In January 2024, the stomach flu knocked down the Schaefer household. Like dominoes, each fell ill. And one by one, each recovered. Yet, 7-year-old Tyler, known as TyTy, struggled a little longer. After being out of school for a week, he finally returned but it wasn’t long before the school nurse called TyTy’s mom, Mackenzie Schaefer, to report he was sick again with headache and nausea.
At first, Mackenzie assumed he just went back to school too soon. But then she heard him screaming in pain in the background and knew it was something more serious. Schaefer’s mom, who is a nurse, picked up TyTy from school and determined a trip to the emergency room was necessary.
Schaefer scrambled to the emergency department with her husband Tyler and their 1-year-old and 3-year-old daughters. The closest hospital to their home in Wright City, MO, was SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital – Lake Saint Louis. “TyTy was lethargic when he arrived, but they weren’t sure what was going on yet,” Schaefer says. “He kept waking up and screaming and then falling back asleep. A tumor wasn’t even on my mind.”
That quickly changed when a CT scan showed he had a brain tumor that was hemorrhaging. “I tried not to lose my mind,” Schaefer remembers. “The doctor told me that the EMS team was already on its way to transfer TyTy to Cardinal Glennon.”
Doubling the surgical expertise and compassion
When TyTy arrived at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, he was rushed to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) where the team inserted a drain to remove the excess fluid and ease the pressure in his skull, which was causing his pain. Surgery to remove the tumor followed. Although the diagnosis was frightening, Schaefer felt reassured that Joanna Kemp, MD, and Philippe Mercier, MD, PhD — among the best neurosurgeons in the country — were caring for her son.
Dr. Kemp, associate professor with the Division of Neurosurgery and Pediatric Neurosurgery in the Department of Surgery at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, is a neurosurgeon who treats a range of neurological issues, including brain and spine tumors.
Dr. Mercier, interim director of neurosurgery, director of pediatric neurosurgery, director of Surgical Epilepsy Program, and Paul C. Reinert, SJ, Chair in Pediatric Neurosurgery at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, is a neurosurgeon with expertise in neuro-oncology and pediatric neurosurgery.
The doctors partnered to remove the clementine-sized tumor from TyTy’s brain during a complex, eight-hour surgery on Jan. 25, 2024. TyTy recovered quickly and went home two weeks later — just in time for his youngest sister’s first birthday party.
Dr. Kemp sent samples of TyTy’s tumor to other specialists around the country to confirm the diagnosis of juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma, a low-grade, slow-growing type of tumor and one that rarely hemorrhages.
Because the tumor was removed, serious complications were prevented and TyTy’s overall prognosis was good. He could be treated with oral chemotherapy, which has fewer side effects than more intensive intravenous chemotherapy. It also means that TyTy’s future has a strong, healthy outlook, because the tumor has a low chance of recurrence with surgery and treatment.
“I tell Dr. Kemp all the time she’s my hero,” Schaefer says. “I had trust and confidence in her. She and Dr. Mercier gave us a sense of peace knowing TyTy was getting good care. They took time to answer all our questions and came to see us every day.”
Believing in a healthy future
TyTy takes chemotherapy pills every day and has a CT scan every three months to monitor the tumor site. He will continue oral chemo for two years to make sure the tumor doesn’t grow back. A few months after his surgery, he was back to playing spring baseball.
TyTy graduated from physical therapy in early July and continues occupational therapy to regain hand strength. He also takes tumbling classes to improve mobility and balance, along with parkour ninja-style classes to increase agility. “TyTy has handled all this like a champ,” Schaefer says. “I don’t always tell people what TyTy has been through, because I won’t let it be a handicap for him. I want him to be treated the same and expected to perform like other kids his age.”
While Schaefer is determined to help TyTy put this experience in the rear-view mirror, she says the journey has strengthened her faith. Every morning, she slips on a bracelet inscribed with “Believe.” And she steadfastly believes in a healthy, active future for TyTy, full of fishing, baseball and teasing his little sisters, who adore him. “I’m super grateful for the way everything turned out,” she says. “I’m also thankful to everyone at Cardinal Glennon. Every time we go there, they make TyTy feel like a king.”
King for a day at Glennon LIVE
One of TyTy’s “king for a day” experiences included meeting multi-platinum selling, Grammy Award-winning entertainer Keith Urban at the annual Glennon LIVE event at Chaifetz Arena on May 3. The fundraiser benefits The Children’s Fund at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation to support the Hospital’s areas of greatest need.
When Urban visited, he met kids throughout the Hospital. Urban and TyTy even played a game of Super Chexx® bubble hockey together. Schaefer quickly became a superfan. “Keith was just so down to earth and took his time talking with all the kids,” she says. “And he puts on a great concert.”
On stage, Urban asked TyTy what his favorite song was and dedicated an enthusiastic rendition of “Days Go By” to the courageous boy.
Schaefer says it was heartwarming to see the arena filled with people who came together to support the Hospital and the families it serves. “It’s good to see the money raised go toward a good cause to help people.”
This story was featured in the 2025 issue of Glennon Magazine.
