History

Wednesday, August 17, 2005 9:21 PM CDT

Taylor started school yesterday and she loves it.

The teacher has accepted Taylor and her illness. She seems right on top of things and I must say I'm impressed.

It is just awesome to see where Tsylors been and where she is now. I can't wait to see her life grow....right in front of me.

We are to begin the move into the new house tonight and it's so awesome! Taylor has never had a yard so she is just running through the house and playing in the yard as I'm getting everything ready.

I found a new parttime nanny to help us out with Taylor's new schedule. She going to help us on Mon, Wed and Fri so I've got some days covered for child care.

She reminds me of Bridget so much that I had to have her!
All though she could never fill Bridget's shoes, she will be great.

Hope you are all having a great week.

We love you all.

Amber and Ms. T

Sunday, August 14, 2005 7:16 PM CDT

Taylors birthday was just wonderful! All of her friends were there and she just had a blast.
I rented a place called pump it up which is this huge arena of blow up items. There were two slides about 30 ft tall. There was an obstacle area and a jousting room. Everyone had fun.

Taylor got everything she needed too.

Last week we did all the final paperwork for school and I found out that the YMCA is booked...so I have no after-school care for Taylor. I've got one week to figure it out.

So WE move into our new home, start school and get off chemo in a 48 hour span.-It's just how it started....all things at once.

We've come so far and done so much.

Thank you all for helping us get here.
We love you.

Amber and Ms. T

Wednesday, July 27, 2005 9:54 PM CDT

Just to let everyone know.

Taylor is all registered for school AND there is another child in the class with cancer. That will make two kids going through the same illness. Finally she will have someone who knows what a port is and someone her own age to talk to...it's neat!

Also...
We got a house!
It's so close to the school that we can walk and the home is just beautiful! I'm so excited!

Taylor's birthday party is on August 7th in Round Rock TX at 2:15 pm.
Once again everyone we know is invited!
Just call me for directions and info.
512-775-6040

Work is going great. Taylor is great and it just seems like we're both on a new point in our lives.

She is so close to getting off chemo too!

Life is getting sweeter by the day!

Amber

Thursday, July 14, 2005 9:09 PM CDT

Dr. Wells has informed us that Taylor will have to stay on chemo until at least August 18th.

School starts on the 16th of August so were going to be cutting it close.

Work has been really understanding and I've been taking time off to help her. She got really sick today as well.
I'd give anything to get her better.

Another really cool thing about work is that the company has paid a private company to come in and help us. It's called Texas Financial Resources. My rep worked with me and we came up with a will, 401k, savings and spending plan.
I'm pretty excited. I fell like I'm one step closer to having my puzzle of a life fit together.

I can see myself working there for a long time, and growing with the company. (Always got my eye on the top.)

I just think that with a little hard work I can have Taylor and myself in a great position.
I'm so thankful that I have her, although a child, Taylor guides my entire life. I can never be a strong as her but I'm going to try to make her as proud as she has made me.

Her birthday is right around the corner and I'm in the planning stages of the right now.

I also have to find someone to watch Taylor from 2:30 to 6pm after school starting next month.

I'm going to be busy busy busy this month.

We miss and love you all!

I should have the birthday plans up on the site in a few days.

And remember EVERYONES invited!

Amber

Monday, July 11, 2005 8:12 PM CDT

Taylor has missed a lot of school and she seems to be falling apart at the seems.

First it was her tummy, now it's her ears and her glands.

It's really been hard.
I've missed a ton of work and its been so hard on Taylor.

I hate seeing cry.

School is about to start so I'm going to spend the week trying to find a good after schhol program, with someone who could pick up Taylor as well.

Amber

Thursday, June 16, 2005 9:16 PM CDT

Taylor and I have had a hard month.

Work has me going all the time and Taylor has been feeling ill lately.

I had to take off work today and yeaterday due to her illness.

Work is pretty supportive but working for commission is tough when your not working. It a good thing I have been saving every penny.

I have met so many people through the experience of "cancer survivorship." It so nice to have people know what we're going through.

Taylor didn't eat today and she didn't eat much yesterday so she getting weak.

My plan is to see how she feels in the morning and if she's well enough to try school I'm going to let her go.
If she makes it through the day Art will pick her up so I can work until late in the night to make up for the lost time.

So the owner of my company has hirded financial advisors for us to use. I had my meeting with them today and let me tell you...I needed the help.

They are working me through the process of a will, a trust, and so many other items. I'm really lucky to have a boss who wants his employees to succeed in their future.
(That and the gold and platinum at his cost ain't bad either.)

Taylor is so very smart and beautiful.
We've been taking her to the pool a couple times a week and she is getting so tan. Her hair is starting to really come in again and she is just such a joy.

It awesome to know that I had something to do with such a bright light.
The joy she has brought to my life is the greatest gift I will ever get.

Her smile, her tears....I live for it all.

We hope you are having a good summer. We love you all!

Amber & Ms. T

Thursday, June 16, 2005 9:16 PM CDT

Thursday, May 12, 2005 7:59 PM CDT

Taylor, Art and myself went to the Pecan Street Festival here in Austin and we ran into the booth that was for people riding from Austin to Alaska for the cancer cause.

Art bought Taylor this shirt about the ride and we told the woman that Taylor had cancer. She looked taken aback.
We gave her Taylors website address and she wrote me asking to put Taylors name on her bike and she also asked for a picture.

This is her last email to me. If any of you can help out or write her in support of the cause, go for it.

Hi Ms. Dinh,

That's awesome. If you could send me an electronic pic of Taylor that would be great.

m.ungchusri@gmail.com

As for our ride info, we leave Austin on June 3rd from the UT Tower. We will be meeting up at 5pm and will set off at about 6pm. You are more than welcome to see us off that day as it is for friends and family with only some media. Our "official" departure is June4th from Cedar Park, which will invovle a lot of cyclists and media ppl, so I don't know if I will be able to find you in the crowd.

Our website is www.texas4000.org and it has a bunch of info about our ride, including rider journals, etc. Please visit and check out the picture gallery too! As for helping us out, well wishes are definitely welcome as are letters of support. I am the Programs leaders, and unofficial Travels person for the Sierra route, so if you have any family in any of the cities on the Coastal route we are passing through that may want to donate shelter, food, showers, laundry, or snacks please let me know. As of now that is the most pressing issue for our organizations. Of course donations of equipment, etc. is appreciated. So, I guess if you or anyone would be interested in donating to our organization please help us spread the word!

I really appreciate you offering to help us out. If it's alright with you I'll put your e-mail address on our mailing list so you can receive our newsletter that updates our progress.

Thanks and send my wishes to Taylor,

Marsha

***

Taylor is doing great this week. She is growing fast and she is really smart. I could never be the woman she will become...she is so much greater than anything I've ever seen.
I'm just so lucky.

Her hair is growing and she has been eating everything in site.

I'm getting her registered for school and I must say I cried when I walked in to get the paperwork. This has been so hard. I wondered if she would be strong enough to go and her preschool admin told me that shes very ready.
I'm a little worried but I know it will be fine at the same time.

Amber

Thursday, April 14, 2005 10:00 PM CDT

Taylor and I have had a few downs and ups too.

We spent the Easter week in the hospital but recovered nicely.
She has been better than ever.

I got a new job, not in the field I feel drawn to but it’s a good “in the meantime” job.
It’s close enough to the school that I can take Taylor every day and since that change, she has changed. She is an angel! We sing veggie tales Sunday school songs on the way to school and get there with smiles on our faces.

Since I’m still working in sales, on most days we get done at five and I can pick her up.
On any day that I can’t Art can so we’re really making progress to perfecting Taylor’s schedule.

She is so awesome. Her Chinese is getting really good and she is just a gem. She is perfecting everything she does and wow. I’ve got to be the luckiest mommy alive!

We are going to go out tomorrow night with Taylor and her nanny.
Saturday she is spending the night with my mom and Sunday she is going to stay with her daddy so she’s got a fun weekend ahead.

Taylor has birthday parties planned for the next two weekends straight so we’re both pretty excited about the prospects of non-stop fun for the entire month.

We love you all…and we know were just a few steps away from a good spot in the recovery process.

Amber

Wednesday, March 23, 2005 2:22 PM CST

Taylor has been feeling pretty yucky lately.
The Pepcid stopped working so they changed her to prilosec this week.
Her tummy has been killing her.

She’s not really eating and when she does she feels worse.
We went to the doctor yesterday and he wants to just try the prilosec to see how she does.
After the doctors office visit we went to her school picnic to see her friends.
She ate a few bites of rice and a handful of goldfish and asked to go home.
She slept for most of the day.

She got up this morning and cried, saying that her tummy hurt.
I gave her the prilosec and got her to Duc’s.
He took her to school and hopefully she’ll feel better tomorrow.

I’m worried about her.
I’m tired of the drama in our life.
We’re ready for peace.

Now the great part of the week…
Taylor is getting so well versed in Chinese!
She sings the sweetest songs every day and it just makes me so proud.
I snuck into her Chinese class at school to see how it is going and she was just on the ball.
She knew all of the answers and loved to converse in Chinese.

If she keeps it up, she is going to set her entire future up for success. I’m so proud of her.

Amber

Thursday, March 17, 2005 10:39 AM CST

We went to go see Varekai last week and had a blast. Every seat in the house is a good one, so I can say we had good seats but after we were seated this woman we had met on the way in moved us to the second row. Now those were unbelievable seats! I think all three of us enjoyed it. Taylor has been acting like the gymnast iguana ever since that night. It was another shot of what the doctor ordered…fun…
Taylor and I were rained out of the kite festival and last weekend Duc’s family had her.
It looks like this weekend we might go to Zilker Park to fly that kite a week late.
The only other thing we might go do is the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo.

Arts daughters came up for the weekend and we took them out. (They are in their 20’s)
On Sunday Charmaine hung this really cool sheer pink canopy over Taylor’s bed. She had saved her my little ponies from some happy meals she had purchased and sewed them onto the center. It looks really cool.
Taylor got home Monday and went nuts. She absolutely loved it.
We got Pepcid for Taylor’s tummy. Every time she eats her stomach hurts her but since the Pepcid Dr. Well’s prescribed she doing much better.

It’s been a good week and I’m sure we will have a good weekend too!

We love you!

Amber

Monday, March 7, 2005 11:14 AM CST

We had a good week.

Although Taylor has a persistent cough, we have treated it fully and intend to keep her dry and warm so as not to have a recurrence of the pneumonia.
She did very well in school this week and began working on a huge book of dot to dots on Friday.
On Saturday we spent the afternoon at her friend Hanna’s Birthday party. It was a skating party and I must admit I was pretty scared. I didn’t want Taylor to sit out but I was afraid of her falling too. She strapped on the skates and we went right into the rink. She asked me to hold her and I had to say no. I pulled her off the rink and I let her skate around on the carpeted floor. She loved it and she got better and better. Eventually we got back on the rink and she did a great job of skating. I was really proud of her. She looked so scared but she had on hand on me the whole time and just kept getting better and better. In the car she asked me for skates so I told her if she drew a picture of the perfect skates maybe the Easter Bunny would leave a pair in her basket.
We came home and Art had dinner cooking. We had a great meal and I gave Art and Taylor manicures and pedicures.
Sunday was a blah day, we just played inside and did some cleaning.
Today she is at school.
Tomorrow she has a Doctors appointment and they will evaluate her counts and check on that cough. In the evening Art is taking us to see Varakai. That should have her pretty pumped up!

I hope the sun pulls out soon. We’re ready to throw chips over the side to the ducks at Hula Hut and soak up some rays.

Amber

Monday, February 28, 2005 8:45 AM CST

Taylor is doing much better. She is on three antibiotics and that seems to be doing the trick.
Her tummy has been hurting for the past week, and now that’s the only problem.

The day before she got sick Taylor and I went to her godmother’s house. She had hundreds of books from a Barnes and Nobles that was closing here in town.
I took about 30 new books for Taylor and then filled up a truck with the rest.
We took them to the Children’s hospital and filled the 3 floor library, 4th floor brack library. We then took the boxes full of little gift items to the Green unit and gave those to the nursing staff to hand out to the kids. Next we went to the 2nd and 1rst floor book donation stations and filled those to capacity. The last case I had hand picked for Dr. Wells office. We left it in the hallway next to his office.

So the next day Taylor got sick. We went to the hospital and saw that most of the 1rst floor books were gone. That was so awesome. We made so many people happy for the little work we did.

When Taylor is sick she like to hear funny stories of here as a baby.
This time I told her the best one.

“Taylor, when you were in heaven God told all the boys and girls about a woman named Amber and a man named Duc. Now these two are married but will not stay that way. They will have good times and bad times and through it all they will love the baby they are getting. God then said that whoever chooses to go to earth must know that I will be with them always but that they will get Cancer to in fact, insure that the child, and all around them will reach the true potential I have seeded in them. He kept telling them of all the things that would happen and in the end asked for a volunteer. You stood up and asked God to go. You were the brave little girl that Daddy and I wanted so very much and from the moment we knew you were with us, we loved you more than anything else in the whole world. You’re the best gift and I so glad to have you. Thank you for picking me to be your mommy.”

She always smiles and says in this coy voice, I love you, your welcome.

This weekend is the Zilker Kite Festival. Toni- her god mother, Hanna-her little sister, Art, Taylor and myself are all going to go have a good time. Anyone else interested, just show up.
I’m going to go kite hunting later tonight. This should be a really cool thing for Taylor because she’s never flown a kite.

God Bless you all.

One last request, if anyone knows anyone who works for the laf.org or cancer.org please let me know. I’ve been trying to get some face time in there. I’ve got to do this kind of work, full time. Getting another dollar to find a cure for cancers is beginning to eat at me. I’m tired of seeing people with Cancer. This is a battle we can win with funding and education.

Thank you for reading about us,

Amber and Taylor Mai

Monday, February 21, 2005 10:38 AM CST

Taylor is having day surgery today. She also has walking pneumonia.

I’ll write more this afternoon.

Amber

Monday, January 31, 2005 11:40 AM CST

I had to go to Oklahoma this week for work and asked Duc to watch Taylor. Art offered to watch her instead. I was surprised that he asked but decided to take him up on the offer.
I went to Oklahoma and it was great. It’s the first trip that I didn’t fret night and day over Taylor.
He called me to let me know where he was in his day. He called me when he picked her up from school. They called me every night and we text messaged each other quite a few times.
It was the best!
She was happy, I was happy and he was happy.
He decided to give her the Dexamethazone at a new time and with a large meal.
It worked! She slept through the night and seemed to handle it better than she ever has.

When I got home, late on Thursday, Art was on the couch and she was curled up beside him sleeping. It was so cute.

When I picked her up from school on Friday we went home and had dinner together. We cleaned together and played pretty hard.

Saturday we got up and cooked a big breakfast and ate together before Duc came to get her.
He drove her to San Antonio to stay the weekend with his family.

Tonight she will come home to find that she will have all new big girl things.
Art got her new sheets and the zippered pee shield so we can get her into sleeping in undies.
We threw away the last of her sippy cups this weekend and got her “perfect for Taylor” size cups. We got her new panties because she grown another size in the last 30 days. She’s going to be pretty happy.

God is always putting blessings in front of us…big and little….
I’m so glad for each and every one.

Amber

Tuesday, January 18, 2005 1:45 PM CST

Taylor had a pretty good last week. She didn’t get sick and I really thought the doctors were out of their minds.
She ate well.
She played hard.

She went to San Antonio to spend the night with Duc’s family on Saturday.
Duc picked her up late in the day Sunday and took her for the evening.
When I picked her up from school yesterday she looked sick.
Her color was off and her nose was running.
At about 8 at night she got all ready for bed and started crying that her ear hurt.
I had ear aches my whole childhood so I really felt for her.
I gave her Bactrim and Tylenol.
I got her a heating pad and I crawled into bed with her.
She was asleep for about 30 min before she woke up crying again.
This happened on and off all night so were both exhausted today.

Duc took her to the Doctor and he confirmed that she had an earache. She started a drip of antibiotics and sent her home with some too.
They will have her accurate lab counts back today and we will then know if chemo can resume again.

It’s weird…I don’t want Taylor on Chemo and when the doctor takes her off I get so scared that I want nothing more for the chemo to start up again.
(Every little pain and I think the cancer is back.)
I hate that feeling.

I’ve just got to focus and see that God has this wonderful plan for her. He’s making her stronger and wiser…he’s making her into something really special for all of us to admire. Maybe she’ll change the world; maybe she’ll just change me-Either way I’m lucky…so very lucky to have her in my life.

Amber

Tuesday, January 11, 2005 1:35 PM CST

Taylor went to the doctor today and we were informed that her white blood cell count is very low.
They will be stopping Taylor’s Cancer treatments until further notice.
She is neutropenic.

We are going to just keep a tight eye on her temperature and monitor how she feels over all and pray for the best.

She will have another appointment with Dr. Well’s next Tuesday to re-evaluate the situation.

Amber

Friday, January 7, 2005 11:06 AM CST

http://g.msn.com/0MNBUS00/2?http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6787663&&CM=EmailThis&CE=1

That is all one website address put together.

This family needs help much more than Taylor and I need it right now.
I'm trying to figure out a real way to help them. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

their child's cancer site is www.brytr.com

This family tried to raise money for their child's cancer treatments on ebay and ebay took their auction down.
This is a family trying to win the battle against Cancer.

Today our site is dedicated to another strong mommy trying her very best to LIVESTRONG

Amber & Taylor Mai

Tuesday, January 4, 2005 8:48 AM CST

Taylor received a ton of things for Christmas.

She got new clothes
She got a “What’s in Ned’s Head” game and connect four.
Santa brought her a flying saucer that she loves and a stocking filled to the brim with candy, bubble bath and a Barbie watch.

Art and I got this game called Blokus….if you don’t own it get it…and then invite us over!
I’ve become addicted! Taylor likes to tell everyone that she is going to play it when she’s five.
It’s a pretty intriguing game and I just know that it will get her analytical side going when she is old enough to play it.

We spent Christmas Eve with my family and Duc took her Christmas afternoon.

We’ve been gearing up for her two weeks off from school.
She spent the week with Duc during my work hours.

She’s been on Dexamethazone for the last week so we’ve been pretty tired. She’s been getting up about 5 times a night…

This morning she got up for the fifth time at 4 something in the morning and said she was up for the day…I just couldn’t take it…I turned on the TV and told her to have at it…I grabbed a pillow and blanket and curled up below the TV to get some needed sleep.
She’s been eating very well lately and has begun to try new things…

Last night she had 8 fish sticks, 2 pieces of fat free bologna, ketchup, 2 bags of funyons, ¼ of an apple, 3 glasses of water, and a scoop of cottage cheese.

Ewww…

Duc got Taylor a 2 ½ year old pit bull two days ago…and although I’m really not happy about it….there is really nothing I can do. I’ve asked Duc to not allow Taylor near the food bowl and asked him not to let Taylor walk around and eat…her little hands are right at “Mushus” eye level.

So this is the year that will tell a lot of things…She will stop constant chemo in July. She will start school in August. I’m not sure if I’m doing a private school or doing the public school route. I really want what’s best for Taylor but also really want to get a job doing something with Cancer. It just doesn’t pay what I make now so doing this will be a huge risk, if I get the courage. I just think that I could do so much and work so hard if given a chance in a new industry.

I want to get Taylor and myself to the healthiest state possible. I want to work on building her strength and mind. I want to find a job where I feel that I’m improving someone life in someway. I want so much for Taylor and myself and I know in this new year I want to begin on that path of discovery.

God Bless you all this year.
God Bless the many people that are living through the tsunami disaster.
There is so much going on right now in the world. I’m just a speck and I know it.
But even a speck can make the difference in one, two, ten, hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands….I just don’t know which one I am….I just know that I will….

Lots of love and admiration to all of you for the neat things you share, have or do…..

Amber

Thursday, December 23, 2004 12:53 AM CST

Thank you for the Taylor Mai Cancer Fund donations.

I can't belive Christmas is so close!

I'm more excited than Taylor is.

I can't wait to have her pop into our room...I can hear her now.
"Santa came!"
I just want to see her tear through the presents.
I know she will be so excited.

I'm taking Taylor to my family for Christmas Eve and then Duc will pick her up Christmas day.

We have this awesome tree. We have this awesome apartment and we have this awesome new year peaking around the corner. How much better can it get?!

Tonight Bridget is having a Christmas party so all of us are going to spend some time there. Taylor is so happy.

Because we have gone through so much hell together...we really relish the good times and this time of year is at the top of the list.

We are so thankful for all of you, our family and friends.
We have this huge blanket of love and support, and you do too. Taylor and I would do anything for you.

Life is just so sweet.

Amber

Monday, December 13, 2004 8:47 AM CST

Duc has lost his the right to watch Taylor on Tuesdays.
He made a poor choice with her two weeks ago and I have now had to put her into school five days a week.
I was pretty bummed that it happened but as a mother you have to do what’s best for the child, even if it means retiring your wallet. (No point in carrying one if you have no cash.) LOL
The good that comes from this is the fact that Taylor will be better prepared for her first year at kindergarten. She also has the surety that everyday she has a schedule that she feels comfortable with.
Duc hasn’t paid child support in a while and I was pretty worried about the holidays once again but, as all of you know, we carry angels with us.
Taylor has been growing so fast that I couldn’t wait for Christmas to get new warm clothes, so on my last paycheck I got her some great mix and match sets. Then we had a problem with shoes. She only had one pair of tennis shoes, the rest were flip flops and Duc let her leave his home in flip flops and kept the tennis shoes last week. I had a huge problem the next morning when it was in the 50’s and I had no closed toe shoes. I got pretty upset with Duc and decided that I would have to come up with the cash, somehow.
So…the next day I go to work, open my email and someone….someone that I don’t know has used paypal and has dropped 100 bucks into Taylor’s Cancer Fund. I don’t know who this is…the name isn’t sending up bells…so once again an angels has provided for Taylor.

So last week I go to the mall in search of some cool shoes and socks. I stop in the food court and Santa is eating at the table next to mine. I pull out my card and write on the back.
“Dear Santa, Please give me the strength to be a better mother to a child with Cancer.”
I leave it on the table and walk away.
It felt good to ask for something I’d be afraid of saying out loud.

The next day, Santa called my office. He said that he put me on his prayer list at church. He asked to meet Taylor so we set up a time for Saturday. I picked her up from school that day and told her that Santa called the office and asked to see her. She was so excited.

Now over the past two weeks, Taylor has really warmed up to Art. She’s been eating tons of vegetables and picking up her room. She settling into a positive routine and it’s so nice.

Saturday morning hits and she crawls into bed with us. Art asks her what she’s doing today and she says, “I don’t know.”
So he tells her that today is the day that she has to meet Santa.
She shoots off the bed and starts brushing her teeth, she asks for some lipstick, she puts on the cutest dress and starts yelling to hurry up.

We get to the mall and she has a blast. She tells him everything she wants, they take a picture and we head to pick out her shoes.

We found a pair of closed toe black shoes and a pair of white tennis shoes with butterflies on them. We picked out new socks and under garments. The total was 101.50… So I paid 100.00 from her pay pal and paid a $1.50 from my own pocket.
Isn’t that cool?

Well, Christmas is just around the corner and we are both pretty excited. I have everything needed to keep Taylor warm this winter and I’m sure she’ll love what Santa is bringing her.
We are so very lucky.

To this day, every night, I crawl into the bed and say, “Lord, thank you for giving me what you have given me and thank you for what you haven’t given me.”

That says it all…

Amber

Tuesday, November 30, 2004 11:36 AM CST

Okay…the last day of November….

Things that Taylor and I were thankful for on Thanksgiving….

I was thankful for Toni and her family sharing the holiday with us.
I was thankful I didn’t cook the turkey.
I was thankful that that Taylor was really good all day.
I was thankful for having Taylor and going through everything we have gone through together…it made us strong.

