Greenville, SC 29610

Hi everyone,

Tyler is still not well from his surgery. Doctor says it is going to take a while. Tyler woke up with a temperature yesterday of 102 . He felt bad all day. He’s up and playing again today, though.

His little mouth is already turning side ways again. His mom says a lot of it is because he has no teeth. They can not give him implants because of the metal and the dentist said Tyler cannot hold false teeth in. So he has to deal with it and eat soft foods. Yesterday he was gumming a ear of corn though.

I was wondering if any of you had any X-box 360 games your not playing any more? Tyler would love to have them. He has beat all his and is bored to death. We cannot afford to go buy these. Ssomething went wrong with his computer so he can’t use that right now till we can get it fixed again.

Tyler will be having surgery on his legs around the end of September or August. No date yet, they just say he has to have it done soon. Tyler still weights only fifty-nine pounds, but he is eating really well. I wish he could gain some weight! The doctor said that would help his legs. I sure hope his legs don’t start hurting again when the weather gets. cold.

We wanted to go to Charleston for Courageous Kids reunion but the doctors don’t think that is a good idea with the water slides and air boats that will be there. Tyler could fall and mess up his jaw after all he’s been through. I will miss seeing everyone, but must do what is best for my TyTy.

Please keep praying for Tyler. He has so much more to go through and I know that my faith has to stay strong. It was very hard to see him cut almost from ear to ear, but we knew that it had to be done and will have to be done over and over again. He’s such a trooper.

My sincere thanks to each of you. There are too many to thank individually, but you know who you are. Time and again, we have seen that God has sent so many angels to help us. We are so grateful- we love you.  God bless you all.

Nathan is doing better but will have a scar from his burn. I will never let him have another sparkler. He will just have to use the little poppers you throw on the ground.

–
FROGgin’

for

Tyler

Darlene Cox

Tyler Tucker c/o Darlene Cox
PO BOX 14386
Greenville, SC 29610

Tyler’s neck hasn’t healed all the way but it is making progress. He has a pretty good cut. I guess it will just take time to heal. He’s still doing well. He doesn’t like all the heat because it makes his neck burn when he sweats. He’s seeing his doctor but we haven’t heard about scans yet. Looking to hear soon I hope. Guess they are giving him time to get over his operation first. Tyler will have to have surgery on his legs to remove the screws. He’ll see the doctor in August for that and they will set up everything. Guess there seems to be no end to this child’s suffering. He’s strong and God is with us all the way.

I want to thank each of you that have helped us so Tyler can be taken care of. There have been so many long trips out of state, even seeing the doctors here  24 miles to Greenville and 24 back. That’s 44 four miles a trip, sometimes three days a week. Then you have to feed the kids if they sit at the doctors all day. Gas has been so high. Please believe me when I say we really appreciate all that has been done. You all have been wonderful. Tyler has been so lucky to know you all care so much.

He’s still got so much more to go through, so please keep him in your prayers .

I really think that Tyler may need emotional therapy because of all hes been through.

We had a wonderful 4th. Grilling out with the boys and Ashley and Richie. We only got sparklers for the kids thinking they wouldn’t get hurt with them, but we were wrong. My hubby George was helping Nathan and Nathan touched his shorts with the end of the sparkler and the darn shorts caught fire! Burned  Nathans leg pretty bad and scared the dickens out of me. I was screaming my poor baby was on fire. He’s okay now , but he will have a scar. That shows how things can happen so fast . You never know what tomorrow will bring so please let your kids know each day that you love them.

If you all are visiting Tyler’s page, please sign it. It means so much to him to know you were reading his page.
God bless each of you and we love you all.

FROGgin’

for

Tyler

Darlene Cox

Tyler Tucker c/o Darlene Cox
PO BOX 14386
Greenville, SC 29610

Hello,

Well, things here are still good. Tyler’s not well, but doing great for all he’s been through. The doctor says his jaw is healing great. He will see him again in August, I think it was the 26th. He is also calling Dr. Rodriguez and they are setting up scans in Greenville at the children’s cancer center for Tyler. He said that because there is a chance the cancer can come back, Tyler needs to be scanned. Tyler is a strong boy. Thank you for all the wonderful get well cards and putting a smile on Tyler’s face.

Tyler went to the doctor about his legs. They said that they were okay. The screws are coming through the skin because Tyler is so skinny. He said Tyler really needs to put on some weight, but that’s easier said than done. He said that he will have to operate to take the screws out soon. The date for that is not set yet. As soon as we no more info, I will post. Tyler will most likely have to wear braces again on his legs.

I thank god for every day we have with Tyler and all our kids. Little Ellie passed away. Her link was on the last post. Her funeral was today. Her family is suffering and missing her so much. Please visit Ellie’s guestbook and support her family during this difficult time.

God bless each of you
We love you all

–
FROGgin’

for

Tyler

Darlene Cox

Tyler Tucker c/o Darlene Cox
PO BOX 14386
Greenville, SC 29610