One boy’s trip with cancer

Last fall, Carolina Country brought you the story of Tyler Gordon, a 12-year-old boy from Gates County who was battling a rare form of cancer and traveling two hours to Greenville for weekly chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Tyler is now cancer-free. As is the tradition at Vidant Children’s Hospital, Tyler ceremoniously rang a large bell on his last day of chemotherapy on May 16.

Tyler’s mom, Cathie, says he feels much better these days. “His energy level has come back up, and he’s enjoying sleeping in, eating his favorite foods without getting sick, and being able to do more with his friends.”

Once a month, the family still travels to Greenville for a checkup and to flush Tyler’s chemo port. They stay at the Ronald McDonald House when appointments are very early in the morning. North Carolina’s electric cooperatives proudly support the Ronald McDonald House of Eastern North Carolina, which provides lodging for families of hospitalized children.

This summer is looking pretty good for Tyler. In May, more than 100 relatives and friends gathered to celebrate the end of Tyler’s treatment and to award the Charlton-Gordon Scholarship, an annual scholarship in Tyler’s name, to a local student. In June, Tyler attended Camp Hope alongside other kids and their siblings who are cancer survivors or currently undergoing chemotherapy. This month he travels to Walt Disney World on a Make-A-Wish Foundation trip before returning to school full time. And in the fall, doctors hope to remove his chemo port.

Cathie and her family appreciate the support and prayers from residents of Gates County and the care they received from Ronald McDonald House staff. “They are always so kind and always greet you with a smile and lots of hugs. They take such good care of their families.”

For more information about the Ronald McDonald House of Eastern North Carolina, call (252) 847-5435 or visit: rmhenc.org.