(This Article Reproduced from the Farzee Forum)

'On Monday he was driving to school, by Thursday he couldn't walk'
• by Barbie Porter

Frazee High School senior Tyler Shipman was recently diagnosed with synovial sarcoma cancer. Photo by Jay Shurman Photography
Frazee students and faculty signed a banner of well wishes for Tyler Shipman. Photo by Barbie Porter


FHS senior Tyler Shipman was recently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. At 18, most look forward to graduation and beginning their adult life.

Frazee High School senior Tyler Shipman and his family have learned to stop looking forward and enjoy the present.

Tyler is battling a rare, aggressive cancer called synovial sarcoma, which occurs mostly in young adults.

According to the National Cancer Institute, synovial sarcoma is a slow-growing tumor. Because the growth is slow, the symptoms often go unnoticed for some time.

That was the case for Tyler.

In May, he was out riding his ATV when he hit a patch of ice that resulted in a minor accident in which he was flung over the handlebars.

In June, he began having backaches, which he wrote off as lingering effects from his impromptu acrobatics.

Tyler's parents, Daneele and Jay, brought him to the chiropractor for an adjustment.

"But the pain kept getting worse," Daneele recalled. "I thought maybe he had a pinched nerve so I brought him to the doctor."

An X-ray showed Tyler had a fractured vertebre. He was given a torso brace to restrict movement and allow the fracture to heal. He wore the brace for a week, but the pain increased.

"Then, he started having shooting pains in his leg," Daneele said. "So we brought him in for an MRI."

While perusing the shelves at a shopping center, Daneele received the news - the MRI showed a cancerous growth.

The next morning, Tyler returned to the hospital for a CAT scan which showed a softball-sized tumor in his left lung and spots of cancer along his spine, hips, femurs and heart.

"On Monday Tyler was driving to school, by Thursday he couldn't walk," Daneele recalled. "The pain went from aggravating to excruciating."

Tyler was admitted to the Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo the same week the cancer was discovered. He received his first full chemotherapy session that weekend.

"I can't say enough about the staff at Roger Maris," Daneele said. "The nurses go above the call of duty every day, and so does the doctor. He is the best and I'm so thankful we have him. He is a great patient advocate."

After the chemotherapy treatments, Tyler was given a CAT scan. The tests didn't show any improvements, but his mother saw some.

"To this point Tyler hasn't had movement in his right foot," Daneele said. "He can't flex his toes or point them."

But, on the morning of Oct. 21, a miracle happened.

"He wiggled his toes and his lungs felt better," Daneele said. "I've learned to find joy in the small things you'd normally take for granted. It's too bad we had to learn the lesson this way, but we'll never forget it."

As Tyler prepares for another round of chemotherapy, his parents moved into the Ronald McDonald House.

"My brother and sister-in-law are taking care of our other kids so we can be with Tyler," she explained. "I am beyond grateful for their help. Because of them I know my kids will be OK, safe, and we can focus on helping Tyler get better."

Daneele has kept a journal of daily events at www.caringbridge.org/visit/tylershipman/guestbook.

Frazee students and residents waved and cheered Tuesday, Nov. 3, as Tyler passed by the high school in an ambulance on his way home. Tyler will be under Hospice care.

Journal entries by Daneele Shipman:

Saturday, Oct. 10th

"We've all cried buckets, but Tyler still manages to make us smile. I always knew I had a good kid ... I just didn't know how truly blessed until now."



Tuesday, Oct. 13th

"I mentioned to someone that it seems like we woke up in a new world ... and we don't quite know how to read the map yet."

"Jay and I constantly get choked up reading all the thoughtful words (from the guest book entries). Tyler asks us to read him new messages and sometimes more than once. Your strength is Tyler's strength..."

Saturday, Oct. 17th

"You don't realize how much family means until something puts it in jeopardy. Any married people out there today, give your spouse a hug and just say thank you for something... anything."



Friday, Oct. 23

"They say home is where the heart is and I guess right now our home is in room 756 at MeritCare. This home is full of love, light, hope, sadness, and family just like any other home. There are just a few IV pumps hanging out as well."

Sunday, Oct. 25th

"I can't say thank you enough to all of our friends, family, and even people we don't know for the generosity and support you have shown us, whether it be with money, food, childcare, running, hugs, cleaning, etc. Thank you doesn't touch what we feel. We are humbled and feel privileged to be a part of such a wonderful community and family. The things people are doing to help us give us time to spend with Tyler. We can't put a price on time, we can't buy it, and we can't replace it, so to say that the time you are all allowing us to spend with Tyler is priceless is an understatement."


Fundraisers:

• Sunday, Nov. 15 from 1-8 p.m. at the Frazee Event Center. There will be a silent auction with various guns, homemade quilts, a bear hunt, guided fishing tours, a compound bow and more.

To donate an item for the auction contact Tracey Tinjum, 849-5726 or Diane Stone, 841-1607.

• Tuesday, Nov. 10, the FHS senior class has organized a benefit from 5-8 p.m. at Perkins in Detroit Lakes with 10 percent of the profits going to the Shipman family.

• Ongoing donation account at United Community Bank, PO Box 156, Frazee, MN 56544, % Shipman benefit.

• Ongoing penny war at the Frazee-Vergas schools. Each grade has a jar in the library to collect money.

• Ongoing sale of buttons by students and community members.