November 10, 2011 Post:
Kyle Anderson is 12 years old. He loves playing soccer, basketball and the Huskers. On November 9th, 2011 he had a bone biopsy and was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (a Cancer of the bone). He will now undergo chemotherapy and eventually have surgery. As his uncle I have watched and enjoyed seeing Kyle grow up into a smart, athletic and optimistic boy who demonstrates a maturity beyond his years and although I will never understand why Kyle or children his age get Cancer I know there is a great purpose and meaning to life and those that struggle with this type of battle are only one thing: A True Hero.
December 13, 2011 Post:
Since 1947, the Toys for Tots program has helped millions of children across the country. This year, they'll help 21,000 in the Omaha metro. Those gifts allow children and their families to forget about the struggles they face, and instead remember the joy of the holiday season. "I think it just means everything to keep the magic in Christmas going at a pretty tough time," said Kyle's mother, Deb Anderson.
Vigil for Kyle, click here for original article.
By Julie Blum
The Columbus Telegram
Posted: Sunday, December 4, 2011 12:35 am
COLUMBUS — Kyle Anderson isn’t afraid of what could happen.
The 12-year-old Columbus boy is in the midst of battling bone cancer. What most people would see as a fearful situation Anderson has faced head on. He says that comes from his faith. “Being a Christian, I know where I’m going to go if it doesn’t work out,” Kyle said. He has just begun treatments for osteosarcoma, found last month on his thigh just above his knee. A few weeks before his diagnosis, Kyle heard a pop in his knee while playing soccer. Initially his parents, Drs. Kip and Deb Anderson, thought it could have been a problem with a tendon or a muscle. Kyle said he was able to walk with a bit of a limp, but wasn’t in a lot of pain. The limp persisted, and his parents decided to get it checked out. It was on Nov. 7 that they found the cancer.
Osteosarcoma is more common in adolescents, particularly during rapidly growing growth spurts. Kyle will be getting chemotherapy treatment for two months, then will have surgery to make sure all the cancer is removed and hasn’t spread. The five-year survival rate for kids with osteosarcoma is around 75 percent, as long as the cancer is localized. The Immanuel Lutheran School seventh-grader has been in great spirits since the diagnosis, Deb Anderson said. “He’s much better than the rest of us. He’s had a good sense of humor about it,” she said, speaking of herself, husband and their 11-year-old daughter, Katie. With both his parents doctors — Deb is a pediatrician, and Kip is a family doctor — it would seem Kyle is in good hands. Deb said she remembers during her training 20 years ago working with kids who had cancer. A bright spot she sees now is how far drugs and therapy have come to treat cancer. The family also has found solace in friends and neighbors. Many in the community have been pulling together for the family.
A 24-hour prayer vigil was held at Immanuel Lutheran Friday and Saturday. Dozens of people stopped by to decorate a luminaria, read prayers posted on walls that were written by Kyle’s schoolmates and spend a moment in silent prayer. His family was able to stop by Friday evening, but Kyle wasn’t able to go to the vigil because he was just getting out of the hospital for a recent visit. He wished he could have been there because he and his family appreciate the support. Missing out on events like that and others that he was looking forward to, like the upcoming Immanuel Lutheran basketball season and the Nebraska Cornhusker vs. Iowa football game, are just a few that he is disappointed about. But otherwise, Kyle is keeping his head up and not allowing his current situation to get him down. He draws on his faith and support to keep his positive outlook.
“I think that is just from knowing all my life that I’ll go to heaven no matter what, and that there are thousands of people praying for me,” Kyle said.
December 25, 2011
Update 02/16/2012
Kyle has an 8hr surgery to remove part of his leg tomorrow.
Here is the latest update written by his dad Dr. Kip Anderson on caringbridge.org site for Kyle.
Thursday, April 5, 2012 5:06 PM, CDT
written by Kip Anderson
I am back at Childrens this weekend for chemotherapy. I will get methotrexate this time around. There has been a shortage of this drug, and now there is a nationwide shortage of IV sodium bicarbonate which is needed for the methotrexate. I had to start taking it in pill form yesterday-fortunately I am a good pill taker! Mom and Katie are playing the violin and piano in church on Good Friday so it just Dad and me until Saturday, then we will celebrate Easter on the patio here at the hospital! I will see my surgeon next week and have an x-ray to see how my leg is healing. I can;t wait to be able to walk without crutches! I got to meet a space shuttle astronaut and suit up for my baseball team's first game last week.
Kyle Anderson is 12 years old. He loves playing soccer, basketball and the Huskers. On November 9th, 2011 he had a bone biopsy and was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (a Cancer of the bone). He will now undergo chemotherapy and eventually have surgery. As his uncle I have watched and enjoyed seeing Kyle grow up into a smart, athletic and optimistic boy who demonstrates a maturity beyond his years and although I will never understand why Kyle or children his age get Cancer I know there is a great purpose and meaning to life and those that struggle with this type of battle are only one thing: A True Hero.
