July 19th Update

Tyler's summer has been advancing at a quick pace. We often take a step and reflect upon the events that were taking place this time last year. As I squeezed Tyler in a tight bear hug the other day, I told him that this year, on his birthday, I will be able to hug and kiss him as much as I want...and maybe even tie his socks together! He is looking very healthy and seems to have overcome his last infection. He still visits the Children's a few times a week for tests and checkups. There is also a date set to have his port removed from his body.

I find it humorous to report that Tyler had a hearing test this week, due to concerns from his teachers as well as his parents, that he seems to 'miss' some of what is being said. Needless to say, he passed his hearing tests with flying colours and I contend that perhaps his hearing is indeed selective...

Tonight, the Wallis clan has headed down to their trailer in the states (AKA the Golden Falcon) for a long overdue evening getaway. Hopefully Bethany, Tyler, Mark and Darla will be able to enjoy some family time, and be able to simply unwind a bit.

One day at a time. We are thankful for our blessings. Keep those prayers and good thoughts coming!

June 21st Update

Tyler has been at the Children's for two nights, receiving antibiotic treatments for a nasty infection in his port. It was a scary day yesterday as we awaited results from blood tests to pinpoint exactly what was going on in Tyler's system. Tyler will now be staying at the hospital for at least 5 days, being released on day passes but returning in the evening to sleep at the hospital and receiving the care that he needs to combat this infection. Although his body is showing signs of fighting the difficulties, he needs help to completely eradicate it from his system.

Unfortunately, the Wallis, Roach, and two other families were scheduled to leave for a week's vacation in New York State today. Tyler and Mark will be staying behind, hoping to visit for a day on one of Tyler's day passes.

Please pray for Tyler's strength. We are very thankful for his diagnosis, but feel very sad that he is not able to vacation...

June 19th Update

Two evenings ago, Darla noticed that Tyler was running a high fever and called the Children's to decide how to proceed. They were asked to go run some tests and hopefully come up with the source of his fever. After an evening of tests, followed by a full day at the hospital yesterday, Dr. Mitchell called the Wallis' today and asked that Tyler be admitted in order to be administered antibiotics to ward off a skin infection that may be associated with his port. At approximately 9 AM this morning, Darla and Tyler (with Mark meeting them) hurried up to the Children's so Tyler could receive the care that he needs.

We are holding our breath that these procedures are minor, and that Tyler can enjoy the beginning of his much earned summer vacation.

May 30th Update

Tyler has been having a busy time simply being a little boy. He has regained most of his motor control, but still has some difficulty moving around. With this being said, everytime he looses his balance or trips, he gets back onto his feet and continuous his task. He truly is a real little boy.

I had the pleasure of seeing Tyler's doctor, Dr. Mitchell, a few weeks ago. This was the first time I had been in both of their presence following Tyler's transplant. I was overcome with emotion and realized that this man represented so much to us. Although part of a team of doctors working with Tyler's case, Dr. Mitchell represents such a powerful force in keeping Tyler alive and (almost) healthy. I realize that everyone in this world was born at the hands of a doctor, but this man earnestly was a driving force behind Tyler living. How can you ever place a value on what this man has done for us?

Tyler visited the Children's on Monday and was given a pass to remain hospital free until the end of June. We arevery thankful to have obtained such results. I joke with Tyler that when he has hospital tests, that he needs to make sure he studies. On Monday evening, he stared at me blankly as I told him, "You must have studied hard for your tests today as you did really well on them!

CTV was welcomed into the Wallis household this morning to do a short segment on Bethany and Tyler. It is supposed to air this evening at 6 pm. Following his interview, Tyler had a visit from his masseuse for his routine massage. He really enjoys relaxing at the hands of his masseuse.

Keep those prayers coming as we still have a long road to recovery...

