Truly a Night Fit for a Princess........

I am not sure how many times we can express and say Thank You! Last night's event for Lynda was incredible to say the least. We would like to thank Lori Jones and the Staff at Growing Years Childcare, Kevin & Jennifer Navin with Fastsigns, Nitro Productions, Rich & Charlotte Bonar, the folks at Prairie Hill Pavilion, Lori Goedecke (Tastefully Simple) , Denise Byre (Peppies Ice Cream) and all the mercy nurses who helped there. Thank you to all folks who donated such thoughtful items for the silent auction. It was a success due to your generosity. We had a blast catching up with all of you. Lynda & Callie wish they could have been there and send their love. Thank you to all our friends and family for your support, prayers and wishes.

As we head to Denver today we will be thinking of you all. Keep an eye on the blog, we will keep you updated as to our progress each day.

God Bless,

The Taylor's

Is that the alarm clock?

What a short night we had. Lynda was awake on and off from 11:00 PM till 4:30 AM this morning. I would have to say that she was more awake than not. She is very itchy. Parts of her are red and swollen. Lynda also had an asthma attack too. We put her Aquaphor ointment in the refrigerator to get cold. This helps cool her skin down and stop the itchies when the weather is hot. That seemed to help stop the itchies more than the ice packs. Yesterday Callie went to the doctor, we suspected pink eye and the doctor confirmed that. On the way to get her eye drops Callie said "my eye is better I don't need any drops". I just giggled to myself because I know that she does not like getting drops in her eyes and she must have remembered that. Sean and I are moving really slow this morning. We will both be drinking a lot of coffee at work this morning. Lynda will not be and the fundraiser dinner tonight, because of her weakened immune system and now Callie will not be at the fundraiser either, because of her pink eye. Sean and I will be there though. We will have pictures of Lynda at the event. Some new silent auction items have come in; Joe Nameth rookie jersey autographed, fish aquaium, Braun tooth brush, Nate Keading autographed jersey, educational puzzles,

Lighting Bugs!

The LIGHTING BUGS were out again last night. Callie, Nicole, Taylor, Alli, Blake, and Mason were all running around in the front yard under the big Maple trees trying to catch them. Kerri; Nicole and Taylor's mom had one of our glass mason jars for these little creators to go in. Lynda is standing in front of the glass door squealing in delight as the kids were running around trying to catch these funny little bugs. A few bugs were squished and many got away, but by the time they were done, these kids caught 6 lighting bugs for Lynda. Mason pulled some grass and put it in the jar so they would have something to eat. The fun days of summer! The neighbor kids are awesome!

Lynda awoke this morning at 3:00 AM! She wanted lotion on her feet and face both of them were very itching. It was daddy's turn to take care of her. Since we can not give her any "itchy" medicine as Lynda calls it, Sean got out the ice packs. He said it took about 45 minutes to an hour for her finally to fall back asleep.

To Grandma's House I Go....

Today I spent time at Grandma and Grandpa's house. It was a hot day. Last night mommy had to wrap my face because it was starting to get red. I had to stay wrapped today too. I gave grandma and grandpa the business this afternoon because I did not want to switch wraps. I don't think they were too happy, so I decided to help them :). Daddy had to be in LaCrosse WI today for a show, he said the drive was very pretty and he took pictures of the bluffs for me to see. 5 days and counting before I take my dad west to Denver. Thank you to everyone for all your support! Have a great Tuesday!


Lynda Dee

First day back to daycare

Lynda had a good day at daycare. Her friends were excited to see her again. We have decided to have Lynda stay with grandma and grandpa during the day until we leave for Denver. There are just to many germs that she is exposed to at daycare. We don't want to risk another infection before our trip. With that being said she also will not be attending the fundraiser on Friday her doctor has advised us against it. This week is going to get rough once we stop all of her medications in preparation for her doctor visit that way they can preform all of the necessary allergy testing. May God watch over her and protect her as she makes this journey.

Momma I'm Coming Home!

