Saturday, February 25, 2012

Run for Broxton

February 12, 2012


In a previous post I wrote about my new found friend, Kristi and her son Broxton who was diagnosed with Batten Disease mid-2011. Today the five of us participated in a fundraiser for Broxton that consisted of a 5k run/walk and a fun run for the kids. The night before the fundraiser I explained to the boys a little bit about Brox and his disorder. Although they were all extremely tired from the days activities, they all agreed that it was worth waking up bright and early for Broxton and to show support for his brother Brody. I was so proud of the boys for being able to understand how much their love and support meant to me and to the Taylor family as well. Batten disease is also one of the diseases found in a group known as lysosomal storage disorders-like MPS (Trey's disorder). The day I met Kristi as we hugged upon meeting I told her that I was sorry and she replied with, "it's ok". I looked her in the eyes and said, "it's not ok and that of all people, she did didn't have tell me it was ok because it's not and that I understand" Today, I am so sorry to say that I don't understand and honestly will never, ever will. I love you my friend and pray for you the strength you, Cody and Brody need in these trying times! xoxo

Time Flies

February 2012

WOW…just when I thought I’d given myself a breather and pretty much caught up on postings for a while, time flew by and it’s already the end of February…making me way over due on updating Trey’s blog.
This coming Thursday will be 20 weeks …5 months already that we have been flying back and forth to Oakland on a weekly basis…time sure has flown!
The good news is Trey has had no adverse reactions and is doing better than I thought with keeping on top of his school work and his spelling tests every Friday. The bad news is, we know for sure these weekly trips will continue past the original 6 months we were told and most likely even longer than a year. The whole study will last for a total of 240weeks (4 ½ years). Who knows when the sponsors will find the time to set up an infusion site here in Arizona…only time will tell.

Week 12 of the study consisted of two two-day trips to Oakland, as well as lots of tests and blood draws. The kids were still on Christmas break so as a treat to them, all five of us traveled North to support Trey. So much went on those two weeks and every week that followed (all good) that I thought instead of giving a week by week dissertation, I’d just add little captions to some of the pictures I've taken along the way.

"See ya" my 'good walker'-as Trey called himself. Once again I had to bribe Trey to get him to cooperate in the walk test and the stair climb…of course it worked and Trey was my little All Star!
Goofing around adding Brocs hair and mine to Trey for some pretty funny pictures!


For those of you who don’t remember, Drake becomes very queasy at the sight of blood. Trey on the other hand is a “vampire” and insisted on teasing his big brother with his all his vials.
As part of another bribe, I brought Trey some Bears tat’s…he was so proud to show them off to the girls.
As a special treat we had the honor of meeting another MPS patient /family that was in town enrolling in the study…introducing “Miss Isabell”. Yes, she insisted I call her Miss Isabell-how cute is she?!
So now that Trey is an ol’ pro at every step of his weekly routine, he thinks he can do it all himself and even mommy…taking my blood pressure like a big shot!
Did I tell you we bribe Trey a lot to get him to perform for this study? Well for whatever reason, last weeks’ accomplishments got him an official Chicago Bears uniform. Hello, “Mr. Tough Guy”!
Another adorable picture of the future Mr. and Mrs. Lane enjoying a Jamba juice together at the airport before parting ways…until next week!
I will never know if Trey is actually receiving the enzyme or is a part of the placebo group for this study but after seeing how strong he’s becoming and how soft his hair is getting, I’m beginning to wonder (although I’d never admit it to the doctors). Check out Trey doing the strength training that Broc puts him thru on a weekly basis…you little stud you!

Traveling with Justin and Kianna has been a treat for Trey (not to mention Kianna has a I-Pad).
Mr. Personality as the Oakland airport concierge…he is such a ham!

Hamming it up again…Trey asked the flight attendant if he could wear his seat belt like this for take off-haha!
The kids made the most of a cancelled flight. Justin gave Trey a ride around Burbank airport as we waited two hours for the next flight home.

