Tyler G ~ ‘Wild Animals’

DATE OF BIRTH:  September 19th, 2004 ILLNESS: Neuroblastoma Cancer - Stage 4

        Tyler’s Quilt Stitchers:                                                          Australian:                     Anne~Lismore, Diane~Maryborough,    Jayne~Sydney,   Kerrie~Canberra,     Linde~Ambrose,   Lyn~Melbourne,      Mandy~Tasmania,  Pam~Caloundra,     Rene~Gladstone,   Ruth~Gordon,       Sam~Mt.Larcom,   Tamara~Canberra,             Tania~Werribee.                                                               International:                   Angelika~Germany,   Danielle~USA,       Debi~USA,         Elaine~UK,          Jeanie~USA,        Jeri~USA,           Karen~Scotland,     Mary C~USA,       Susan~Canada,     Tania~Brazil.                

Right - Tyler’s quilt was delivered by Ruth.

 BIOGRAPHY

On the 22nd of August 2006 Tyler was part of an ordinary family. The biggest concerns were bills & on the scheme of things trivial things but just ordinary things like everybody else. However, the family as a whole really happy & content in their own little world of their family. Tyler had been a little sick on & off - a chest infection & he had been complaining of tummy pains, he never seemed to be in a lot of pain but enough to tell us he was uncomfortable. He would also be prone to temperatures, & thought he looked a little pale, he also at times wasn't really interested in food. These just all appeared to be normal childhood things.

On the 23rd of August Tyler to went to see 'Dr J' this was due mainly to the high temps and the tummy pains . When does your whole world come crashing in on top of you? The first time was Thursday 24th August when an 8cm tumour was discovered in Tyler's adrenal gland (between the kidney & spleen). We were sent straight back to 'Dr J' who advised us it was most likely a form of cancer known as Neuroblastoma (neuro being nerve, blastoma being tumour). We were of course devastated. This doesn't happen to us etc, etc.

If I thought then that our world had come crashing down, there was more to follow. Monday 28th August we arrived at Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick. The moment we walked into C2W (the oncology ward) we knew our life would never be the same again. It is a world you could never imagine yet there are so many families there. Parents smile & talk to each other. We gain strength from each other. We tell our stories, we get to know & love all the kids & the biggest thing, we can all relate to each other.

Since diagnosis Tyler has now endured two operations and two rounds of chemotherapy and is going strong. A website has been created with Melissa (Tylers mother) updating a journal when she can. Hanging Onto Hope.

www.4tylerjames.com