Follow up Story in Local Paper

Today we woke up to see Lynda with Grandma & Grandpa in the paper for a follow up story. The Gazette highlighted our progress to date. There is still much work and effort to get us to denver, but we are moving in the right direction. If you don't get the paper you can see the article online here. Thanks again for everyones support and prayers.

Memorial Day Weekend- Yeah RAIN

Who would have thought that Rain would be so great. On Friday night and a bit on Sat. the pollen count was low enough that I was able to go out side and see my friends. Callie was sooo happy I could play outside. We played with Nicole, Hanna, Ben, Taylor & David. It was such a blast. Daddy and Matt came out to swing with me and we played on Nicole's climber. Matt taught me how to launch water balloons to see how far they would fly. We also played in the sprinkler for a little while. It was hot so we got wet to cool down. It was a very good couple days. Sunday the pollen count went back up so today I have to stay inside. It's ok though, Callie is staying inside with me and we are playing with our kitchen and play food. I am pretending to make mommy & daddy a pizza in my oven. Hugs and kisses.... - Lynda

Kids & Food Allergies

Hi all,

I just came across a great video regarding Kids&Food Allergies on another blog. The video is posted on YouTube and you can link to it from here. With Food Allergy Awareness Week behind us, I thought this would be a good message to leave you with. Enjoy, it is great to see someone is showing this issue from the kids viewpoing and it really helps to understand what they go through.....


Remember Knowledge is Power! Have a great day.

Benefit Dinner Info- A Night Fit for a Princess

Hi All, we have had a lot of questions regarding Lynda's benefit. So we thought we would post some additional information to update everyone. The benefit "A Night Fit for a Princess" is scheduled for June 29th, 2007 at the Prairie Hill Pavilion (5680 Kacena Ave Marion). Doors open at 6 pm and Spaghetti Dinner by Zio Johno's at 6:30 pm. The event will run until 10 pm with a dance and silent auction. Nitro Productions will provide the DJ service. The night is sponsored by Growing Years Childcare. The Silent Auction ends at 9 pm with the winners announced at 9:30 pm. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children.

Tickets can be purchased at Growing Years Childcare at 1300 Tower Ln NE. Can not attend the event, but still want to help? Cash or check donations are being accepted at any Linn Area Credit Union in care of Sean or Laurie Taylor.

Want to donate items for the silent auction, contact Stacy Reitzler at Growing Years Childcare at 319-294-1714.

Thanks again for all your prayers and support. If you need tickets, let us know and we will help you get them.

Don't forget also below are the Tastefully Simple and Uppercase Living fund raisers as well.

Benefit - Upper Case Living

Tanya Simmer and Upper Case Living are also hosting a fund raiser to help with Lynda’s medical expenses and upcoming trip to the National Jewish Medical and Research Facility in Denver, CO in July. What does this mean to you?

A WIN WIN for everyone. Order Upper Case Living from Tanya Simmer (#502213) between now and June 30th and all the proceeds of the sales designated for Lynda Taylor will be donated to Lynda for her medical expenses and care.

To view a catalog follow these steps:

Log on to http://www.uppercaseliving.com/
Click on Customer Log In
Click on If you need to register
Demonstrator's ID - 502213
Registration Token: Lynda Taylor

To place your order contact Tanya Simmer Uppercase Living Demonstrator ID #502213 via:

E-mail - tjsimmer@comcast.net
Phone - (763)-370-8216 Cell or (763)-427-3603 home
Mail - order and payment to: 1103 Creekwood Dr N, Champlin, MN 55316 (checks payable to Tanya Simmer)

If anyone wants to host a book party they will also get the rewards of free product while helping Lynda!

Benefit - Tastefully Simple

Lori Goedecke and Tastefully Simple are hosting a fund raiser to help with Lynda’s medical expenses and upcoming trip to the National Jewish Medical and Research Facility in Denver, CO in July. What does this mean to you?

A WIN WIN for everyone. Order Tastefully Simple from Lori Goedecke (#4886) between now and June 30th and all the proceeds of the sales designated for Lynda Taylor will be donated to Lynda for her medical expenses and care. There are two ways you can order.

