Helping Tyler Fight Stage 4 Primary Bone DLBCL

A cancer diagnosis is a life-altering event for anyone, especially for a young adult who is just starting to reinvent himself.

Hello, my name is Vince, and I am creating this fundraiser for my friend Veronique and her son Tyler who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Tyler is 19 years old, and he graduated high school in 2022. In September, he moved to Connecticut to continue his education and began taking classes to achieve his career goals.

Tyler started having night sweats and feeling fatigued and overheated after walking short distances. On February 10, 2023, Tyler was taken to the emergency room with abdominal pain, shortness of breath, and fever. The following day he called his mother and told her he needed her to come to Connecticut as soon as possible. They found a lung mass, lytic lesions on his left hip, pelvis, and sacrum, and a nodule on his left frontal lobe. The doctor told her he would get an MRI, CAT scan, and Monday Bone and Bone Marrow biopsies. The doctor also told her it was in Tyler's best interest if she was there. Veronique was on the next flight out to Connecticut and by her son's side that night. He would have terrible night sweats and intermittent fever that would spike to 102.

After a week of daily blood work, MRI and CAT scans, biopsies, and waiting.

Tyler was transferred to Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven. Where the bone marrow, bone biopsy, and PET scan results were returned, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Primary Bone DLBCL with spleen and bone marrow involvement (diffuse bone metastasis, lytic lesions, an extension of hypermetabolic soft tissue into spinal canal C7-C3). The treatment plan is called DA-EPOCH + Rituximab (R-EPOCH). It's 6 to 8, 21-day cycles. Rituximab to start the cycle, then the next four days (96 hours) continuous infusion of Doxorubicin, Etoposide, and Vincristine on the 5th day Cyclophosphamide for 2 hours, and a shot of Neulasta to boost WBC. Then rest and recover. Tyler will check in twice weekly for blood work until the next cycle starts.

The great news is that we have been told the cancer is curable. And with the proper treatment, remission is possible. Tyler is a trooper with a great team committed to helping him kick cancer's butt. With his mother by his side, he won't have to fight this battle alone as she provides encouragement and the support he needs to keep his spirits up and fight strong. And Doctor Huntington and his team of doctors with the plan of attack and the heavy artillery.

The funds raised will be used for travel, lodging, and meals, expenses not covered by medical insurance, and to relieve some financial strain from taking time off work and traveling back and forth to be with Tyler for treatments. We want Veronique to be able to continue to be there for her son and focus on keeping his spirits up so he can finish this battle strong. Any funds that aren't used, Veronique and Tyler will pay it forward to help another family.

Thank you for your kindness, your prayers, and your support. Whatever you can donate, no matter how large or small, will help and will be deeply appreciated. Another way you could support them is by sharing their story with your network and friends. Updates will be posted after Tyler's next treatment.