If you would like to learn more about Cancer in Children click to go to the American Cancer Societies Web Site.
Help eradicate Cancer. Make a donation. Make a difference.
Kyle's page through Children's Hostpial: http://www.caringbridge.org/
type kylanderson2 in the visit prompt.
December 13, 2011 Post:
Below is a link to my newphew Kyle meeting with Santa at Children's Hospital.
Here's the article from KETV-Omaha
OMAHA, Neb. -- During one of the most difficult times of their lives, dozens of children at the Omaha Children's Hospital & Medical Center got an early Christmas gift. Kyle Anderson is one of many patients who was surprised by Santa and members of the U.S. Marine Corps with the annual Toys for Tots delivery. "It gives them a moment to ignore what they're going through. It gives them a moment to put a smile on their face and not see the pain or feel the pain," said Sgt. Kacy Potts.
Vigil for Kyle, click here for original article.
By Julie Blum
The Columbus Telegram
Posted: Sunday, December 4, 2011 12:35 am
COLUMBUS — Kyle Anderson isn’t afraid of what could happen.
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| Telegram photo by Cole W. Eberle Friday night during a 24-hour prayer vigil for 12-year-old Kyle Anderson, Kyle's grandfather, Darwin Anderson, walks along an reads all the prayers hung on the walls in the Immanuel Lutheran School gym. |
Osteosarcoma is more common in adolescents, particularly during rapidly growing growth spurts. Kyle will be getting chemotherapy treatment for two months, then will have surgery to make sure all the cancer is removed and hasn’t spread. The five-year survival rate for kids with osteosarcoma is around 75 percent, as long as the cancer is localized. The Immanuel Lutheran School seventh-grader has been in great spirits since the diagnosis, Deb Anderson said. “He’s much better than the rest of us. He’s had a good sense of humor about it,” she said, speaking of herself, husband and their 11-year-old daughter, Katie. With both his parents doctors — Deb is a pediatrician, and Kip is a family doctor — it would seem Kyle is in good hands. Deb said she remembers during her training 20 years ago working with kids who had cancer. A bright spot she sees now is how far drugs and therapy have come to treat cancer. The family also has found solace in friends and neighbors. Many in the community have been pulling together for the family.
A 24-hour prayer vigil was held at Immanuel Lutheran Friday and Saturday. Dozens of people stopped by to decorate a luminaria, read prayers posted on walls that were written by Kyle’s schoolmates and spend a moment in silent prayer. His family was able to stop by Friday evening, but Kyle wasn’t able to go to the vigil because he was just getting out of the hospital for a recent visit. He wished he could have been there because he and his family appreciate the support. Missing out on events like that and others that he was looking forward to, like the upcoming Immanuel Lutheran basketball season and the Nebraska Cornhusker vs. Iowa football game, are just a few that he is disappointed about. But otherwise, Kyle is keeping his head up and not allowing his current situation to get him down. He draws on his faith and support to keep his positive outlook.
“I think that is just from knowing all my life that I’ll go to heaven no matter what, and that there are thousands of people praying for me,” Kyle said.
December 25, 2011
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| Katie & Kyle play with their iPod Touch. [click image for larger view] |
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| Kyle on New Year's Eve at the Cabin. |
Kyle has an 8hr surgery to remove part of his leg tomorrow.
Here is the latest update written by his dad Dr. Kip Anderson on caringbridge.org site for Kyle.
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| NFL Ref Tim Podraza came to visit me at my home. Great guy! 2012 |
"I have completed my first two chemo cycles!(unfortunately still four more to go) I had a repeat MRI last week that showed the tumor to be shrinking, which is good news! My surgery has been moved back to Friday, February 17 and will be at the Nebraska Medical Center. It is nice to have a little break and get caught up at school. My surgeon says I will need to be on crutches for 3-6 months after surgery to allow my bone to solidify around the titanium prothesis. I will probably resume chemo about the first weekend of March. Will be moving my bedroom upstairs for next few months-closer to the fridge and TV! "
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| Kyle meets Miss America at Children's Hospital November 18, 2011. |
Thursday, April 5, 2012 5:06 PM, CDT
written by Kip Anderson
I am back at Childrens this weekend for chemotherapy. I will get methotrexate this time around. There has been a shortage of this drug, and now there is a nationwide shortage of IV sodium bicarbonate which is needed for the methotrexate. I had to start taking it in pill form yesterday-fortunately I am a good pill taker! Mom and Katie are playing the violin and piano in church on Good Friday so it just Dad and me until Saturday, then we will celebrate Easter on the patio here at the hospital! I will see my surgeon next week and have an x-ray to see how my leg is healing. I can;t wait to be able to walk without crutches! I got to meet a space shuttle astronaut and suit up for my baseball team's first game last week.
Below (LtoR) Kyle's new bone replacement, Kyle in recovery and getting weighed.