I think that is how that rock song daddy plays once and a while goes. Well Sat I headed home and I was lucky enough to make it home before the pork days parade. The parade route so happens to go right by our house and all the big fire trucks, horses and floats came by. Callie, Daddy and Grandma filled up a bag of candy for Nicole & Taylor our next door friends that happened to be at a softball tournament and missed the parade. I was not happy that I had to stay inside all day, and kept trying to sneak out of the house. Mom and dad had a garage sale for our Denver trip so I watched out the window at all the people coming by. Next Friday is the dinner dance the daycare is sponsoring, hope everyone can come! The picture today is of me in the swimming pool at the hospital, love that pool. I think everyone should have an indoor pool. We are eight days and counting to heading west. Thank you to everyone for your support and prayers. Hope my parents survive the next week!

Lynda Dee

Party in My Room

Last night mommy brought me a blow up pool for my hospital room. Well if I have to soak in the tub, I might as well do it in a pool right? (plus it seems less like work) I a good day, I watched the Hog Wild Days parade on TV- I really like parades- and made bead necklaces and other fun stuff. Sounds like I am still on plan to go home on Sat morning. I just hope that I will be home in time for the Center Point Pork Days Parade! It goes right by my house and I can see it from my picture window :)

Have a great weekend!

Lynda Dee

Craft Night with Dad

On Wed night my daddy came to spend the night with me since mom had the last few. He had just got back from a business trip in Dubuque and we put together some crafts I got. First we did a stuffed bear kit, it was 2 pieces of brown cloth that is in the shape of a teddy bear and we had to sew it together. It has a pink bow (I like pink!) and a pink pillow it can hold. So daddy helped me sew the edges and we stuffed the bear with really soft stuffing. After that we closed him up and added the eyes and nose.
Then I opened my bead and necklace kit. I made one with my name on it and one for Callie too. I will have to have my daddy take a picture of me with my Lynda bling bling I made. I am ready to go home, but the doctor says I have to wait until Sat.

Hugs & Kisses,

Lynda Dee

Haircut

While mom's away the children will play. When I arrived at the hospital yesterday afternoon, the nurse stopped me and warned me that Lynda decided to cut her hair. I was surprised when I walked into the room, because I couldn't really see that she cut her hair. Apparently the hair was in her eyes and it was bothering her so she cut it. Now she has bangs like her mommy. I figure it is just hair, it will grow back. The nurses will no longer allow her to use their scissors unless someone is in the room to supervise.

We are slowly working her back into the bath tub. She is very afraid that the water is going to burn her skin. She wanted to play with these tub toys in this little pink bucket that she has been standing in. I told her tub toys are played with in the tub not in the little bucket that she is standing in because there isn't enough room for her feet and the toys.

I got into the tub with my clothes on so she would know that we were not going to sit down in the water. Sure enough she got in and played for about 10 minutes and she was ready to get out. Lynda did tell me that she thought Callie would like these toys for her birthday next month. You and I both know Lynda wants these toys for herself not her sister. I told her we would have to see. When Lynda tells you something that she wants she closes one eye and nods her head and talks with her hands. It is so funny.

Fathers Day 2007

Everyone stayed overnight again at the hospital so we could all be together for fathers day. Lynda had a pretty good day, she did crafts all day and made a huge mess with glitter glue. She also had a ton of apple juice and apple chips. Mom went home and made Lynda fruit smoothies. The picture is the aftermath of eating one of them. Callie gave dad a card she made at daycare and a glitter glue of her foot in a frame so that he would always remember how small she was at one time. I gave dad a book of coupons that he gets a bunch a stuff from me like a free hour of helping clean up a mess or helping to wash the car (If I can). I think he really liked them. Mom is going to spend the night with me, dad and Callie are heading home soon to make sure the house stays in order ( mom's orders).

Happy Fathers Day to all you fathers. Have a great week.

Lynda Dee

Sleep over

Mommy, Daddy, and Callie all spent the night with me at the hospital. That was a lot of fun. Today I am coloring and the nurse brought me some scissors so I can cut the comics out of the newspaper. I am to get my hair washed today. I really don't like the thought of getting my hair washed but once they start it sure does feel nice. I have to hold my ears closed so no water gets in them. I don't like water in my ears!

Lynda

Day Three

Lynda is looking better today. Still no word as to when she will be discharged. We are assuming it won't be until next week some time. We appreciate all of the kind words and prayers.

We did find Nature Valley Apple Crisps at Sam's Club. They are dehydrated apples, without anything else in them. Lynda LOVES them. She calls them her Cheetos. She is so funny. It is nice to find something in the store that is new and that she can eat. It just opens the door for her to explore different textures in food.

Have a blessed day!

