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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- It's been almost a year since a fire tore through a home on Chesham Circle Jan. 17, 2011.

But no matter how much time passes, the flames will forever scar the Sabino family.

The fire happened during the early morning hours, and 12 people were home at the time.

All made it out alive, but two were severely burned.

Tom Sabino was burned over more than 50 percent of his body after he ran back inside to save his then 10 year-old son Tyler.

Tyler also suffered burns to more than 50 percent of his body.

Both spent months in the hospital, but when FOX21 News spoke with them last in May 2011, they were doing better. Tyler had even just returned to school.

But just before Thanksgiving Tyler got an infection and has taken a turn for the worse.

"Tyler went from being able to walk and get around, to being in a wheelchair," Tom said.

He said Tyler was being treated at the Children's Hospital in Denver, but they couldn't cure his infection.

"They were losing ground with Tyler instead of gaining ground," he said.

Tyler kept getting worse and was transferred to the Shriners Hospital in Sacramento, Calif.

He's been there ever since.

Sabino said Tyler was improving but Tuesday night something went terribly wrong.

"Tyler was rushed to UC Davis hospital in California to have an emergency procedure performed. His lungs gave out. Tyler stopped breathing. He had to be resuscitated," he said.

Tyler underwent an emergency surgery and has been place in a medically induced coma. Sabino said he will have to stay in it for at least 10 days.

"They're optimistic. They say if everything proceeds right resting his lungs should bring him back. But if it doesn't we're faced with a very bad possibility of either lung transplant or possibly death. He could die from this," he said.

Sabino is desperately trying to get to California to be with his son, but he is still out of work. He's also currently unable to get disability or medical assistance and said he can't afford the plane tickets.

"I just got that feeling that I need to see him. I need to be there when they wake him up, you know cause they will wake him up, and I just want him to know I'm there and I love him."

Sabino said when he was in a coma he knew when family was nearby.

"I was in a coma for two months and sometimes I knew that somebody was there. Sometimes I could pick up just a faint reading. My fiancé read books to me, talked to me constantly, just touched my hand, hold my hand, and you do get some of that feeling through that coma, and it's very comforting."

Sabino is still recovering from his injuries and still needs five more surgeries.

"I have to have surgeries on both knees, both elbows, and my left shoulder. It's from the disorder I have. It's called HO, and basically it's a build up of mineral and deposits up into my joints," Sabino said.

Sabino said he's been denied further medical assistance, and in a month he won't even be able to afford his medication.

He added until he gets the surgeries he is unable to go back to work.

"I can't stand any longer than maybe 15-20 minutes max, and then my legs, my feet go numb, and it starts moving up my legs, it's really painful."

Sabino said life has been difficult since the fire, but it has made their family stronger, and he can't wait for them to all be together again.

"I told him and promised him I would not take down the Christmas tree until he came home. His presents are under it, and the tree will stay up with the presents until we bring Tyler home," he said.

To donate to the Sabino family contact FOX21 News at 719-955-3021 or at news@fox21news.com