From Lori Directly:

Lori Goedecke ID# 4886
4115 Par Circle
Marion, IA 52302
319-377-6967
tsbylori@yahoo.com

On-Line:
Visit http://www.tastefullysimple.com/ and choose your favorite items. It is very important for Lynda’s benefit if you purchase on line that you use Lori’s ID # (4886) and after you place the order you e-mail Lori at TSbylori@yahoo.com so she can count your order for Lynda’s benefit party.

Great Weekend

We have had a great weekend with Lynda, her outbreaks of eczema have been minimal and she has been able to play (inside) with her sister Callie and she has been having a blast. We were blessed to learn that Lori Goedecke with Tastefully Simple is doing a fund raiser for Lynda as well. Anyone who orders through Lynda's benefit party before June 15th will get great tasting items from Tastefully Simple and all proceeds will go towards Lynda's medical expenses and care. Lori thank you so much for your generosity.

Eczema

Many people ask us about the eczema Lynda suffers from. Eczema is a form of dermatitis, or inflammation of the upper layers of the skin. The term eczema is broadly applied to a range of persistent or recurring skin rashes characterized by redness, skin edema, itching and dryness, with possible crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing or bleeding.

Today we thought we would post a picture of her with an eczema flare (worst time for her). When she has eczema it has been related to us as being like you have poison ivy all over your body and that you itch all over and there is no way to stop the itch except for scratching it. When the itch is this bad we have to pack her in ice long enough for the Hydroxizine to take effect (Hydroxizine is basically prescription Benadryl). Touching her hurts like when you have a sunburn. Pretty uncomfortable at best. Lynda will have to be wrapped in wet pj's, then wrapped in wet ace bandages and then in dry ace bandages and finally one piece zipper PJ's with feet. This is to prevent her from scratching and opening up her skin which then allows for an infection to take hold. Secondary skin infections are very common in people with eczema. Hope this helps understand how painful this affliction can be.

Home Improvements

Since our story ran in the newspaper almost two weeks ago we have some exciting news to share. Our home will be filled with many workers today who have been touched by Lynda and want to make her home a safe place. 3 local companies have donated a new furnace; a whole house filter with a MERV 15 rating that also has the UV light attachment, duct work cleaning and disinfection, and a heat recovery system.

God has blessed us and we are so thankful!

Newspaper Article on Lynda's condition

Well one of the best ways to gain awareness of food allergies, eczema and asthma is knowledge. A local reporter did an article on Lynda during her last stint in the hospital. Take a look it is a great way to learn a little about what folks like Lynda go through on a daily basis. It sheds light on how her life is effected by her affection.

Have a great day...

Our first post

Hello, this is our first attempt at blogging. We are a midwest family of 5 Sean & Laurie and our 3 kids. Matt (15) is our oldest, then Lynda (4) and Callie (2 & Lightning in a bottle as her dad says). Our subject is based around our kids. All three of our children have food and environmental allergies. Our oldest daughter (4 yrs old) has very severe food allergies, eczema and asthma. We believe knowledge is power and want to make sure this very misunderstood condition has the voice it needs. Far too many children, parents, caregivers etc. suffer with this quiet affliction that continues to grow in numbers day by day. Soon we will be heading to a clinic in Denver, CO for a special treatment program and will keep you posted on what happens there and our progress. We must say that we are VERY thankful that we have the support of our family, friends, church and our children's local medical staff.

Keep checking back- we will post information, successes, frustrations and links to topics of interest. Please enjoy our blog.

Benefit - Dinner for Lynda

Since the article there has been an outpouring of support for Lynda. Her daycare (Growing Years Child Care) has planned and scheduled a benefit dinner in Lynda's honor. The date is set for June 29, 2007. The benefit will be held at the Prairie Hills Hall in Marion Iowa from 6PM to ?? Spaghetti dinner and tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children. There will also be a silent auction at the event. Proceeds from the benefit will go to help fund her trip to Denver, CO to see a team of specialists July 2-13.