Day Two

Lynda has been sleeping a lot today. Daddy suprised me by driving all the way back from Cleveland OH to spend the night with me. He has a friend in OH that gave him a Pear Bear and some stuff to color. Now Lynda will have something to do in the hospital while mommy and daddy are at work. No idea when we get to go home yet... we will keep our finger crossed.

Silent Auction Items

This is a preliminary list of the items that have been generously donated for the silent auction.

2 Hannah Montana gift baskets
My brother Steven James Meyer is a writer for the “Hannah Montana” show, formally a writer for “Everybody Loves Raymond”. Each gift basket has an autographed script that he wrote, individual autographed cast photos, two child size tee shirts and cast pass card.

Portable gas BBQ, cooler on wheels, 2 camp chairs, camp equipment

Beijo “Over The Moon” handbag

Artwork by Donna Bassett

Movie gift basket

Donna Cook Grand Collection Figures

2 18 Speed 26 inch Dasani Bikes

Waves Advance Ultrasound gift basket

Shrek gift basket

Donkey gift basket

Painted Bird houses

Bunk bed white metal frame

Ruby Tuesday gift card $25.00 value

Pizza Hut Large Specialty Pizza

Coldstone 2 free regular size ice cream creations

Family Video gift card $5.00 value

Starbuck’s gift card $10.00 value

And for you Hawkeye Fans there will be some special items for bid. Come to the silent auction to see what is available.

First Night

Unfortunately Lynda was not able to get an IV into either hands, arms or feet. Lynda is very strong and very smart she will twist her arm and rotate her shoulders so they can not get a "stick" that would stay in place. We wrap her in a blanket and 4 of us hold her down. She slept well. She awoke at 2:30 for more Aquaphor to be put on her skin, then we rocked and back to sleep she went. Today they are taking her down to radiology to put in a pic line. The infection is spreading very quickly across her body.

Take care!

Back in the Hospital

Today ended up not being a good day. The preliminary culture was growing MRSA. The nurse asked how Lynda was doing. I told her that the bumps are spreading and that her face was starting to swell. The nurse put me on hold and spoke with the on-call doctor. The nurse said could you bring her back in at 5 so we can take another look. Then she said don't be surprised if we admit her to the hospital. It was decided to put Lynda back into the hospital for another course of treatment. We are 18 days away from leaving for Denver to National Jewish and to say the least mom and dad are a bit nervous. We will have to see where this takes us. Dad is in Cleveland the 13-15th on business, Callie is hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa and Laurie is hanging out with Lynda. Her skin is getting red and her face is almost as bad as the previous picture in this post. We are praying this can be knocked out quick and we can get back on the road of recovery to travel to Colorado.

All our best, God Bless- Hugs & Kisses

The Taylors

Doctor Visit

We took Lynda to the doctor this morning to determine what those mysterious bumps are on her body. The on-call physician said that they look like Impetigo, but she was not sure and thought it was wise for Lynda to see her dermatologist. In the mean time she took a culture of those bumps. Now keep in mind it will take 48 hours before we will know the results of this culture. This afternoon Lynda saw her dermatologist and he said that the bumps look like a bacterial infection. We are going to continue putting Bactroban (antibiotic cream) on the bumps and wait for the test results to come back to determine what the infection is. Now the oral antibiotic (Cleocin) that Lynda was put on yesterday we have not been able to get her to take any of it. She is a very smart girl; she can smell the in her apple juice so she is refusing to take it.

Antibiotics

Lynda has been placed on Cleocin to fight off a possible skin infection. If this medication does not work; if she gets fever or the bumps become filled with puss, she will have to be hospitalized to receive IV antibiotics. Let's pray that she will get better with just these antibiotics.

bumps?

I noticed some strange bumps on Lynda's right arm yesterday. This morning she has more of them on her arm, above and below her lip and two on her stomach. They don't appear to be infected right now. I have placed some antibiotic ointment on them while we wait for a call back from her doctor. The bumps don't seem to be itching either. We have been down this road many times and we have learned to seek medical attention faster. So it does not turn into a full body skin infection.

