Minnesota Schedule

We just received the "okay" from Dr. Whitley to change Trey's bi-annual (6 month) check up from March to June. Our family is throwing a 90th birthday party for my grandma at her home in MN this June. So instead of having to incur the expense of traveling back and forth to MN in March for Trey's check up and then again in June for the birthday party, Dr. Whitley agreed that one trip would be fine for both. So far we have meeting's with Trey's geneticist, pulmonologist, cardiologist, orthopedic, and endocrinologist. We are hoping that Trey won't have to meet with the neurologist this time since we no longer have concerns in this area. We are also hoping that we won't have to see doctors for Trey's eyes and ears in MN as we are very happy with these two doctors here in AZ and feel confident with the care we are receiving in these areas...I guess that will be determined after our initial meeting with Dr. Whitley. We are awaiting an email back to see if we could meet with a PT and an OT during our visit. I would love to see how Trey is fairing in comparison with other MPS patients in MN since the specialists have so much more data and patients available to them there. If all goes well we will meet with Dr. Whitley first thing on a Monday morning and then again on Thursday with all other appointments happening in between so that we can drive up North for the birthday party by Saturday.

*just a picture I love of the boys*

Trey's Treasure Chest for Hope Fundraiser is February 27th at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel. Tickets are only $40 per adult this year. The price of the tickets goes directly for the event and food, so unused tickets do not benefit Trey, we need smiling faces to make this event a success!

Thank you as always for your continued support, concern and prayers for our family.

Cathy (Lane) Angst

Another Garage Sale

We got very lucky that that weather cooperated with us in order for us to pull off a garage sale this past Saturday. Cathy and Bryan gave everything they made (as did their nice neighbors who contributed a bunch of items)from the sale of their items to Trey's medical account. The best part of the entire sale was to watch people haggle over a quarter for an item here and there. But... Bryan had made a jar with Treys picture and flyer taped to it with a big "DONATIONS" sign on top and as soon as these same people saw the jar they would throw all their change or even a dollar or two into it without a second thought.
Thank you Bryan, Cathy, their neighbors, and Mike for doing a great job with the sale. Drake, Broc, Trey and I were told to bring the donuts and we must have done a super, great job because everybody ate them all up.

Yes Sir Jackets

Trey and I were dropping off garage sale stuff at Cathy and Bryan's when on our way out Trey points out to his Uncle Bryan that he has his "yes sir" jacket on. Bryan tells Trey he has a "yes sir" jacket too. Bryan get his jacket for Trey to see and for a good five minutes the two of them compare patches on each of their jackets. Bryan tells Trey that when he gets bigger he can have his jacket, Trey's response to his Uncle Bryan..."when you get smaller you can have mine". How sweet and innocent was that?

Pulling at my Heartstrings

As the rains were pouring down this past week and I was loading Trey and all my errand "stuff" into the car, I made the mistake of putting the electric screwdriver on the seat of the car, next to Trey, instead of on the floor. I hurried as quick as I could once Trey and I pulled up to Physical Therapy to get him from the car and into the building...obviously I wasn't quick enough for "Mr. Busy". Trey unbuckled himself from his seat, and pressed the electric screwdriver's trigger on the handle faster than I could get from the front seat to the back. I was numb to see and hear Trey using the screwdriver on the back of the leather seat in our SUV. Trey knew in an instant I was so disappointed in him and tried to work his "magic" on me his entire time at physical therapy...I didn't break a smile (ok so maybe a bit of a smile) and Trey knew I was serious about him not touching what wasn't his. So an hour and a half later we're in the car again ready to drive back home when Trey calls my name. I look in the back seat and there he is, with the most adorable look on his face and his hands in the shape of a heart as he says, "I Love You Mommy". I have no idea who taught Trey that little gesture with his hands but with out hesitation, I smiled and returned the sentiment, looked forward and was reminded not to sweat the small stuff and to thank God for "Little Mr. Big Stuff"...our Michael Trey.

Rainy days

As most of you heard, Arizona was hit with some pretty hard winds and rain this past week. On our drive to physical therapy, Trey and I noticed the birdies on the front of homes in our neighborhood trying to take cover from the fierce weather. Trey asked me to pull over so he could "see them mommy". Trey is always so concerned with others well being...such a sweet soul. We sat and watched the birds together long enough to be late to physical therapy... that was one moment I was glad I didn't rush.

