John Tyler

The right words to say escape me, but bear with me as I attempt to share John's journey with you.


John has been feeling lethargic, and has had a shortness of breath for several weeks. Believing it was his heart, he finally decided it was time to get checked.


I took him to see our internist Wednesday, May 9, to have some tests done...his EKG looked good, so we were sent to the hospital for chest x-rays and blood tests.


We left early Thursday morning for a scheduled visit with our kids and John's family in Oklahoma for a week. During our flight, our doctor left a message that John's hemoglobin was low...7.9 and normal range is 13.5-17.5. He recommended we go to the hospital and get it retested if John was still feeling lethargic.


We went immediately to Mercy Hospital and had his blood drawn for a CBC. The ER doctor was unsure of the results and wanted to consult with a hematologist oncologist specialist. We got the news Friday afternoon that John has Acute Myeloid Leukemia, (AML). It is a fast growing cancer and there is no chance of survival beyond a couple months without treatment.


The specialist recommended we seek treatment immediately. He said the treatment would include 7 days inpatient intensive chemotherapy to be followed by an additional hospital stay of at least 3 to 4 weeks.


We spent the weekend surrounded by family, praying and trying to wrap our heads around this diagnosis. We know God has reserved a place for him in heaven but we're not ready to give him up.


We went to church Sunday and our son Kevin turned his life over to God and was baptized. Thank you Lord!


Sunday afternoon John and I drove down to MD Anderson in Houston to begin our fight.


Yesterday morning John had more blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy. Right now he is receiving an echocardiogram and then he will get a PICC indwelling IV.


Once they receive all the test results, he will be admitted and treatment will begin. (Probably Wednesday, no later than Thursday)


Keep the prayers flowing.