Fun @ Backyard Adventures

We have had a very busy week. Keeping Lynda's skin under control has been a challenge with the rising pollen counts. Matt leaves early Saturday morning to spend the summer with his dad. We are sad to see him go so we are trying to play with him as much as possible. On Thursday Lynda and her classmates went on a field trip to Backyard Adventures. Clearly her favorite place to go play. For those that do not know, they sell wood swing sets (upper end) and they rent out their showroom to let kids run wild. This is great for Lynda since it is inside and we do not have to worry about the elements outside. She went "wild" according to her teachers. We could really tell she was a step slow last night when she got home and slept hard. Everyone have a great weekend. We are looking forward to seeing you all at the event on June 29th and heading out to Denver the following day!

Enjoy your week!

Taking a turn

Daycare called us about 4 pm yesterday letting us know that Lynda's skin on her face and neck was starting to have patches of red and some swelling. They washed her face and neck off and placed ice packs on it as well. This morning she has more swelling and red patches on both her face and neck. At least at this point they are not weeping.

We did get in the mail yesterday her Tubifast Garments that the insurance company reimbursed us for. To learn more about these garments please check out the following website http://www.skincareworld.co.uk/healthcentre/our_products/tubifast/garments.htm. We can not order them from the above website, but SkinCareWorld did provide us a website where these garments can be purchased www.westons.com then enter tubifast garments in the search field. It did take about 3 weeks and a few days from the time we purchased them till we got them in the mail.

Let's just hope that her face and neck will calm down and that this doesn't turn into a full body flare.

Time to write Letters in support of a cure!

I just received an e-mail from allergymoms.com. Iowa's senator Tom Harkin needs to hear from you regarding how food allergies impact the lives of Lynda, kids like her and her relatives and friends. So pick up a pen, use Word or draw a picture for those that can not yet write and let's see if we can help Senator Harkin's office get flooded with e-mails and paper. Here is an excerpt from their e-mail:

Help Fund the Cure in 5 minutes…

The Food Allergy Project (www.foodallergyproject.org) has gained the interest of Senator Tom Harkin (Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee) They need letters (LOTS of them) from real allergy kids, their parents, friends and family.

Our kids need us to take action!

Good: Handwrite or type a note to “Senator Tom Harkin” telling him how much food allergy affects your child’s life and how we need resources devoted to a cure. Anything along those lines –short or long—we’re looking for quantity.

Better: Add a separate drawing –anything your child makes about him/herself. You child can also write a letter in place of the drawing or in addition to it. (Those about food allergy are best but all children’s letters and drawings have an impact)

Best: Bring* us several drawings from siblings, cousins, neighbors and several letters (even quick notes) from grandparents, friends, teachers, family members.

PS If you cannot attend and would like to write to Senator Harkin, please mail your letters directly to:

The Food Allergy Project, Inc.

Attn: Liliana Esposito

137 Fifth Avenue, 3^rd floor

New York, NY 10010

They will to compile a huge binder of letters and children’s drawings (for more impact) to present to Senator Harkin.

Send me a quick e-mail if you send something, I want to coordinate with the folks out west who are meeting with Senator Harkin and let them know of our efforts as well.

Matt Extreme Room Makeover

Matt saved up his allowance and decided to remake his room. His inspiration is American patriotism. He painted his north and south walls red today with Grandpa Meyer and tomorrow they will do the east and west walls with blue. When they are finished he will stamp white stars all over the walls. It looks really cool. We will update the post when he has finished the room.

Rain Rain stay, wash away the pollen each day!

It is Sunday morning and we are off to Church. Lynda is having another good day. It rained for a little bit after church and the sun came out. With a light breeze and we were able to play outside again! :) Callie & I played on the swings and I helped dad deliver flyers for our annual street party to the neighbors. Mom made homemade bread for the first time. It is hard to find bread that Callie can eat that does not have soy in it. Everyone said it was really really good. Daddy had 2 pieces. Yum Yum. My new favorite food is fruit smoothies. Mom & dad make them for me with blueberries, pear juice and ice. So Good.

We love low Pollen Counts- Sat Fun

Hi all, we are a little behind on posting. We have had a good few days. Lynda's skin has been almost perfect. The picture to the left is us at the Cedar Rapids farmers market. There are two very important rituals when we go there (from the girls perspective). 1) we have to stop at Simply Divine candy shop and get some rock candy suckers for Lynda & Callie and 2) we have to stop by the guy who makes balloon animals. Callie's choice this week was a monkey and Lynda choice was a pig. Dad likes the breakfast burritos and mom likes the baked goods. In the picture Callie is already enjoying hers.