Busy, Busy, Busy

It is beyond me the mindset of people doing for Trey, week after week, (and in this case) year after year. Mr. Dan and Mr. Robert have again taken on the arduous task of putting on Treys Treasure Chest for Hope fundraiser and have put in so many days and hours of what is obvious unpaid labor to bring to us another amazing night. Mike and I have been able to make the majority of the meetings (and have brought Trey to a few too - he's a good supervisor) this year, which has allowed us to be a part of this event and to see and feel first hand the amount of effort everyone is putting into this fundraiser... all for our baby Trey. THANK YOU ~THANK YOU~ THANK YOU!

Please try to join us, February 27th...the prizes are again very, very impressive, always a great deal and go to a great cause.

See the site for more details: http://treystreasurechestforhope.org

AND become a fan at www.facebook.com/treystreasures

Feels Good On My Bones

The beginning of 2010 has been everything we could have wished for and more. April of last year I was emailing Laurie at the MPS Society when as always she asked how Trey was doing. I followed up with, "in the bath as usual, the child loves the warm water". From that sentence on, Trey's life was about to get better. Laurie informed me that the MPS Society has a family assistance program for hot water therapy but the catch was we would have to obtain a denial from our insurance company first,and getting that was a long and tedious process. Explanation after explanation,fast forward to the end of November when the denial letter finally came. Mike,Trey and I went "shopping" for the perfect jacuzzi for Trey. In passing I told Treybo's auntie Cathy about the MPS program. The very next day Cathy calls me and tells us to go to Sunset Spas, the owners names and the deal that is in the works for Trey. Cathy proceeded to tell her long time friend and neighbor, Mrs. Jackie (who has worked for a spa manufacturing company for about 20 years) about Trey. Jackie has never asked for a favor from her company but must have thought that Trey's story warranted asking this time. We went to Sunset Spas and did find the perfect spa for Trey, the only one we had seen yet that had steps going down into the spa aka - a seat for Trey! Every other spa was too deep for Trey to sit in so we thought we'd have to settle for Trey's seat being an uncomfortable hump in between two other seats. We not only found the perfect spa, the perfect neighbor, the nicest owners to assist us and deliver the spa super quick, but also the perfect price! Together with Jackie's favor being granted and the MPS Society qualifying us for the family assistance for hot water therapy, Trey's jacuzzi came to us the first week of January, free of charge!

Trey had school the day his jacuzzi was being delivered and couldn't even wait to take his back pack off before he ran to the back yard to see his jacuzzi. He also didn't leave it's side until it was completely full of water. If that wasn't enough, the boys insisted on going in the spa that night at a very cool 84 degrees.

I can't begin to express how much Trey loves his new "little pool" or "coozi" as he calls it. He even told Mike it felt good on his bones and asked did it feel good on Mike's too.
Mike and I are once again beyond touched by a complete strangers gesture of love and support and AGAIN would never be able to thank her enough for her act of kindness...a world of thanks Jackie!

yes, Trey is one lucky little boy and has one very special Auntie Cathy!

Christmas 2009

* Trey's face Christmas morning *

Other than daddy falling off a ladder and breaking open his head while attempting to hang a very special Christmas star for mommy, our Christmas break was nothing short of wonderful. Mike and I are night owls at heart and just love when the boys have Christmas break from school so that we can stay up late and watch classic Christmas movies and sleep in really, really late and eat breakfast for lunch. We make a big comfy bed on the floor at the foot of our bed and let the boys sleep in our room night after night, going to bed talking together all about Santa, how good (or not so good) they've been, the presents they'd like and the one's they've changed their minds about (not good for Mrs. Claus who shops early) and about the fun we've all had that day. This year we were so blessed to have our entire family over to our home on Christmas Eve, get to spend late Christmas day at grandma Joyce's and Papa John's and Christmas night at grandpa Steve's. Food, food and more food, gifts, gifts and more gifts,family, family and more family...we never get tired of any of the three.

