Post by admin on Sept 14, 2006 22:47:27 GMT -5
Winona's Rivertown Shuffle in ninth year
Tyler Infield of Winona is a 14-year-old boy who in his short life has already experienced more pain and uncertainty than most adults. Tyler has a rare form of cancer that he has been fighting since last fall.
Jim and Renee Infield were told Nov. 9, 1999, that Tyler had a form of cancer that most doctors never see or treat. Tumors, his mother Renee said, were on his lungs and pelvis. The major tumor was in his stomach and was wrapped around the artery going to Tyler's liver. The doctor could not operate until the main tumor was shrunk, said Renee
Renee said aggressive treatment began. After several rounds of chemotherapy doctors discovered that the tumor in Tyler's stomach had shrunk by 75 percent. Initial chemotherapy treatments were working, but because they were too hard on Tyler's bone marrow Renee said doctors decided to try a new chemotherapy that is classified as a clinical trial drug.
The new drug worked, and as hoped by medical staff, was not as hard on Tyler. His mother said the cancer was being eliminated and the side effects were much less.
On July 25 Tyler underwent surgery on his lungs. Renee said doctors found only scar tissue. Aug. 31 surgery on his stomach made it possible for doctors to remove the tumor. Along with the tumor doctors removed a quarter of his stomach, a portion of his spleen, a section of his pancreas and an adrenal gland.
Tyler now has to undergo a bone marrow transplant in Minneapolis. Tyler will likely stay in the hospital two to three months.
Tyler considers himself lucky that a new drug was available for him, but that didn't make the ordeal any less scary. When he was first told he had cancer he said, "I thought I was going to die. I couldn't stop thinking about it."
When a friend of his, a 17-year-old cancer patient, lost his battle with the disease last week, Tyler said mixed in with his grief for his friend was the thought that it could be him.
"It made me feel like I was next," he said.
Doctors first thought an ulcer or anemia were the cause of Tyler's bouts of exhaustion. Renee said there were no obvious signs that cancer was the cause. There were no bumps or bruising, just a usually active boy who was now getting so tired he had difficulty walking.
When doctors found the cancer Renee said she was so devastated she thought she was going to lose him. Their house has taken on the look of a pharmacy, but Tyler is getting better and Renee said her family has found out what a great community Winona is.
"I always thought Winona was a great place to live," she said. "Now I know."
Throughout the illness Renee said cards and letters have come from strangers, fund-raisers have been held by staff and students at the Winona Middle School. T-shirts were sold and bake sales were sponsored to raise money to help with medical and living expenses. The Infields have insurance, but Renee said not everything is covered. She said time missed from work and transportation costs were taking their toll on the family finances.
At Watlow Controls where Renee has worked for 20 years, not only did the company make sure she had the time she needed to be with her son, the company provided Christmas for the family when they were spending more time at the hospital than at home.
Fifteen-year-old Stephanie says her family has become closer because of her brother's illness. She said they have become more appreciative of what prayer can do.
Winona's ninth annual Rivertown Shuffle is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 15 at Lake Park. Opening ceremonies will be at 6:30 p.m. Persons of Hope will speak about their experiences with cancer, and dedications will be made. The walk down the Path of Hope and Memories will start after the processional.
Jim and Renee Infield were told Nov. 9, 1999, that Tyler had a form of cancer that most doctors never see or treat. Tumors, his mother Renee said, were on his lungs and pelvis. The major tumor was in his stomach and was wrapped around the artery going to Tyler's liver. The doctor could not operate until the main tumor was shrunk, said Renee
Renee said aggressive treatment began. After several rounds of chemotherapy doctors discovered that the tumor in Tyler's stomach had shrunk by 75 percent. Initial chemotherapy treatments were working, but because they were too hard on Tyler's bone marrow Renee said doctors decided to try a new chemotherapy that is classified as a clinical trial drug.
The new drug worked, and as hoped by medical staff, was not as hard on Tyler. His mother said the cancer was being eliminated and the side effects were much less.
On July 25 Tyler underwent surgery on his lungs. Renee said doctors found only scar tissue. Aug. 31 surgery on his stomach made it possible for doctors to remove the tumor. Along with the tumor doctors removed a quarter of his stomach, a portion of his spleen, a section of his pancreas and an adrenal gland.
Tyler now has to undergo a bone marrow transplant in Minneapolis. Tyler will likely stay in the hospital two to three months.
Tyler considers himself lucky that a new drug was available for him, but that didn't make the ordeal any less scary. When he was first told he had cancer he said, "I thought I was going to die. I couldn't stop thinking about it."
When a friend of his, a 17-year-old cancer patient, lost his battle with the disease last week, Tyler said mixed in with his grief for his friend was the thought that it could be him.
"It made me feel like I was next," he said.
Doctors first thought an ulcer or anemia were the cause of Tyler's bouts of exhaustion. Renee said there were no obvious signs that cancer was the cause. There were no bumps or bruising, just a usually active boy who was now getting so tired he had difficulty walking.
When doctors found the cancer Renee said she was so devastated she thought she was going to lose him. Their house has taken on the look of a pharmacy, but Tyler is getting better and Renee said her family has found out what a great community Winona is.
"I always thought Winona was a great place to live," she said. "Now I know."
Throughout the illness Renee said cards and letters have come from strangers, fund-raisers have been held by staff and students at the Winona Middle School. T-shirts were sold and bake sales were sponsored to raise money to help with medical and living expenses. The Infields have insurance, but Renee said not everything is covered. She said time missed from work and transportation costs were taking their toll on the family finances.
At Watlow Controls where Renee has worked for 20 years, not only did the company make sure she had the time she needed to be with her son, the company provided Christmas for the family when they were spending more time at the hospital than at home.
Fifteen-year-old Stephanie says her family has become closer because of her brother's illness. She said they have become more appreciative of what prayer can do.
Winona's ninth annual Rivertown Shuffle is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 15 at Lake Park. Opening ceremonies will be at 6:30 p.m. Persons of Hope will speak about their experiences with cancer, and dedications will be made. The walk down the Path of Hope and Memories will start after the processional.