Taylor was thankful for
Goldfish
4 helpings of her mommy’s cheesy cauliflower
Egg rolls
Rolls
Mint m&m’s

After we ate we all went to the park and Duc picked her up from the park to take her to his family’s home for dinner.

We shopped a little during the weekend and will make time to go see the Lakeline Mall Santa this week.

I couldn’t imagine the holidays with out Taylor…what did I do with myself before her?
Nothing….
I didn’t really have a life before her.

Amber

Monday, November 8, 2004 8:42 AM CST

Taylor was on Dexamethazone last week so she was pretty wild.
We made it through the week pretty well.

On Friday I got stuck in Highland Lakes so I had to ask Art to pick Taylor up.
She was fussy at first but by the time I got home they were both full of smiles.
He said it was the most they had talked since he moved here.
I was pretty happy.
Art and I took her to see The Incredibles later that evening and we had a pretty good time.
The next morning Duc came and got her.
His family keeps here every other Saturday, overnight.

On Sunday evening Duc met me for more medicine for Taylor.
I walked up to the truck and Taylor was crying. I hopped in and asked her where her daddy was. She was crying, “I don’t know, he just left me.” So I get pretty pissed.
He walks up to the truck and I ask him where he’s been.
He said he wanted to see what was behind the building he was parked in front of.

Taylor at this point takes off her hat and she is BALD.
The family has shaved her head.

Her hair was very thin but it was growing back in…and someone in that family had the nerve to shave my little girls head.

I had to kiss Taylor goodbye and quickly leave.
It broke my heart.

I’m going to be the one that has to deal with what the kids will say to her.
I’m the one that will get the questions from strangers.
Taylor and I will be the ones to suffer because some bonehead took my “God given authority” as a mother away from me and made a decision on my child’s behalf.

I am more than angry.

At this point I have lost all faith in Duc’s abilities and Duc’s family.

Amber

Monday, November 1, 2004 4:18 PM CST

Taylor had a nice Halloween week.
I’m going to try to post pictures tomorrow of us.

She had a really cool party at the school and all of the parents and kids had lunch together.
All of the kids, including Taylor cried when the parents left. It was funny mayhem….
It made me realize that I’m not the only one who goes through this kind of thing.

We had a second party at Riata and it wasn’t that great.
There were too many kids and not enough of anything to go around so we skipped out early and I drove her to my mom’s house to spend the night.
They baked cookies and carved a pumpkin.

I picked her up the next day and Art and I took her Trick-or-treating.
It was a really nice neighborhood. Everyone on the block had some kind of spooky display and after about an hour Taylor just said, “ I’m done, we can go.”
I really thought it was so mature for her age.

We got home and ate dinner.
She picked out three candies and ate them.
We did our nightly routine and she went to bed without a lot of fuss.

This morning she got up and was in a pretty cranky mood.
She really got angry when I wouldn’t let her have candy for breakfast.
(I know, I’m an animal!) LOL
I took her to Ducs and they went to her doctors appointment.

Her grandmother, Duc’s mother, has a pretty bad cough.
On the nights that we would stay over I would hear her coughing almost all night and it really worried me. Duc would always say it was her allergies and would tell me not to worry.
Taylor has picked up this cough that won’t go away and Dr. Well’s told Duc today that it wasn’t serious, it was just allergies. I must admit I am worried. I hope it doesn’t bother her like it does his mother. I still worry about his mom and his grandmother health all the time. Taylor will learn a lot from their strength over the years.

Can’t she catch a break and be fine for awhile?
I want Taylor to run and be wild all day and go to sleep with no medication only to wake up with no cough….even if it’s just once….Lord…just give her once.

We hope you’ve all had a great October!

Amber

Thursday, October 27, 2004 8:39 PM CDT

Art and I went to dinner and we had a nice adult conversation about Taylor.
He's is really trying ways to help me help her. He is concerned with her eating. We would both like to get a pattern down for her to understand her evenings. They do it at school....why not at home?

I met with the school and had a discussion about Taylor.
The Director Amy informed me that she though Taylor's biggest problem was her tardyness at school. She complained that Taylor, on days, doesn't get there until 11 or 12 in the afternoon. I was shocked.
I've been asking Duc if he has been getting her to school on time and he's always assured me that he has been.
Amy will now have a sign in sheet for Taylor and will inform me that week of any tardys.
She also gave me the option of dropping Taylor off before school for a fee. I discussed my dissapointment with Duc and he asked to take her to school and assured me that he would be on time.
Taylor being less than friendly to Art will pass. We will get past this. She will adapt.
My grandmother dropped me an email and clearly pointed out that even though Taylor didn't like the current situation, she like every other child on the planet will adapt. She will slowly learn that Art isn't going anywhere and that if she smiles at him, he will smile back. He does love us...thats why he moved to Austin to be with us.
Everything takes time and with enough time I'm sure we will all be the better for the opportunity of true growth.

Love to you all...

Amber

Wednesday, October 13, 2004 11:08 AM CDT

Taylor and I got pretty sick last week.
We coughed our heads off and just got by.
She was also on the “dex” so she got up every hour on the hour to check up on me at night.

I was feeling better by Saturday and Taylor went to her Dads house for the day.
Art and I picked her up and she kept saying that her tummy was hurting.

When we got home she barfed all over Arts leather chair.
She wouldn’t eat or drink anything and on Sunday she didn’t get out of bed.
She had obviously eaten something with Duc that gave her food poisoning.
By Monday she was feeling better but now we’re having another issue with Art.
One day she will be happy and talk to him and the next day she will ignore him and cry when I leave her side.
I’m not sure what to do but something has got to change.
All three of us are unhappy.

Since Duc is leaving town for the week I’m going to have to think up something to get her into a better mood. I want to do something fun with both of them but have no idea what that something is.
Any Suggestions?

Work is not going as planned.
They are taking the bid deals and keeping them in-house which means the commission stays with them and I don’t get a dime. I’m going to have to think up a new plan of action pretty quickly.

I think Taylor and I are going to Seguin this weekend to see my grandparents. That should really cheer her and the grandparents up.

Love you all!

Amber

Monday, October 4, 2004 10:56 AM CDT

Last week Taylor started to see a true pattern. Every night we did the exact same thing. We hung out. We cooked dinner as a family. We ate as a family. I gave her a bath and read her a story and put her to bed. She got up a few times but slept in her own bed every night
Routine is a good thing. Slowly but surely she is beginning to see that this can be a something nice. I’m sure with time everything will smooth itself out.

Taylor, it seems, has stopped loosing hair. It’s very thin but at least she has some left.
Art’s daughter Charmaine works for Toni and Guy salons in Dallas so she brought Taylor oatmeal and honey Shampoo and conditioner to help. I went to Nordstrom’s and purchased the all organic, tired and cranky baby bubble bath infused with chamomile.
Taylor stayed with Bridget on Friday night and went to a Birthday party on Saturday for her friend Tellus. She had a great time and then took a little trip to San Antonio for Saturday evening. Duc brought her back on Sunday and she was very cranky but after getting her back into the routine that Art and I have provided she perked right up.
She ate dinner and took her bath. I read her a story and rubbed her back until she fell asleep.
She got up at 6am and came into our bathroom, sat on the floor and played with Chase, the cat. She conversed with Art and started the day well. We packed her breakfast up and I dropped her off with Duc. He takes her to school. (She eats the same thing every morning…one sausage and one waffle.)

Taylor still has a really bad cough and she has a doctor’s appointment tomorrow. I’m hoping they can prescribe something that will help her out.
The bumps have gone away. It seems they must have been a sever case of chiggers. I never got a response from the dermatologist. (Gotta love some Medicaid doctors)

Hope all is well with our friends and family. We love you so much.

Amber

Friday, September 24, 2004 8:44 AM CDT

My heart is just breaking...

Taylor is loosing her hair again.

She came home yesterday and told me the kids were making fun of her hair sticking up and coming out...It just makes me sick...
I just started crying...I told her it was my tummy hurting that made me cry and I held her so tight...

I hate cancer...

I'm not sure what to do...I've thought about writing letters to all the parents explaining whats going on...Ive thought about just speaking with the teachers...I'm so sad for Taylor....

Her legs are bruising pretty badly and she has a cough that just wont go away....

I want her to be better again...

We will have to see what this week brings us...

Amber

Tuesday, September 21, 2004 8:09 AM CDT

I had to go to Oklahoma last week for training. The new job has been exciting.
I had Bridget and Duc watch Taylor while I was gone.
When I got back Taylor was covered in what looks to be about a hundred chigger bites.
I asked her if she had ant bites and she said no…I asked her where she had been, she didn’t remember anything biting her. Some of them looked worse than others so I took her to Dr. Wells just to make sure she didn’t have anything going on that would concern him.
He looked. He took pictures. He had no clue of what it might be. He sent pictures to a dermatologist and we still haven’t heard what exactly it is.
I’ve been coating her legs in the ultra moisturizing lotion to try to keep the scabs from leaving scars. The problem is that there in her ears and hair to. It’s really weird. If it is chiggers she must have hit the jackpot. If it’s a reaction to something I wish Dr. Wells would just let us know how to deal with it.

Art and I took a look at the new apartment last weekend only to have someone approach us to ask us not to live there. He said that some of the units have black mold and that they charge a high sum for water. We approached the management staff and they got pretty pissed. They didn’t deny any of it. We lost our deposit and started looking for a new apartment.
After searching for another three days we finally ended up choosing the exact apartment community the Duc lives in so Duc and I can walk Taylor back and fourth. It’s pretty cool for Taylor and Duc even said that she’s welcome even if it’s not his day to be with her.

We began moving little things into the apartment two days ago and we all slept on Taylor’s floor the first night. She cried and didn’t want to sleep two feet away from me and when I forced her to stay on her bedding she cried herself to sleep.

Last night Art’s things arrived and we started setting up the place. We went to Pets Mart together and then went home and gave Taylor a bath. I put her in her room and told her the story of the Three Little Pigs. I explained to her that I was going to take a shower and that I’d be in to check on her. I took my shower and checked on her. Although wide awake she stayed quiet and in her bed. I told her I needed to unpack a few things and I’d be in to check on her and that time when I went in she was asleep. No fussing, no crying….she was awesome! She slept through the entire night. I brought Chase in this morning to wake her up and she was so happy.

This may work out after all.

Amber

Wednesday, September 8, 2004 4:24 PM CDT

Art has decided to quit his job and move here to Austin to be with me and Taylor.
He will be moving into the Town home with us. He wants to help out with Taylor and he’s offered to pay more than his fair share of the bills. I’m scared and excited.
I’m so afraid that I will be a bad influence on Taylor. I don’t want her to think that living with someone you’re not married to is okay but I don’t feel that I should miss out on an otherwise healthy relationship. I’m not sure I ever want to get married again but I’m sure that I want a long-term relationship.
Taylor and I have been talking about this for awhile now and she’s ready to have Art and Chase, his cat move in. It’s going to be a very emotional time for Taylor due to the fact that she will now have her own room without me.
We spent the weekend in Dallas and on the last night there I tried to sleep in Arts room but she cried and he invited her into the bed. She slept with us. The next day I tried to tell her that I had to have adult time with Art and that her room would be very special and just for her. She got angry and cried. I’m not sure how to be mommy and someone to Art…..
This next month should be interesting.

Taylor had day surgery yesterday and it went well. She is coughing today and seems to be getting “cold-like” symptoms. She is also starting Dexamethazone this week so the roller coaster will be starting tonight.

Hope you are all well…..

Love love love…

Amber & Taylor

Thursday, September 2, 2004 10:51 AM CDT

Taylor and I received free tickets to the Dora the Explorer show here in Austin from the Children's Hospital.
We went to the show Last Friday evening and had a blast.
There was another family from the hospital right behind us and it was really nice to talk to someone else going through what we are having to deal with. Until you are put in the position of a loved one going through Cancer or a possible life ending illness, you just don't see what or where the pain comes from. We know from a look on the face that your pain is just like ours and you don't have to point out your feelings on the matter...we know.
I was really nice to have another family tring to make there child happy by sitting through Dora and the couple thousand screaming kids....Love is a gift.

Taylor and I got up the next morning and went to Dallas. We spent the weekend getting Taylor to know Art better. It went really well!
We had a wonderful dinner at PF Changs...we sat outside and spent a great deal of time just talking and playing.
The next day we took Taylor to the Briarstone Mall in Dallas and Taylor met one of Arts daughters, Charmaine. She is a stylist at the Toni and Guy Salon. Taylor got a haircut. (We trimmed it) and she got it styled. She was so happy!
Art took her on the Merry-go-round and we had lunch before making our way home to Austin.
It was a really nice weekend.

Taylors entire week has been good. Duc had dinner with her two evenings this week and she is just growing so fast.

She has told me that she wants to be a volleyball player....I don't have the heart to tell her...honey with my genes and your daddys genes it'll be a miricle if you make it to 5'0

Maybe she should take up soccer or golfing...LOL

We are going to start packing tonight for our move in 23 days. It's going to be amazing to have a two bedroom scenario.

Amber

Wednesday, August 25, 2004 2:35 PM CDT

I ended my career with Starpower this week and began my new job with Ford Audio video doing commercial AV.

Taylor is doing fine and we found a nice new town home to live in. I’m pretty excited.
Taylor and I spent Sunday, Monday and Tuesday in Dallas.
We went to the Dallas zoo and just had a blast.
We went swimming and Art got Taylor a personal DVD player for the car.
She loved it!

This is turning out to be a nice week. Were packing the little items from the front closet today.
She picked out a big box of toys to give to goodwill this week.
She’s such a good girl.

Amber
I ended my career with Starpower this week and began my new job with Ford Audio video doing commercial AV.

Taylor is doing fine and we found a nice new town home to live in. I’m pretty excited.
Taylor and I spent Sunday, Monday and Tuesday in Dallas.
We went to the Dallas zoo and just had a blast.
We went swimming and Art got Taylor a personal DVD player for the car.
She loved it!

This is turning out to be a nice week. Were packing the little items from the front closet today.
She picked out a big box of toys to give to goodwill this week.
She’s such a good girl.

Amber

Sunday, August 15, 2004 3:07 PM CDT

There are new pictures of Taylor and I up on the website....

Amber

Saturday, August 14, 2004 11:49 AM CDT

Drug may protect child’s heart during chemo
Medication could be valuable for treating kids with leukemia

The Associated Press
Updated: 4:59 p.m. ET July 7, 2004

A drug made by Pfizer Inc. can protect young cancer patients’ hearts from the ravages of chemotherapy and keep them from developing serious cardiac problems later in life, researchers said Wednesday.

A study published in this week’s edition of The New England Journal of Medicine suggests the drug dexrazoxane may become a valuable tool in reducing the harmful side effects of treating children with leukemia.

There are about 250,000 survivors of childhood cancer in the United States alone and more than half were treated with drugs now known to damage the heart. Doctors give those drugs anyway because they are so effective at killing the cancer.

'There's a price to pay for a cure'
But the children who receive chemotherapy are eight times more likely to die from a heart-related problem than children who have not had cancer, and the rate of sudden death, presumably from heart problems, is four times higher among young cancer survivors.

Steven Lipshultz of the University of Miami School of Medicine, chief author of the study, said he had seen 50 cancer survivors -- some barely adults -- require heart transplants because of “the sobering reality that there’s a price to pay for a cure.”

Now, fewer children may have to pay that price, said Lipshultz, whose study was paid for by Pfizer, the National Institutes of Health and Roche Diagnostics.

The study found that among 101 children getting the anti-leukemia drug doxorubicin for their chemotherapy, 50 percent showed evidence of heart damage. But when dexrazoxane was added to the treatment of 105 youngsters, signs of damage were seen in only 21 percent.

Moreover, dexrazoxane did not appear to cut the effectiveness of the cancer-fighting drugs, although the Lipshultz team noted those findings were not conclusive. The team recommended long-term follow-up to determine the influence of dexrazoxane on survival and heart function.

Questions about drug remain
Dexrazoxane, sold under the brand name Zinecard, is believed to soak up the harmful free radicals created by chemotherapy. The drug has been around for at least 30 years, although it has not been approved for this use, Lipshultz said.

In an accompanying editorial in the Journal, Leontine Kremer and Huib Caron called the Lipshultz study an “important step” toward protecting children’s hearts from chemotherapy. They added that questions about the drug remain.

Kremer and Caron, of the University of Amsterdam, said dexrazoxane had not been used in adults because of unconfirmed evidence in patients with breast cancer that it might reduce the effectiveness of cancer treatment, or that it might have side effects on the blood, stomach and intestines.

Thursday, August 12, 2004 10:30 AM CDT

Taylor has an awesome birthday!
Tons of people showed up and it was such a blast.

I should have the pictures on the site by tonight.

After the party it was pretty late in the day so we went home and unpacked all of her new goodies.
During Christmas she got more than her fair share of gifts so some of them I didn’t open.
We have a new neighbor next door so Taylor and I went through her toys and she picked out the ones she would like to give to their little girl.
Taylor loaded up a gift bag and we went to their apartment and gave away some toys.
The little girl was pretty happy and so was Taylor.

We them went through all of her clothes and picked out the items that didn’t fit for my brother’s daughter.

On Sunday she had a second party in San Antonio with Duc’s family.
She got clothes, shoes and little goodies.
While her party was going on I put in my two weeks notice with Starpower.
I’m going into a new carrier field.
I’ll be selling commercial audio video to Churches, businesses, and anything that could use non-private Audio/video.
I’m scared but excited too.

On Monday I took her to Schlitterbahn with Toni, her godmother, Hanna, and a friend of the family.
We spent about 6 hours there and Taylor did everything.
She wasn’t scared of any of the rides and she laughed all day.
She even sat down at lunch and ate a foot long corn dog, chips, pickles, and cookies.
She was awesome!

The only bad news to report is well pretty bad…
We lost Medicaid coverage for Taylor.
I’m not really sure what we’re going to do.
We’re reapplying for the coverage but that takes time.
Like always, I’ll figure it out…but…it’s going to take some planning and penny pinching.

We want to thank everyone for coming to Taylor’s party.
She really had a great time and got more than her fair share of gifts.
She knows she’s blessed.

We love you all!

Amber

Thursday, August 5, 2004 2:38 PM CDT

I had an interesting evening with Taylor yesterday.
As I child I didn’t share.
I remember one evening that my mom and dad took me to Gruene TX and my mom danced with a family friend.
I cried and got so mad…I HATED sharing my mom, with anyone for any reason.
I think I slept with my parents until I was 6 or 7…yes…I was bad.
Needy, needy needy)

Well last night Duc backed out of watching Taylor so since my boyfriend Art was here in town all ready we decided to give the “friend staying over a shot”.
WHAT A DISASTER.

She was very protective and if Art and I even sat next to each other she panicked.
He tried playing with her and so did I but as soon as we tried to have a conversation she would flip out.

At bedtime I tried putting her to bed and she cried, begged, screamed, pleaded for me to come to bed too.
I explained that having an adult over meant that we would stay up and have some adult conversation before retiring for the evening.
Well, that got me nowhere and after an hour of screaming Art finally asked her to sleep on the couch while we watched TV. She cried herself to sleep- legs over my lap.
It was pretty bad.

So I’m coming to the parents out there for suggestions of how to wean her of me.
It should be done now. I know this.
(She does this with everyone that comes over, male, female, babies, whoever.)

I know she sleeps with her dad.
I know that she sleeps in my room on her bed.
(We only have a one bedroom apt)
These are the things that I can’t change overnight.

But what can I say or do to calm her?

Okay…on to the good.

She woke up this morning in a very good mood.
She apologized to me for her behavior.

She tried to open my gift to her.
Didn’t happen!

I placed a bid on ebay for tokens and they doubled my order for Taylor!
THANK YOU!!!

Her party is this Saturday at the Chuck E Cheese…she’s more than excited.
Looks like the RSVP problem has been fixed…she’s had 8 kids acknowledge that they will attend the shindig.
Yippee!

I’m so happy we’re celebrating her life…

Amber

Saturday, July 31, 2004 2:53 PM CDT

Taylor had a great week.

We spent Monday together having a great time.
I had to drop her off with Duc early Tuesday morning to get to Pasadena Tx.
(I went twice this week)
It drives me crazy because I know I have to get back in time to pick up Taylor so I’m in a total rush all day to get 8 hours worth of work done in 5.
We gave out the final installment of Taylor’s birthday invitation on Tuesday and only 3 kids have RSVP’d so far…. not good.
I forgot to explain to everyone what RSVP means….
*errrr!!! It makes it difficult to get a hard count on how many gift bags and items are needed.
And this is what motherhood is….
Reading between the lines for events….
(Yet, another thing that wasn’t explained in the mother’s handbook.)

It should be cool…I like playing with her…I use to be a clown at the Mr. Gatti’s in Seguin and I loved it. What could be better than playing all night? It paid well and I learned about the internal workings of video games. I’ve never had a fast food job and I’m really glad I found a job at 16 that would pay me enough to pay for a car and gas.

I’m starting to see this culmination of Duc and I come together in this awesome little girl.
Wow…I can’t wait to see what she’s like, through it all.
She just makes me so happy.

Tuesday, Thursday and Friday she went to school all day and has been eating all of her food including the veggies. (Way to go T)
(The Asian school serves healthy food only) (Rice, meat, fish, veggies, fruits)

Duc’s family will take her for the weekend again and I find myself wondering…what do people without kids do?
I have no clue of how to spend my time and I feel this huge void when she’s not here.
Co-dependant…me? No….

Well, there is exactly one week to go before her birthday! I’m really excited.
She all ready has one gift and she has guessed about a million times to what it could be…
(Just like me) It really drives her nuts.

I got 100 Chuck E Cheese tokens off of ebay for a steal, so I’ve got the tokens taken care of for the party.

I think I’ve got the gift off of ebay as well.

The best gift for both of us is that it looks like we will soon be moving into a TWO-bedroom apartment. I put in my 60-day notice today at the current apartment.

We are really blessed to have all of you in our lives.
Thank you for reading my entries.
Thank you for sending me emails…
Thank you for loving Taylor and I through and hopefully past this chapter of our lives.
I’m indebted to you all.

Amber

PS. If anyone wants to come to the party and you didn’t get an invite…Come On!!!!

Tuesday, July 27, 2004 2:00 PM CDT

Yesterday was my 28th birthday.

I had a two-day celebration.
Sunday my friend Scott took me to the Four Seasons to have brunch.
It’s was fabulous! -That’s says it all.
Sunday evening I went to Dallas and Art took me to Dinner at this wonderful Italian restaurant.
Our friends DC and Candi joined us.

Monday I picked Taylor up at 10 am and we went to The Austin Children’s Museum.
We had a blast.
Afterwards we went to Huts hamburgers and just took our time eating our hotdogs and French fries.
She was so polite.
She has taken to being a social butterfly like her daddy.
She addresses the wait staff when they ask questions and is so open.

I’ve had the talk about the “little voice” in your body.
I’ve explained to her that if something feels funny in your body and you just know that you shouldn’t talk to them, don’t. Listen to your body.
I know in some cases she’s going to look rude but I’d rather have someone feel that way than have someone snatch her. I will not force to say hello to someone she feels that feeling for.
I talked to her about the “help me find my puppy” snatch story and about a ton of other things.
She was very receptive to everything I had to say and it was a great discussion.
I think that Cancer has given her a boost on brainpower.
She talks to me like some of the 5 and 6 year olds I know.

After we ate lunch we went to the Town Lake animal shelter to see the animals.

We then went home and took a walk, put our feet in the pool and just had a great evening together.

It was one of the best birthdays I’ve ever had.

Today we gave everyone in her school an invite to her birthday party.

Duc’s family will not come to Taylor’s party in Austin so there are throwing her a party in San Antonio on Sunday.

She’s pretty excited.

I’m using ebay to get her gift.
I’m trying to work a barter situation for the gift I really want to get her.
Will see if this is going to happen today hopefully.

