Mountain Home AFB child's wish comes true

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Samantha S. Crane
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho (ACCNS) --  When the limo pulled up March 28, the Ulmer family was ready to go. Ty, his right leg amputated at the knee, proudly wore his favorite shirt, which read, "Leg Story: $10."

The day, sponsored by Idaho's Make-A-Wish Foundation, was all about 13-year-old Ty, who was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on Sept. 11, 2008.

The day began with a 366th Security Forces Squadron escorted ride off base where the limo continued to Boise. Ty's shopping spree began at Game Stop where he bought an Xbox 360 with games and accessories, then it was off to Wal-Mart where he got a new laptop. After a few more stops including Best Buy and Target, the day ended at P.F. Changs for dinner.

"Game Stop closed the store for an hour just for Ty," said Mrs. Ulmer. "They also gave Ty a $400 gift card to spend while shopping. He was able to get everything he wanted and then some. At P.F. Changs, they treated Ty like royalty and already had his table ready for him. After stuffing ourselves with appetizers and food, they brought Ty a cake with candles for him to make a wish. When it was time to pay for the bill, we were informed that it was taken care of. They went way beyond what we ever expected."

"Wishes provide a much-needed respite from lengthy and often painful treatment and medications," said Nancy Berry, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Idaho program services director, who is responsible for creating all wishes in the state of Idaho. "Last year, we granted 86 wishes. Since our inception, we have granted over 767 wishes."

Ty's journey began with a visit to the doctor because of a swollen leg almost six months ago. They took an x-ray, and when the doctor came back, they heard the words for the first time, "It looks like cancer."

"Hearing those words felt like someone just knocked the wind out of me," said Mrs. Ulmer. "I started to cry, and Ty put his arm around me and said, 'It's going to be ok mom.'"

Joined by Ty's father, Master Sgt. Darrin Ulmer, 366th SFS standards evaluations noncommissioned officer in charge, the family went back for a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, appointment. A meeting was set up with an orthopedic oncologist surgeon, and their lives changed forever.

According to the American Cancer Society, "Osteosarcoma is the most common type of cancer that starts in the bone."

"The treatment of cancer is a long and rough process," said Mrs. Ulmer. "Ty is undergoing 18 rounds of chemotherapy in 29 weeks. The chemotherapy used is very hard on the body."

Osteosarcoma can spread into nearby tissues and spread through the bloodstream to other bones or organs. The cancer can be treated through chemotherapy or surgical treatments including amputations or limb-salvage surgery, which consists with the affected bone or muscle being removed with a bone graft filling the hole. Amputations often become the only choice when the cancer is spread throughout the nerves and blood vessels surrounding the original tumor.

For Ty, this became a reality Jan. 22, 2009, when his right leg was amputated at the knee.

"Ty chose amputation," said Mrs. Ulmer. "Ty has said from day one, 'If they have to take my leg to get the cancer out of me, so be it.''

Though the family has been through more than their fair share in the past six months, it has brought them all closer together. Josh, Ty's 20-year-old brother, moved back home to help.

"He's my brother, my family," Josh said, "and that's what you do for family."

"The bond they created is something most siblings don't get a chance to have," said their mother.

Ty acknowledges the challenges he still has to face, but he knows he can make it with the support of his family.

"Now the biggest challenge is going to be learning to walk again when I get my new leg," he said. "I keep a positive attitude and have a great family."

That attitude, along with a sense of humor, keeps the family going.

"We continue to just think positive," said Ty's mother. "Ty has thought positive since day one, and we continue to follow his lead. He has been very upbeat about what's happening to him and has kept his sense of humor about the whole thing. It's about the only way we can keep from going crazy."

For Sergeant Darrin, the overwhelming support from his unit has kept him going.

"My unit has been wonderful," said Sergeant Darrin. "I honestly thought it would be a nightmare. Thank you to all who have assisted, donated, cared and prayed for us during this time; you will never know how much it means to me and my family."

Currently on week 18 of treatments, Ty is enjoying a two-week break before beginning a three-week round of chemotherapy.

"Life is hard sometimes, but things happen for a reason, so take whatever is happening, and turn it in to a positive event," said Ty.

For more information about Ty, visit the family's Web site at www.caringbridge.org/visit/tyulmer.

To volunteer or donate to the Make-A-Wish Idaho chapter, contact Ms. Berry at 345-9474 or visit www.idahowish.org.