A teenager who has courageously battled cancer twice is facing a third bout with the disease.
Caroline Springs 15-year-old Tyler Fishlock lost both eyes and a large part of his face to childhood cancer more than a decade ago, but in a recent heartbreaking blow he was diagnosed with bone cancer.
His mother, Georgette, expressed her anguish on a Facebook page dedicated to Tyler’s journey.
“After two battles with cancer … life felt like it hasn’t taken enough away from my beautiful son,” Ms Fishlock said. “Cancer has decided to rear its ugly head in the form of bone cancer.
“Tyler has been walking around with a broken fibula as a result of this cancer eating away at his bones.”
In 2006, Tyler lost both his eyes to a rare genetic cancer called retinoblastoma.
He beat cancer again in 2014, surviving aggressive chemotherapy and surgery.
His mother said that the brave teen took last month’s devastating news “on the chin”.
“We sat our son down to break the news no parent should have to do … his cancer is back,” Ms Fishlock said on Facebook.
“He is the most courageous young man in the world, instead of crying, he comforted me as I cried and told me that if I feel like crying I need to ask him for a hug … I have no words.
He’s more upset about missing school, woodwork, work experience and, most importantly, going to the footy to watch his beloved Tigers.”
She said the family was preparing to fight the disease together.
“He has a huge battle yet again,” Mr Fishlock said.
“If all goes well, the doctors hope to save his leg … then he will go back into chemo for a further 12 weeks.
“I’m not sure how we are going to get through this, but I’m sure as hell not giving up on my son.”
