Tyler was two years old when in January 2019 he was diagnosed with a stage 3 ependymoma brain tumour. Here, his mum Katie shares their story...
Our nightmare began on January 7, 2019 and changed our lives forever. That was the day our lovely, smiley little boy Tyler was diagnosed with cancer.
Tyler had experienced headaches and sickness for around 10 months previously and would throw himself to the floor as he was in so much pain. After constant trips to the doctor and then thinking it was teething, viral or asthma problem, I took him to A&E as we were not getting any closer to finding out what was wrong.
Initially doctors there also thought he looked fine, but I was sure there was something wrong. I requested an MRI scan and when the results came back, the doctors pulled the curtains round and told us the worst news imaginable. Tyler had a brain tumour.
Hearing the news, my heart sank. I'd never felt pain like it.
They had found a mass in his head and fluid build-up on the brain. We immediately got sent to Birmingham Children's Hospital (BCH) where the skilled team of surgeons removed his tumour. After a biopsy was taken, we were told it was cancerous, a stage 3 ependymoma brain tumour.
His treatment meant us travelling to Jacksonville, Florida for 30 rounds of proton beam therapy. Flying to America for this treatment was so scary and daunting but Tyler faced it like a pro, as he does everything. The team caring for him was great and also made it easier for us as parents.
We were in America for three months before flying home for Tyler to undergo chemotherapy. He finished his last cycle on August 2, 2019 and rang the bell to signify the end of his treatment at the end of that month.
He is now recovering with doctors keeping a close on him with regular three-month scans and check-ups. He is doing well but there have been some side effects from the chemo and proton beam, with the harsh reality of a lot more to come.
He is getting back to being able to do what he loves: being outdoors, playing and doing arts and crafts. He also likes nothing more than listening to Ed Sheeran and dancing to his favourite songs, Human and Giant by Rag n Bone Man.
He is such a brave and amazing little boy who has done so well and we are all so proud of him. Its been so difficult, but Tyler has been truly superhuman all the way through. He is a real-life superhero just like his favourites, Spiderman and Hulk.
We have set up Tyler's Superhuman Fund to give something back by raising money to help other children like Tyler. Tyler's Superhuman Fund is a CCLG Special Named Fund dedicated to funding research into brain tumours in children. We hope by putting money into research for childhood cancers this will push towards finding kinder treatments and a cure.
Make a donation to Tyler' Superhuman Fund
Open an online fundraising page for Tyler's Superhuman Fund
Set up a regular Direct Debit donation to Tyler's Superhuman Fund
Research Projects Funded
Creating a new immunotherapy approach to fight aggressive medulloblastoma.
Fundraising pages
Text CCLG 5 TYLER to 70300 to donate £5.
CCLG will receive 100% of your donation. You may also be charged for one text message at your network’s standard or charity rate.
You can make a donation or pay in funds raised by cheque, payable to CCLG, to CCLG, Century House, 24 De Montfort Street, Leicester LE1 7GB. Please ensure you make it clear that the donation is for Tyler's Superhuman Fund so that your donation is allocated to the correct fund.