MINNEAPOLIS -- Tyler Burdick was born a healthy and happy baby. He was growing at a normal pace and life was good. But at 4 months old, doctors found out Tyler had infant Leukemia.
He started chemo and the cancer went away. Then Tyler turned two years old and the cancer came back with a vengeance.
"It's been tough just seeing him laying there and wondering if we'll be able to talk to him again," Stephanie Burdick, Tyler's mom, said.
Tyler had a bone marrow transplant in September. But recovery has been difficult. His liver and kidneys are failing and doctors think he may have a brain injury from high blood pressure but can't confirm because giving him an MRI is dangerous since he is so weak.
His parents have been by his side every day at Amplatz Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. "It was easier when he could talk. He's just been sedated for a month. It's almost like having him gone but he's still here," Dan Burdick, Tyler's dad, said.
Each day is a battle for the family, especially since home is in St. Cloud. Two weeks ago another hurdle came their way. Dan was fired from T.O. Plastics in Clearwater, a company he worked for for four years.
"They had to decide to terminate my employment since I had to be here with my family and now is the busy time of the year for them and they need someone there all the time," Dan said.
In a statement T.O. Plastics wrote: "In tending to the needs of his son, Mr. Burdick exhausted all of his Paid Time off and Family Medical Leave Benefit. And despite T.O. Plastics permitting personal leave beyond that required by law (FMLA), this situation became more difficult because Mr. Burdick failed to keep in contact...regarding his ability to return to work."
Burdick said T.O. Plastics only contacted him once via email which he wasn't checking while he was in the hospital with Tyler.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, The Family and Medical Leave Act allows employees to take up to 12 weeks of job-protected, unpaid leave. Dan said he didn't know he used up all his leave time. He had too many other things on his mind.
"If something happens I'm here. I can't be one hundred miles away in St. Cloud or something. It takes about an hour to get down here," Dan said.
Tyler may not have much longer. His health has gotten so bad his parents have signed a do-not-resuscitate order. Burdick said he doesn't know what he will do for a job when he gets home but said he has no regrets.
In the statement given to KARE 11, T.O. Plastics wrote that Dan is welcome to re-apply for a job if he'd like. At this point, Dan said he has not decided whether he'll take up the offer.
The Burdicks have used up most of their savings and aren't sure how they will pay for a possible funeral.
To help the family and read more about Tyler, visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/tylerburdick .
(Copyright 2011 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)