A Poem for Pediatric Cancer Awareness - Thank you, Laura!

I continue to torture myself tonight.  Ty was exhausted from his medication by the end of the day.  He fell asleep early which allowed Lou and I to do research on the computer together (mostly trying to plan for our November vacation).  Anyway, after Lou went up to bed I was closing out of the screen and I must have accidently launched something from my desktop because a video of baby Ty began to play.  He was 14 months old and laughing an infectious laugh.  That was where everything went downhill for me.  I started watching video after video after video.  God, to see the "before cancer" versus "after cancer" videos is just devastating.  Ty was able to speak more clearly at 2 years old than he is today.  He was the picture of perfect health! Then there are painful videos from the hospital where he barely looks like himself.  I didn't want to be sad in the midst of such happy times, so I wasn't planning on posting anything tonight.  But then I received the sweetest poem that my friend wrote for Ty in honor of Pediatric Cancer Awareness month.  I asked her if I could post it here.  Thank you, Laura!  This is so thoughtful and inspirational!

A Real Superhero…SuperTy

There are so many things to think about, in the midst of the month of September,

This month prompts so many thoughts and so many things we want to remember…

This year, in particular, we think of the 9/11 attacks,

Marking the 10^th anniversary of loved ones lost that families will never get back…

To think about it deeply, that it has been a full 10 years,

Fills my heart with sadness, my head with angst and my eyes with heartfelt tears…

September is a special month, bidding farewell to hot summer days,

School starting, warm clothes and much more, including burning leaves in a sniffable blaze…

September starts to welcome autumn as we see trees in their innocent bareness,

But one thing you may not already know, it is the month of pediatric cancer awareness…

For every kid diagnosed with cancer, each of them fighting throughout every day,

For these kids battling this disgusting disease, I ask that you continue to pray…

If you asked me last year what September would hold, I’d say “putting my flip flops away?

But now because I’ve been made aware, I have something different to say…

One story that has inspired me is of a 3-year old toddler named Ty,

A real life Super Hero who lives in New York, and there are so many reasons why…

I think about him throughout each day, my friend’s child who is beating all odds,

Thanks to an incredible will, an amazing family, and thousands of people praying to God…

Ty recently celebrated his year anniversary, 365 days of fighting,

And his mom has spread the word to the world through her amazing and heartfelt writing…

On October 4^th of 2007, Ty’s journey on Earth began,

And pretty soon thereafter, his little brother Gavin joined the clan…

A wonderful family with a fantastic bond, enjoying a happy, carefree life,

Until they got the news in August 2010 which cut through their hearts like a knife…

Their perfect baby boy with those beautiful curls and kind kissable face,

Was diagnosed with a rhabdoid tumor, at his toddler sized skull’s base…

And so a new type of journey began for Ty, a journey that will prove to be long,

The journey of a kid fighting cancer, one that no family should have to go on…

Was this what God had intended for them, was he testing their strength and their will?

Maybe that is simply the case, but no family should be tested that way even still…

They started their fight most immediately, Ty had his first tumor resection,

And while I don’t know the medical details too well, I know he had to fight constant infection…

That September, when most kids were off to pre-school, playing with markers and glue,

Ty and his family spent most of the month being cared for in the PICU…

In October, Ty was still smiling, as he celebrated turning 3-years old,

Well now he was a BIG BOY, and he’d continue to fight big and bold…

He started his chemotherapy, I’m certain there were several ups and downs,

But truthfully in every picture his mom posts, he still hardly ever frowns…

This little boy, so active and happy, from a baby and as he’d grown,

Had been attacked by this horrific disease, and soon couldn’t walk on his own…

Another round of chemo for Ty, and the poor child gets another infection,

Most of November spent in the hospital, while Ty bravely fought this harsh rejection…

There was terrible, heartbreaking, soul-crushing news that was delivered to Ty in December,

Ty’s doctor’s said just six weeks to live, news that Ty’s loved ones will always remember…

But having followed this young boy’s story, and knowing the spirit of his parents (my friends),

I knew that this would definitely NOT be where this heroic boy’s story would end…

In the midst of those few weeks, I know his parents’ minds would wander and roam,

But somehow this amazing family pulled off packing up and moving to a new home!

Make-A-Wish Foundation was there for them, a trip to Disney was planned for their boy,

A time for this Super Hero and his family, to be sure every day was filled with joy…

And I have to point out that every picture, which exampled their trip more or less,

Showed that Ty along with his family, shared MANY moments of happiness…

Christmas was a cherished time, despite the prognosis with what the family was dealing,

And in January a third shunt revision, and continued prayers for Ty’s healing…

With all the love that surrounded him, Ty’s clinical state began to improve,

But in February a major setback, and he had to encounter tumor resection #2…

Springtime was approaching, and his battle continued passed doctor expected length,

And just as God had intended, he continues to prove his unparalleled strength…

Radiation started, and a glowing smile still showcased on this young boy’s face,

Not only will Ty win this marathon, but he’s winning each qualifying race…

His parents said May was a tough month, another infection for this poor lil’ guy,

But what the doctors were quickly realizing, is that nothing can stop Super Ty!!!

Another shunt replacement on the books, then in June he completes 6 weeks of radiation!

His parents made it very clear, this was GREAT reason for GREAT celebration…

But the celebration didn’t last too long, when two new tumors were soon discovered,

Tumor resection #3 was had, and he bravely and strongly recovered…

As if SuperTy hadn’t been through enough, he began having trouble with his eyes,

When would God give this child a break? When would he help this tough little guy?

Soon his eyes began to improve, and a new course of radiation began,

I swear inside this child’s mind must be constant message of “I KNOW I CAN!”…

And right around his year of cancer anniversary, another round of radiation complete,

A very POSITIVE MRI was done, could this be something he’ll beat?

While we may not know what each day ahead holds, for anyone’s life I would say,

This I can tell you with complete certainty, Ty’s is beating the odds every day…

Superheros and balloon filled rooms, stuffed animals and hundreds of toys,

Homemade costumes and lollipops galore, all sent with love to this little boy…

I’m inspired by Ty every single day, I can’t even put into words how much,

I’m inspired by his parents and brother and by everyone that his soul does touch…

I’m inspired by every child out there who has faced all of cancers’ horrific things,

Those who have beat it, those still fighting, and those now angels who earned their wings…

Miracles can happen, and Ty has proven this day after day,

Miracles WILL happen if you carry utter strength and always pray…

When you go to bed tonight do pray, cuz Ty’s case is sadly one out of many,

One person out of every 330 will be diagnosed with cancer before age 20…

This statistic is not to scare you, rather to inspire everyone who reads,

These kids don’t need new Xbox games or the coolest clothes, just prayer is all they need…

So for Ty and every cancer patient, be with them until their prayer has a great answer,

Be with them each and every step of the way, as they fight to “beat up their cancer”!