Quick Poll

Have you ever served on a jury?

Recent Polls

Blogs

Angela McRae

Tea with friends

Deberah Williams

Everyday Finesse

Lorrie Lynch

Who's News

Published Tuesday, February 14, 2012 in Close-Up

Special

John Tyler of Senoia lived with an aggressive brain tumor for two years. He is pictured here with sister Catherine Tyler-Cochran on Thanksgiving 2011 in their last photograph together.

Sister commemorates faith, life of brother taken by brain cancer

From STAFF REPORTS

closeup@newnan.com

Each year, the Ben Wilde Memorial Golf Tournament is held to benefit local brain tumor patients. John Tyler of Senoia was one of the event's past beneficiaries. Tyler, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2010, died last Friday. The tournament is traditionally held in August at Orchard Hills Golf Club in Newnan and information is available at www.benwildememorial.com .

Other valuable organizations offering support for brain cancer patients and research include: Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation at www.sbtf.org and the Brain Tumor Foundation For Children, Inc. at www.braintumorkids.org .

Tyler's sister, Catherine Tyler-Cochran of Sharpsburg, shares his inspiring story in the hopes of encouraging others facing illness or struggle, and to raise awareness about brain tumors:

"John was only 36 years old when he died, but in that short time he lived a full life. He was an architect for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, he volunteered each month with Wellspring in Peachtree City by picking up donated furniture, and he was an active member of Four Corners Church in Newnan. His life was not only defined by these affiliations, but how he lived especially given his circumstances.

Two years ago, John was diagnosed with Stage IV Glioblastoma Multiforme. GBM is an aggressive brain cancer with no cure. Most people are given only months to live. In efforts to combat the disease, he underwent extensive brain surgery, many weeks of radiation, and constant chemotherapy. In addition to dealing with the effects of these treatments, John had to deal with the horror of the cancer itself which robs the body of its ability to function one motor skill at a time.

Despite the challenges of this disease, John maintained a strong will to survive. He was blessed to continue working at the CDC almost until the end of his life. He was passionate about work and valued those who worked with him. In fact, after being diagnosed, he was more determined than ever to get up each day and make the 55 mile drive into Atlanta. Even after losing his driver's license in October due to seizures, he found a way to work by riding a van pool. Friends and family rallied around John to help him get to the van.

John attracted quite a following through the course of his disease via his blog ( http://jtsbrain.blogspot.com ). I've asked myself why people are drawn to his story. It is painful. It is honest. Suffering is an element throughout humanity and does not discriminate. Everyone can relate to pain in some way. The difference with John is how he faced his pain. His attitude was optimistic, but realistic. He knew the odds were stacked against him and yet he lived each day to its fullest. His goal was to honor God with his life and that meant never giving up hope.

Hope is a powerful medicine. We can all use a dose of it each day whether we have cancer or not. John gave others hope with his living testimony. One day after I picked him up from the van pool, he told me about some verses that he prayed each day and asked me to join him. The verses were Philippians 4:4-7 which say, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

How can anyone possibly rejoice and be thankful when dying of cancer? John said, "Those verses promise that God will guard my heart and mind and that's about the best protection I could ask for!" God kept his promises too. God gave John peace so perfect it is beyond what any of us can understand. That's how John was able to possess gratitude and hope despite his diagnosis and his declining health.

I wish I could tell you that John had a miraculous healing. I wish I could tell you the cancer disappeared. Although that is not how this story ends, it is still a powerful conclusion. John died on Friday, Feb. 10 and I was by his side. The cancer was cruel. It stole his ability to use his hands, his legs, his left side was completely paralyzed and at the very end John was unable to talk. He was blind and bed ridden. Yes, this disease is vicious, but ironically there were a few things it did not steal: John had impeccable hearing, a strong heart, and a sharp mind. He always knew who was with him by the sound of the person's voice. God honored the prayers of his faithful servant when he claimed Philippians 4. I was by John's side as he took his final breaths. I held his hand as he left this world and entered eternity. Being with him during his last moments is a gift I will cherish forever.

Though it seems John's story ends here, it really doesn't. The rest of us live on and we have a responsibility to make the most of our time here. Time is our most precious commodity because once it is spent we never get it back. None of us know exactly how much of it we will be given during our time on this earth. Each day is a new opportunity. Each moment holds hope. We honor God with our lives when we trust Him no matter what our circumstances. God never promises life will be easy but he does promise peace. The Apostle Paul wrote in II Timothy 4:7, 'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.' John's life and death is an example of God's peace that will not soon be forgotten."