Trey got a new bike for Christmas and rides his little heart out. I have had tears almost every single time he rides as I remember back to the limitations the doctors put on Trey in the beginning, when he was first diagnosed and now look...look how far he has come. Trey amazes me everyday and teaches me even more about faith and the power of having it.

We were so bummed to send the boys back to school as the holidays to us are a welcome break from "reality" in a way, as we live so deeply in the season.

February 2010 Donation Letter

I am writing you today in hopes that you will take a few minutes and read about 4-year old Trey Lane...
Michael Trey Lane is the youngest of three brothers whose spirit and courage are truly second-to-none. I have had the privilege to work with Trey’s father (Mike) who is a sergeant with the Tempe Police Department and watch as he and his wife Cami, a Southwest Airlines flight attendant, have struggled to find answers for their youngest son’s debilitating disease. Even after hundreds of visits to numerous doctors across the country, countless hospital stays, enduring test after test, all in an effort to save Trey’s life they have remained steadfast in providing a home filled with love for their children Drake, Broc, and Trey. And while this struggle continues today you would be hard-pressed to find a more positive and resilient family than the Lane’s.
To give you a glimpse of what they have endured, a year ago Trey was misdiagnosed with MPS VI ultimately resulting in unnecessary and expensive intrusive treatments for Trey. He has since been correctly diagnosed with MPS IV-A; Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome, which is an inherited disorder. Because people with MPS IV-A are deficient in a specific enzyme, the disease affects many organs of their body including the skin, heart, airways, and skeleton. An infusion therapy is in clinical trials in Birmingham, England. If these initial trials bring promising results, trial phases II/III will be brought to the United States within the next few years. Hopefully Trey will be lucky enough to be chosen for these trials. At this time there is no cure for this disease and it is considered life-threatening.

To help Trey in fighting his battle a fundraising event is being held Saturday, February 27th at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel in downtown Tempe, AZ. All proceeds raised at this event will go to the family to help offset the tremendous medical bills incurred and to improve Trey’s quality of life. It is going to be a fun-filled evening with entertainment, food, cocktails, a silent auction, raffles, and more. If you are in a position to provide a silent auction item, purchase tickets to the event, host a corporate table, or want to discuss a sponsorship, PLEASE let me know! All items, small or large, will be graciously accepted. We are hoping to have gift certificates, gift baskets, sports tickets, spa packages, vacations, movie passes, airline passes, liquor, furniture, shopping sprees, a vehicle, etc…the sky is the limit, and your creativity is welcome. This event is not sponsored by nor is it an official event of the Tempe Police Department, rather a few friends doing what we can for this precious 4 year-old boy.
To learn more about the event benefiting Trey Lane including sponsorship information, how to donate a silent or live auction item, and to purchase tickets for the event please visit: www.treystreasurechestforhope.org
My contact information is below, I hope to hear from you soon. Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.

Dan Masters
480-216-0242
arizdan@cox.net

Shopping Extravaganza

We were all a bit overwhelmed at the Shopping Extravaganza that Kelli and her family but together this past weekend, If you missed it, you missed an excellent opportunity to buy some very unique Christmas gifts. The raffle that was held in Trey’s honor was just short of amazing in that the quantity of prizes that were being raffled off was over the top. I was so touched by the amount of work that Kelli, her mom, Jan and sister, Kim put into this event and also very humbled to have been chosen to be a recipient of it. Trey stopped to take a quick picture with our new friends to thank them for their hard work and generosity.
As if the raffle wasn’t enough, as Trey’s little face was pressed up on the glass to peer at all the awesome prizes in the display case, he paid special attention to the football right at eye level. The ladies took note that Trey loved the ball and made sure that his name had a chance of being picked for the ASU football signed by Mr. Frank Kush…low and behold, Trey won the football. Hummm, amazing how that worked out. Trey’s face lit up when Kelli handed him the ball as we all headed into his bed room for Trey to show us where his new football would sit.

Again, thank you never seems like enough but here we are expressing again from the bottom of our heart, thank you for the donation to Treys medical account and for the football too.

