There is more very sad news in the story about thirteen year old Tyrell Dueck of Martinsville, Saskatchewan.

Last Thursday CBC4Kids explained why Saskatchewan Judge A. R. Rothery would not allow Tyrell to refuse cancer treatment. Justice Rothery said that it was in Tyrell's best interest to continue with chemotherapy even if he and his family were opposed.

Tyrell was examined by doctors in Saskatoon on Friday. They were getting ready to follow the judge's orders and continue treating Tyrell. Instead the doctors discovered that cancer has spread from Tyrell's leg into his lungs. It has all but ended his chance of recovery. `` Tyrell's legal battles are over. The matter is most certainly in the hands of God, if it ever were in the hands of mortals,'' the Duecks' lawyer Owe Girths told a stunned crowd of supporters on Sunday.

Doctors have told Tyrell they can do nothing more for him. He spent a quiet weekend at home as his family considered what to do now.

"He is suffering with some pain in his knee. The doctors have given him some pain control for that but he maintains the quiet confidence in his God that he has had since the beginning of this thing," Mr. Girths said.

Tyrell first discovered a lump on his leg around his birthday, October 1, after he slipped in the shower. Bone cancer was diagnosed.

He and his family fought to avoid standard cancer therapy, consisting of chemotherapy and at least the partial amputation of his leg. Chemotherapy consists of putting various chemicals into the body to destroy the cancer.

The Dueck family are fundamentalist Christians and wanted to send the boy to Mexico for alternative treatment, which would include herbs and large doses of vitamins, and rely on the power of prayer.

Saskatchewan's Social Services Department went to court twice to force the boy to submit to traditional treatment. Last week, a judge ordered Tyrell to resume treatment but the family planned to appeal.

But none of that matters with the new diagnosis. Saskatchewan Social Services was to go to court this week to lift all the orders involving the boy's treatment.

The boy's doctor has said only 10 per cent of patients survive with his form of cancer, a rare osteosarcoma, once it has moved into the lungs.

Mr. Griffiths said Tyrell's parents Tim and Yvonne no longer harbor anger about being dragged through the courts while their son's illness worsened.

"There was perhaps momentary resentment but there is no longer any resentment on their part. They believe that this has all unfolded as God would have it unfold," says Mr. Griffiths.

Other family members who heard yesterday's announcement weren't so sure.

"I think Tyrell would not be in the situation he is today if Social Services had not stepped in two months ago," said Kevin Hildebrandt, Tyrell's uncle.

1. Last Thursday what explained why Saskatchewan Judge A. R. Rothery would not allow Tyrell to refuse cancer treatment?