So for today we say “Seize the Day” and be thankful on so many levels;
That a treatment is here,
That Trey is able to be a part of the study,
That there is so much worse than weekly travels,
That no matter what group Trey was a part of in the first six months, four weeks from now, he will positively be receiving the enzyme that his little body requires so critically.
And that unlike last time when Trey received an enzyme replacement therapy for the incorrect diagnosis and three quarters of a million dollars was taken from his insurance benefits, this time the study sponsor is paying for all tests and procedures relating to the study.

Up, Up and Away my little Frequent Flyer!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Fiesta Bowl FUN!

January 2, 2012

I know my friend would not want to be mentioned,given credit for and showered with all the love and thanks I can for the remarkable time we had at the Fiesta Bowl this past week...but all thanks to her and the 5 tickets she bought for us to enjoy such a thrilling event! Even though our Draker's Stanford Cardinals didn't win, we had 'edge of our seats' fun! Friends like mine are far and few between, Thank You Nicole for our Christmas gift-you, yourself are a gift to us!

Happy New Year

January 1, 2012

Another New Year's Eve with out Mike as he had to work, again! The boys and I had a good time making Scookies, playing Rack-O and lighting off fireworks with the neighbors. The boys saved some of their fireworks to light off with Mike the following night and had a great time doing so with "Daddy Disney"!

Happy New Year to each and everyone of you and a ginormous Thank You for following another year of Trey's journey on his blog. None of us know what 2012 has in store for us but we do know that even if Trey is part of the placebo group in these clinical trials, that it is only for the first six months (which for us will come to an end in April). After that time, Trey will be given the ever so needed Enzyme Replacement for his life threatening disorder, one that we pray will extend his life and possibly even provide internal and external benefits. Benefits that we will be able to recognize in Trey on the outside, and after the trial is over, will be measured and reported to us in the form of positive, encouraging results on the inside.
We wish for all of you and your families the same news of hope and a positive 2012!

Lovin' another nurse

December 29, 2011

Devora was Trey's infusion nurse today and boy o'boy did she have his number within a moments time. Another nurse that we love here in Oakland and are so appreciative of! Devora was spot on with Trey when she came back from the toy box with a bear...a green soccer bear none the less! Trey loves his new bear, "kicks" almost as much a Miss Devora :o)

Merry Christmas

December 25, 2011

Ours was a very Merry Christmas, as all three of the boys revelled in the "spirit" of Santa Claus and all his wonder...another year for Mike and I to take in the magic.
God Bless~Cami
*Auntie Claus and Uncle B happy to see that once again, Trey was elated with their gift to him...A Bears Jersey-Brian Urlacher...but of course!

An EXTRA Special Gift


December 24, 2011
The continuation of the Pearl "Adopt a Family" fundraiser...
Instead of presenting our family with Visa gift cards, Tammy and I decided to present Trey with the one and only toy on his Christmas list...a Razor 4-wheeler with (according to Trey) "real" tires. As a result of all the hard work, Tammy, my brother, Steve and the rest of the employees of Pearl Sushi, Tammy was able to come through with a gift for Trey that Mike and I couldn't afford, the one gift that we had to keep making up excuses for why Santa wouldn't be able to deliver to Trey as well. Although Trey's expression didn't do justice to what I just know he was feeling inside when Steve and Tammy furnished his Christmas wish, Mike and I were once again grateful for friends and family who bestow their love and support on our child, time and time again. Tammy also remembered Drake and Broc as well as Mike and I in her generosity. The older boys received Visa gift cards and Mike and I a dinner out. I realize that you can't always get your children everything they ask for at Christmas time but knowing all Trey has gone through these past few months with the travel, long days, and test after test associated with the clinical trials, this gift couldn't begin to have a price tag attached to it...in my book, Trey was very deserving of his EXTRA Special gift and Mike and I are EXTRA blessed to have Tammy in our lives, for loving and caring for us as she has this Christmas!