Tyler a Tiger with tankful of courage
Kate Jones
Herald-Sun
08feb06
THEY don't come any braver than little Tyler Fishlock.
Today the plucky three-year-old will undergo a heart-breaking operation to remove his remaining eye as he battles a rare cancer.
But there was no trace of sadness yesterday as the Richmond fan enjoyed a surprise visit from Tiger stars Nathan Brown and Kane Johnson.
"You can get caught up and stressed about football but when you see kids like Tyler it puts you back in your place," Johnson said.
Through all his troubles and treatment Tyler has remained the same fun-loving boy who is obsessed with footy, cars and motorbikes – especially Harley-Davidsons.
"He has got us through it. He's an amazing kid who just keeps us smiling," said his mother, Georgette Fishlock.
"He enjoys every minute he's awake and talks for every minute he's awake, too.
"It's going to be very hard but I want my son more than I want his eyes. He's going to be blind but I don't think it's going to stop him achieving his utmost."
Tyler's right eye has been so badly ravaged by retinoblastoma that doctors at the Royal Children's Hospital have no option but to remove it.
The genetic disease occurs in just one in 17,000 Victorian children, but only one in three have cancer in both eyes.
Ms Fishlock and husband Brad knew something was wrong when Tyler's eyes appeared swollen and puffy.
A GP initially told the Caroline Springs family Tyler had bad hay fever, but when he began bumping into furniture they knew it was much worse.
Doctors at the RCH diagnosed the then two-year-old with retinoblastoma.
"Brad and I fell to the floor and said, `This can't be right'. Tyler had never even had a cold before, I'd protected him so much," Ms Fishlock said.
Ophthalmologist James Elder said Tyler's cancer was so advanced his left eye had to be removed in July, just after he was diagnosed.
"He was already blind and had multiple tumours in both eyes," Dr Elder said.
Tyler then had extensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Tragically, it failed to eradicate the cancer from Tyler's right eye and last week doctors told the Fishlocks it would have to go.
To get all the cancer, Dr Elder's team must also remove part of the optic nerve.
Tyler will spend two days in hospital and eventually be fitted with false eyes.
Ms Fishlock was brimming with pride as Tyler and sister Madeleine, 8, played kick-to-kick with his Tiger idols.
"Tyler kept showing off for Nathan and it was just fantastic to see him so happy."
Next year Tyler will start prep at the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind School in Burwood.
The daily trip to Burwood will be a financial hardship for the Fishlocks. To help, you can donate to Tyler's trust fund: G. and B. Fishlock, BSB: 484 799, account No: 083 854 523.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,18075485^2862,00.html