Lastly, I’m really glad to see so many “Live Strong” bracelets.
Saw this article and thought I’d post it here….

Love you all,
Amber

Looking for one of those nifty yellow wristbands from the Lance Armstrong Foundation?
Good luck. Those $1 plastic bracelets are becoming an endangered species in Austin's shops and grocery stores. The bands are so popular, they're even showing up for sale on eBay -- at a markup, of course.
"They're sold out all over town," said Adam Reiser, co-owner of John Cobb's Bicycle Sports. "It's crazy. It's like the Cabbage Patch dolls."
Earlier this year, Nike produced 5 million wristbands engraved with Armstrong's mantra -- "Live Strong" -- as a fund raiser for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. An additional 2 million wristbands have been made since then because of growing demand.
The nonprofit group raises money for programs for young people living with cancer.
Armstrong, who snagged his sixth Tour de France cycling victory Sunday, battled testicular, lung and brain cancer in the 1990s. The yellow bands offer support for the 10 million cancer survivors living in the United States.
More than 6 million wristbands have been sold since May through the charity's Web site and retailers across the country. Celebrities such as actor Matt Damon and tennis star Serena Williams have been seen wearing the bracelets. Presidential candidate John Kerry is also sporting one.
Foundation officials hope to make more than $7 million from the project. And judging by the huge call for those taxicab-colored wristbands, they may not be too far from their goal.
Chuy's Comida Deluxe -- the parent company of Chuy's restaurants -- sold out of its 12,700 bands at eight locations. RunTex sold 2,000 bands. And Bicycle Sport Shop sold 2,000 in one day.
Even the Lance Armstrong Foundation is struggling to keep up with the demand.
In the past week, the nonprofit ordered 1 million more bracelets from Nike. People who buy the wristbands online today will have them delivered in mid-August, said foundation spokeswoman Britney Puryear.
"The demand is just incredible right now," she said. "Retailers want them. People want them. It's unbelievable."
Some people have even started selling the coveted bands on eBay. On Monday, a 10-pack of the wristbands -- which would cost $10 in stores -- sold for $36.
Foundation officials have discouraged the eBay sales. In a memo posted on eBay, the nonprofit calls sales of the bands "highly discouraged and illegal." Such sales undermine Nike's effort and could jeopardize the foundation's tax-exempt status with the IRS, the memo states.
The group even frowns upon sellers promising to give the money to the foundation, said spokeswoman Michelle Milford.
"We have no processes in place to ensure that the sales of the yellow wristbands will be going to support our programs," she said.
Meanwhile, local dealers are restocking their shelves with the summer's must-have fashion accessory. Whole Foods is expecting a few thousands bands on Friday. And Bicycle Sport Shop will have another 2,000 at about noon on Thursday, said L.J. Miller, the store's assistant sales manager.
"If people want them, they'd better get down here early," he said.
aball@statesman.com; 912-2506

Friday, July 16, 2004 7:30 PM CDT

Taylor is going to be 4 years old on August 7th!!!
I can’t believe we did so well this year.
I’m so excited.

Everyone who anyone will be at her party…
I don’t care about gifts…. I just care about filling that room up with people who love her and know what an awesome kid she is.
She’s been through one hell of a year and this will be the celebration of another year of life and her winning battle with Cancer.

The location is Chuck E Cheese
401 W. Louis Henna Blvd.
Austin, TX 78728 US
(512) 385-2575

The party is at 12 noon on the 7th of August.

RSVP if you can…I’d like to have a chair for everyone there….

I’m getting pretty excited!
She getting so big…

I’m just so lucky….

Amber

Sunday, July 11, 2004 4:10 PM CDT

Last weekend Taylor saw the Seguin Fourth of July parade with my Grandmother, Grandfather and mother. She had a blast.
She partied all day with my mom and even saw fireworks that evening.
On Sunday she spent the day with Duc’s family and the week has gone pretty well.
She’s been very good.
She also must have had free reign somewhere because she has a belly. It’s so cute but the clothes are going to stop fitting soon.
I had a very wonderful weekend on Lake Las Vegas. Art really took great care in planning the entire trip and I’ve never had so much relaxation. The entire experience was utterly romantic and fun.
This week I received a package in the mail from another friend. She sent me a “support” shirt with a cancer organization and this really cool yellow bracelet from the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
(I applied to work there two weeks ago and never got the call to interview…. shame for them…I would have fought hard to make strides for them…. oh well…)
I love my job but find myself wanting to help people with Cancer. –May end up with a career change, if I can find someone to hire me.
Anyway, this bracelet is big enough that it fits my ankle perfectly. People keep asking me what it is…. it’s so cool.
Lance is wearing the same bracelet in the Tour right now.
So this weekend Taylor went to Houston with Duc’s family. They took her to see one of her cousins.
I just called her and she is just raving about the good time.
I asked her to come home to play with me…and she replied…okay, I can do that.

Tomorrow we have a Doctor’s appointment and nothing else.
Were gonna hang out together and just have a good time.

She is the best gift I will ever get in my entire lifetime…I know this for a fact.
I’m really lucky…for my friends, for my family, for all the good and even the bad.
I just know that if this horrible disease wouldn’t have come into our live I, or someone in her life would have taken her “light” for granted- for one day- and that would have been one day to many. She is too awesome for words.

I’m glad I saw your head bald Taylor…now I can kiss your freckle that I would have never know was there in the first place.
I enjoyed you with peach fuzz…. I loved going to HEB and playing with the peaches, only to tell you how great they are, and how you remind me of a sweet peach…and that smile you gave me every time we went down that aisle.
And now I’ve got you with wild inch long hair. It’s just enough to run my finger through at night.
I can’t wait to see the years of hairstyles in front of you….
I can’t wait to see the years attached to you…
I love you more than anything, and I always will.

Amber

Thursday, July 1, 2004 7:31 PM CDT

Taylor and I got pretty sick this week…. we’ve been fighting back though…

She is spending the weekend with my mom and Duc’s family on Monday.
I got an early present from Art.
He is taking me for a four-day weekend trip on Lake Las Vegas.
This is the first vacation I’ve ever been on and I’m pretty excited.

*Not to worry…my name is not Brittany so there will be no 55-hour marriages…

Taylor will be going to the Seguin Parade and firework.
She will then, I’m sure, - partake in the all party at the Dinh’s home.

I finally got my article in Dealerscope.
www.dealerscope.com
go to the 40 under forty…I’m on the second page.
(Wish I got the pay that goes with that title)
Anybody hiring?
LOL

Love to you all.

Amber

Tuesday, June 22, 2004 1:37 PM CDT

I had never heard of this until today...
(Copied from an email I received)

Hi Amber,

I read this article in Organic Style magazine. It's also online at Organicstyle.com. I found it interesting. Thought of you and Taylor.

Love,
Susan

Is Traffic Giving Children Cancer?

Kids in homes that are heavily exposed to traffic exhaust are four times as likely to develop leukemia as those whose houses have no exposure, according to a recent study from the National Cancer Institute in Milan, Italy. "Heavy exposure means living within 300 feet of a road that sees at least 20,000 vehicles per day," says Howard Wachtel, Ph.D., a professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder who has performed similar studies. "That includes any busy local highway or feeder road." Think your family may be at risk? Contact your local EPA office to ask about your neighborhood's air quality. If you're close to a highway, keep the windows that face it closed. And when you're out with the kids, avoid busy streets at rush hour - stalled traffic creates much more exhaust than cars moving steadily.

Taylor has had a good weekend.
On Monday we went to Seguin to see my family and she got to play outside with the hose for the first time ever. We had a blast. I kinked the hose once and she freaked out. I unkinked the hose and a shot of water got her wet from head to toe. She laughed so hard and just kept asking me to do it over and over. She ended up running around in nothing but her undies...It was so cute. It brought back my own childhood memories...kids are so awesome!
We went to dinner at Rudys and she ate a ton of Sausage.
Her godmother Toni came over to our apartment after that and we just sat and talked until late in the evening.

She got up and went to school very well. Okay, until we got there and they would'nt let her into the dolphin room to see Austin.
Were going to practice every night and get her ready to join the dolphin room. We've just got to get a few other things down.

Love to you all this lovely, rainy week!

Amber & Taylor

I also have a 20 credit at the Childrens store so were going to go shopping for a new outfit for the upcoming holiday weekend. *Yippie*

Friday, June 18, 2004 3:01 PM CDT

Taylor had day surgery on Monday.
It went pretty well.
Once again the staff tried to take Taylor to the procedure room.
I explained to them that I always take her and today would be no different.
One of the male nurses asked, and why is that?
“Because God gave her to me. God gave me the responsibility of her every second of her life, not you.”
He smiled and agreed. I got my way and put her under before stepping aside. (AS IT SHOULD BE)
He came to the recovery room, where I break into to see if I had gotten back there. He just smiled and shook his head when he saw that I had beat him.
We talked for a while and he actually came into my store last week. I told him great staff get huge discounts on A/V equipment and he was SO excited. He took down my cell phone and told me he’d call me before he stopped into the store again.
She rested for much of the day.

Tuesday she went to school and had a good day.
I had to go to work at 7 am so Taylor laid on the floor and watched Finding Nemo until I was done.
I took her to breakfast…twice
She had Chick-fil-a at about 7:30 and then we went to the park and played until 8:30
She then wanted a pig in a blanket from Dunkin Donuts…
She ate it on the way to school and I dropped her off…happy and full.
I cooked rice and shrimp for dinner and she ate a ton.
(Have I mentioned it Dexamethazone week?) LOL
She then devoured three bags of funyons.

Wednesday, Art came down from Dallas and we took her to the Zoo.
She had a blast…just wanted to feed the goats…
She got a little sick in the car but we stopped and I rode in the back and made funny faces the whole way home.

Thursday she went to school and apparently they started teaching the kids Spanish…so that makes 6 languages now…. poor girl…. she can sing a song but no one can get it all because she speaking in so many languages…LOL
Bridget picked her up and they had a good evening.
We went home and had dinner together…and then she had 4 bags of funyons.

She got up and hung out with me in the bathroom as I did my makeup this morning.
I LOVE that.
I use to do it when my mom would get ready.
We’d have the best conversations…
Taylor and I do too…

This weekend Duc will be doing the urban adventure race so his family is taking her for Saturday and Sunday.

Amber

Friday, June 11, 2004 2:57 PM CDT

Taylor has been doing well this week.
Monday she spent the day with me and we hung out at the pool and had a nice picnic again.
Tuesday she went to school and Duc picked her up, had dinner with her and dropped her off to me.
Wednesday we hung out at the house and played. I dropped her off with Duc at 5 and went to Dallas to work Thursday.
I picked Taylor up from Bridget after a full day of school and we went home and read a little before bedtime. I found this book that I use to read to her when we lived in the Children’s hospital called the Blue day book. She laughed so hard. It was amazing to see such a change. She was so sick and she would just look at the book as I read. It’s good to see her smile and be happy.
Today I dropped her off at school and I’ll pick her up tonight at Bridget’s house.
I’m thinking we should go out to the Oasis and look at the lake.

Work has taken the term hectic to a new level.

Hope your all having a wonderful week.

Amber

Saturday, June 5, 2004 10:57 AM CDT

Taylor is having a good week. Dr. Well’s has informed us that her white blood cell count is very low and so are her nutrophils. They have cut her chemo in half and will continue that dose until Monday the 14th of June. On that day she will have day surgery and a check up.
She has had a busy week. My friend Scott and I ripped off her cast on Tuesday evening and had a pick-nik of Chick-fil-a at my apartment. I told her if she would walk on the leg that I would take her to the pool to swim.
We went to bed and the next day she got up and was insistant upon going to the pool. She still didn’t use the leg but I took her anyway. I tried to teach her to swim and we had a blast. We ate a snack outside and waited for Duc to arrive. After being in the pool she started using the leg and began limping around. By the end of the evening she was walking pretty well.
On Thursday she went to school and afterwards Ms. Bridget picked her up and had her until 8pm. At 8pm she met Art and myself at the Oasis and we had dinner together. We then went over to the live music section and she danced a little.
Friday she went to school and apparently got a proposal from a boy named Austin. He told his mom that he was going to marry Taylor. He was telling everyone at the school that they were getting married. The director of the school was giving me the details…if any boys come near Taylor during playtime he puts his hand out and tells them not to touch her. It’s pretty funny….
Bridget and Adam picked Taylor up from school and took her to the final UT baseball game. By the time I got there she was drenched in sweat and smiling ear to ear. She wanted to stay to watch the rest of the ball game but we had to get home. She said she had a lot of fun. I’m really happy that Adam and Bridget aren’t afraid to take her out and have some real fun with her. They are the best caregivers for Taylor and we we’re really lucky to have found such an awesome couple to put into her life.
The two pieces of bad news are, I didn’t get any child support last month…not a dime…
Second would be the SBC bill I received in Taylor’s name. The bill is for 167.76
It has gone to collections.
Art and I tried to pull her credit yesterday to see what other items are on her credit only to find that every website we visited wouldn’t give info on someone under 18…Geez…I wish that would apply to people opening accounts in my daughters name. I’m going to get a hold of all three major credit bureaus to get a warning put on her account.
It’s something I should have done for myself as well but it’s too late for me-damage is done. I guess in the end, I love her way more than I love myself…I live for her…and that’s why I’m going to dedicate myself to making sure her credit will never be ruined by someone that isn’t her. An APD case number has been filled for identity theft of a minor.
It’s not my goal to “bust” someone on this but to insure that the best for Taylor is always done. I want to see her go to college…get a new car, live the dreams that she has and not have credit be an issue for her.

I hope your week was a great as Taylor’s folks!

Amber Dinh

Sunday, May 30, 2004 3:51 PM CDT

So I went to the mall and saw this woman walking in front of us….she had this jersey on…”Fighting Cancer” It was so cool that I chased after her and asked her where she got it from. She explained the story of how and I gave her my business card and asked if she could get a hold of another one that I would like to get one. She happily took my card and we went our separate ways.
Well, through the course of the past two weeks I have received the most uplifting emails and prayers from people…everywhere…. all over Texas and the USA, heck I’ve even got a new friend in Las Vegas…
So I went out to get the mail this week and there was the jersey…. she had mailed me a jersey!
THANK YOU!!!!
It’s really cool…I’m planning on getting a pic of the shirt for the site.
To give someone the shirt off your back is more than generous.
It’s absolutely amazing!

Taylor re-broke her leg this week. She then gashed her head at the school this week. She just can’t catch a break when it comes to injuries.

Work has been very demanding. I went to Dallas three times this week. I’m blessed to have an opportunity like this one but in the back of my mind I’m always unhappy. I want to spend more time with Taylor. I want to pick her up from school. I want to do normal things and it’s just not possible with this job. I’ve been considering all of my options and asked for a higher (1%) commission rate-Denied.
The positive to working as hard as I have is that in Dealerscope magazine, June 20004, I’ve been nominated for the 40 under 40 in the Audio/Video retail industry.
(Won’t know until I see it if I got in for sure)

Taylor has a doctor’s appointment this week for tests and an MRI for her leg. This means that I’m going to have to fight the staff to be in there when Taylor gets her MRI…. I’m ready…I hope they are….I don’t leave Taylor….

Well, I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!
We love you all!

Amber & Taylor Mai

Ricky Martin…I miss you…I don’t know your schedule and have been worried to call and wake you up…call me.

Tuesday, May 25, 2004 10:31 AM CDT

Taylor re-injured her leg on Sunday.
She is back in a cast.
I took her to the hospital and had a new cast put on.
This cast will stay on for a week and then they will take an MRI to take a better look at the leg/foot.

I got this email and wanted to share this....

I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations;
it isn't granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares
and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
You must grow on your own! ,
but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea

"To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just might be
the world"

Amber Dinh

Tuesday, May 18, 2004 12:14 AM CDT

From MSNBC HEALTH

Cancer in teenagers and young adults has risen to become the most common cause of natural death for their age, but not enough research is being done into its causes or treatment, health experts said on Monday.

Leukemia was most common in 13 and 14-year-olds, followed by lymphoma and brain tumors. But by 15 and above, lymphoma accounted for the great number of cases.
“Until we devote resources specially to this age group, there will be little progress."

A team at Tata Memorial Hospital in India found a strong correlation between the rise in per capita consumption of carbonated soft drinks in the past 50 years and a documented increase in rates of esophageal cancer in the United States.
Team members studied U.S. Department of Agriculture data to find that per capita consumption of carbonated drinks rose by more than 450 percent, from 10.8 gallons (49 liters) on average in 1946 to 49.2 gallons (224 liters) in 2000.
And over the past 25 years, the incidence rates of esophageal cancer have risen by more than 570 percent in white American men. Esophageal cancer affected 13,900 U.S. men and women in 2003 -- more than 10,000 men -- and killed almost all of them, according to the American Cancer Society.
The researchers found similar trends worldwide. Countries with per capita annual consumption of more than 20 gallons of fizzy soft drinks also had rising rates of esophageal cancer.
Do you still want to down a couple soda’s a week?
Taylor is not to have soda…she has sweet tea when we got out for a treat.
I just found this stuff online today and thought I would share it…

Taylor is getting her cast off today and she started Dexamethazone yesrterday.
My car is in the shop so we’re stuck at home this week but were having fun.

Love to you all,
Amber Dinh

Thursday, May 13, 2004 1:20 PM CDT

Taylor gets her cast off on Tuesday!
Yippie!

I’ve been noticing this smell…okay folks…it smells like “feet”
The smell in that thing should be pretty ripe.
I can only imagine the goldfish she has probably stuffed down into there along with the sand from school.
This should be funny.

Taylor has been so wonderful lately. She’s been informing me odd fact and just being such a great girl. She’s been using her best manners. She been cooking at home with me and chatting on the phone with our friends. I’ve been seeing a bit more of here and a bit less of the Leukemia.

Before she had cancer her hair was jet black like her dads…now it’s brown like mine.
That’s kind of weird.
I’ll put new picture up later today.

Bridget & Adam have really been a big help. They have been picking up Taylor every Thursday and Friday from the school and watching her until I get off work. They always seem to put here in the best mood.

We love you all!

Amber & Taylor Mai Dinh

Thursday, April 29, 2004 1:36 PM CDT

Taylor went into the hospital last week for an overnight stay.
She was running a high fever so they pumped her full of antibiotics.

She seems to be better now.
Every time she is on Dexamethazone she gets ill.
We’re just going to have to plan around this.
(Problem…. it’s going to happen every month for a week.) (For another year)

Duc and I have been spending a lot of time with Taylor lately.
We’ve been talking her to lunch and dinner…
We’ve been doing what I think we both feel is best for Taylor and we’ve received some slack.

Regardless of what Duc’s family or friends think of me…regardless of what my family and friends think of him. Heck, regardless of what we think of each other, Taylor should be able to have dinners with her parents. She should do normal family things. I will always stand on the premise of when Duc wants to step up and treat us both with respect, even for one evening, I will happily show Taylor that her Mom and Dad can be nice to each other and love every second of her company. I will even go as far as saying, I hope one day Duc and I will become friends, not for self, but for Taylor. I’d do anything for her happiness.

This week I had a customer come to me and I ended up doing an awesome set up in the home. This setup is going into his showcase home in Lakeway. During the install I found out that all proceeds are going to the Make-a-Wish foundation. I was so thrilled. I made sure everything was perfect. The setup went wrong and we ended up being there for almost eight hours but we got it done. I’m hoping the foundation make a ton of money!!!!

Yesterday, Duc and I took Taylor to Chick-fil-a and we had lunch. When I was there I saw this little girl and I knew at that moment it was another clients child. Even though I’ve only seen this child once in the last year, I just knew it was her. The family sticks in my head because their family was also affected by Cancer and lets just say that’s one really strong family. I chatted with the grandmother and Taylor liked hanging out with Ms. Abby in the play area. It was so nice to have them meet.

We hope you are all having a great end to the month.

Amber

Thursday, April 22, 2004 5:27 PM CDT

I was ill this week and had to visit the doctor. I had to take Taylor and she must have picked something up from the doctor’s office. The school called me today and asked me to pick her up…she had a fever of 101.5 and she said her eyes were hurting.
I had to close the store and go pick her up.
I then brought her back to the store and set up the theater room for her.
I put a cold compress on her head and she fell asleep.
Duc is now talking her to the hospital.

*If Taylor ever gets a fever over 101 you have to directly take her to the hospital for a check up.
I may call in sick to work tomorrow.

I’m tired of this roller coaster.
She’s tired of this roller coaster.

I just wish she’d get better…
It pains me to see her miss her childhood.
(The normal childhood that other kids get.)
I wish she didn’t know what a port-a-cath was.
I wish she didn’t have a tile in a children’s hospital ceiling….

I wish…
I wish…

Just not a very good week…
We all have our ups and downs…
This is just one of our downs…

Amber

Tuesday, April 13, 2004 2:19 PM CDT

Easter Sunday was really nice.
Taylor and I got up and hunted for eggs hidden by the Easter Bunny.
I then dropped her off with Duc and they spent the day together while I drove to Dallas to spend time with my boyfriend, Art.
Art and I then drove to Waco and picked Taylor up from Duc.
Art, Taylor and myself had dinner together and then drove back to Dallas to spend the night. Art has a cat named Chase and Taylor was going wild for the cat.
She kept hollering for the cat and laughing.
In the morning Taylor and I got up and went to the Dallas Aquarium.
She really had a lot of fun.
From there we went to See Art at work and we all went to lunch.
It was just a great day, all around.
After lunch we stopped by H.D’s and shopped.
We drove around Dallas and looked at a couple of things and then made our way home.
We stopped in Waco to see John Curry and his family. Taylor really had a blast playing with Matthew. We saw Tetley, our dog and played with him for a while.
We then made our way back to Austin and stopped by my friend Scott’s apt.
He got her a really cute Easter basket and played with her for a while.

The time spent with Taylor was so much fun, for the both of us.
Hope you all had a wonderful Easter too….

Amber

Saturday, April 10, 2004 5:15 PM CDT

Taylor didn’t walk for a week so I took her back to the doctor and had more x-rays taken.
She broke her tibia. She is now in a cast.
Duc took her to go the cast put on and it’s exactly like he described it to me over the phone…
It looks like a big hot pink go-go boot!

She went back to school after taking a week off.
Duc really kicked up the parenting this week.
He took time off to take care of Taylor during the day, which was really cool.

So now it’s Easter!
Tonight I’m going to drive to Seguin and see the grandparents with Taylor and from there we are heading to Dallas. We will stay the night in Dallas and go to the Dallas zoo on Monday morning.
I thought that would be a really cool.
So we’ll go to the zoo and then have lunch with Art in Dallas.
After lunch we should head home.

I met with a Korean medicine man and he had some interesting things to say about Taylor.
He gave me some books to read and gave me some herbs.
I’m pretty interested in what he had to say and I’ve known this guy for about a year now.
He’s not charging me for the info or herbs. He just wants Taylor to get better.

Nothing really exciting to report besides the leg to report.
I’m sure the Easter Bunny has great rewards for someone as strong as Taylor.

Love to you all,
Amber

Thursday, April 1, 2004 1:55 PM CST

Taylor and I spent Monday at the mall, shopping. We had a wonderful lunch together and then she fell while at Ultimate Electronics. I thought she had broken something so we got x-rays. Everything was good but she still can’t walk on that leg. She’s been crawling around the house.
During the day Duc has been kicking in his time to help watch her.
I’m hoping to have her back to school by next week but it’s not looking so good right now.

Amber

Sunday, March 28, 2004 2:08 PM CST

I went to Chicago for the entire week.
I left last Sunday and spent the evening in Dallas.
Monday morning I got to Chicago bright and early.
I worked the week through and learned…. hmm….
Uh…. not much the first day and a little everyday after that

I learned that I don’t like Chicago as much as I did the first time I went.
I learned that I daydream about Taylor almost every second of the day if I’ve been away from her.

Taylor spent the week with Duc and my mother. She went to school during the day.

