By Talia Mollett
Marietta Daily Journal Staff Writer
KENNESAW - Alexa Rohrbach is not the first child with cancer to have roamed the halls of Lost Mountain Middle School.
Tyler Copley, 19, lost his battle to Ewing sarcoma Aug. 7 after battling the disease for nearly six years. Mother Connie Copley said Tyler was diagnosed just before his 13th birthday after complaining of an aching leg.
"I took him to urgent care to get an X-Ray and they saw a shadow. Nothing showed up in the CAT scan. On Jan. 15, he had a biopsy, and we were told that day. We were in shock," she said.
Tyler took the news differently, however.
"I think he was mad some but he was also like, 'OK, lets do what we have to do to get rid of it. He never expressed a lot of anger, but I think sometimes he got frustrated because he lost out on being a teenager. His friends moved on, but I don't think he was bitter," Connie said.
Tyler grew up liking sports, politics, history, geography and autobiographies. A sports fanatic, his favorite teams were the Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Thrashers and Ohio State Buckeyes.
"He was very strong-willed and had an opinion about everything," Connie said. "It used to make us crazy when he was young, but it ended up being his strength. That strong will gave him the strength to get up every day."
Hearing the news that her son had cancer wasn't as hard for Connie until she had to hear it again. After enduring chemotherapy treatments and the gamut, Tyler relapsed in October 2004, she said.
"It was 100 times worse to find out he relapsed because kids with Ewing's who relapse typically die quickly," she said.
Not wanting to undergo more treatments, Tyler decided he would live for a shorter time healthy instead of living for a longer time sick from treatments, she said.
By June 2005, Tyler was ready to make a big decision for the then 16-year-old - he would have his leg amputated.
After doctors removed his cancerous leg, Tyler's demeanor completely changed. He began training for a triathlon and swimming every day.
While maintaining an active lifestyle, Tyler also began blogging about his struggle and even created a 'bucket list' detailing things he would like to do before he died. He graduated from Harrison High School in 2007 and began attending college classes at Georgia Highlands College as an education major.
By Spring 2008, Tyler was coughing up blood. After confessing to his parents, they took him to the hospital and another CAT scan revealed the bad news - the cancer had spread to his lungs.
On May 30, Connie wrote: "By now many of our family and local friends have heard Tyler's news about his health status, but I just haven't had the time or energy to update this site for a few days. Tyler had a CT scan Tuesday that confirmed that his cancer is back in his lungs. He has been out for the past few days visiting with friends and living life as he should. I don't really know what to say right now- we're sad and mad- but not really shocked- we've been doing this for so long that nothing seems to surprise us anymore. For now there is no plan for chemotherapy or treatment. They will treat his symptoms as they arise and keep him as comfortable and as active as possible."
Tyler did everything he wanted to do before dying minus one thing - he really wanted to vote in the November election. He did get to vote in the primary though, Connie said.
Though still feeling the loss of her oldest son, Connie said she tries to focus on the positive.
"I had a friend tell me Tyler wasn't dying, he lived. It's all in your attitude. If you sit around and mope than your life will be miserable. I don't k now how many times I've told my kids that life isn't fair, so what are you going to do about it?" she said. "I cry every day but I can't sit around being miserable. Tyler didn't want us to be like that."
Tyler is survived by his mother, Connie, father, Todd, brother, Kirk and sister, Sara. Connie Copley updates Tyler's Web site which can be found at www.caringbridge.org/ga/tylercopley.
tmollett@mdjonline.com
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Tyler was loved by all who met him. I was blessed to be his orthodontist, and my staff cared deeply for Tyler......especially Monisha. Although his orthodontic treatment was completed years ago, he always managed to show up every now and then. I regret that I missed him on his last visit, but had I seen him, I would have asked, "Tyler, tell me about your bucket, what did you get to do this week?". His life has helped many put their lives into a clear perspective. Your life is ticking away, what will you do with this gift from God? My life is better having known Tyler. Being the fighter and comic that he was, Tyler demonstrated courage beyond his age and his life resonated "Just Live without Worry". Not to say he did not have anxieties, but what better example than a kid with a terminal disease, who continues life as normal from High School to College. Jesus smiled for Tyler, we need to also. Almost as incredible, Tyler's mother Connie showed the rest of us what parental sacrifice involves. Connie has inspired me to be a better parent, and I may say, a better spiritual leader because of her dedication to Tyler. Thank you for this opportunity to share my personal experience about Tyler and his incredible mother Connie. Mark Justice, DMD.........Tyler's "older" friend