April 19th Update

I have been extremely reluctant to sit down and record my thoughts on the daily events of Tyler's life. Although we have much to be thankful for, the shadow that is now in place over our hearts limits our emotions. We are all struggling to get through our lives since the loss of our Aden, and as anyone who has been through tragedy knows, the world continues to turn, life continues to progress, regardless of what one individual family is experiencing. Tyler has returned to school full-time. He very clearly stated that he was not looking forward to having to return to school and was slated to gradually increase his hours over the course of a few weeks. However, his transition has proven to be an easy one. The first day of his return, he chose to extend his school day by a few hours, and ended up returning full-time his first week back. Mme. Annie (his teacher) has been an invaluable person in his life. We cannot thank her enough for her dedication to the teaching profession. She goes beyond the call of duty, sending a package home the weekend before Tyler's return to school, with pictures of his classmates, and an explanation of what was being covered in class this term. Thank you, Mme. Annie.

Tyler has been going for his routine tests, and things seem to be remaining on course. His body was fighting a cold during his last round of blood tests, and therefore he showed a low white-blood cell count. He will be returning to the hospital this week, to make sure that things have returned to their "normal" state following his cold.

The Wallis Family hit the radio-waves last Friday sharing their experiences for the Children's Hospital Radiothon. We are extremely proud of their ability to recount their fearful experiences. Tyler and Bethany definately stole the show! I hope their efforts encouraged many to donate to this wonderful cause.

My family and I would like to thank everyone who has made us meals, sent cards and donations, and who have shown us support throughout the last few weeks. Your love and concern has kept us moving at a time when we would have simply shutdown. Please pray for Tyler,as well as the rest of us, to help us find the strength to deal with this terrible tragedy.

Aden

I simply cannot put into words my feelings or express myself accurately about the events that unfolded as I wrote my last blog entry. Our dear son, cousin, nephew, brother, grandson, buddy, Aden, died suddenly on Sunday night. As this is such a shock to us all, I can honestly say that I have not yet come to terms with my great loss. My love for my sisters' children is as great as the love I feel for my own.

On Saturday, there will be a brief visitation at Collins, Clarke and MacGillivary Funeral Home at 307 Riverside in St. Lambert, from 2 pm to 5 pm.

On Monday, there will be a memorial service at the Centre Romeo-V. Patenaude at 135 Haendel in Candiac at 11 am.

Donations may be made to the Tyler Wallis Fund through the Montreal Children's Hospital. We request that no flowers be sent.

Thank you for all your prayers and support at this horrific time.

March 16th Update

This week marks the first anniversary of Tyler's diagnosis. It seems hard to fathom that just last year, my heart was shattered. The realities of life seemed to sneak up on all of us, and damaged our ignorance towards the attrocities of illness. I pass the Children's Hospital at least once a week, and I secretly say a prayer in thanks of Tyler's health. Today, when I passed it, I vividly remembered how I felt one year ago on the 13th. I remember visiting Tyler the first day he was admitted to the hospital. I attempted to keep a brave face when I saw him for the first time. Unfortunately, I cannot honestly say that I contained my emotions, and I specifically recall his frail little body curled in a ball on his hospital bed, his colour and his boyish energy drained completely. I remember the fear and agony I felt seeing him there and realizing how close we were to losing him and the powerlessness that we all felt in this whole situation.

I realize that we do not, in any way, have any control over what our future brings. I can however be extremely thankful for Tyler's health. I am thankful for all the technology and machines that have aided in diagnosing and battling Tyler's cancer. I am thankful for each and every employee of the Children's Hospital who may have simply placed a smile on his face, and that of Darla and Mark. I am thankful to the parents, children and employees of St. Lawrence Elementary School who helped in any capacity that they could to make the Wallis' life a bit easier, or who simply asked how we were doing. I am especially thankful to all those who prayed for healing for our little man.

In sharing our memories of this past year with my family, I realized that although it has only been a year, all this seems like so long ago. When we were in the thick of it, it seemed to last an eternity. Now that things have settled a bit, it seems as though things took place ages ago. When I pick up my son from the Wallis' house everyday, I am usually greeted by Tyler at the door. Before he became ill, Tyler and Bethany used to greet us at the door by running down the hall screaming. I can remember yearning to hear Tyler's laugh and squeals. I now take a moment everyday to appreciate this, and many other finer things that I might have taken for granted. Please continue to pray for his healing.