Born in 2009, Tyler was a healthy toddler. When he was three years old, we noticed he was constantly rubbing his eyes. So I made an appointment for him to see an optometrist.
The doctor saw Tyler and not much was said other than come back in a year, and your son is fine. Six months later they took Tyler to the pediatrician for a well check, had his vision screened, and all was fine then. The pediatrician told the parents that not to worry about the optometrist visit that was due in six months.
Then one day, I was speaking with my ophthalmologist and just mentioned the story of Tyler in jest. Dr. Kinsler insisted that we get Tyler to a pediatric ophthalmologist, Dr. Facciani. I heeded his advice and was able to get Tyler an appointment a month later.
It was September 24, 2013 when Tyler went in for a routine eye exam, and they found a white mass in his left eye. Two weeks later he was at UVA to see a specialist. The ocular oncologist checked the mass out, and he thought it to be benign. Then a month later they went back for a check-up, and the doctor found a second tumor. At about the same time, Tyler began having petit mal seizures.
On November 22, 2013, while having an MRI and an eye exam under anesthesia, Tyler received the diagnosis of bilateral retinoblastoma. He had three tumors discovered in each eye. We immediately met with a pediatric oncologist and a pediatric surgeon to discuss port placement and a treatment plan. Three days later, we returned to UVA Children’s Hospital to have Tyler’s port placed and start laser therapy with cryotherapy. He also began inpatient chemotherapy.
Tyler has undergone fourteen EUAs, four MRIs, six months of chemotherapy, approximately ten rounds of laser and cryotherapy, and countless rounds of blood work.
Today, Tyler is six years off treatment and a true SURVIVOR of childhood cancer! He now fights for those who aren’t as fortunate as he was. In particular, he fights for Rowan Price.
Rowan was the four-year-old daughter of our friends, Scott and Mandy Price. In October 2018, she was diagnosed with AML M7. She passed away on September 15, 2019. Tyler truly has a soft spot in his heart for Rowan. Tyler was very young when he was diagnosed, and never really comprehended the severity of the disease until he watched Rowan fight. We truly think her passing was the first time he ultimately realized that death is a very real possibility in the world of childhood cancer.
Tyler carries Rowan with him every day. He often wears his Rowan bracelet, and usually has her name written on his arm when he is playing travel soccer.
This year, and every year, we walk for all of the children battling this terrible disease. We walk for survivors like Tyler, angels like Rowan, and the many others who are fighting the battle.
Jennifer Shannon
