NEW MARTINSVILLE, W.Va.--

Zachary Taylor, 17, has been through more than many of us could ever imagine. His physical health has been one battle after another.

"My hero is him because there's not too many people that can go through as much as what he went through," said Zachary's father Steve.

After several bouts with tumors and two osteosarcomas, he developed acute myeloid leukemia and another tumor. Zachary's parents said some doctors refused to operate, while others said it would only buy him a couple more months.

"He decided he would take the one to two weeks of living where he can go visit friends, family, the community and live his life out," said Steve.

Even though Zachary may have just days to live his thoughts are focused on his family.

"I do not want to see them apart," he said referring to his parents Steve and Paula.

That's why Zachary decided to plan his own funeral. He's seen the impact a funeral can have on a family and did not want that to happen to his family.

"I do not want to see them fall apart and get a divorce over the funeral, so I thought I better get that done," he said.

Zachary even wrote his own obituary. He wanted to be sure it included his motto, "forever rely on God," or FROG.

Frog decorations hang around what the family calls the "Zachary tree." It's a Christmas tree that displays ornaments that Zachary's collected. His family says they will continue to collect ornaments in the future.

"There's heroes out there but right now my brother is my hero. He shows me what the word fighting is," said Zachary's sister Missy, 15.

Zachary said his family gets through each day by just putting one foot in front of the other. He also had a message for people who may come across others with terminal illnesses. 

"Don't feel sorry for us. Just think we're going to someplace better," he said.

The Jarvis Funeral Home in New Martinsville is handing Zachary's funeral arrangements. You can donate to help his family pay for the funeral costs at any WesBanco location to the Zachary Taylor Trust Fund.

You can send ornaments for the Zachary tree to 1133 4th Street, New Martinsville, WV 26155.