ZANE'S MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS AND STORY

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On November 16, 2019, Zane Tyson was admitted to AdventHealth Hospital in Orlando after experiencing intense headaches for 2-3 weeks.  CT and MRI scans revealed a posterior fossa tumor (brain tumor) that was blocking drainage of his spinal fluid, causing the intense pressure he had been feeling in his head.  On Tuesday, November 19th, surgeons successfully removed the tumor, however, subsequent scans and biopsies revealed the tumor to be cancerous (medulloblastoma) and show that it has already spread to his cervical fluid and spinal column and that a few deposits were still present in his brain. 

While medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in children, it is somewhat rare in adults like Zane (age 20).  Zane was lucky enough to be accepted as a patient to the world-renowned St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and arrived in Memphis, Tennessee on December 8th, where his cancer treatment started right away.

 

Things were going rather well for Zane at St. Jude after a rocky start with treatment.  Initially, it was discovered that he had disease spread into his pelvic and pubic bone area, but two initial “emergency” rounds of chemo cleared that up. He then had 6 weeks of radiation (20 session of photon, 10 more of proton therapies). He champed through all of this and was then able to enjoy a month break from mid-March to mid-April of 2020, escaping to the mountains of Virginia and relaxing in a beautiful log cabin with dear family friends.

 

The next phase of treatment started up straightaway upon our return from the break on April 24th and then another unexpected blow was dealt. Zane suffered a cardiac arrest event on May 12, 2020 and was rushed immediately to Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, and suffered three more cardiac arrests in the days that followed.  Zane then spent six weeks in the hospital, working hard to first get off a ventilator, then was downgraded to a trach and underwent several cardio and pulmonary procedures along the way.  There were many doctors overseeing Zane’s case and we are grateful to them all for the great care he received. Once the hospital couldn’t do anymore for Zane medically, St. Jude arranged for a survival jet flight to bring Zane and Sherri home to Orlando.

 

Zane then was cared for and loved on at home for over a year.  He was met with many additional medical challenges, and has since passed on July 28th, 2021.

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CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF ZANE TYSON

February-18-1999 to July-28-2021

 

Zane (Zaner) Tyson, the skateboarding violinist, gained his angel wings and skated into the clouds on July 28th, 2021. Zane was a talented musician and skateboarder and a beloved son, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend.  Zane was known for his kind soul, passion, generosity, and tenacious spirit.

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Zane’s young 22 years here on Earth was full of life and adventure. He traveled our beautiful country coast-to-coast, taking in many of our wondrous cities and landscapes. He visited Los Angeles when he was 4 years old, at a time when he 100% was sure he was Spider-Man.  He went to New York City countless times, so many times that he knew the subway system like a local.  He walked the Freedom Trail and took in the Boston Pops on the River Charles for a 4th of July Celebration. Zane skated over the Lincoln Bridge and down Constitution Avenue in Washington, DC and took on the Colorado Rockies on a dope snowboard. He hiked the Grand Canyon in Arizona, trekked Zion National Park in Utah and ziplined above the Las Vegas strip skyline.  Zane knew all the moves to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and showcased his mad dance skills in a worldwide “Thrill the World” showcase. Zane visited “The King” and sang the blues on Beale Street in Memphis and saw many live concerts of all genres of music, meeting a few rock stars along the way.

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Zane grew up in both our treasured Northern Virginia, where he loved exploring the majestic mountains; and Central Florida where he spent time surfing waves, parasailing, skateboarding, making and listening to music, riding roller coasters and hanging out with his friends and family. Zane’s passion was skateboarding and he would spend his free time at area skate parks with his skater besties. His many friends were fiercely important and loyal to him and have supported him all through his life. As a child and teen, Zane was very active in sports and music. He played soccer and basketball and learned to play the drums, guitar, bass, violin, keyboards and cornet. He attended W.G. Coleman Elementary in Virginia and Winter Park Day Nursery, Dommerich Elementary, Maitland Middle School and Winter Park High School in Florida. Zane was the recipient of many awards and accolades for his musical prowess in Orchestra and Band. Zane had plans to move to Colorado, his favorite state, to enjoy the mountains, snowboard in the winter, and skateboard in the summer.

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Zane was diagnosed with a rare, childhood brain cancer in November 2019 and fought bravely. He sought treatment at the mothership of all hospitals, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. While he was met with many medical challenges, Zane held on to give his mom, Sherri, his family, and friends more time to love on him. He was incredibly cherished and his life well-celebrated. Each day we had with Zane was a gift and each day forward he will be honored. Zane has family spread across Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Washington. His many friends are dotted all over the globe.

Zane’s family would like all who read this to grab life fervently and live it to its fullest intensely as Zane did. Make friends. Learn about and embrace different cultures. Travel as often as possible.  Try new adventures at every opportunity. Be kind to others and spread joy.  And carry Zane’s eternal spirit and light with you always.

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And to our beloved Zane – Fly High, Skate Hard and Shine On.

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A Celebration of Zane’s Life will be held on October 1st, 2021 at the Cottage on Lake Fairview, 4410 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, FL 32804. Guest arrival is 6pm. Tribute will begin at 7pm. All are welcome to attend.

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Sincerely, 
Zane’s Family