Brisan and Parker Stults | Living with Niemann-Pick Type C

Posts Tagged ‘Grain Valley’

Brisan 2009

Just a quick update on what's been going on over here in our household. A few weeks ago we finally started with a new home health care agency for our nursing situation for Brisan and Parker. So far… so good. It is huge to us that we have this type of help. Unfortunately the process of acquiring a new nurse and finding that right person is beyond a full time job. Thus far, the agency has taken a customer centric approach which we haven't had that for years… literally. They just epitomize the definition of customer serve. We shall see, right? ha

Brisan and Parker are out of school now until summer school starts here in next month.  Duncan is just a blast. He just comes up with the funniest stuff. We talked about just making him a basic website where we can post his “Duncanism's” of the day. LOL

You know.. Niemann-Pick Type C disease (NPC) is such a roller-coaster of a disease… like many rare diseases and others that are more common. Everyone wants to know what the “path” is going to look like. Sadly, we just don't know either and explaining what that “looks like” can be taxing. I know for me personally I will say they are doing “fine” because it saves me from some long winded answer. The dudes surprise us everyday whether that is up or down in their situation.

Thank you to each of you for reading and keeping us in your prayers!

The Grain Valley Pointe Newspaper did a follow up story on our family since they first visited with us back in 2009. Chris Fischer is doing a 2 part story on the follow up.

We are very thankful for their time to spread the awareness of a horrible disease like Niemann-Pick Type C.

Here is the article: http://www.grainvalleypointe.com/?p=4762

Just wanted to share these pictures that Mrs. Hall took of Parker and there are some of Brisan when they were in the same class for a time.

On May 27, 2011 Brisan Stults graduated Kindergarten! He wasn't too happy as you can tell because he wanted to stay in his chair. Kate his trustee sidekick and nurse…mainly his buddy wanted him to walk in with his class. The backpack he is wearing has his feed supplies and pump because he was in a middle of getting some food in his belly. Below is the video of his graduation and a few parts from the class ceremony.
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It's been a week ago tomorrow evening (Monday) that we were finally able to return home after Parker's crazy situation while in DC. Nothing new has transcribed since we've been back with our doctors. You almost get the feeling that with Brisan's sinus polyps and Parker's blood redirection or loss that no one has an answer.  Leaves you wondering what shall happen next?  Brisan's sinus situation is so bad that it is causing his right eye to matte shut and consistently be weepy. Our new nickname for Brisan is “Pirate Pete”. That is what he looks like! Hopefully we can get somewhere!

Friday  we have an important IEP meeting with the Grain Valley School District regarding the future of the boys. Jennifer will be busy gathering information and coordinating up until then. The meeting will speak to all points hopefully on how they can and cannot fulfill the needs of Brisan and Parker. We also will speak about Duncan going next January to school. . There will be probably upwards of 20 people in attendance to discuss this matter.

Brisan is suppose to start Kindergarten in the fall. After three hours in the morning now he is completely wore out! There is no way in the world the little man can go all day. They would allow him to go a half a day from previous conversations, eat lunch at his own leisure, and allow additional attention to his needs. Many things besides what some would call “minor decisions” for us. The important issue here is safety, the schools funding of the special needs program, and if they can provide for our children. No hard feelings if they cannot.

Some would say that his progress is indeterminable because he has been absent from school a lot. Regardless, Niemann-Pick Type C is already taking it's toll on him and Parker. All we've seen from my recent memory is digression in all areas from quarterly updates.

We feel that there is a better alternative for both boys out there. With a state representative telling us that our school district will be losing  $400,000  in funding in the upcoming school year, this doesn't point to a sign that says they can fulfill the basic needs for our sons.

I was able to get the “dudes” on the camera last night. Of course they had no interest in what I was doing because one of their favorite cartoons was on, The Penguins of Madagascar! Parker started having some bleeding while he was at grandma Carnes's house this week. Yesterday ARJ Infusions Services came out and did another infusion of DDVAP for both of them. They also will both get another infusion on Monday, their regular scheduled day.

It appears unofficially that they will be going to twice a week infusions. That is our hunch at least. Below is a video of the guys after dinner: (if your unable to view via your email update, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoWaslyYsdk)

In the video as you can obviously see ( ha ha) they are both getting a feed through their GT's. Brisan will surprise us every now and then and eat a whole bunch but we need to supplement his calories. Parker loves to eat as well but we want to make sure they have a full belly before they go to bed. Hopefully that will help them sleep.

You also will notice how Brisan really doesn't like to look down at his food (well cookie!). You have to love the vertical gaze palsy!  Either way we love the little guys! Thank you to all for everything. There will never be an action or material item that could say thank you for the prayers, support, and love you've given our family.