My Bizarre Family

It’s been almost two weeks since I’ve really updated my blog, and a lot has happened since then. Last week was very busy for us as my husband and I traveled to Indianapolis to be with Tyler as he went to see Dr. Einhorn, whom is the best Oncologist in the United States that specializes in Testicular Cancer and it’s many forms. As many of you are already aware, my oldest step-son was diagnosed with cancer about a month ago, that is in stage four. We have learned a lot more than we ever wanted to know in the past month about cancer, especially the kind Tyler has. For this post, my husband is co-authoring with me.

First, I want to thank my friend, Diane, for suggesting we buy a nice recorder to record everything the doctors say (we found an awesome digital recorder). We’ve listened to the recording many times and have decided to have it transcribed since we may not always have our laptop with us. I have a feeling this will come in very handy for us in the coming months.

Tyler has Choriocarcinoma, which is a very rare and aggressive (quick growing) germ cell cancer. It has metastasized to his liver, retroperitoneal cavity (anatomical space behind the abdominal cavity), his abdominal lymph glands and likely in his lungs (the final report cites innumerable pulmonary nodules that were below PET scan detection). We were informed on the 14th, that it had NOT metastasized to his brain, thank God! That was our first piece of good news since all this began on January 25th.

This kind of cancer bleeds out, causing some internal bleeding. He’s had two blood transfusions thus far, with probably several more on the horizon. He just finished the first of four rounds of BEP chemotherapy a bit early, having  had seven days of it. He begins his second round in a little more than a week. He faces the possibility of two courses of high-dose chemotherapy and a peripheral blood stem cell transplant if his HCG levels do not normalize and remain normal after his four rounds of BEP chemotherapy.

In writing this, not only are we reporting what is going on in our family, but we also want to spread awareness. We hear so much about breast cancer, but not enough about other forms of cancer. Folks, if you notice something that is not quite right in your bodies…an unusual mole, a lump, an enlargement, any kind of pain that lasts for more than a week, etc…please please PLEASE do not put off going to the doctor to have it checked out. Teenagers and young adults, please do not think you are invincible; that only bad things happen to other people. If this cancer was discovered a year ago….it may not have progressed as far as it has. Please don’t neglect your health. Everyone should regularly self check every inch of their body for anything unusual.

Please continue to lift up Tyler in your prayers, that his HCG levels normalize and remain normal. Please lift up his parents, step-parents and siblings in prayer….we all need it. Please pray for a complete and total healing for Tyler. Please pray for peace, comfort and strength for the family. Please pray for the doctors and nurses as they care for Tyler. We thank you so much for your continued prayers for all of us. We have faith that Tyler WILL beat this!

FIGHT ON, TYLER!

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