There’s an 11-year age gap between brothers Dayton and Traxton Bennett of Big Piney, and for the foreseeable future, a huge geographical gap as well.
But they’re soon to be close in a way their parents couldn’t have imagined, and under circumstances they never would have wished for.
The medical verdict recently came in: Dayton, 13, is the perfect match to donate bone marrow to Traxton (aka “T-Rex”), 2, to help him win his fight against a rare form of leukemia.
The transplant is set to take place either later this month, or in early February, the boys’ mother, Erika, told Cowboy State Daily.
Soon after Traxton’s devastating diagnosis, Dayton and another older brother, Damien, started arguing over who would be the toddler’s donor.
Dayton told Cowboy State Daily that since the decision came down in his favor, he’s been a little apprehensive about the procedure.
“I have to get a big, thick needle stuck in me,” he said.
But mostly, he feels honored and proud.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime sort of thing, where you can help your little brother and change your little brother’s life. It’s an amazing opportunity,” he said.
Family Endures Separation
Erika said that Traxton’s leukemia is currently in remission, and he’s been feeling spunky. However, he still faces months of intense treatment, and a lifetime of regular hospital visits.
The family was separated over the holidays; Dayton and Damien stayed in Big Piney with their grandmother, while Traxton, Erika and dad Preston stayed at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City.
Traxton and his parents are staying at the local Ronald McDonald House. Leading up to the marrow transplant, and for months thereafter, Traxton can’t be more than about 20 minutes from the hospital, in case of emergency.
The family has enjoyed some brief reunions but will have to deal with separation for the time being, Erika said during a telephone interview, in which Traxton could be heard chattering in the background.
With Traxton in remission and Dayton confirmed as the donor, she’s felt a sense of relief she hasn’t had since her toddler fell ill around Thanksgiving.
But there’s still worry, Erika said.
“There are a lot of complications that can come with the bone marrow transplant, and it can happen in the blink of an eye, and that’s scary,” she said.
“Even after the transplant and recovery, we’ll still have to go to the hospital a couple of times a week for about a year. He (Traxton) is still going to have to go to hospitals on a regular basis for the rest of his life,” she added.
A Brave Brother
Preston said the ordeal of Traxton’s illness has taken a lot out of him, but it’s also instilled an ever-growing sense of appreciation for his family.
He said he couldn’t be prouder of Dayton stepping up to help his little brother.
“He’s definitely made it his choice. The whole thing,” Preston said.
“He’s been a really good brother from day one,” he added.
Dayton said he knows that the transplant procedure won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.
“I’m really glad to have Traxton in my life. I love the heck out of him. He just makes me laugh all the time. When I feel sad, or I feel down about something, and I go hang out with Traxton, he gets me over it,” Dayton said.
Preston said the next step toward Traxton’s recovery will be stressful, but he’s inspired by Dayton’s resolve.
“I’ll be holding Dayton’s hand through it, just like he’ll be holding mine,” he said.
Mark Heinz can be reached at mark@cowboystatedaily.com.
