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Tyler’s life depends, totally and wholly, on having a small bowel and liver
transplant. He needs these organs as soon as possible. His life is an
inspiration and this is the story of the beginning. Tyler was born on
November 8, 2005 at 7:09am. He weighed in at 4 lbs. and 15 oz. He was
6 ½ weeks early and everything about his delivery was unexpected. We
found out at my 5-month ultrasound that he had a rare birth defect
called Gastroschisis. This meant that he would be born with his bowels on
the outside, a condition that happens about once in every 10,000 births,
and other than a major surgery at birth (which I know is serious, but now
seems minor compared to what we’ve seen) has no long term complications
over 90% of the time. When Tyler was born, despite the many ultrasounds
that showed a large amount of bowel on the outside, there was virtually no
defect. He was flawless in appearance minus a tiny pin-hole-sized spot
where a sliver of fat (omentum) was sticking out. The Doctors and all of
our family, including us were thrilled; he was a miracle!
transplant. He needs these organs as soon as possible. His life is an
inspiration and this is the story of the beginning. Tyler was born on
November 8, 2005 at 7:09am. He weighed in at 4 lbs. and 15 oz. He was
6 ½ weeks early and everything about his delivery was unexpected. We
found out at my 5-month ultrasound that he had a rare birth defect
called Gastroschisis. This meant that he would be born with his bowels on
the outside, a condition that happens about once in every 10,000 births,
and other than a major surgery at birth (which I know is serious, but now
seems minor compared to what we’ve seen) has no long term complications
over 90% of the time. When Tyler was born, despite the many ultrasounds
that showed a large amount of bowel on the outside, there was virtually no
defect. He was flawless in appearance minus a tiny pin-hole-sized spot
where a sliver of fat (omentum) was sticking out. The Doctors and all of
our family, including us were thrilled; he was a miracle!
We had many long battles and Tyler lived in the Neonatal Intensive
Care Unit (NICU) for three months, in a small, sterile room hooked
up to tubes, monitors, and pumps. We were then moved to the
pediatric floor (our 2nd home :) for a couple of weeks. During all of
this we realized that Tyler wasn’t adapting or absorbing anything so
we were off to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to be evaluated for a small
bowel and liver transplant.
Care Unit (NICU) for three months, in a small, sterile room hooked
up to tubes, monitors, and pumps. We were then moved to the
pediatric floor (our 2nd home :) for a couple of weeks. During all of
this we realized that Tyler wasn’t adapting or absorbing anything so
we were off to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to be evaluated for a small
bowel and liver transplant.
This was very scary. Tyler stayed there for another three months and
was accepted and listed at critical status. While there we learned
many scary things about transplant like: it is a new procedure and isn’t
an approved “cure,” 40% of children die waiting for organs, it is a 16
hour + surgery, he’ll be on immunosuppressants for the rest of his life.
was accepted and listed at critical status. While there we learned
many scary things about transplant like: it is a new procedure and isn’t
an approved “cure,” 40% of children die waiting for organs, it is a 16
hour + surgery, he’ll be on immunosuppressants for the rest of his life.
Tyler has taught us more than imaginable and we hope in getting to know
him you will learn about life as well.Appreciate all that you have and love
who is here, always, and unconditionally.Thanks for all of your support
and being a part of our extended family! Now that we are approaching
the two-year mark as far as waiting for organs, we have decided to list
at the Medical Center of Nebraska also. We will be staying in the area
while waiting...
him you will learn about life as well.Appreciate all that you have and love
who is here, always, and unconditionally.Thanks for all of your support
and being a part of our extended family! Now that we are approaching
the two-year mark as far as waiting for organs, we have decided to list
at the Medical Center of Nebraska also. We will be staying in the area
while waiting...
Then, three days later he began to vomit a lot of green bile. After many tests
and an emergency abdominal surgery the worst was realized. Tyler had all but
21cm of his small intestine and 2/3rds of his colon removed. A child his size
should’ve had around 150cm of small bowel alone. This left him with a serious
condition called short bowel syndrome and the Dr.’s told us to have any family
we wanted to meet him to come to the hospital since his life was up in the air.
and an emergency abdominal surgery the worst was realized. Tyler had all but
21cm of his small intestine and 2/3rds of his colon removed. A child his size
should’ve had around 150cm of small bowel alone. This left him with a serious
condition called short bowel syndrome and the Dr.’s told us to have any family
we wanted to meet him to come to the hospital since his life was up in the air.
Such a Ham
Lounging watching My Toons.
The day I left for Nebraska!!!!!!
Loading me and mom on the plane,leaving New York.
Nebraska here we come!
Nebraska here we come!
mmmmm Good
my x-mas morning Smile
This is Tyler.J. Nichols he is a sweet,beautiful,adorable loving little boy!
Tyler is almost two years old but when he was born the doctors said he
would be lucky if he lived even six months that is why some of us call him
our miracle Baby!Tyler has overcome many obstacles and many surgeries
Tyler has even amazed his own doctors as to how strong he can be!
Tyler is almost two years old but when he was born the doctors said he
would be lucky if he lived even six months that is why some of us call him
our miracle Baby!Tyler has overcome many obstacles and many surgeries
Tyler has even amazed his own doctors as to how strong he can be!