I’m now literally halving my time between Dallas and Austin.
Hopefully that will stop in 8 months.
With the opening of the new store I should hope that we dedicate my time to the Austin store and the time needed to become the number 1 selling store in Texas for Starpower.
(Big shoes to fill, by the way)

Taylor seems to be learning a lot at school and her vocabulary is becoming quite impressive.
She’s eating on a healthier level, which is great.

Last night I was on the phone with Art and we had all of the lights in the apartment off.
The only thing on was the glow of the TV and the blue tint painted her body.
She had the cutest smirk on her face and she was munching on a snack, totally engrossed in the cartoon.
She looked so unbelievable gorgeous. I just had to sit there and soak it in…

I’ve been all over the world. I’ve seem millions of people in my lifetime. I’ve been to the best places and done the best things but nothing compares to her.
God has given me the most awesome gifts in my life.
Taylor is so much more than I will ever be.
She exudes comedy, love, and determination.
She is just so very awesome.

Hope you are all doing well.
We are growing everyday, and loving you all.

Amber

Thursday, March 18, 2004 1:13 PM CST

Taylor picked up a cough last week and I rushed her to the Hospital on Tuesday.

She has Pneumonia again.

I’m hoping to nurse her back to health by the end of the weekend.
I know it’s asking a lot but I have to be in Chicago next week for work and no one can take my place so I must go for the company.

This has been a tough week.
I hate to see Taylor sick. It tears me down.
I always fear that Cancer is coming back.
Work has been pretty tough as well.
I’ve got a ton of work and not enough time.

I had a friend stop by work today.
She has been diagnosed with Cancer.
She doesn’t want “strangers” to pray for her, so I’m not going to give her name or any details…
I just wanted everyone to know that my heart is heavy for someone else I love has been given the diagnosis of Cancer.
*I love you, respect you, and think you are so very strong…you can do this! I will be there for anything you need, day or night. Nothing is too little to ask for. I want to be of help to you.

Taylor is getting to be even more beautiful.
Her hairline has come back but it’s Duc’s hairline….
It makes me laugh; she looks like the two of us so much.

We love you all…

Amber

Friday, March 12, 2004 10:25 AM CST

Taylor has been doing just fine.

The adjustment to school has been better than I could have ever dreamed.
She knows the routine and enjoys school.
She has made friends and has been taking advantage of everything the school has to offer.

Yesterday she sang songs in the music room, played outside, and listened to a story performed by a guest.
She ate Egg rolls and milk for breakfast at the school.
Lunch was noodles, carrots, broccoli, beef and potatoes. (She didn’t eat the beef)

It’s really cool; the school gives a review of the day, everyday, in paperwork.
I still have the paperwork from before Taylor was diagnosed with Cancer. The school would comment on her being pale. They would check her temperature, and have her lie down if she felt tired. The administrator and I still comment that both she and I knew that Taylor was ill….WHY didn’t a doctor?

The school is so loving and just awesome. Taylor and I are pretty lucky to have found that place.

~Taylor will have a check up on Monday and a check of all of her medication. She is still taking two forms of Chemotherapy every day but her body has adjusted to the drugs so everything is pretty routine for right now. –Thank God.

As for me, I’ve been driving back and fourth from Dallas for work and for a new group of friends.
I’ve been hanging out with some of my co-workers from the Dallas locations and have made some really nice friends. One of the guys, D.C. has a great girlfriend that works at H.D’s in Dallas. She has been hooking me up with some really awesome clothing. It’s nice to be getting some one on one time with adults. It’s been such a long time. I’m really starting to feel that my life is truly moving forward, and in a positive direction.

Only one negative to report in our lives…and YES…I’m reporting it….
I received info in the mail today.
Duc has been issued paperwork for child support contempt.

(Guess that new big screen TV he got last week won’t do him any good behind bars)

Okay…back to work…

Amber

Thursday, March 4, 2004 12:50 AM CST

I dropped Taylor off at school on Tuesday and went to work.
I checked the mail to find a letter from my dear friend Richard.

The best part of the letter says…

I hope none of the other kids at school try to give you a hard time. You are a special, brave little girl but some children think that “special” mean “different”. If some of the kids try to make you feel different from everyone else, take it as a compliment. This may not be easy to do at first, but eventually I know you will win them over with your wonderful smile and your sweet disposition. After awhile, they will realize that you have been through much more pain and sickness than most of them have ever known and that you have faced this pain with bravery. They will then begin to think of you as their classmate who is “the brave one” (not the different one”) and they will want you to be their friend. There may still be one or two students who will try to make you sad with their comments but if you can learn to be nice to even those rude, cruel students and always give them a smile, they will change there opinion of you.

I love you Richard. You have always let me be me. You will let me talk about anything and everything. Your are the epitome of the word friend and everyone in your life should be thanking there lucky stars that you grace them with your love and light.

I’m so lucky to have the friends that I have.
Taylor and I will always love you.

At the end of each day the school puts out a report.
She drew and played well with the other children.
She took a two-hour nap and she at a cupcake for a mid snack with milk. (It was someone’s birthday)
Lunch consisted of rice, soup, eggs, green beans and chicken. and apples
(She ate half of her lunch)

I hope today is going as well as Tuesday.
The child life specialists from the cancer unit at the hospital will be giving a speech today at her school explaining why she has no hair and what exactly she does for treatments. (Cancer 101)

On a last note, my great friend Daryl called on Tuesday evening, he lost his stepfather to Cancer, complications to the chemotherapy.
He left behind a wife, (one month short of their 15 year anniversary), friends and family.
Cancer takes, young and old, black and white, it never discriminates, it doesn’t care how much you are loved, it cuts so many lives short, and cheats so many of possible memories.
Although we are blessed by the people we share our lives with, even if for a short time, cancer still angers me to no end.

Pray that someone finds a true tangible cause for cancer and we learn to avoid that tangible at all costs.
Pray for a cure.
Pray for life in the midst of a no hope situation.
Pray for miracles, even if they’re little ones that only you can see or understand.
Pray…

Amber

Tuesday, March 2, 2004 6:53 PM CST

Last week I had a dream.
I was carrying Taylor through this hotel. Hundreds of other mothers and father were carrying their children.
Searching for rooms and for something.
I found myself searching for something…I just didn’t know what.
I was cradling Taylor and she looked so very sick.
I was crying.
I saw someone I knew and walked towards them…I told them that Taylor was sick as I tripped. This person helped me up and his face morphed into the face of God. I knew it from the moment I saw it. I began to cry harder and he picked me up, placed Taylor back into my arms and turned me around.
He said, “Taylor is not dying, she will be okay.” He pushed me to walk forward and I walked away.
I woke up crying. I woke up to Taylor at my bedside.
She said, “I’m okay mommy” and crawled into my bed.
This was last Wednesday….
That day was Ash Wednesday.

Some of you may think I’m nuts…but I can assure you that I completely know that was God coming to me.
I haven’t been worried about Taylor dying since that night, and everyday before that I worried about it constantly.

In one weeks notice, my thought process has gone from, How do I live without this light in my life to how am I going to feel when she sneaks out at 15?
I feel like the weight of the world has been taken from my shoulders.

Today she started school. I got up at 6am and got ready to go to work. I got her things ready for school. I woke her up, clothed her, fed her. She washed up and I took her to school.
Two other families were bringing their children into class as I was dropping off Taylor.
Both commented that I had a darling little boy.
I let them know that I have a darling little girl with cancer and the shock was more than apparent on their faces.
She walked right into the bunny room and found her old nametag and placed it on the board. She kissed me goodbye and told me she had to go cook.
~No tears…. no fear…
She was ready.

Bridget…the second light in my life will be taking Taylor after school, so she gets the best of both worlds.
She has school and the most awesome friend and Nanny in Ms. Bridget.

This is going to be a new beginning to something great.

I’m ready for our next chapter to life….
I’m embracing what I have and I’m ready for what’s next too….

Amber

Tuesday, February 24, 2004 7:10 PM CST

Taylor has a new bed…She loves it.
I got her 300 count sheets, which are nicer than mine.
I tucked in a pillow beside her and she snuggled to it all night long.
We both slept well the first night.
Taylor began Dexamethazone again yesterday, I’m sure that’s why she freaked in the middle of the night, last night.
She screamed for me in the middle of the night. Now…our beds are less than 2 feet apart so I shot up like a rocket.
She begged to come into my bed and I let her.
We’ll try again tonight.

Taylor starts school on Tuesday. I’m pretty scared.
The school is having an assemble put on by the child life specialist and the Candlelighters Association on Thursday. They will be explaining Cancer and Leukemia. They will discuss how to be careful around Taylor and why she has no hair, etc. etc.
I’m afraid that the bullies will use this info and hurt her. I’m afraid of how Taylor will react to the speech… I’m completely terrified but know it does need to be done.
So now I’m entering new mommy territory….
How do I protect my child from the world and let her experience the world at the same time?

I’ve got a lot to think about, a lot to help her through…the next few weeks will be tough but I’m sure we can push through.

Amber

Friday, February 20, 2004 3:35 PM CST

This week has been pretty full for Taylor and myself.
Work has put me into overdrive and Taylor is bopping along with the twists and turns.
When I work lake she climbs into our theater seating and watches a DVD or write notes at my desk about whatever the issue of the day is.
She never complains and she’s just so full of love.
The Pidgeons have committed one million dollars to my new store and the pressure is really rocking my world.
I’ve got to commit so much to them and fight to produce what numbers is needed to be lucrative for Starpower.

We’re getting her bed delivered tomorrow morning and I’m excited and stressed.
I’m going to miss snuggling with her but know it’s for the best.
I’m also aware that this is going to make Taylor sad.
Every time I think of her crying and having a “glitch” in her life I fear I could be triggering another bout with Cancer.
I, to this day, think it was Duc and I fighting that set her into this Cancerous spin.
When I feel pain, emotional pain, it burns so deep that I have a hard time functioning.
Taylor is an extension of Duc and myself…it’s so obvious.
Maybe her pain runs deeper than even mine…

Trang, Reed and Mike came up to purchase the bed on behalf of the school that got the money together.
Duc left Taylor with them for the day and they took her to the Tea House for dinner.
Taylor eats at the Tea House, on average, about four times a week.
She loves Daddy’s rice, Mommy’s noodle, and carrots with broccoli in the “sauce.”
The entire staff loves Taylor.
It’s this awesome Vietnamese family that owns the restaurant.
They always cater completely to Taylor.

It was so funny. The staff gives details of what happens when I’m not with Taylor.
They tell me what the entire party ordered, what Taylor ate, what Taylor drank, what was said.
They really love her and they take of us really well.

Nuff’ said…Eat at the Tea House in Austin Texas!!!

Anyway, the other issue this week that I need to let everyone know about is the mail issue.
Duc has forward my mail to his apartment. I’m not happy…
I’m forwarding it back to my home but I’m sure it will happen again.

If anyone wants to send any kind of correspondences, it’s going to need to be at my work address.

10000 Research Blvd.
Ste 129
Austin TX. 78759
v

Saturday, February 14, 2004 11:41 AM CST

I woke up at about 3 am to look outside. I found it snowing in Austin Texas!
I got Taylor up and she got pretty excited and as I carried her out to the porch she fell asleep again.

I remember my dad use to wake us up at ungodly hours to take us swimming at this pond up the road.
My parents did crazy things in the middle of the night. I loved growing up in that house. You never knew what was going to happen next. It was cool.

I like to do the same thing with Taylor. Keep her guessing, laughing and loving life, and our times together.

So Taylor and I got up this morning to play in the snow.
We had such a good time. I was stoked that she was experiencing snow and the excitement behind this kind of day.
I dropped her off with Duc at 9 am…she was begging him to go outside and play in the snow…he was not up for that…too tired…I’m sure she begged her way into it…at least I hope she did…

Well, Happy Valentines Day everyone…we love you.

Amber Dinh

Thursday, February 12, 2004 4:06 PM CST

Okay, so many of you have asked about Taylor and have called and I must be completely honest.
I’ve been less than excited to write on her site due to the fact that before, some of Duc’s family has been less than happy to hear whatever it I have to say on a personal level.
I just didn’t want any negativity on her site or in our lives…
I’m getting over it…

Taylor has been released to go into general public. She will still be on chemotherapy for another year and a half but she can now begin to have a normal childhood.-(If there is such a thing)

I gave Ms. Bridget a seven weeks notice. She was hurt….I was hurting…it’s sucked. I’m just sick of living paycheck to paycheck and having no real financial help from Duc. Don’t get me wrong…. Bridget is worth way more than I pay her. She’s totally awesome…and we love Adam, her boyfriend, too. They absolutely make Taylor so very happy. Adam is always ordering her pizza and they hang out together with their two dogs at their apartment. I’ve never picked Taylor up unhappy.

I had to say goodbye to one of my employees at work and being short-staffed means Taylor and I have been working on our days off. She’s pretty good at working with the customer’s kids and she like to play office. She’s a born salesperson. She’s got a great attitude and she like to talk.

I’ve been going to Dallas once a week and at this rate I’ll have thousands and thousands of mile in my vehicle.

Taylor will begin school at the end of the month. It’s going to be so scary. I’m nervous. Taylor is going to hate not having a personal assistant like Bridget around.
It’s going to take some time to get use to.

Also, I have to be in Dallas for three days next month and in Chicago for four. Duc will also be taking a vacation to Las Vegas for a week. This will be tough to work around. I’m sure it will all fit into place…It’s just going to take some planning.

Taylor will be getting a bed this week. I’m going to hate letting her go into her own bed.
I know we both love crawling into bed together and just whispering, joking and sleeping side by side.
It’s for the best…she has to get use to sleeping alone, and so do I.

Hope you’re all doing well.

Happy Valentines week!

Amber

Thursday, February 5, 2004 6:21 PM CST

Taylor is doing much better!
Dr. Wells has now told us that we only have to go to the office once every other week!
Her body has gained enough weight to sustain the amount of chemotherapy needed.
She’s now 27 lbs.

This week she has begun wearing panties and has started to become the little girl I almost lost to Leukemia.
I can’t believe how happy I am!

Her auntie Trang is a teacher in San Antonio and she got her school to donate the annual penny drive money to Taylor.

It looks like Taylor will end up with some cool items to start off the year.
We’re going to get her passes to Sea World.
We’re looking into educational classes.

It’s another great gift to be given.

Work is dragging me every which way and it’s only going to get wilder as the days go on.
But, at the end of every night…Taylor comes bopping into the store like she owns the place.
She greets my staff and plops herself down at the desk to type. She’s so awesome.
She always asks me how my day was…we always eat a nice dinner together and cuddle to fall asleep.
My life’s not so bad.

I’ve got the best friends and in-between Taylor and I…. we’ve got a pretty neat family.

This is our year!!!

Amber

Friday, January 30, 2004 12:09 AM CST

Taylor had day surgery on Monday morning.
Her counts had begun to come up over the two-week period that she was off chemotherapy.
This means that her body is extremely sensitive to the chemotherapy and that the entire process will continue to wreak havoc on her entire being BUT does mean that the Cancer has not come back!

Her scalp has begun to get darker. It looks as if real hair growth may begin.

On Tuesday/Wednesday I had to work at both of my store in Dallas leaving Ms. Taylor with Duc for the evenings. She had a great time.

She has picked up an expensive eating habit. She’s now addicted to eating crab. She’s gone through quite a few pounds in the last couple days. Her face is filling out and she’s getting a tummy. It’s so great to see her eating so much.

Her spirits have been better with this round. We started chemo on Monday and she’s only had one melt down since it all started again. I’m thinking that it’s the extra weight that is sustaining her this time.

This morning when I left for work she and I took a stroll around the complex and when Ms. Bridget got there she went back out to drive her Barbie jeep.
They are planning on going to Chuck-E-Cheese today.
That should be fun for Taylor.

Starpower is giving me a larger location. We have begun to look at new properties to bring a full Starpower store to Austin TX. I’m really excited! It’s going to be hard work but the rewards in the end will totally justify the sacrifices that I’m going to have to make.
~ Sleep is such a little thing in the larger scheme of things.

Hope you are all having a great week.
The prayers are doing a great job on Taylor. Let’s keep it up…!

Amber

Friday, January 23, 2004 1:34 PM CST

I just wanted to put something positive up for all of you to check out...

Last night I went to sleep rather early and I was awakened by this hysterical cackle. I shot up and looked around. It was Taylor. I flicked on the light and she was hysterically laughing in her sleep.
It was really cool. It made me smile to know that she was dreaming of something so great she had to physically & emotionally express herself. She laughed a little more and slept through the night.

We woke up early and we both just hung out together before Ms. Bridget showed up.

Taylor is the coolest!

Thursday, January 22, 2004 1:07 PM CST

I’ve been having a pretty busy week again so I’ve got a couple things that I jotted down to share with you.
Its just tidbits of news, feelings and thoughts…

Unfortunately, Taylor will be off chemotherapy for her second week straight.
She’s just too sick to receive anything.
Her blood counts are not coming up and they will do another bone marrow aspiration on Monday to see if the Cancer is coming back.

It’s all up the air and now I get to hold my breath until mid-week to get the results.

She’s been complaining of leg pains again, which is how the Leukemia started with her.

When Dr. Wells was see us on Monday a woman popped into to say goodbye. I asked what that was about and he said that after a 6-year battle, cancer had taken her son.
When I got obviously sad he said for Taylor, if it comes back, it would come back sooner than that. Average for what Taylor has is two-three years.
(I just gave him this blank stare)

So…. This week, Taylor will hang out with Ms. Bridget and just take another week off from Chemo. Her speech is becoming absolutely wonderful. She discusses the coolest stuff. She talks about her port-a-cath, and about tons of medical terms. She comments on bad behavior that she sees in other children. She asks questions about other people we see. She shows this wild compassion that only my father and I possess.
(Taylor is I in a nutshell.)
Taylor and I ended up arguing a point the other day and I found myself exhausted at the chatter. I could see her rise up for more…and I literally knew at that moment…she was totally me. Now, I’ve got to figure out how to win against myself. -She is good at getting her point across.

Sometimes it’s so hard to focus on the positive outcome of the “Cancer” situation because all I ever see are the kids getting treatment. The kids that fight so hard and loose their hair, some of there characteristics through he chemotherapy, and some of that glow that wild, healthy kids possess.

I wish that I could afford to take Taylor to Guam so we could sit on the beach together under one of those oversized umbrellas. We’d sip on Virgin Pina Colada’s and dig our feet in the baby powder like sand. I’d like to see our doctor give her chemo on the beach. We could escape the normal doctor’s office and just read together. I’d like to show her that the water is so clear you can see all the way to the coral reef. I’d like to be so free with her. Just her.

We hope you are all feeling wonderful…we love you.

Sunday, January 18, 2004 12:40 AM CST

Taylor and I have been working through a scary week.
She is, at this time, neutropenic.
Her immune system is pretty week.
She’s picked up a little bit of a cough and we have stopped all of the Chemotherapy.

My fear is that it if we keep traveling down this cancer roadmap in this manner, we may hinder the process of fighting the Leukemia.
It can’t be good to be on chemo for a week and off for two.
I’m a little scared, I must admit.

We will be going to the doctor’s office tomorrow for blood work and a basic check up.

Duc’s is changing his schedule around and will not be able to help out on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Fridays. He’ll have her for a half day on Thursday and Ms. Bridget will take her for the second half of the day.

So…Bridget will be getting quite a few more hours.

This week has been absolutely hectic at work. I’m having a quarter of a million dollars worth of product being installed in the next two weeks and everything is culminating at once.

Taylor has become obsessed with sour cream and onion Pringles. She’s gone through five cans in the last 48 hours. Nauseating, I know. BUT, if it means she eating and pushing tons of calories you are sure to find me in the chips aisle at the local HEB.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week.

We love you all….

Amber & Taylor Mai

Tuesday, January 13, 2004 12:00 AM CST

Taylor is now with little immune system.

The website has been updated with new pics of Taylor.

Sunday, January 11, 2004 3:04 PM CST

Taylor was released from the hospital last week and spent Friday with my mother.
I had to represent Starpower at the Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas over the weekend.
I’m just now getting into town and updating the website.
I’m not sure what going on with Taylor.
When I called Duc he just said she was fine each time.
When I’d ask to talk to her he always said she was busy.

Taylor went to the hospital because her medications we’re producing a negative reaction within her system.
She was extremely depressed.
She didn’t eat.
She didn’t play…she just sat on the floor and was quite.
We changed the meds around and she seems better.

I’m running on about three hours of sleep due to a continuous array of meetings with each high-end company. It was a really cool experience but I’m glad to be home.
I jumped off the plane and went straight to work.
Duc will bring Taylor to me at 5:00
I can’t wait to see her face!

I got some new pictures of her but the CD-pic disc is in my car, which, Duc had for the weekend.
I’ll put them up for ya’ll on Tuesday.

Amber

Sunday, January 4, 2004 1:20 PM CST

We're in room 314 at the Austin Childrens hospital.

We're shifting her medications to see if things improve.

Amber

Friday, January 2, 2004 4:40 PM CST

Today has been a really rough day for me, Taylor's nanny. I got to Amber and Taylor's apt. today like a normal day and when I walked in I could just see that Taylor felt terrible. But, when I got there Taylor said said she wanted to go to the mall. So we got in the car. When we walked in, we were there about 15 minutes and Taylor said she wanted to go home, which isn't normal, we usally spend about 3 hours going round and round. So we went home. When we walked in Taylor said she really wasn't feeling good. She said her legs hurt really bad. Seeing her in so much pain and so sad is the worst feeling in the world. I lost it and called Amber, I always try to be very strong for them. But, today I just couldn't! So Amber came home and packed a bag and loaded everything up and headed for the hospital. I followed. We waited at addmissions for abot 20 min. and finally we went up to the green unit, where we waited for about three hours for a room, the green unit was completley full, so we had to wait for someone to go home. They put Taylors port back in and started some meds. When I left she said she was feeling better and she was fixing to eat with her dad, so I felt better. I am leaving town tommorrow for a week so Taylor will be spending a lot of time with her dad so I know she will be happy. I personally want to thank everyone for all the sweet notes and all the concerns for Amber and Taylor. I hope everyone has a wonderful new year. Sincerely, Bridget

Friday, January 2, 2004 4:40 PM CST

Today has been a really rough day for me, Taylor's nanny. I got to Amber and Taylor's apt. today like a normal day and when I walked in I could just see that Taylor felt terrible. But, when I got there Taylor said said she wanted to go to the mall. So we got in the car. When we walked in, we were there about 15 minutes and Taylor said she wanted to go home, which isi'nt normal we usally spend about 3 hours going round and round. So we went home. When we walked in Taylor said she really wasn't feeling good. She said her legs hurt really bad. Seeing her in so much pain and so sad is the worst feeling in the world. I lost it and called Amber, I always try to be very strong for them. But, today I just couldn't! So Amber came home and packed a bag and loaded everything up and headed for the hospital. I followed. We waited at addmissions for abot 20 min. and finally we went up to the green unit, where we waited for about three hours for a room, the green unit was completely full, so we had to wait for someone to go home. They put Taylors port back in and started some meds. When I left she said she was feeling better and she was fixing to eat with her dad, so I felt better. I am leving for town tommorrow for a week so Taylor will be spending a lot of time with her dad so i know she will be happy. I personally want to thank everyone for all the sweet notes and all the concerns for Amber and Taylor. I hope everyone has a wonderful new year. Sincerely, Bridget

Thursday, January 1, 2004 4:46 PM CST

On Tuesday night I had to work a little late so I got home around 10:30 pm.
Duc stated to me that he needed to get going but that he had given Taylor all of her medicine and to not worry about.
I thanked him.
He left.
So I start going over everything in my day and I went to my purse. I had taken her protocol paperwork, her Dexamethazone and Bactrim with me to get a refill. There was no way he would know what to give her and there was no way he could have given her the Dexamethazone.
I’m notating this on the site because it a part of what’s going on with her.
I gave her the Dexamethazone and called it an evening. I’m only to assume he gave her everything else by looking on the bottles themselves. (Tried to call him, no answer)

Yesterday Taylor and I went to H.E.B for groceries. We lounged around and cooked dinner together. She was pretty lethargic.
I got her to bed early and began to clean. I ran across this silk nightgown she use to sleep in. I wanted to get rid of it. It’s ripped on the bottom seam but when I walked towards the trash, I just lost it.
I’m admitting to everyone that reads this site that I broke down and cried. In that moment I was so terrified that this is what I would be left with, torn clothes, and no Taylor. I’m so afraid of loosing this light that guides my entire being. I can’t think about functioning without her. I’m not sure it’s possible.
When I drive around and I see homeless people, I can see myself in that position.
I can see loosing her as my breaking point, maybe that’s where my homeless compassion comes from, knowing that some of us would take up an alternative lifestyle because of a lost love or light that guides our normal existence, per standard.
She’s the reason I do some things and choose to not do others with my life.
(I tucked the pj’s away)
I'm going to try to tuck away those feelings.