Treys Treasure Chest for Hope 2010 Fundraiser

The website for Trey's next fundraiser is up and running!
Please check it out at:
http://treystreasurechestforhope.org/


We are eager to acquire any donations you may have from putting together a basket to raffle, to a gift card from your business or one you asked your neighborhood retailer/restaurant to donate for Trey's cause, to time shares, travel vouchers, sporting events and collectibles, homemade crafts, etc. If you really would like to help but can't think of a way, think of a theme and then go around to retailer's in your area and collect items pertaining to that theme, get a hold of us and we will be more than happy to put together a gift basket of your donations. Copy the "about me" section of Treys blog or his new site and present it to anyone and everyone that you think may be willing to help - you'd be surprised at how much people are willing to give to a good cause. Thank you in advance for all your efforts - the littlest thing go the longest ways...

DUE TO THE FACT THAT TREY IS AN INDIVIDUAL AND NOT AN ORGANIZATION, WE WILL BE UNABLE TO OBTAIN A NON PROFIT 501(C)3 CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION DESIGNATION

BUT...PLEASE TAKE NOTE (as written in Novembers Money Magazine)-

Year-End Tax Moves to Make Now - Right Now!
There's plenty to distract you from financial planning this time of year, from cheering on your favorite football team to daydreaming about Christmas dinner. But you don't want to let some end-of-year deadlines slip by without taking steps to minimize taxes and maximize savings. Especially in this economic climate, a little extra cash can go a long way.
Give Gifts
As always, remember that you CAN give up to $13,000 per recipient tax-free this year (a couple can give $26,000). This is the amount that you can donate to an individual WITHOUT having to provide a tax ID for and still be able to deduct as charitable donations/gifts on your 2009 tax returns. That should make somebody's holidays especially happy.
That being said, as long as you don't "gift" more than $13,000 (single person) to Trey in a tax year, you will be able to deduct every single cent of your donation to Treys Treasures and we can stop spinning our wheels on how to be able to obtain a 501(c)3 designation from now on. Truly the only people that will have a tougher time giving to Trey's cause will be very large corporations like Home Depots, Wal Mart, Costco, Airlines, etc. but even then, we have found that if you just ask or know the right person/department, we have still been blessed with donations for Trey.

We are also looking for sponsor's - ask about the many levels this fundraiser offers and the details of each.

Hello Mr. Santa

Mike and I took the boys to see Santa this past weekend. Trey was so excited to SEE him that he snuck up to the front of the line, sat off to the side and stared at Mr. Santa in awe. The picture I took was just okay but the memories will last a lifetime. Also added to this entry are a couple of pictures we took for this years Christmas card.
Speaking of pictures, our wonderful neighbor, Michelle had family pictures taken at Lamar Studios this past year and wanted to give us the same gift to treasure. Michelle expressed her wish (as well as Treys story, I'm sure) to the studio owners which resulted in an extremely generous gift certificate for a free session as well as prints in which Michelle so kindly gave to me. With joy in my heart I accepted the gift certificate but couldn't promise that Mike and I would be in the "family pictures" as she had requested (too much stress on mommy and daddy this year to capture on film). anyway, the boys had their photos taken last week (yes, I said only the boys and not Mike and I - I didn't break any promises). Since then I've already picked up the prints, framed them and hung them in our home... they are absolutely beautiful!!! Thank you Michelle and Lamar for a gift that we will cherish for a lifetime and one that I will forever and ever hold dear to my heart!
The link to our proofs:
http://www.lamarstudiosphotography.com/Other/Lane-Cami/10623483_jj567#738867266_CyiT8

Happy Holidays and a very Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Mr. Personality

This is an e-mail my sister-in-law sent to me after watching Trey for Mike and I the other day...he truly is such a little shining light for all to see.

Cam,
Thank you so much for the honor and pleasure of "babysitting" today! Pure heaven is all I can say. I hope I can accurately recall today's events because I know they make you laugh as much as they did me.
Our morning was fairly routine, of course Trey had to pick out his own clothes and dress himself. Trey picked his favorite shorts, got a huge grin & said "I left this in my pocky"! It was his Bat Chapstick from Halloween..... we both laughed and Trey put the lip balm on.
So off to Physical Therapy. Trey waited eagerly in the chair, put on some more chapstick and attempted to hide from Mr. Mike but Trey's excited wiggles and giggles gave him away.

