Weihnachten Magic – Christmas in the Amana Colonies

Tannenbaum Forest
Dozens of decorated live Christmas trees fill the 100 year old Festhalle Barn. Enjoy the 17’ tall German Christmas pyramid, live animated storybook characters, nativity scene and Santa, of course.

Wreaths for Wishes/Silent Auction
During Prelude, wreaths and other items are on display in the Festhalle Barn for bid. Proceeds go to the Make-A-Wish foundation. The 2009 event sponsored Payton ’s wish.

Payton's Story
Payton James Schultz was born on August 26, 2005 to Waylon and Amanda Schultz of Ainsworth. At the age of 9 months, Payton started running high fevers of over 105 and was hospitalized about every 5 weeks. The doctors at Washington, Mercy and the University of Iowa were stumped. They would give IV antibiotics for what they believed were infections, and within a few days, Payton would seem better. Finally, after`several months of this, the doctors decided to start running more in depth tests. After being poked, prodded, examined, tested for everything they knew of, they still had no answer. The family was sent to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and once again went thru all the same testing and then some and still no answer.

Finally, after months of unknowns, high fevers of over 107, seizures, rashes, and many hospitalizations it was recommended that Payton be seen at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. In April 2007, we had a partial answer. Payton has a rare, incurable periodic fever disorder called Hyper IgD or HIDS. He is only one of about 200 known cases worldwide and only 1 in 8 known cases in the United States. Payton has to make trips to the NIH every 3 months to see his specialized team of doctors for this disease. In the mean time he sees another team of doctors at the U of I hospitals and clinics for routine blood work and tests. These specialties include: Pediatrician, Rheumotology, Neurology, Nephrology, and Cardiology. Payton’s diagnosis is long and confusing because he still has some unknowns. As of today his diagnosis includes: HIDS, SVT (Supra Ventricular Tachycardia), Hypertension, Arthritis, a seizure disorder, and a small pineal cyst on the brain. He also has had many repeated abnormal test results for Lupus and abnormal kidney and liver function. Along with the diagnosis list, his medication list is also long and confusing. Today his list of meds consists of: Humira, Anikinra, Morphine, Prednisone, Phenobarbital, Naproxen, Tylenol and will soon include Methotrexate and possibly Remicade Infusions. Because this disease is so rare, medicines come and go and are all basically trial by error. Not all these children suffer from exactly the same symptoms and side effects so everything is just hit and miss with these kids.

When Payton is in what we call an “episode”, he is a very sick little boy. These “episodes” used to last 7-20 days and would come every 4-6 weeks. For awhile they were regulated and would come every 5 weeks lasting only 5-8 days. For the last several months there has been no “schedule” and it’s just day to day. On a good day, Payton is a typical little boy with all of the typical little boy attitude and energy!! For not walking until he was 18 months old, he sure has the energy and personality to run and get dirty!! We have seen him so sick he doesn’t eat, drink, walk or talk, but we’ve also seen him so dirty he turns the bath water black. He is a joy to all he meets.

Payton has two sisters, Kaitlyn – 8, and Sarah -6. These two girls love with all of their hearts and hate seeing their little brother in pain. Recently, Sarah asked “How long until Payton dies Mommy? I wanna keep him forever.” We don’t know how long we have him, but we do know he was sent here for a reason and we just have to love him every single day he is here with us.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my nephew, for supporting the family and for participating in this day of awareness and fundraising.

Cassie Olson

Carepage where I update on Payton: www.carepages.com/carepages/LuvMyPayton