Now what I’ve got planned for our new year is this.
Healthier living.
We’re already drinking water and juices. We never drink soda. That’s something that I’m sure she gets but never from me.
I’ve finished my research on Blue green algae and we will both be taking this supplement.
I’ll explain why in a few days. (Too much info for this journal entry.)
I’m doing more massage therapy on her and more positive thinking exercises.
Bridget will begin going over the fundamentals of basic education.
I’m basically asking everyone in her sphere of influence to bestow a gift upon her.
Know a joke…help her learn it.
Know a great song…. teach her.
If we build her up she can’t fall. I’m sure of that.

Cancer comes down to one thing…strength.

Any way, Taylor & I started our new year off in the best of ways…together…with all of you in our lives.

God bless!!!!

Amber

Tuesday, December 30, 2003 10:21 AM CST

The day after Christmas, Taylor stayed with Bridget. At the end of the day when Ms. B and Adam dropped Taylor off she was laughing hysterically. I took her home and we laughed at everything all night long. She was in the best spirits. It was just Awesome!
Saturday she spent the day in San Antonio and Duc dropped her off to me at work at closing time. We just had a wonderful weekend. No melt downs, no crying, everything was perfect.

So, Monday rolls around…
We get to the Doctors office 30 minutes early just to hang around and get our morning started right. (No mad rush)
Dr. Well’s is on Vacation so we saw Dr. Sharp.
Dr. Sharp handed me her new protocol. She will be getting chemotherapy EVERY day for the next 84 days.
When I took a look at the new schedule I was shocked.
I had been told that this was going to be the easy phase of her treatment.
When I enquired why they felt this was easier they stated that it would be easier on Taylor because she wouldn’t have to be accessed everyday. She could now take all of the drugs orally. So when I explained what drugs got her sick and showed them the layout before of Hospital visits, he agreed that this would not be easy.
Yesterday, she had a bone marrow aspiration, Intrathecal chemotherapy, Vincristine, Dexamethazone, Bactrim, and mercaptopurine.
I got into a huge argument with the staff about being with Taylor in the Recovery room.
(I won)
When she awoke, for the first time ever, she was nauseous. She didn’t eat all day.
She slept all day except for about an hour when she got up to try to eat.
It just broke my heart to have her so happy one-day and so sick the next.

She got up this morning and nibbled on veggie crackers and drank a little water.

She will be on Mercaptopurine every day for the next 84 days.
She’ll be on Bactrim every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
She has Intrathecal chemotherapy, (the spinal push) on the 28th day and the 56th day.
She will be on Dexamethazone 5 days beginning yesterday, again on the 28th day for 5 days and lastly on the 56th day for five days.
She will receive Methotrexate for four days starting next Monday for 4 days, again on the 35th day, and once again on the 63rd day of treatment.
She will have anzemet as needed.

Now there is a small note on the bottom of her new paperwork that states that Bone Marrow will now only be taken if there suspect a relapse so if I write about it in the future you’ll know what they suspect.

The New Year is almost here….
Thank God…

Amber

Saturday, December 27, 2003 11:25 AM CST

Taylor had a wonderful Christmas.
I called Duc on Christmas Eve so he could drop off his one gift from “Santa”
(The pink Barbie)
He informed me that it was in San Antonio with his family so I pretty stressed out.
I was trying to figure out how I was going to come up with a pink Barbie at about 11 o’clock at night. At about midnight Duc knocked on the door and handed me a pink Barbie. (I’m not sure if he went to SA to get it or found a store that was still open)
Don’t really care how…I was just absolutely grateful to have it in my hand.
I invited him to spend the night to see Taylor’s face in the morning.
He declined.
Now my gift from Santa had been sitting at Scott’s house for about two weeks.
We got the jeep put together about a week ago and Scott brought it over late on Christmas Eve.
I got the place together and went to sleep.
At about 2 am I heard a bang on the door.
It was Duc.
He wanted to spend the night.
Taylor started squirming at about 9 am.
I shot up and screamed Santa Came!
She shot up, started laughing and started hollering as well.
“Santa Came!”
She was so happy!
She loved the Jeep and the Barbie.
She dumped out her stocking.
Yes, there was the Kim Possible she asked for with other little goodies.
We took the jeep outside and she rode, and rode, and rode…
She was just so happy.

We then went to Seguin to see my family. Ate Christmas dinner and then took her to Duc in the evening to spend time with them.

She got everything a little girl could ever need or want.
It was a really great week.

On Monday we have day surgery.
They will be testing her spinal fluid to see where the progression on the disease has taken us.
If I hear anything good or bad, I’ll post it.
(It takes awhile)
I do know that her blood is low.
(Like a cars oil would be)
We will probably be at the hospital all day.

We love you all so very much!

Amber &Taylor Mai

Wednesday, December 24, 2003 3:20 PM CST

So at 4 o’clock, the beat 104.3 pulled up to our apartment in an SUV and behind that was a lime green Beat 104.3 Van.
Taylor, Ms. Bridget, and myself jumped into the SUV with “Shady J” and headed to the Toy-R-Us….
Taylor had photos taken. We then purchased a make-up set, candy, play dough, a few Barbie’s, a Barbie cell phone, a toy car, a lion, and a ton of craft items. We got a complete kitchen set for Taylor as well. (She loves to cook)
We then headed to the Mall.
We purchased two hats; two rain coats with her initials on the sleeves, socks, a ballerina outfit, and made a build a bear, complete with my voice saying…I love you haunch muffin.
(I call her haunch muffin)
She was really hunched up when she was little but she was so alert. It was this little cute, perfect baby that had her eyes wide open with poor neck skills. The muffin just comes from her being so sweet.
She just giggled over and over when she squeezed the bear’s arm. That is showing to be a really cool gift. She picked out the clothes, stuffed the bear, and fluffed the bear. It was a nice evening.
She then spent about 25 dollars on candy. We also got our Zoo member ship and had 20 dollars left over!
I’m going to get a papa johns gift certificate today for her.
The guys from the beat 104.3 were really cool even though Bridget, Taylor and myself went girl crazy with the gifts.
We filled the entire van with stuff.
I’m going to have to store my linen chest somewhere else and make room for her kitchen set.
We are so blessed!
Thank you BEAT 104.3

After all of the was said and done I had to go back to work for awhile so Duc took her to dinner and hung out at my place with Taylor.
I finished work and went to dinner with an old friend from high school.
It was an amazing dinner. This friend of mine has just been treated for Cancer (Had radiation treatment) and he let me ask questions about everything: The feelings, the pain, the things that just run through your mind after you’ve walked the “cancer” path.
It made me feel so good to ask the questions that had been running through my mind.
It felt good to have someone understand the lifelong affect that Cancer plays.

Hope your all having a wonderful holiday.

Amber Dinh

Monday, December 22, 2003 3:59 PM CST

I’m blown away by the love we receive….

(I’m sure you all know what I’m referring to)

This weekend I worked as usual and as we closed Duc dropped Taylor off to me.
She wanted to go the “Tea House.”
Now we eat there about five times a week so when we pop in the owner always says, “Your daddy’s rice today right?”
Taylor replies,”Yes, please”.
So every day we have Daddy’s rice, sauce, and nice warm bowl of soup, two fortune cookies and a glass of water.
Well, on Saturday they were having a huge wedding reception so when we pulled up I had to explain to her the situation.
She was so sad but I knew of this sushi place across the street so we popped in over there.
We had a blast. We were the only two in the place and it was so calm.
The light was low and the soup was just right.
The woman behind the counter was blown away by Taylor’s chattiness. We kept hugging one another and whispering back and fourth. It was a really cool evening.
On Sunday, My Company had its Christmas party in Dallas. Duc took Taylor for the day. I got back pretty late and as soon as I hit the door, Taylor shot up and crawled into bed with me.
Today, we went to the hospital. (Normal check-up)
She has a rash on the back of her head.
(Prescription medication needed)
We will have day surgery next Monday at 8 am.
We will begin maintenance.
I had her port-a-cath de-accessed for the holiday.
That should also give us some clear indication of how she does on her own without being on a ten-hour drip at night.

Tomorrow the Radio station will pick Taylor, Ms. Bridget and myself up so we can go on Taylor’s shopping spree.
Hate to break it to the station but I’m not one for frivolous spending.
I’m going to get two memberships to the Austin Children’s museum, the zoo and probably Sea World.
I’m going to let Taylor pick out the rest of the stuff.

Santa is really going to impress Taylor this year…

Gotta run…Time to go to Nickjr.com
Taylor’s favorite website!!!

Love, Love, Love

Amber & Taylor Mai

Friday, December 19, 2003 12:04 AM CST

Taylor And I have had such a busy week!
Ms. Bridget went to California so Duc and I have both been towing the load.
On Monday after our Visit with Dr. WellsÂ’ we both jumped in the car to drive to Dallas for a client of mine.
When we got to the Dallas store David Pidgeon, the CEO had his kids running around waiting for Ms. Taylor.
It was really cool. We had Finding Nemo on all of the plasma TVÂ’s and she eventually got to go around to each office to meet all of the employees and get little gifts from each one.
After I got some work done she said goodbye to David and stated that she needed to go eat rice.
He picked up the phone and got us a VIP area at the PF Changs in Addison. He had the staff seat us immediately, and they brought out an array of goodies for Ms. Taylor and myself. He picked up the bill as well, which was really awesome.
Tuesday was the last day Taylor had with Ms. Bridget. I went to Houston for work while they went to the mall and sat in the piano players lap at NordstromÂ’s for about an hour. She had a nice time at Bridget and Adams apartment too. She really digs Ms. Bridget.
I met the two puppy dogs late that evening and I just loved everything about the place.
Wednesday, Taylor and I cleaned the house, went on a picnic, did some last minute shopping and just had a great time being together. She is absolutely the purpose in my life. IÂ’ve never happier than when I get my first glance at her, after a day at work, we both smile and ask each other about our day. ItÂ’s just this burst of intense love and admiration.
Today, she went to work with me for awhile and now sheÂ’s with Duc.
I canÂ’t wait to see her at the end of the day.
ItÂ’s almost the feeling you get on Christmas morning.
WeÂ’re both finding this happy place.

Amber Dinh

Sunday, December 14, 2003 3:08 PM CST

We eat together. We cry together. We do everything together. It’s goes as far as when she gets chemo, I don’t wear gloves because I don’t want her get some crazy idea that I shouldn’t touch her without gloves for any reason.
She has probably, at this point thrown up on Duc and myself…uh…over a hundred times. I’m loosing some of my hair due to the chemo. AND I don’t mind.
I think that Taylor is the most awesome thing I’ve ever seen and will probably ever see in my life.
On this website I talk about my feelings for Taylor and some of what she’s going through. I talk about us as a unit…which is what we are, a package deal.
I have received an email from someone stating that I need to only reveal information about Taylor.
For one day…today…I will appease that person’s email….
Enjoy…

Taylor is sick….
Taylor receives no child support from her father.
Taylor likes rice.
Taylor is never in socks when her dad dresses her.
Taylor has rain boots that have protruding eyes to make them look like bugs.
Taylor can sing like nobody’s business.
Taylor is going to beat Cancer!
Taylor loves the movie Santa Vs The Snowman
Taylor likes to do her mommies makeup.
Taylor is totally digging fake eyelashes and the smash box eyebrow pencil.
Taylor is sick and she is loosing weight again.
Taylor has a doctor’s appointment in the morning.

Now that I feel put in this box…I’ll never close the lid….Tuesday when I get to work I’ll write about anything that pertain to OUR emotional and physical health and stability. I’m fighting this and going through this too…WE have Cancer and the affect of Cancer.
I’m an open book; I enjoy total honesty about my life and my experiences…
Thanks why you all love us so much…
Wink

Have a great day….!

~A

Saturday, December 13, 2003 6:16 PM CST

This week Taylor and I have been pushing through the “hard stuff”.
She’s on Dexamethazone, as most of you know, and it’s getting hectic.
(That, and Duc has been picked up and he is in Jail for two reasons.)
One he decided to not show up for court this week for his case on non-support payments. That put him in contempt of court…also being so delinquent made him a target.
I’m sad to see him in Jail. Taylor has been asking about Mr. Duc and I have no answer…he could be there for quite some time or get out soon…who knows.

On the same day I got a call from 104.3
Apparently Ms. Bridget got a hold of them during a holiday contest and I won, because of her essay to them. I won a, lets say, a nice sum of money for holiday shopping.
I was in total shock…to say the least.
I had no idea that she was even up to anything….
(It’s a good thing I got her a great Christmas gift)

This week is going to be hard. I’m not sure if I’m going to have help with Taylor or not…
I may have to take time off of work.

Hope you are all having a great December!

Amber Dinh

Tuesday, December 9, 2003 6:57 PM CST

Taylor has had her feeding tube removed again.
She tolerated the feedings until Friday and then she just couldn’t keep anything down.
They pulled the tube out Monday morning and if her eating doesn’t kick in they will put it in again on Monday.
She has also started Dexamethazone again. AKA the psycho drug…
She had one melt down late last night and it seemed she gave Ms. Bridget some trouble today. She only has to be one it for two weeks though, so that’s good.
Taylor and I took our friend Scott to see Santa vs the Snowman at the IMAX theater last night. We were all blown away. If anyone has a chance to go see a 3-D IMAX movie, GO!
I was expecting bad 3-D like in the 80’s but what we got was something awesome.
Tomorrow we may go watch it again.
And for Nana or anyone else in the family that hasn’t got Taylor a gift for Christmas. A movie IMAX pass would be nice, or maybe the Museum or zoo member ship. It’s pretty cheap compared to other cities.
ANYTHING but clothes!
Some of you don’t know this but Nordstrom’s basically shut down the kids area for Ms. Taylor the other day. They took out every shoes in her size and had a party waiting for us when she showed up. One woman that works in the shoe department even purchased this really cool rain boots and umbrella combo. It was an awesome experience, to say the least.

Hope you are all getting your Christmas chores done…only a few days left.
Amber Dinh

Saturday 2:20 PM CST

Hello, my name is Bridget Hearn and I am Taylor's nanny. Taylor and I have done so many exciting things together. This week we went to Mr. Gattis, the chldren's museum, the mall to shop, and Taylor also saw Santa for the second time, and yes Taylor did sit on his lap:) We also went to the zoo, and made all the sounds of the animals. I have had so much fun with Taylor, she has made such an impact on my life. She seems to be doing pretty well. We spent a lot of time at the Build a Bear store in the mall, she had a blast. Amber and Taylor have really become like family to me. I am so blessed to have found them. Taylor and Amber are definitly two increadible people.

Saturday, November 29, 2003 6:27 PM CST

This Thanksgiving was nice.
Duc, Taylor and myself had an early Thanksgiving meal and then we took her to see Brother Bear. She really enjoyed it.
From there we went to Seguin and spent the afternoon with my family.
At one point she turned to my grandmother and said,
“Hey, This is the best party!”
She was in good spirits all day.
The evening was spent in San Antonio with Duc and his family.
She went right to bed when we got home and slept well.

Yesterday she spent the day with Ms. Bridget, her boyfriend Adam and his family.
She had a really good time and talked about it the entire evening with me.
She even ate turkey!

Today she is with Ms. Bridget….they are going to see Brother Bear again.

This has been a good week.

Amber Dinh

Tuesday, November 25, 2003 7:24 PM CST

I missed Taylor like crazy when I went to Dallas!!!
She had a nice weekend with Nana Jo, Ms. Bridget and Mr. Duc.
When I talk to Duc I call him Mr. Duc and now Taylor calls him Mr. Duc...I never hear her say Daddy...it's weird.
We have her on a feeding tube at home and yesterday when she was preparing for day surgery they put her on the scale....27 lbs....
That's is an awesome gain!
I'm not sure how Thanksgiving will work this year...
I met this guy in Dallas who happened to be a Dallas Cowboy...he wants me to go to the game and sit in the family section so I might just go if Duc is going to have Taylor in the first part of the day. Then I could spend some nice evening time with Taylor at my apartment....
We're both so excited that we're going to put the Christmas tree up this week.
She made this awesome gingerbread house with Ms. Bridget this week and baked cookies today...
I think they went to go see the new Cat in the Hat movie as well.
Chemo kicks in again this week so we're all savoring the normal time before the chemo'd Taylor returns...

Amber

Sunday, November 16, 2003 12:37 AM CST

Taylor has once again been put on a feeding tube.
This time it seems to be working.
Hr spirits have been pretty good. Her eating has picked up a little but drinking has not changed.

This week at the hospital we took a ton of picture so next week we will have some new ones up.

Next week Dr. Well's thinks we can go home...as long as everything stays on track.
On Tuesday afternoon the hospital will have a Confrence on Cancer and the affects. I have asked to attend and the staff has DENIED my request. They explained to me that I had to be a professional in the Cancer field.
I then explained to than that I WAS the Cancer professional...I didn't quit at 5 pm and go home to a normal family...I lived and breathed Cancer...I'm a cancer professional...They looked at me like I was crazy.
(Nothing new)
Hope they like surprises...cause I'm going reguardless.

Anyway...my boss called and informed me that I have to work in the Dallas store Thursday-Sunday. I'm going to pay Duc to watch her during the time that Ms. Bridget can't. I'm not happy about going but when you work...life happens and work issues happen...all together.
The positive is that everything will be on sale so I should make a hefty commission check. Just in time for Christmas.
-I still have no idea of what to get Taylor....
If the hospital were to allow motorized vehilcles I'det her a Barbie Mobile....Less wagon pulling for Bridget, myself and Duc.

After I get back from Dallas, Taylor will have her diet changed to include blue green alge and a few other items.
We will also be cutting sodas out of our diet.

There is plenty of research showing that cancer thrives in an acidic environment, and doesn’t survive in an alkaline environment. Cancer cells produce lactic acid as a byproduct of fermentation, which makes them highly acidic. Making the body more alkaline is of benefit in fighting cancer.

Unfortunately...

The majority of the foods and drinks we consume are acidic, with colas and other soft drinks being highly acidic. So unless you have been eating a very healthy diet, full of fresh fruit and vegetables, your body is way too acidic. And is a very good environment for cancer to grow in.

According to Keiichi Morishita in his book, Hidden Truth of Cancer, if blood starts to become acidic, then the body deposits the excess acidic substances in cells so that the blood will be able to maintain a slightly alkaline condition. This causes those cells to become more acidic and toxic, and causes a decrease in their oxygen levels.

Over time, he theorizes, these cells increase in acidity and some die. These dead cells themselves turn into acids. However, some of these acidified cells may adapt in that environment. In other words, instead of dying - as normal cells do in an acid environment - some cells survive by becoming abnormal cells.

These abnormal cells are called malignant cells. Malignant cells do not correspond with brain function nor with our own DNA memory code. Therefore, malignant cells grow indefinitely and without order. THIS IS CANCER!!!

As you can see, what he seems to be describing, though from a different point of view, is the process by which low oxygen levels turns some cells cancerous.

It is interesting to note the connections here. Alkaline water (including the water in cells) can hold a lot of oxygen. Acidic water (or cells) can hold very little oxygen. So the more acidic your cells are, the less oxygenated they will be. And the process cancer cells use to produce energy, fermentation, produces lactic acid, further increasing acidity.

Sang Whang, in his book Reverse Aging, points out that toxins are acidic. If the blood is already too acidic, the body must take the toxins out of the blood and deposit them in cells, to keep the blood the right pH. And it cannot release toxins into the blood to detoxify the cells, when the blood is too acidic. All of which helps to cause acidic, poorly oxygenated cells, which may, at some point, from excess acidity and lack of oxygen, turn cancerous.

In conclusion...NO ONE is to give Taylor soda.
And maybe, you should consider not drinking it yourself.

Sorry if that was too much....Have a good week.

Amber

Thursday, November 13, 2003 3:45 PM CST

Yesterday Taylor had one major meltdown and the rest of the day she was fine.
We laughed together.
We had a three hour wagon ride.
We ate a little bit. (Popcorn)

She had a huge accident, if ya know what I mean and it covered the entire bed! I had to get her into the tub and then wash her “silky” in the tub.
Luckily, the Ladies Auxiliary was having a sale in the lobby. I purchased this really nice, purple, flannel blanket for $10
They took a sample and we now have C-diff.
We now need more antibiotics, but, if all goes well, we may be home next week.
C-diff means that the playroom is closed to Taylor and she won’t be allowed in certain area of the hospital.

Late last night, Taylor got up to use the bathroom and she tugged on her port...it began to bleed so we had to have the nurses come in to re-tape and clean it.
She was so hysterical but after it was all done she just snuggled in my arms and went to sleep.

Amber

Tuesday, November 11, 2003 8:22 PM CST

Taylor didn’t take to her feeding tube so we are back on TPN and Lipids.
She had another blood transfusion today.

She’s has begun to have her spirits lifted.
She went into the play room yesterday and today for about 10 minutes.
She paints when we go in there.
We did a ton of wagon rides and she’s been picking out popcorn to eat from the vending machine.
The hospital keeps ice-cream and popsicles on hand for the cancer patients so she been eating a bite or two during the day.
On Wednesday Dr. Well’s and I will re-evaluate the situation and move ahead hopefully.
We’re really behind on her Chemotherapy. It’s making me nervous.

More tomorrow...

Amber

Sunday, November 9, 2003 5:10 PM CST

Good afternoon everyone...

This has been a sweet week for Taylor....
Ms. Bridget found out about the website...
*Thanks Ricky Martin....

So Ms. Bridget has been putting the word out about Taylor and we have been receiving well wishes and gifts for Taylor. So many people seem to be loving Ms. Taylor from afar and that’s just so awesome to hear about and see in little gestures.
I just know she was allowed the Cancer for a truly deeper reason. I just don’t feel she was given Cancer without a reason.
Everything happens for a reason, right?
Looking back at my life...I see things that have come to pass and I understand.
And this too is something, for me, to embrace and walk through, and the same goes for Taylor. Years from now, I hope, she will see my strength as a mom and be better than I could ever be.
I hope that she will see how hard I work and work harder.
I hope that for the rest of my life I will see how hard she is fighting and know that the apple never falls far from the tree.
I can do anything-because I’ve seen her do it.
Taylor is this fighter.
It’s driven deep into her soul.
Everyone can see it.
It’s so apparent.
I hope that when she’s older she can see it so clearly that even the biggest of dilemmas is something she knows instinctively she can overcome.

So my prayer for Taylor is to keep being aggressive...keep the same path...fight....get angry and move forward...push!

God, the love I feel for Taylor is so overwhelming...it’s so deep and so pure.
I’m so glad God put everything he did in front of me, for without all of the “stuff” I’d never have had the opportunity to have a Taylor Mai in my life.

Have a wonderful week everyone....
We’re still fighting...

Amber Dinh

Friday, November 7, 2003 12:09 AM CST

Let me tell you...there is NOTHING like waking up to a little girl that has pink, strawberry flavored pedia-sure spewing from what seems to be every orifice....sort of like Mt. Vesuvius.

