Greg Tyler

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting. Sara will be primarily updating.
Greg was diagnosed with lung cancer in April/May 2019 after a persistent cough.  We started out thinking there was just one big mass on the right lung and that a one and done surgery was an option.  Then there were small spots of cancer found in the left lung.  Since cancer cannot jump from lung to lung, this meant he was moved to stage IV cancer, we knew it was in the lymph nodes somewhere but nothing was obvious on his PET scans. 
There was some initial success with a combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy and then gradually his breathing was worsening again.  New scans in October showed cancer had metastasized to the bones, specifically in the skull,  rib cage and lower back.  He started a clinical trial that worked well on his tumors, stalling any new growth at all, he was breathing better then he had in a year and we felt really positive. 
 A few weeks before Christmas, Greg started feeling a lot of pain in his muscles.  He is never one to complain so when he said he was in a LOT of pain, it made us pay attention.  He deteriorated until he was hospitalized on 12/27 with severe pain, unable to walk.  12/29 we were informed that the cancer in his bones has spread very quickly.  He now has a large amount in his pelvis, his spine and his femurs. What he had thought was muscle pain was bone pain, a much harder pain to solve.  In the next few days new plans will be made.  There is a possible surgery, a new chemo drug for him and possibly radiation. Possibly a lot of things.  We are trying to be positive, we are trying to be as positive as Greg has been.  
You may wonder why you haven't heard much about this journey so far.  Despite his high profile work as a pastor, Greg is very private.  He never wants the spotlight, he wants to see everyone else shine instead.   He doesn't even like getting gifts, but he LOVES to give them to YOU. 
Our hope is to spread his story among those we know care for him so they aren't left in the dark, and that he can be the beneficiary of their prayer and love.  
We have a lot to process and figure out every day right now, we welcome your love and support for the Tyler family.