What seemed like an ordinary day for senior Lauren Taylor quickly took a turn for the worst when she was quickly rushed to Dell Children’s Hospital due to an unexpected seizure.
The seizure led doctors to conduct a series of tests on Taylor and on August 22 she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of Lupus, an autoimmune disease that was attacking her brain and nervous system. She was soon admitted to the intensive care unit when she was also diagnosed with Hemophagocyctic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a life-threatening immunodeficiency and Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS), a disorder that activates as a result of a preexisting autoimmune disorder/disease, which, in Taylor’s case was Lupus.
Taylor’s soccer coach, Carrie Hoffman spoke out about how Taylor’s story has touched her and the team.
“Lauren’s story has made me appreciate things more. It’s not all about winning and losing a soccer match.” Hoffman said. “Life is more precious, and we can’t take it for granted. She is a great student and athlete. As a freshman she listened and worked at perfecting her skills as a goalkeeper. Last year, as a junior, she was the starting goalkeeper for the varsity girls’ team here at Bowie.  She is an outstanding goalkeeper that takes control of the defense.”
Taylor’s determination on and off the field is what is expected for her new challenge.
“Her sophomore year, she was recovering from a torn ACL and the surgery.” Hoffman said. “Her determination to get through that injury showed her dedication to her team. Now, she has a new fight against Lupus and HLH and MAS. Now, her determination arises again as she takes on a bigger fight.”
Friends showed their support by creating a scrapbook containing pages of gluten-free recipes and Lupus diets for Taylor and talked about how her story has impacted them.
“This process has made me have a new perspective on life,” senior Sarah Hall said. “It makes me realize that I should cherish every moment I have with someone and not take that time for granted because this could happen to anyone, even to someone who is amazing like Lauren. Her story has impacted me because I look up to her. I hope to be as strong as she is and able to fight through hard times like she does.”
Taylor’s fight has touched others including her long-term friend senior Lindsey Stites.
“Lauren has been my best friend for ten years and the whole time I’ve known her she has never given up on anything. She’s always been there for me and taught me that  everything is worth fighting for,” Stites said.
Despite the tough times, Taylor’s mom, Angie Taylor continues to stay strong and see things in a more positive way.
“She’s kind of quiet, not a very loud person but she’s a very committed individual,” Angie said. “She takes anything on whether its school or soccer or whatever it is that’s just the way she is. It’s a lot of waiting and seeing, its maddening because we just don’t know. It was a lot of just watch and pray and hope it works and that was not something our family was used to doing.”
The Taylor family, a closely-knit group, has taken Lauren’s story as a lesson.
“My dad died a very quick death about nine years ago so the process of me trying to live life to the fullest had already started a little bit and with Lauren, that belief has only been solidified which is you just never know.” Angie said. “You never know what your day is going to bring, you never know what your life will be like. So we’ve always tried to teach our children that but we are so close as a family that when this happened to Lauren it happened to everyone so now I believe we as a family get that lesson which is nothing is a given.”
Lauren wants people to take a positive lesson from her story.
“As far as what I want people to take away from this experience it’s mostly for people to treat everyday like it’s their last.” Lauren said. “To appreciate the fact that they’re alive and healthy. To always remember to help those in need no matter the personal cost it would take. So in a nutshell to, ‘love thy neighbor as thyself.’”
A benefit was held on November 10 at the Painted Horse Pavilion in Buda, Texas to help raise money for the Taylor family for medical expenses.
Taylor returned home for the first time October 28. She is expected to make a full recovery.