Yesterday, Taylor received her feeding tube. It was not a nice experience to say the least.
Anyway, the nurses then brought in 8 ounces of pedia sure for Taylor’s line.
Duc, seeing that amount declined the feeding and allowed only 2 ounce at a time.
(They still have to give her 8 ounces they just gave 2 ounces every 30 minutes)
When I arrived, I saw the amount and allowed 4 ounces at a time.
This also went fine...but at 6 am...Nurse Melody decided to give the full 8 ounces per Dr. Well’s request. As soon as the infusion was done. Taylor started to cry and asked to have her diaper changed.
Now, I sleep in the bed with her and as I sat up pink was oozing from the sheets...she then coughed once and I sat her up. She barfed like no one has barfed before!
(We’re talking exorcist, here)
I was pink....and the whole room smelled of strawberry shake.

I had a talk with the staff and Dr. Well’s. We as a family will NEVER allow that much fluid to be infused at once.
It’s too much for me to sit down and drink 8 oz. of fluid...it’s way too much for her.

Today they will do one slow infuse at 2 pm.

I have warned Ms. Bridget and Duc has taken a half day off to help out.

We’ll see how the weekend goes....life is never stagnant for us....there’s the positive for the day!

Amber

Thursday, November 6, 2003 1:21 PM CST

On Sunday, Dr. Shafer came into the room to advise me that Taylor’s port, they believe is infected. She has two types of bactria growing in her blood. One is a type of Gram negative rod...unknown status. (They have set her lab work to the state for growth analisis.) They wanted to remove her port-a-cath and replace it. She also wanted to put a “button” feeding tube directly into her stomach.
I went to work feeling horrible and confused on what to do.
Dr. Well’s came in on Monday morning and stated that he did not want Taylor to get the feeding tube because it would cause reflux for the rest of her life.
His goal, he stated, was to bring Taylor back to me as normal as possible.
-That was a really cool statement.
He thought that doing the nose feeding tube would be the best option for her at this point because she will be off the bad part of Chemo in six weeks. Were trying to sustain her for a short period of time, really.
He also let me know that the TPN and Lipids cause Liver disease over time and that we should stop them soon. *We stopped them right then and there*
She seems to be getting better....he has her on seven kinds on antibiotics, basically to fight the unknown rods and known bacteria as well.
She has slowly started to eat.

Ms. Bridget, the nanny has been following the routine of all day walks while toting Taylor in the wagon. This guy yelled at her the other day, said she couldn’t be in that area of the hospital...(Funny we’ve walked that path for months).... probably trying to get any kind of attention from her...she’s uh...let just say DROP DEAD GORGEOUS.
Anyway she called to report this fact to me and I called Taylors nurse, Chandra, who had it out with the guy. He said he was just having a bad day. (Always drama, isn’t there?)

So today, Taylor should be getting her feeding tube through the nose. Yikes...

The port hasn’t been taken...they believe they are winning the battle with the unknown bacteria...and uh...living out of a suitcase for two weeks and being female just doesn’t work well for me.....and that’s it.

Hope your all having a good week!

Amber Dinh

Saturday, November 1, 2003 3:36 PM CST

Wednesday night I finally got out of the hospital to pick up Taylor’s costume. She wanted to be Minnie Mouse.
I got to the Disney store to find the cutest Minnie Mouse shoes and dress but NO ears.
They were out...so they called every Disney store in San Antonio and Austin....everyone was out.
They could see that I was depressed and asked why I could only get that costume. I explained Taylor’s situation and that I didn’t want to disappoint her.
A woman in the store asked for my phone number and address...she said that her three year old had been Minnie Mouse last year and if she could find the ears...Taylor could have them!
She searched for a long time and on Thursday afternoon I met her and got the ears!
It was totally awesome that someone would help Taylor out like that. She even said that right before she found them she started working out ways in her head to make the ears.
She was just wonderful!
So...Taylor dressed up and WON the costume contest at the hospital. They gave her a big bag of candy and a backpack with a doll.
The Texas Longhorns Football Team also stopped by her room and signed a poster. She made it on the news and absolutely fell for one of the Vietnamese players on the team. She actually sat up and started talking to him. He made her day.
~Well at least she knows her roots.....LOL

So today when I got to work, I walked in the door and said...Hey, guess what? Taylor won the costume contest at the Hospital....and Dan...one of my workers blurted out hey...I guess she went as the world’s skinniest kid, huh?
My first thought was....gee how do you get blood out of carpet....cause I’m gonna kill him.
My next thought was of how I spent the night before....rocking Taylor...praying so hard that she would eat...praying so hard that she wouldn’t die.
Seeing the 20/20 report on Anne Rice didn’t help my thought process either...
(Her daughter died of Leukemia) Seeing the photos of how her daughter looked...seeing that same look all over Taylor’s little body....It’s all too painful writing it down now.
I didn’t kill him but took an hour break from him and even when I got back had to scream at him to get the anger out of my system.
I had also wished so hard for her Uncle Te to have been there for the comment...
(Those of you who know Martin...)
Well... you know what I mean...LOL

Anyways....

Hope you all had a wonderful Halloween....the extra candy can be sent to T. Dinh...Room 302....
We’ll half it....some for my chocolate rush -motional stability. And some to melt and push through that port-a-cath....if she doesn’t start eating....WHO says NO to candy? HUH?

Amber Dinh

PS...Just in case were there for Christmas...I have something pretty cool worked up for our next Holiday visit.

Friday, October 31, 2003 12:04 AM CST

Taylor and I are having some rough times.
She has been in the hospital all week and there’s no end in site to our stay at Brackenridge.
We’re in room 302.
She’s still not eating and we are all considering the feeding tube option.
I was really against it at first because the TPN and Lipids were sustaining her. But, everything is changing.
She’s had a few blood and platelet transfusions this week. She’s on a 20 hour TNP/Lipid drip and still she looks no better.
She’s now holding fluids so today she will be receiving Lasic.
(A drug that make you urinate profusely, over and over again.)

I’m tired, she’s tired....

We’re living in a small confined space....we’re both living out of suitcase...it’s pretty trying.

Duc has been bringing Taylor and myself food every other night so I’m not totally living out of a vending machine this visit.

It’s just a lot.

It’s pain....so much pain to see her suffer everyday....everynight.
That’s why I’ve been avoiding putting things on her site lately.

I’m sure things will pick up soon.

Amber

Tuesday, October 28, 2003 8:36 PM CST

We have been in the hospital since Sunday evening....
Room 302....
She's really looking poorly....

More details to come.

Amber

Thursday, October 23, 2003 6:02 PM CDT

Taylor and I are having a bad week.
As many of you know she has never truly picked up drinking or eating since this round of chemotherapy started. She has withered away to 20 lbs. She is more than lethargic and depressed.
When she was on Dexamethasone last time, she ate like a horse. This time around, it’s completely different.
I decided this week that if Dr. Well’s didn’t put her on TPN and Lipids I would find a new doctor that would. Thankfully he agreed this time around and even asked to start her in a tube feeding. To me, that’s a little drastic. I really don’t want her to have something so harsh done to her when I’ve seen the TPN and lipids do the same thing.
The doctors will consider both options this week and we will make a decision together.
Work has been hitting me hard and juggling work and motherhood is really hard....not sleeping much...loving and holding Taylor all night while she’s in pain and wants her back rubbed and then working my butt off during the day.
It’s hard but I’m doing it.
Taylor is giving me this push...if she can go through something as hard as Cancer I can sure do work, parenthood, nurse, and about a million other things.
She’s so strong.....she’s so awesome......Taylor is my reason to be and stay strong...She’s the ultimate gift in my life.

My love to you all,
Amber

Thursday, October 16, 2003 1:44 PM CDT

Taylor went into day surgery yesterday at 8:30 am and we finally left at 10 till 5 pm.
It was a VERY long day.
Day surgery went well. She also had a echo-cardiogram while under.
When she came out of the procedure room Dr. Well’s came by to talk to me and told me how everything went.
I then made my way back to the recovery room where this nurse I’ve never met before come grunting her way over to me and spouts off that I have to leave. She was so angry that my bad side kicked in.
“Your not big enough”..I said to her.
She looked confused...
”What?” she said.
“You, are not, big, enough” “The only way I’m gonna leave my daughters said is with a
hell-of-a lota force...and you don’t have it.” I then proceeded to Taylor’s recovery area. Two of the nurses that Taylor has had before came over to visit and I had a wonderful time in the area until the nurse just flipped on the overhead light and woke Taylor up.
(This woman must not have kids) Taylor stated to cry and the nurse just huffed and puffed.
She dropped the pulse-ox cord on the floor and when I picked it up for her she jerked it out of my hand. I walked over to one of the other nurses and asked to leave with Taylor. I got Taylor out of there and the nurse that walked me to the door whispered to me that the rude nurse was having a bad day. I wanted to get so angry with the nurse but instead I just removed Taylor and I from the equation.
Now everyone...this is a first...me keeping my temper in a heated situation?
*Can you hear the heavens parting?* LOL
Anyway, from there we went back up to Dr. Wells’ office to receive the rest of our chemotherapy.
We will be starting Dexamethasone today and will be on the “dex” for 21 days. (This was the drug that made her light sensitive, food obsessed, and angry...VERY angry....
Oh boy...here we go....

Hope you are all having a wonderful week!

Amber Dinh

Tuesday, October 14, 2003 7:09 PM CDT

Taylor will be in for Day surgery on Wednesday, October 15th at 8:30 am.
This will begin the intense secondary round of induction.

*So tell em what she’s won by going through induction.....(Game show music)
Well Folks, she will, at this point, receive one smoothly bald head, possibly get another round of pneumonia and have a stay at the local children’s hospital....
AND...if all goes according to plan she’ll hopefully live out the rest of her life with her Cancer in full remission.
*Audience clapping*

Ah the game of life...it throws so many curves.

Taylor and I are almost to the other side. We can see our goal ahead of us and we’re fighting everyday to get one step closer.

I’m still, to this day, meeting people who make me happier and help me see the goal of recovery and celebration. Taylor and I think of all of you often. (We have a prayer list)

Loving you all, today, tomorrow, and forever.
Amber and. Taylor Mai

Saturday, October 11, 2003 7:38 PM CDT

The doctors thinks that Taylor is doing pretty well, all things considered. They have denied the request for TPN and Lipids and now have us on a 10 hour drip of fluids mixed with potassium.
Taylor has just been so lethargic that I just want to help her in any way.
I’ve been rubbing her and we’ve been sleeping like spoons in the bed.
One reason, I’m so afraid she so thin that she’ll be cold all night. Two, she likes it and she sleep better that way. Three, I sleep better that way.
Tomorrow she will spend the day with her dad while I go to church and work.
I’m hoping that Taylor and I can have this Monday together without interruptions.
( I’ve taken her to work with me every Monday, my day off, to work an hour.)

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Amber & Taylor Mai

Thursday, October 9, 2003 11:28 AM CDT

Taylor hasn’t been feeling very good this week. Her stomach has been continuously hurting and she’s pretty lethargic.
I’m concerned that I should stop giving her fluids at night and start giving her tpn and lipids.
She’s only 24 pounds and her eating habits have been getting worse.
Her back has been sore all week but when I give her codeine she throws up so today I’m asking the doctor to prescribe anything but that.

The nanny is still working out but I don’t have anyone for Saturdays yet.

Hopefully we will know more today from the doctor.

Amber

Thursday, October 2, 2003 3:18 PM CDT

Taylor had a blast with the FOUR mini horses that came to our apartment.
We took a few pictures and she took a few pictures...
(She loves taking pictures)
She rode the Chocolate horse around outside and really enjoyed herself.
She took one for a walk and sat with Mavrick.
I have a new photo up in the picture gallery.

Today we have to go to the hospital for blood work but the rest of the day should be easy.

Love to you all,
Amber

Tuesday, September 30, 2003 5:40 PM CDT

Tomorrow Taylor is getting a visit from two mini ponies.
They are coming to our apartment to spend the morning with her.
They are potty trained and will stay in the house until we’re ready to go outside and ride them around, if Taylor feels like it.
This is going to be a really cool yet weird experience.

(I guess I should go out and buy some carrots out tonight?)

I’m really hoping tomorrow pulls her spirits up.

Dr. Well’s has explained to us that Taylor will not get chemo for 16 days and will, in that time frame, perk up and begin to be a normal kid again.

Then they will begin the chemotherapy again, using the original drugs that happened during the induction process.
This will make Taylor very ill and will put her into the hospital at points. This is to be expected.

We’ve begun to form ideas of what she wants for her “make a wish” wish but need some input.
If anyone has any ideas let me know.
When the world is your daughters oyster you don’t know what to ask for.

Hope you are all well....

Love, love and more love.

Amber & Taylor Mai

Saturday, September 27, 2003 4:56 PM CDT

Well, some of you have noted that I’m quite clever when backed into a spot and so I’m here to tell you that once again, I’ve been backed into a spot but I’m doing well.

As you know I have hired a nanny, she is paid 15 dollars an hour...you do the math.
Duc hasn’t been kicking in his “payments” so until my new contract kicks in at Bang & Olufsen I’ve been going into the hole each week, not scraping by. So anyway, I’ve been finding ways to keep Taylor clothed, and as you know the small amount of winter that hits Austin is heading this way. I have to find items that have buttons and are deep in color because when we do go out, it’s to the hospital for treatments and blood doesn’t come out of clothing well. So I’ve been selling some of my home theater items online and using the money to purchase, what have turned out to be really great clothing for Taylor.
On ebay I have chosen four outfits so far and each of them still had the tags in place and they were dirt cheap.
We’re going to be an ebay household....
I’ve met some great moms online and they now have me on a list of certain clothing items. They know of Taylor’s condition and will ship to any location.
One of the packages came from a mom of 4 and she sent a get well card.
Taylor and I are meeting so many wonderful people, in so many parts of the world with so many cancer stories of there own.
One woman in Plano makes these really cool, FIGHT CANCER purses. One is for breast cancer and she has two online right now that are children fighting cancer purses. They are really cute.
Another woman makes Stirling silver bracelets that are to raise awareness for Leukemia.
Well, enough about my weird buying habits....
Everyone, have a wonderful weekend...we love you!

Amber Dinh

Tuesday, September 23, 2003 6:53 PM CDT

Taylor hasn’t been feeling very well.

We know that her blood work unanimously is low. (The red & white cells)
She had an appointment today and they have scheduled transfusions for Thursday.

Her appetite has been extremely poor. Her legs and back have also been in quite a bit of pain.

I’m hoping that the transfusion will put her in a better light.

She has Chemotherapy and day surgery next Monday and I’d like to keep her home as much as possible.

Today the Nanny only called twice. So she might last....*LOL*

I’ve been getting a schedule together for Taylor and myself.
Looks like what I’ve implemented has been working.

Not much else to report, this week is all up to Taylor’s immune system and how well she can fight to stay well.

Love to you all,
Amber & Ms. Taylor Mai

Friday, September 19, 2003 7:56 PM CDT

Yesterday was okay.
Taylor had her day surgery and we had no real glitches except that Duc refused to stay in the recovery room with Taylor. I had to push back my appointment and stay with Taylor on what I had expected to be my first real day back at work.
Life...it happens...
Today was the first day with Ms. Bridget our new nanny and as of yet she has only called four times...LOL
I was expecting way more than that but she seems to be handling Taylor well.
When I left Taylor was happy and calm..she was showing her around the apartment and it just felt right to see Taylor comfortable with someone.

Tomorrow Nana Jo is going to spend the day with Taylor and keep her so I can go out for an evening. This is the first in forever and I’m excited. I have a dinner date, a party and movie scheduled for the evening....cramming....yes....but needed.

The people at Bang & Olufsen America have been calling all day to give me best wishes for my new job and everything really seems to be headed in the right direction. THANK GOD!!!!!

Amber Dinh

Wednesday, September 17, 2003 11:19 AM CDT

Got this from a friend....

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in

waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht

the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae.

The rset can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm.

Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but

the wrod as a wlohe.

Amzanig huh?

****Taylor will have day surgery tomorrow....
I'll report all the details on Friday...

Amber

Sunday, September 14, 2003 4:12 PM CDT

Well everyone..... this week has been nice.

I have found a weekday nanny to watch Taylor. (15.00 an hour) YIKES!
Makes you re-evaluate being in the line of work your in, huh?

She was in the hospital Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday but is feeling better now.

I’ve been telling everyone we meet about Taylor having Cancer and the support is just growing. We’re finally embracing this as part of our everyday life and people are telling me of success stories in there own lives, of bad times and of things that happen in “life”.

When I turned down the job with Zales I had a real heart to heart with the Regional Manager and he has extended the invitation to work with Zales at any time.

The lord is blessing Taylor and I every day....

Amber Dinh

Thursday, September 11, 2003 12:27 AM CDT

Taylor went to the hospital for treatment on Monday and ended up with a fever at the end of the day so we ended up right back at the hospital...
The next day they released her and we went home. It was a really easy stay.
The doctors have mentioned that we should expect to be in the hospital in about five weeks, for about a week due to her treatment schedule. (She should become ill)
*Lets see what prayer does for that*
I'm looking for a nanny and it seems that no one in this town is willing to work on a Saturday. I'll have to keep my eyes and ears peeled for a Saturday nanny.
Bang and Olufsen came to me at the last hour with a counter offer to Zales and it was well....HUGE...
I'm now the Bang and Olufsen General Manager for Austin, and Dallas.

My stores are located at

Bang & Olufsen
10000 Research Blvd. Ste 129
Austin Tx, 78759

StarPower
15340 N. Dallas Parkway Ste. 1000
Dallas Tx, 75248

Bang & Olufsen
3927 Oak Lawn
Dallas Tx, 75219

I will reside in Austin but will travel to Dallas and Chicago. (Limited basis)

Star Power has also put into writing that I will be the representative at Dealer meetings worldwide when Taylor will accommodate my schedule and I will be sent to CEDIA each year for the latest and greatest in training. I will also have the opportunity to check out new items, never before seen to the public from companies such as B&O, JVC, Zenith, Pioneer and Sony to name a few.

Because of the continued training and the promotion to B&O GM with B&O GM pay...I had to stay with this company.
(The Pidgeon family is pretty cool and run one heck of a company too.)

Taylor has a doctors appointment today. This will be Duc’s first experience with treatments and checkups. I’ve let the staff at the hospital know and I’ve shown him how to break into the recovery room so everything should be good.

Love to you all on this September 11th....

Remember what happened and don’t get complacent...

Sunday, September 7, 2003 4:09 PM CDT

Taylor will have chemotherapy treatment on Monday, September 8th at 10 am.

I have accepted the job offer from Zales and will start working in two weeks.
This is the job that I believe will benefit Taylor and I the most. Everything was put in writing for me, which is positive and I think this will be a good move in the right direction.

If anyone knows of a good nanny...please send them my direction....

Well...there’s not much else to report.

Hope you all are having a wonderful day!

Amber Dinh

Thursday, September 4, 2003 5:04 PM CDT

Taylor is losing her coloring....she may need blood on Monday. We are scheduled for the full array of chemotherapy.

At our new apartment this week I was on the phone with a friend when I noticed this guy pacing outside our balcony. A few minutes later I peeked out of the living room blinds and found that he had crawled under the hedge and was peering through the bedroom window at Taylor. I freaked out, started screaming at him, punched the glass and he broke through the hedge and came to the front door. He said, I was seeing if you or the neighbor were fighting. Now behind me lives a female cop. And everyone saw me move in....single. I just kept screaming at him and kicked the door. He took off. I called the cops and they gave me a case number.
I had my friend Scott and his friend Mr. Gun come over and spend the night the first night, but I haven’t slept there since.
Tonight I’m going there to hang blackout curtains but I’m not sure what to think or do about the situation at this point.

This week I’ve been offered three very lucrative positions with three different companies. Duc is not complying with the child support orders so I have to go back to work at the end of the month.

One company is Ultimate Electronics, one is Star Power, and the other is Zales.
I’m almost 99ure of the Zales...they are aware that Taylor has Cancer, they are willing to let me move up to the position of Buyer or Regional Manager when I feel ready and they are giving me the Manager position in the newest concept store in the country. Zales Outlet, Tech Ridge.
They have noted to me that movement to Chicago would also be possible and I’m absolutely ready for the Chicago account. It will open in a year...Taylor will be fine by then....God willing!

This is an awesome position to be in....

FROM TAYLOR:
Thank you Grandpa Winstanley for continuously sending a little money each month to me. Thank you Trang for still talking to my mom. Thank you to Mae and Jerry, Judy, Ronnie & Sue Anne, Nana & Quapaw, Diane, Annie Nannie, Scott, Richard aka Ricky Martin, New Hope Community Church, The Awesome guys at the Island, Austin and Francie, The Brown Family, Froggie, Sara, Toni, Dan, Mom, Candlelighters, Dad and everybody else under the sun that has purchased dinner, or prayed for me, or loved us in some special way, Thank you.

We still have a journey ahead of us but we’re getting closer to the finish every day!!!!!

Amber Dinh

Sunday, August 31, 2003 1:23 PM CDT

Taylor’s week has been pretty good. Of corse, after chemotherapy, she becomes I’ll but that is just the nature of the beast. And we now accept that through this fight we will be I’ll at times and have some good day too. It’s a balance that we’re both learning.

One of the doctors said to us after her day surgery...
”Hey, whatever you two are doing...keep doing it!”

All that has changed is that we both pray, everyday, together. We both sing and dance and laugh through the bad and good. And we enjoy where ever and how ever we are at that moment.

We cook and read and clean together. (We don’t have cable, so there is no TV time)
(Just can’t afford the risk of another bill)
But, by having no TV we spend 24 hours together, quality time.

I found this quote this week and it makes me think of the times that Taylor and I are in...

Insisting on perfect safety is for people who don't
have the balls to live in the real world."

Mary Shafer, NASA Ames Dryden

Taylor and I embark on something new everyday and I’m so excited to be on this journey with her.
She’s has no clue that what she’s going through will mold her into this awesome being, that no force can bring down. That’s so amazing to see.

Well, hope you are all having a great holiday weekend. You’re in our hearts!!!!

Amber & Taylor Mai

Tuesday, August 26, 2003 5:18 PM CDT

Yesterday Taylor and I ventured to Seguin Texas to get the windows tinted on my car.

Taylor has been getting ill when were in the car during the day.

Well, RAW AUDIO of Seguin is where my brother Austin works and he got RAW to put the top of the line tinting on my car for FREE!

The tint is just awesome and the guys at the shop were so nice and truly helpful.

Randy Sayen is the owner. They do Audio, vehicle accessories, tint and alarm.

Anyone who needs anything for your car of truck should go to him becuase of what he did for Taylor.

The shops number is 830-386-0006 and is located on 602 W. Court Street. Seguin Tx. 78155

As soon as I get his website confirmed I'll put it as a link on Taylor's site.

Thanks RAW AUDIO!!!!!

Amber & Taylor Mai

Sunday, August 24, 2003 3:13 PM CDT

Taylor has been having a nice week.
We’re getting into this awesome “groove”.
We actually have a bedtime now, there is definitely a first.
We read, and paint and listen to music all day, it’s just really relaxed.

She was nauseous this week but we just worked with it.
We have a closed patio area in our apartment so she’s been hanging out in her undies, painting away, jamming to the tunes. Her tubes are just swaying with her little body. It’s an interesting site.

Now yesterday, her port started making this really weird sound and she even doubled over and told me that her heart hurt.
I called the green unit and Nurse Kim said that it’s common to get the “weird sound.” It’s the metal on the back of the port combined with the needle being pushed to far in. ( It’s scratching.)
(Last time I have the Dr. Wells change it)
Laura changes it every week, but because she was sedated with Dr. Well’s, I had him change it.

Our next in-hospital treatment will be Thursday morning, so until then we’ll be lounging at home getting her ready for the next few weeks of intensive chemo ahead.