PT was was particularly busy today and we thought Trey was going to swim first and got him changed, but there was a change in venue. Trey's disappointment was obvious, I was concerned that he wouldn't be interested in working out. Mr. Mike got down on the floor with Trey and he still wasn't showing a lot of interest until Mr. Mike asked if he just had pancakes & syrup. Of course Trey and I instantly laughed because I asked him the same question while getting him out of his car seat. Trey giggled and told Mr. Mike "it's my bats"! All of a sudden I hear a woman's voice saying "show me how you do that Trey" to which Trey responded positively. The voice was coming from one of the tables - it was another PT patient. Within minutes every patient in the room was cheering Trey on. In true Trey fashion, and without saying a word, Trey had actively engaged 4 patients and a woman who had driven her mother in for therapy in his work out - they were all cheering him on and laughing watching Trey interact with Mr. Mike. One woman even asked me which days he comes to therapy so she could schedule hers around Trey! If you think about it, most people that come to PT are in pain and it's not the most exciting place to be. Only Trey could let his light shine through for all to see.

Trey and Mr. Mike are hilarious together, it was time to get the laser cart and from another room I heard Trey exclaim "My do it"!!! Not to be outdone, I overheard Mr. Mike explaining to Trey he had to wait just a minute so the wand wasn't "Coldie". Mr. Mike was so amazing with Trey, he was either on the floor racing with Trey or making it a fun game for Trey to ensure he gets the full benefit of his work out. Trey is definitely in the right place!
Love ya!
Cath

A Season A Reason to Give

This time last year we were blessed to be chosen to be the recipients to the Care Bear Pre School’s Annual Holiday Boutique. My beautiful friend Dolores mentioned Treys story to Miss Carrie, the owner of Care Bear and the rest is history.
Carrie, Mary and Tamela went above and beyond to bring to the community a spectacular event.

They had incredible auction items for the adults to bid on and food, snow cones, bounces’, face painting, and even a photo with Santa for the kids to enjoy. I think we closed the place down as Drake, Broc and Trey weren’t ready to leave…what child would be?

Mike and I are extremely grateful for the friends we have. It is so special when you are brought to the point of being so touched by Trey’s journey that you feel the need to help us in such amazing ways.

Thank you to Care Bear Pre School and to Dolores for showing us the love you did this time last year, your thoughtfulness will forever be remembered in our hearts.

Thanksgiving in California

Our Thanksgiving break was so much fun! Anytime we can get away as a family, out of “life as we know it” and into a daily circumstance that doesn’t truly exists for any family with a sick child is so gratifying for all of us. Driving wasn't all that easy on Trey's back as I had predicted but adjustments were made for the ride home which made for a much, much better experience. Universal Studios was such a blast! The big guys went on all the rides with daddy while mommy took Trey to get his face painted and to play games…his pirate face turned out awesome and he even won a prize playing games...happy, happy was this little boy! The Disney Studio’s did it up in Grande style! The boys had the best time swinging and jumping around, learning to draw from an actual Disney animator, as well as seeing the sneak preview of Disney’s, The Princess and the Frog but the best time’s for Trey were the ones with “the man” himself, Mickey Mouse and to our surprise, meeting and talking to not once but three times (my baby has a crush) princess Cinderella. How do you put a price tag on that? Here are the boys in the middle of our drive home - working to pay for their vacation Thank you John, Joyce, Cathy and Bryan for offering to celebrate Thanksgiving with us on Sunday. The food was terrific, the family time was just what we needed, and if only our Cardinal Birdies would have won, the day would have been that much more perfect, ha-ha. We were able to take advantage of the Disney offer and still provide a traditional Thanksgiving for the boys...for that we are thankful!

Turkey Day with Trey

11/25/09
Mike and I were invited up to Trey's school to enjoy a piece of pie with him in celebration of Thanksgiving. Not only did we eat some yummy pie, we also had the pleasure of watching Trey sing and dance to a few songs as well as interact on the playground with his preschool friends. Mike and I truly enjoyed visiting Trey's class today. We are so glad we made time to join him on our way out of town, as it would have been so much easier to stay home and continue to pack for our trip. We made sure we didn't miss this moment and so very happy we did because the smile on Trey's face when Mommy AND Daddy walked into his class was priceless...these are the moments!