Thank you all for the jokes, emails, calls, and support for Taylor. We really do love you all so very much!

Amber Dinh

Thursday, August 21, 2003 3:26 PM CDT

Taylor is starting to feel the affects from Chemotherapy.

She has been feeling ill, her legs hurt, and she is mixing up words. (All of this happened before)
It's always just little weird to see...

Today we put her easil on the porch and painted a picture.
She's been in good spirits but is down to a minimum when it come to activities.

The ten hour drips seem to be working to push away some of the nausea.

We're trying to stay out of the hospital for a new personal record. Just a few more days to go and we've cleared our last home stay. Yippie.

Hope you are all well!!!

Amber & Taylor Mai Dinh

Tuesday, August 19, 2003 11:43 AM CDT

Taylor is fine, as of yet.
She did have Chemo pushed into her spinal fluid and brain yesterday. She also had normal Chmotherapy through her port-a-cath and both legs.

The only affect I can see so far is she woke up this morning with hair all over her pillow.

Her spirit is still good and she seems to be handling this round pretty well.

Next week they will increase the dose 50 mg and go up each week until they reach full toxicity.
(Basically, giving her the full amount that won't kill her, just everything in her)

Today, were going to go for a walk through our new complex and just take it slow.

Hope you are all doing well.

Thank you for your prayers!

Amber & Taylor Mai

Sunday, August 17, 2003 1:02 PM CDT

This has been an absolutely wonderful week.

She has had no Chemotherapy for a week, due to her last illness. Therefore, yes, we are now two weeks behind on chemo. But the positive here is that I now know, without the drugs wreaking havoc on her system, she can become what she use to be. She has been happy this week. She has conversed about wonderful things and been so intuitive on others.

We moved into our own apartment this week and she seems to be happy. In fact, when I showed her the bathroom she squealed we have a pool in the bathroom. (Garden tub)
She’s been eating meats and veggies like she used to and not just carbohydrates.
It has just been a week of greatness!

Tomorrow, we will be having day surgery. We go in at 8:30 and we should spend the entire day there, and not the evening, if everything goes according to plan.

Wish us luck!

Due to the moving situation and not having my schedule set for the new process, I should only be able to make update to this website twice a week. Call me if you have any questions or are in dire need of a current update.

Amber & Taylor Mai

Wednesday, August 13, 2003 8:35 PM CDT

Taylor has had a very good day.

You can absolutely tell when Taylor has a good blood count.

She is happier and she eats.

Her smile is brighter and she just seems almost normal.
Although I'm not sure what normal is, never being quite normal myself. (*Smiles*)

We have been given her new 56 day road map.
Monday will be day one.
She will have day surgery at the Childrens Hospital and will have a new intensity with her Chemotherapy.
Because she is now three the dose must be raised to insure a full remission at the end of treatment.
They have fully stated that for the next phase they will be giving her the higest tolerable dose of chemotherapy that will not kill her and because we all know now that when she gets chemo her body stops making platelets and blood products all together they have advised me to keep a bag packed.

I'm thankful to the staff for the refusal to "sugar-coat" the fact that this will be scary for all of us involved.
It lets me know where to find a groove and run with it.

Hey, it could be worse...I could be this mom that isn't there for Taylor and is running in ten directions to get it all in order.
Instead, Taylor and I get to explore our roles in each others life.
We grow together and make each other smile.

She's like this awesome puzzle piece, you know the one that you know exactly where it fits.
And if you lost it, the puzzle just wouldn't have the completed picture for you....well that's her.
We all have those "puzzle people" in our lives.

Well, this is also the beginning of the move for Taylor and I. The week should be pretty interesting.

We love you all so very much.

Amber & Taylor Mai

Monday, August 11, 2003 9:37 PM CDT

Some new friends that follow Taylor's site have asked certain question about the type of Leukemia Taylor has.
I'm sure that others of you may have the same questions so I've found some info to help you out....

(Taylor has had a wonderful day at home, by the way.)

Leukemia, from the Greek--meaning "white blood," is
cancer that originates in the bone marrow, the soft
tissue within the bones where blood cells are made.
The disease is characterized by the uncontrolled
growth of developing white blood cells. The
accumulation of cancerous cells interferes with the
body's production of healthy blood cells and makes the
body unable to fight against infection. The cancer can
spread to the blood, lymph nodes, spleen, liver,
central nervous system, and other organs.

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2002
there will be about 30,800 new cases of all types of
leukemia in this country, about equal portions are
acute leukemia or chronic leukemia.

Leukemia is the most common cause of cancer death
among men under age 40. Among women, leukemia is the
leading cause of cancer death before age 20.

Types of Leukemia are said to be either acute
or chronic. Acute leukemia is a rapidly progressing
cancer that results in the accumulation of immature,
functionless cells in the marrow and blood; the marrow
often can no longer produce enough red and white blood
cells, and platelets.

Leukemia is also grouped as lymphocytic or
myelogenous, depending on what type of white blood
cell it has affected: lymphoid cells or myeloid cells.
Therefore, there are four major leukemia types: Acute
lymphocytic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia,
acute myelogenous leukemia and chronic myelogenous
leukemia.

Her are the stats on ALL...

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) Will be diagnosed in
about 3,500 people in the United States this year,
primarily children under age 10. It is a disease in
which too many disease-fighting white blood cells,
called lymphocytes, are found in the body. Lymphocytes
may crowd out other blood cells in the blood and bone
marrow. ALL accounts for 80 percent of all childhood
leukemia cases. With advances in treatment, most
children with acute lymphocytic leukemia are cured.
The overall five-year survival rate is 58 percent.

Hope this helped out in answering some of your questions.

Love to you all...

Amber & Taylor Mai Dinh

Sunday, August 10, 2003 1:38 PM CDT

Taylor is getting discharged today!!!

We will be back at the hospital for Chemotherapy and an array of test on Tuesday...but we're home for now which is what counts, right?

Now that she will be coming home today we will have her on a ten hour saline drip to keep her hydrated. She will also be getting three kinds of antibiotics.

Well it should be a great day...we're home and she has her own bed to sleep in with her own goodies in the fridge.
Home is just a place to sit back and enjoy everything.

I'm sure we'll have a DVD playing by the end of the day with a bag of popcorn in her lap. Mommy will be rubbing her feet and she'll be having a wonderful evening.

Amber Dinh

Saturday, August 9, 2003 4:55 PM CDT

Taylor and I have been on this quest to cure this disease on our own and it has become harder and harder as the weeks go by. Seeing constant illness and even death has really depressed me and as you know I set the tone for Taylor.

And it finally hit me this week...GIVE IT TO GOD.

And in an instant, I knew who to call for help, I had a prayer team come to the hospital, I had a weight lifted off my shoulders and it all started fitting into place.

In a small flick of an instant...Taylor woke up and was just a little happier, and I was too.

Her birthday happened and she got better and better.

Well enough that if her blood counts come up tonight, she will go home late tomorrow or early Monday.

This is an exciting week for Taylor and I. A turing point that I can feel in every fingertip.

I'm so excited to be on this journey.
Knowing that Taylor and I will be stronger in every way for going through this fire.
Wanting to see everyday unfold, with the good and the bad and pushing through, no matter what.

Taylor is this awesome force, where potential is limitless.
The world is absolutly her oyster.

Amber

Friday, August 8, 2003 12:22 AM CDT

Yesterday...TAYLOR HAD A BLAST!!!

The green unit staff actually kicked off Taylor's birthday celebration at 12:30 in the morning...they sang her happy birthday and gave her a makeshift cake from donuts.

The day shift kicked off her birthday with a present, cookies and punch for the entire green unit. It was really nice. They got this huge banner together for her and even gave her the key to the playroom all day!

I got a tiny cake for Taylor and these cupcakes made in the same "Finding Nemo" theme for her nurses and doctors.
I also got her this hip 60's outfit with matching hat and gold ring. She loved it and it went very well with what Nana gave to her...lipstick and nail polish, fake shoes and a lot of y items.

She also received this Mc.Donalds drive thru set so she had the staff order food each time they entered the room to do a procedure.

She recieved Platelets and yesterday, a gift from a stranger that does not even know how thankful we are the he or she donated.

New Hope sent this really cute stuffed puppy dog with a ballon...it's so soft!

She also received barbies, a tent, a art kit and many other really nice items that just totally made her day so happy.

We even got a two hour pass, so we went to Chuck E Cheese for pizza. She ate two slices and played quite well.

Late in the evening, her godmother came by and we had bubble tea and noodles for Taylor. She ate once again and we painted till 3 am.

The day was just AWESOME!

Amber Dinh

Wednesday, August 6, 2003 9:54 PM CDT

Taylor has a new bug called C-diff.
This organism lives in each and every persons "gut".
Due to the other bacteria that has been overproducing in her gut, some of her counts have been dropping severly. When a child gets this bacteria you must fight off a series of bacterias that grow, good and bad, through out your intestines. We have been fighing off one series, it seems and growing another by destroying the good bacteria. We are now on a new set of antibiotics to cover another full spectrum of C-diff.

Today we were told that we could only have private time tomorrow in the play room but that the hospital would be doing something special for Taylor's birthday.

I have ordered a "cupcake cake" with the Finding Nemo theme for Taylor. Though she's not eating, I'm sure the frosting will entice her into a few bites.
Who can resist that much whipped sugar?
The rest will be enjoyed by the awesome nursing staff.

I'm really glad that we have the "green unit" staff.
We love each and everyone of them.
To have them as an "extended family" is a true blessing!

Well, Taylor, here we are...you're just a few hours away from being 3!
Yeehaw!
We made it!

Love to you all!!!

Amber Dinh

Wednesday, August 6, 2003 1:29 AM CDT

Taylor has been in the hospital since last week.

We were almost on the road to Dr. Well's sending us home when Taylor started getting sick once again today. Her fever spiked quickly to 103.1 and has been jumping up and down all day.

Despite her fever, Taylor was in good spirits today. We made a large cut-out person for the green unit wall and she glued all sorts of goodies to her "person". She even got to paint her own hand to stamp out finger prints and hand marks on the skirt of her creation.

We took a two-hour long wagon ride and even played diner in the play-room.

Tonight the doctors and I have hashed out some ground work for her birthday. First off all...only mylar ballons are allowed in the hospital, for us, they will make an exception. We are also allowed visitors and gifts. We have also received a 4 hour pass, so I can take her out for some normal time. The way we all see it...she can go out, cause even if she gets sick...we're already here at the hospital! (It's not like we'd be risking a stay) And she needs some "kid" time, as well.

Hope you're all in great spirits.

Amber Dinh

Sunday, August 3, 2003 12:44 AM CDT

Taylor seems to be on a teeter totter.
One moment she’s up and fine and the next she’s in pain.

The Vincristine and drugs used to pull her white blood cell levels up seem to be putting her lower back and rear-end into unbelievable pain. We have gone from normal Tylenol to a mixture on Tylenol, Codeine and heat packs to keep her out of the high pain levels.
Her weight level is still at 24 lbs. We have started her on a drip of Lipids and fats.
This has been a tough week for Taylor. She’s been cooped up in the Children’s Hospital for a week now and both of us are starting to fade. It’s tiring...It’s lonely...it’s an experience to take with us and move on and away from.

Duc has been too busy to really help this week with the work and bar competing so eating has been mostly out of vending machines and even Taylor just wants to go home to normal food.

This week Taylor and I saw two new families come in to learn of news.... Yes...Leukemia has found their family as well. And I remember so clearly, the first night...of figuring out how I was going to plan a funeral for the most precious person on the planet...having then, three months of ups and downs and knowing that the only way I was going to keep Taylor and I sane was to stay positive and fight this battle with her, every step of the way.
So now, when Taylor and I hit the hallways, and we see families falling apart, hiding in the hallways to conceal the pain from the one who is ill. I introduce myself and Taylor. We accept and state that she has Leukemia and that we’re fighting this battle! And it brings strength to others...it answers questions of how and why for them and we give of ourselves to sooth others. Everyone on the green unit is family...yes...we’re all sickly, but we’re here to bounce our fears and joys off of .
(I really can’t convey to you the wonderful nursing staff as well..they are just awesome. )

I’m just so sure that Taylor and I are meant to be here, in this spot, at this exact time for some great purpose. I truly believe what does not kill you will make you stronger. And Taylor and I aren’t going ANYWHERE, for quite some time.
Hope you all have a fabulous week...we love you all so very much!

Amber & Taylor Mai

Thursday, July 31, 2003 1:29 PM CDT

Taylor will be in the Children’s hospital until next week for a regiment of antibiotics.
She has picked up a type of e-coli.
This bacteria is growing in her blood and because she’s not producing any antibodies she will need to be monitored carefully.

The good news about Taylor is that yesterday she met the kangaroo “Skippy”and the hospital had a “root-beer social” on the second floor.
Now that we’ve been in the scene at the hospital for about three months now, we know most of the kids and parents here. Since everyone gets the same treatments we all get sick on the same schedule.
Taylor enjoys playing in the recreation room. She loves to paint and cook.

I’m not sure what we’re going to do for her birthday....it’s going to be hard to celebrate in or out of the hospital.

One other note...
The hospital computer is set up for the Caring Bridge site but will not let key words like blood, transfusion, or platelets be entered as discussion on the site.....sometimes, when in a hurry, I absolutely forget that detail and the website looks really weird. I apologize, but there’s not much I can do about, so just bear with those entries....

Hope you all have a wonder start to August!

Amber and Taylor Mai Dinh

Wednesday, July 30, 2003 10:46 PM CDT

We will be in the hospital until next week, as of now.

She has a bacteria growing inside her that we now need to fight off.
More will be on the update tomorrow...

Amber

Tuesday, July 29, 2003 7:31 PM CDT

We have been at the hospital for two days straight and we're both exhausted. Taylor's body has stopped producing platelets and it seems that we will be going to the hospital at least two times a week for transfusions until her body starts to function again. Today we also received a transfusion of blood and platelets. She had Vincristine given through her port-a-cath and had a shot of Asparaginase in each leg for Chemotherapy. She will be starting a new drug tomorrow which should get her body to produce more platelet and blood "products". Her counts across the board are pretty low so we will be getting our next transfusions Saturday. We have been ordered to continue her 10 hour saline drips until her drinking picks up but as a "catch 22", her drinking really won't pick up being on a drip.

The office was slam-packed full of kids today so Taylor got to play for an hour in the fish room in-between treatments today. That was nice. It's also great to see 20 other mothers with the circles around there eyes, no make-up, with kids that look like they have Cancer too! Taylor has the best hair in the place! For the rest of the day she shut down while getting the transfusions and slept in a private room. She did really well today. I'm proud of her.

Hope your all having a great week!

Amber Dinh

***We had to go to the hospiatl after I wrote this today...high fever... for now we are staying overnight!!
Room 317

Sunday, July 27, 2003 2:54 PM CDT

Taylor has had a very nice weekend.
Yesterday it was my birthday so when the flowers and gifts arrived from friends and family she was under the impression that it was her birthday. My mom brought her cousin Haylie to play for the evening and Taylor was in good spirits until I held the baby too much. She abruptly came over to me and told me the baby had to go home. I asked her if we could keep the baby and she said...Oh no...the baby has to go home....I’m the baby here!
Last night I got Taylor set up for her 10 hour drip and about half way through the night she yelled that her bed was wet. I checked it, but it seemed to be a lot of fluid.
I picked her up and noticed her line was unattached. The IV had been dripping in the bed! We “hep locked” her very quickly and both gave a sigh of relief.
If we wouldn’t have caught it in time, we would have had to take her to the hospital to have the tube re-accessed. (If you don’t keep the line moving with fluid the only way to keep it from clogging is to have her locked with Heparin. )
We are to go back to the hospital in the morning for another platelet transfusion. If everything looks good we should hake it home by tomorrow night.

On another note....I’d like you to look around at the homeless on your street corners in another light today. As many of you know it is a passion of mine to feed the homeless. I’m very close to quite a few here in Austin and in San Antonio. Well, my Dad told a few of them about Taylor and the entire situation and last week, a group of homeless came to my father with a HUGE bag of change and dollars bills. It was a $100 donation. They had gone out and pan-handled, scrimped and saved the money for Taylor.
One of the dollars had, Amber...I love you, Bear.
I’m keeping that one for the rest of my life.
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” is the only thing I can think of that makes Taylor and myself worthy of this wonderful gift.
To all of you that stood out in the hot sun and baked, or asked who ever it was for that money. You will always be in our hearts. Taylor and I are truly blessed to have each and everyone of you in our lives. I fully dedicate the rest of my life to teaching Taylor that homelessness just means you have no roof over your head. It means that you are in many cases, stronger than those with homes. When you give your love, it is absolutely pure. Each one of you has a heart and a soul and a story to tell. You deserve friendship and kindness just as anyone does. I’m so lucky to know this and to have the bond of love and friendship with so many of you.
God Bless!

Amber Dinh

Thursday, July 24, 2003 1:37 PM CDT

We're Home!
For the next week, we will have Taylor on an in-home IV drip. She's is also required to be on medications and a powdered form of Nystatin for any sores and cuts. She is also to take another form of Nystatin (oral) after each meal to prevent sore from forming in her body as well.

I'm telling you..everyday Taylor and I build this stronger bond. We're getting the courage to find our gifts and bestow them on the world. I firmly belive that today and everyday, though she's two... should be a celebration of life and thought for Taylor.

What Taylor and I now know is that we can do anything...we can be anything...we have this army of friends and family that love us and stand beside us.
But also, what you, our friends and family now know is that by giving your gifts of love, you have built your own Army. You will always have Taylor and myself...pushing you towards your goals in life...loving you unconditionally.

We're getting the courage to find our gifts and bestow them on the world! (Each one of us)

I hope you all have an absolutly wonderful day!

Amber Dinh

Tuesday, July 22, 2003 1:47 PM CDT

Well...here we are...back in the Green Unit of the Children's Hospital...Room 316! *Good ol' 316* Taylor will be getting blood, platelet and fluid transfusions throughout the evening. Her entire array of counts are really low, so for now the chemo will be stopped and she will be watched closely.

Hope we're out of here soon!

Amber & Taylor

Sunday, July 20, 2003 1:21 PM CDT

Taylor Mai has been having a roller coaster week!
Monday went pretty well..no major melt downs...
Tuesday, we went to the hospital for her weekly check up and her urine was way too concentrated. We were there from 8 am until 5 pm getting fluids. We also received chemotherapy while there and they have noted to me that too little fluids will permanently damage her bladder and affect her kidneys as well. I suggested to Dr. Well’s that he prescribe a home drip that I could administer and he agreed. But when the home care team brought her home chemo and meds, they only brought one bag of fluid. Knowing that they will keep her in the hospital if her intake doesn’t progress, I saved the bag until Thursday to prolong our stay at home.
Duc and I have been really fighting water, soda, soups, and anything else “wet” into her system. Once again, after her chemotherapy at home, this week, she has been getting nauseated and her hair is slowly falling out again.
Dr. Well’s is out of town this week so were going to see Dr. Shafer on Tuesday. She, in our case, always puts us in the hospital. (She’s always been the one “on call” when I call for advice on a situation and her response is always...”Come on in”) So, needless to say, I’m packing an overnight bag, just in case. Yesterday, myself, Taylor, mother and grandmother all went to the new apartment to look around. They have agreed to only steam the carpet, and have also put a restriction on chemical spraying of any kind in and around the vicinity of the apartment. Isn’t that awesome?!
Taylor got up this morning and asked...”Do you like my port?” I handled the tube jetting from her port and answered, “Yes baby”. “Me too” she said.
She’s getting to be more in tuned with her body and what’s happening. She’s just amazing.

Amber

Sunday, July 13, 2003 3:01 PM CDT

I’ve been fighting back what to say and what not to say about my current “life” situation. Most of you have asked me to just lay everything out for everyone to know; a few have said I should be discrete.
I’m going to do a little of both and save you the entire novel I have all written out in my mind.
Duc has always been emotionally abusive, in one form or another. He has never allowed me to see the bills or pay them. He has always had a separate mailing and email address and left me in the dark on a lot of issues in our life. I fully accepted the role of loving wife and thought that in all the bad that he would be faithful to the ideal of “family”.
I was absolutely wrong.
He’s lied...he’s cheated, on me, on Taylor, and on just about everyone else in his life, including himself.
I’ve finally divorced him but due to the current situation I had agreed to live with him.
It’s now become unbearable and I need to flee the emotional trauma and give Taylor a loving home, even if it only has one parent. I’m now willing to take on the extreme challenge and push Taylor and myself into a better position. I have found an apartment, I have found a lot of friends to move me and help me through the trauma of saying goodbye to a place I found a small amount of comfort in even when the bad was just that. BAD. All in all...I’ve learned that playing house with someone is no fun without the full commitment of a healthy relationship.
What I now need is the first and last months deposit on my new place. And so, I’m going to leave this up for a while and hope that some of you...friends, family...strangers...anyone who could help me out even a little...help.
Taylor and I truly need this to keep our emotional spirits up. It would make me a more secure person to know that at the end of everyday, I have the opportunity to enjoy my life and give Taylor this incredible love and devotion. Through this process I think that I can give myself the deserved love as well...reading...studying...and getting my spiritual, physical and emotional balance. (Therefore changing the world)
(Somewhere deep inside I have big plans...) LOL

I’m willing to do anything to make the opportunity happen for myself. I will show full records of my work history, Taylor’s illness, or whatever it takes to get the capitol together for this move. I can only work on a limited basis but am willing to do work.
I feel absolutely icky about having to ask for the funds but It’s now become more important than pride. The fact is.... I live my life for Taylor. It’s my job to push her towards love and growth.

Please forward this to anyone that may want to help or knows of any organization that could help.

To donate...visit this website in the next few days and just donate through pay pal or donate directly to
Coastal Banc......routing number 313173349 account number 351025796
The name on the account is Amber Dinh

Saturday, July 12, 2003 3:19 PM CDT

Be ready to read a ton of material tomorrow....
To happy today to break it down for everyone...Taylor has been cheerful all day and we're going out for a walk around Riata...
Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!

Amber

Wednesday, July 9, 2003 1:00 AM CDT

Taylor had day surgery today...
Day surgery consists of many things....
First...no eating or drinking after midnight!!!
We arrive at 8:30 to receive a full examination by DR. Well's (3rd floor). She is accessed through her port and pre-op labs are collected. Next we go the second floor and register her for the days events.
We then go doen to the Childrens surgical area
(first floor)and and check in. We have to wait in a
non-eating area so all the kids are groaning. (You can't even have food or drinks in your hand or they kick you out.) I always take Taylors lunch box and hide it in her "silky" for her reward in the recovery room.
A nurse then takes us back and we change into her gown and do a full update on her medical history.
The surgical staff and anesthesiologist then come in and tell you what will happen "play by play". This is where we argue back and fourth about me not letting go of Taylor until she's "out".
I ALWAYS get my way....
(Are any of you surprised, really?)
Depending on the day Taylor usually has a shot of Chemo in each of her legs. She then gets a bone Marrow aspiration. This is a procedure in which the fluid from inside the hollow part of the bone is removed with a needle. It's taken out of the hip. She also gets a lumbar puncture also called a spinal tap. This is a procedure in which cerebral spinal fluid, the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord and brain, is obtained to test for cancer or infection. The lower back is cleaned and a needle is inserted. The CSF drips from the needle and is collected. Chemo is them given into the CSF by attaching a syringe to the needle. The term for chemo given this way is Intrathecal Chemotherapy. ITC is give to kill cancer cells in the brain and spinal cord. Even though Taylor has no cancer in her Brain if this is not given there is a HIGH chance of the Leukemia ending up there, so it's preventative medicine.
After the procedure is done Dr. Well's come to the waiting area and lets me know all of the little details. He even shows me the spinal fluid and bone marrow. After that I sneak up to the childrens ICU area and the first time the doors open I slip into the recovery room and the guard and the nurse at the door always freeks out. My response is "Hey...call security...I'm not leaving." I ignore them and find Taylor in the room. There worried that a parent will freek out if they see the breathing tube still inserted in the mouth or if something goes wrong. I'ts my job as a parent to be absolutly sure that I'm there if anything goes wrong! I'd know to back up and let them do there job. The other kids are crying when they wake up to see no parent...and that will never happen to Taylor.
After all is done...I hang out with her in the secondary recovery room for an hour and then we get home by 4 pm.
Well...hope that clears up what our Tuesdays look like...

Hugs and kisses to you all,
Amber and Taylor Dinh

Sunday, July 6, 2003 5:21 PM CDT

Our lives will be changing again soon and I'm going to map it out for everyone...but not today...today will be about how lucky I am to have Taylor in my life.
About a year ago, I got the flu and being a stay at home mom, and having Duc work night and day..I had almost no help. I began to feel really bad and asked Duc to pick up some cold medicine from HEB. He ended up getting me something that made me feel tired and when Taylor laid down for her nap, I laid down for one too.
Well, I woke up to her asking me if I wanted some soup. I said yes and she dumped this huge spoonful of dirt on my face. I jumped up to see that she had created on our dining room table...a feast of dirt. All of our bowls had been filled to the brim with dirt...she did have napkins placed and also spoons so it wasn't a total "heathen" lunch.
*Laughing*
She had also set two places of dirt soup in her room on her table.
She's just kept saying "Let's eat!" She was so proud of what she had accomplished...I laughed my butt off and took pictures of the mess to remember how lucky I was to have her...and to this day I love dirt soup!

Amber

Without having her I'd be less full of liaughter and love. I'm so lucky and proud to have her in my life!

Saturday, July 5, 2003 3:43 PM CDT

Yesterday, I took Taylor to see the Georgetown Fireworks. It was close to home and I got some great advice on where to go in the town to have some seclusion. Taylor and I made our way there and, as tradition states..we had to have a big bag of popcorn with M&M's thrown in.
(This has been the Spicer tradition for 27 years now)
Taylor and I got everything sprawled out on our blanket and she began to eat...and then...she threw it all back up about five minutes later. I stood her up to leave but she started to cry...said she had to see the fireworks. So I covered both of us up with the clean blanket and watched the show. Gross, yes, I know. But...It was just me and her...needing the escape from being sick. We wanted to celebrate...yes the fourth, but also having the chance to be together. To have another fourth under her belt. So yes...we were smelly, but we didn't care.
Hope you all had a cleaner fourth of July...
*Laughing*
Amber

Thursday, July 3, 2003 6:59 PM CDT

Taylor had another good day....
She is taking her medicines well and is, for now, only experiencing a stiff back. We have this pepermint cream that does the trick. So she smells like candy. I painted her toes after that and then we played shopping. I set up the house like a grocery store and she took her cart around to each aisle, picking and choosing her favorite items.
Tomorrow is the fourth and we have no plans as of yet.
I'm sure I'll hop into the car and suddnly get to downtown Austin or Pflugerville just in time to stop the car on the side of the road to watch fireworks, even if from a distance.
Hope you all have a great fourth!
Love to you all,
Amber and Taylor Mai

Tuesday, July 1, 2003 9:42 PM CDT

We arrived home late this evening...
Just thought I'd let everyone know.

Amber

Monday, June 30, 2003 9:41 PM CDT

Today was wonderful...Taylor went to bed around 3 am and woke up at about 11 in the morning...she was happy..she didn't need the oxygen and we found out what she has which is pneumocystis pneumonia. (A severe lung infection caused by the parasitic protozoan Pneumocystis carinii and affecting primarily individuals with an immunodeficiency disease, such as AIDS.)
Due to having this type on pneumonia so early in the treatment stage she will be kept on an antiboitic for at least a month. She will also be on house arrest until Dr. Well's takes off the order. We can have healthy visitors to our home but she won't be on the "party circuit" for quite some time.
Whatever else she had is being flushed out by four unique sets of antiboitics.
We got cleared to go into the play room and we stayed for about three hours. She painted a lovely picture of the beach, played doctor with the full set of Dr. Toys and cooked a huge fake meal like she does when we go to the children museum.
Each week a dog comes to visit the children and yesterday it was Stinky Lee...he even took pictures with all the kids while in his clown costume. She also met Skippy the 7 foot purple kangaroo today and even said hello to him.
For the next 28 day..with no stop..she will begin intensive chemotherapy again. The first day will be tomorrow. She will get her intrathecal chemo and a
peg-asparaginase shot tomorrow during day surgery.
Thanks to everyone for calling, emailing and lifting me up in so many special ways....

Amber

Saturday, June 28, 2003 5:47 PM CDT

Taylor has been given every test under the sun and they still don't know why is she is so ill. We do now know that she has pneumonia as well...and the lab results won't be back on what kind of Pneumonia she has until Monday.
Taylor hasn't had anything to eat or drink since Wednesday and late last night they started her on a drip of Lipids and fats to keep her healthy. She is also on supplemental oxygen.
We have been on room confinement until today...I begged them to mask her and let her out. They agreed and before you knew it, we were outside...in the Hospital wagon, filled to the brim with her oxygen, three med bags and push units checking out the Elephants across the street.
We only stayed out there for a few minutes but we both enjoyed getting outside. We will be at the hospital until Monday for now, but, expect that date to be prolonged.

Thursday, June 26, 2003 3:56 PM CDT

Our morning started with cold towels being applied to Taylor at 5 am...her fever was a little over 104...after the application, her fever went to 102 and has been jumping up and down all day.
Her oxygen level is also low so she has been put on oxygen. She started three new antibiotics today and has not had a bite of food or a drink of water since yesterday.
We have had an x-ray today of her chest to see if that is another complication..
(She has begun coughing every so often)
The positive of today...The Circus is in town and we can see the Elephants swaying across the street in the 100 degree parking lot.
Isn't that neat?
Yes, I know...I'm grasping for the positive today...*Wink*

Our love to you all!
Amber and Ms. Taylor

Wednesday, June 25, 2003 11:28 AM CDT

We were admitted to the Childrens hospital today due to high fever, nausea, and nose bleed. She will be getting an MRI today and will also have a transfusion.
Hope we go home soon!

Note...we're in room 316 this time

Amber

Tuesday, June 24, 2003 7:06 PM CDT

We have now dropped into intresting circumstances. Taylor has been eating foods in sets of fours but an new quirk has come up. She now reverses items when she talks...she will say, "Get this in my way" when she means get this out of my way. Her hips are hurting more and more and even though she must have foods with her at all times she has stopped eating. (I'll discuss this before day surgery tommorow with the Dr.)
Hope you are all well...tomorrow I'll have some time to discuss what day surgery is for you that have asked...too limited by demand today...
Hoep you are all well!!!
Amber Dinh

Sunday, June 22, 2003 3:27 PM CDT

The past few days have been hard for Ms. Taylor.
After we give the chemotherapy shots at home her temperature jumps. She also becomes nauseated. Her appitite is slowing and we're getting to know what is the norm for Taylor before, after and during her treatments.
I'm getting to be a pro at knowing my day is for Taylor. I'm happy that I have this opportunity to be her nurse and her mommy. She is teaching me that strength and wisdom does not come with age, but by the challeges we face in our lives. She's so stong...She's so awesome.
She changes the way I look at life all the time..and that's really neat.
We wish all of you an awesome week ahead!!!!

Amber and Ms. Taylor Mai

Friday, June 20, 2003 0:13 AM CDT

Taylor had a wonderful morning. She ate a ton of food and we played until noon.
At 1:00 her meds arrived and I gave her the Chemo needed and by three she was feeling sick. I rubbed her back until she fell asleep and at five she awoke feeling ill. She complained that her tummy hurt and I gave her tylenol/codine for the pain. She threw it right back up and just wanted me to rub her. She fell back asleep until Duc showed up with her sticky rice. She ate one bite and threw up again. I took her temp. (100)
This is the beginning of what Dr. Well's said would be painful...for everyone involved. She only has two more doses of the chemo this week and then we have day surgery next Wednesday. Chemo will resume on Wednesday as well.
If this keeps up...I know what Taylor and I will go out as on Halloween...the priest and the girl from the exorcist!
I make a terrible comedian...I know...

Anyway...hope you are all in good spirits..we love you all!

Amber and Taylor Mai

Wednesday, June 18, 2003 9:04 PM CDT

Taylor woke up this morning and was a perfect angel. I sang her "Good Morning to You" (Happy Birthday tune).
She got up, brushed her teeth, combed her hair, and even put her own shoes on after I dressed her. She called her dad to wish him a good morning and we were on our way.
We listened to our Monte Montgomery CD on the way there and everything was perfect until she saw DR. Well's.
Now, let me tell you, Dr. Well is not a creepy doctor, come on, we've all had em and you can spot them right away. DR. Well's is nice, very chatty, handsome, and he has an awesome understanding of what it's like at both ends of the table.
He shares other families stories with me and laughs, UNTIL, it's time for her exam. Sometimes, I think about a pitbull smelling the fear. As soon as he pauses and gets to the feet she yells...AAAHHHH!!!!
And he's tries to smooth it out...he jokes and always says it's the Hospital and the chemo...but come on...it's embarrassing yet funny...
Everyday I'ts like a comedy episode that always turns out the same.
Now in day surgery today, Taylor and I made our way to the surgical area and now the staff knows that I won't let her go. I have to be the one that holds her until they put her under. They know Taylor in the Recovery room by her "silkies". All the other patient are clad in white sheets and Taylor is wrapped in her "silky of choice". Today, it was her new "Apples galore".
From the recovery room they are wheeled into another "holding area" for an hour. But today, the nurse just said...we're full...do you want to just go home?
It was nice...We were home an hour after surgery.
She curled up in her own environment and ate all the fish sticks she could handle.
This evening she asked to make dinner so we're having green beans, rice and soup.
Today was such a blessing!!!!
I'm sure it's because of the love our friends and family will to her!!!!
Fighting Leukemia together will make us all stronger, in spirit, friendship, understanding, and love.

To each of you, Thanks for today and all that you did, for making yourself stronger, and someone else, anyone else...

Amber Dinh

Sunday, June 15, 2003 11:44 PM CDT

Taylor came home today...We were released at about 2 in the afternoon.
We took her to see Finding Nemo to celebrate and this time she sat through the entire movie...for the rest of the evening she just kept saying,
"Fish are friends...not food!"
The sore on her back is open...the rash is about 3 x 4 cm and the open spot is right in the middle. It's in the area that her "pull-ups" hang...so we've had to cut the back of her pull-ups off. It looks like something you'd seen on an MTV music video.
As long as we keep the site clean and protected we should stay out of the hospital until day surgery on Wednesday.
Hope all of you have a great week ahead of you!

Amber

(I should have a new pic up by tomorrow)

Saturday, June 14, 2003 5:21 PM CDT

Taylor, they say, will go home tomorrow.
I just wanted to say in this entry that without all of my friends I couldn't make it some days...
You have all inspired me to learn more, become stronger, laugh and love each day I have in front of me.
This is just a small portion of an email I recieved today...I laughed and smiled because of you...I love you, my dearest friend!

I'm so very lucky to have each and every one of your faces in my life, touching Taylor's life...

Richard wrote....
How many different, clever, unique ways can I say I love you and admire you for what you are going through and I am praying every night for you and my friend Kelly, the one who had bypass on Monday. I am very sure if I had a child and that child was diagnosed with leukemia I would have collapsed into the closest bed, pulled the sheets (silky, of course) up over my head and given up. I don't know where you get your stamina and positive attitude. But I do REALLY believe that this is one of the most curable (or at least longest periods of remission) cancers of them all. So carry on, march on, hang in there (and all those other cliches) and I believe there will be a rainbow at the end of the Silky blue road, just the way Taylor would like (no denim or polyester accepted).

Love and hugs,
Richard

Friday, June 13, 2003 9:57 PM CDT

Taylor is in my arms at the hospital right now...we are for now, at least staying overnight. She has a bad rash on her tailbone and another spot on her thumb and lower leg. We will know the results of the tests in 24 hrs.

Amber

Thursday, June 12, 2003 10:17 PM CDT

Today was a great day...we had a nurse come to our home and teach Duc and I how to give the chemo through her port. By doing this, we now only have to go the the hospital once a week instead of daily!
The new chemo kicked in and she does not hold food down...BUT...she is very nice and happy now that her dose of dexamethazone has been cut in half. So that's refreshing!
This week will be filled with new experiences for Taylor and I but we're doing great.

Amber

Wednesday, June 11, 2003 9:41 PM CDT

Taylor went in for treatment at 8 am...
She went to see Dr. Wells first and howled about not getting to eat all morning. He finally just sent her to day surgery around 10 am. She had a lumbar puncture and intrathecal chemotherapy. I'm met her in the recovery room and she was her normal self. She woke up and tore the blanket off..she looked at the nurse and stated..."Hey, this is not my silky" She then sat up and found her "silky" at the foot of the bed and covered up.
"Silky" is a silk robe that my girlfriend Toni got in Vietnam last year. Taylor fell in love with it and has slept with it since!
The Dinh family chipped in and purchased new "silkies" (Silk blankets) so we now have one for home, one for the treatment room and one as a back up.
Now, the night before, Taylor and I packed a huge lunch box. We filled it with a large bag of chips, a bowl or rice and pork slices, a box of chocolates, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a bottle of water, a napkin and a fork.
When you get out of day surgery...you have to stay in there until you drink a few sips of water...well about a half an hour goes by and Taylor is still refusing to drink anything when the nurse asks her. Taylor sits up and asks me for the lunch box. I hand it to her. She opens it and begins to unwrap the rice. The nurse tells her, "No, Taylor...you have to drink something" Taylor yells at her...Hey, I'm hungry! Not thirsty!
I laughed so hard and told the nurse I wasn't going to take the food away from her...she was hungry and she wasn't thristy...
Taylor finished everything in that lunch box in about an hour.
The afternoon was filled with Chemotherapy in the office and she also received blood again.
We were there from 8 to 5:30 pm...gee just in time for traffic...
When we got home, she wanted a pizza. I watched her eat the entire thing during one episode of SpongeBob SquarePants.
We should know how her body is doing under the new chemo by tomorrow...
Wish her luck!

Amber

Monday, June 9, 2003 7:10 PM CDT

This weekend has been great. Because we are in-between the new and the old treatments Taylor has been very happy and content.
Saturday, Taylor and I played dolls and she kept telling me this one joke.
Knock Knock
Who's there?
Boo...
Boo who?
Don't cry...
That joke is not funny 500 times in a row....
Sunday, the Dinh family came up for a few hours to keep her company. We also tried to watch Finding Nemo later that night but she said it was too scary and we left soon after it started.
Today I took her to Ba Le for sticky rice and she ate three helpings. She also ate two pizza for lunch and an afternoon snack.
Her sleeping patterns are better and I'm sure tomorrow will be about the same.
I should have another round of Thank you cards out by Thursday, so if you don't have one yet...you will.

Smiles to all,
Amber

Sat., June 7, 2003

Okay this is my first journal entry. I don't use a lot of colorful adjectives or description, I just get straight to the point.

I got to spend Sat. evenning with her and she was all fun and laughs. She seems to be doing just fine with everything and acted as if nothing has happened. She laugh, ate, and ate somemore. Little Ms. Independent, won't let me help her with any of her things other than to make her some rice and get her some pizza. She tries really hard to walk by herself. It's good to see her act the way she did because that is how she used to act before this happened.

Thank you all for your prayers and support.

Duc

Sunday, June 8, 2003

Today was a great day for her. She laugh and play. I gave her the steriods and to my surprise there were no "roid rage" going through her. She was in a festive mood and was a ball of joy. She finally got to meet one of her cousin, baby Sierra. Taylor walked up to her and touch her toes and even asked her to be quiet when she was trying to get some rest. Mom made her a new "silky" so now the "white silky" is for her room and the purple "silky" is for the living room. Even in sickness the child wants silk material. We took her to see Finding Nemo in the evenning but she was rather emotional for the first 25 mins. of the movie. It was good to see her watching a movie and munching on some popcorn. She's eating and drinking a little more consistent now and I hope that it keeps up.

One day at a time...

Duc

Sat., June 7, 2003

Friday, June 6, 2003 10:56 PM CDT

Ah...yes...Friday...here it is...
Taylor is doing well on her 3 mg of dexamethazone. I've come to know when the drug will hit and when it subsides.
The child life specialists gave Taylor a doll that has an internal port, just like her, and today she decided to use the doll. We were also supplied with the entire kit to fully access the doll. We have the cleansing kit, the "fake drugs" the port-a-cath line for attachment and the syringe kit with band aids. She worked on the doll...gave all of her new get well bears medicine and gave each one a clean band-aid. I'm sure with time she will feel more comfortable with this kind of interaction.
Our next hospital visit in not until Wednesday morning...she will be having another day surgery...Duc will be going to his first surgery and doctors visit. I'll be at my SSI appointment...(I'm sure i'll be back before she's out of surgery, though.)
I hope each and every one of you had an awesome week....you too, are in our prayers!
Love you all,
Amber & Taylor Mai Dinh

Thursday, June 5, 2003 10:27 PM CDT

Taylor woke up as if she had never been sick....she was cheerful...she was smiling and I was glad the Doctor had told me not to give her medication the night before. As soon as she got her medications for the day, everything reverted back. She became the sick kid that gets angry all the time. She ate quite a bit and laid around the house.
Nothing really awesome to report....just wanted to let you know the basics...

Amber

Wednesday, June 4, 2003 10:26 PM CDT

Taylor had Day Surgery today and is not in full remission.
For the next 63 day we will be going to the hospital almost eveyday for some kind of Chemotherapy.
The new drugs are Dexamethazone, Cyclophosphamide, cytosine arabinoside, Mercaptopurine, Vincristine, PEG Asparaginase, and Methotrexate. All of these have just about the same side affects as before....Hair loss, weakness, pian in the joints, dizziness, confusion and agitation, sores in mouth and or lips.
Something new will be the addition of keeping her port accessed. I will be giving some injections at home now. I have also consulted a massage therapist and will be working on Taylor to maintain what little muscle she has left. I'm not going to sit around wishing she could walk. I'm going to take an active role in prepairing her muscles for when she is ready to walk.
This will be a tough two months ahead but I'm sure with all of you praying and pushing us twards remission, we're going to find a strengh that will make a greater impact on our lives. Who knows? Maybe to be a great Cancer doctor you need to go through the treatment of having cancer....She's could be a link to thousands of people "making it". Either that or she's gonna be one hell of a garbage collector, or musician, or whatever...as long as she get there.....AMEN!

Amber

Monday, June 2, 2003 8:57 PM CDT

Today, Taylor has been on an eating rampage.
She has finished two boxes of coco pebbles cereal, 2 1/2 dozen eggs, a loaf of bread, and enough cheddar goldfish to feed each person in Texas, one.
She did insist on cooking her last four eggs. I just sit her on the counter and she does the rest.
I'm so proud of her!
The staff has warned us that she will have a very distended tummy and her cheeks will get pretty large as well. In the next round of Chemo her eating will decrease and she will "balance out" fine.
We did have two fits today over the always popular issue of "light sensitivity". Well, at least the electric bill will be low.
I'm starting to see a rash forming under her skin on her upper back. I'll get more info from the Doctor on Wednesday.
She did however smile a few times today and she counted to twenty with her "Dora the Explorer" cartoon.
Wednesday at 7am we are slated to do Day Surgery and we will know after that if she is in full remission. Yes, we will still have chemo for two years and two months but if she's in remission it will be less often and less agressive.
Keep remission in your prayers!!!!
Amber

Sunday, June 1, 2003 10:15 PM CDT

Today, our morning started out at about 2:30 am with two bowls of coco pebbles cereal and a bag of funyons.
At 3:30 she had her third bowl of cereal.
At 5 am she got up to watch cartoons and she had four fish sticks, a bowl of cheddar & sour cream chips, and a handful of goldfish crackers.
Around 7 am she needed more cereal and another bag of funyons.
She had the same at 9 am, but at 11 asked for pizza.
For you out there that have had children...it's like having a newborn all over!
She was content today on her dexamethasone and didn't really have any fits, although every thime she was frustrated with Duc or myself she would slap her hands over her eyes and let out this disapproving groan.
She also tried to walk to the "pantry of dreams" to get her own munchies when she had one item for me to fix, one for Duc and she needed a third "something" right then and there....she's a dream! I'm so happy that she's as wild as she is...I'd never trade my time with her...I'm happy and content to be her siamese twin...

Maybe our destiny is to be on the cover of Globe Magizine..."MOTHER AND DAUGHTER JOINED AT HIP"

Still standing,
Amber

Saturday, May 31, 2003 7:45 PM CDT

Yesterday, Taylor had a check up at the hospital. There is concern over her liver...two of the functions are very high and one is very low. We will know more next week.
Taylor is not really picking up drinking...we've tried everything, spicy foods, odd tastes of all sorts and nothing seems to get her thirsts going.
Other than that, next week we have "day surgery" on Wednesday. During that surgery we will get the info needed to know if she's in full remission. (If so, we can slowly cut back on meds) Yippie! Maybe she'll be a little more like the Taylor we all know and love. (Hope so)
Love to each and everyone of you,
Amber

Thursday, May 29, 2003 11:32 PM CDT

Today was a good day!!!
Taylor had me rub her back all day and she seemed content in her little cave. She had 6 bologna sandwiches, five bags of chips, a bowl of rice, a can of soda, a cup of water, 8 fish sticks and a ton of ketchup.
And that was before 6 pm!
She tooks her meds well and watched a lot of tv.
It was a restful day for the both of us.....
Thank you God!
Note: Tomorrow we have Chemo at the hospital....

Amber

Wednesday, May 28, 2003 10:02 PM CDT

Dr. Wells gave us the okay to go home tonight even though she is still very ill.
I just felt that I could better provide for her
well-being at home. (Cooking her foods, reading her books and having her sprawl out on her own floor) It's better than being cooped up in the hospital.
Dr. Wells has stated that if her fluid intake is still poor by Friday, he will have us back in the hospital Friday evening for fluids. I have my fridge stocked with every juice, soda and water known to man, so I'm ready for the "fluid intake challenge"!
*Wasn't that an Iron Chef episode?*
Her plasma count is at 70 and they transfuse at 50 so Taylor has a big chance of another transfusion on Friday after Chemotherapy as well.
Today when I got her home we had the issue of "turning off the sun" again, so I blacked out her bedroom window. It seemed to calm her down having her own cave space in the house.
I have this pantry area across the hallway from Taylor's room and it's packed with everything a kid could ever want to nibble on. Soups, cereals, candies, chips, yada, yada, yada....
Taylor, knowing this, really pushed herself to try to walk but I ended up helping her to the "pantry of dreams".
She chose a huge assortment of crackers, cookies and chips. It looked like a typical super bowl party in her room by the time she was done.
I've asked Dr. Wells and Green unit staff about the walking issue and they let me know that some kids begin to walk after the induction phase while others take months.

Thank you all so very much for sending the emails, jokes, and love to Taylor and myself. We are so very blessed to have each and everyone of you in our lives!!!

Amber

Tuesday, May 27, 2003 7:09 PM CDT

I need to start this entry out by saying that I hope that one day someone can put the facts of Leukemia together and find a better way of treating this disease or better yet find a cure.
In hopes that my entries will make it easier on even one family and prepare tham for what will most likely happen, I'm not going to sugar-coat the rest of my journal.
Last night and today have been very tough...
The mouth, throat and intestines are lined with cells that divide rapidly and can be severely damaged by the "combo therapy" that is used to fight Leukeima. The sores are painful and prevent eating and drinking. This has put Taylor on a regiment of antiemetics. (Phenergan, Zofran, and Anzemet are used this week.)
(Zantac is being used for the intestines)
She also has a bad diaper rash, from excreting the "chemo" out of her system. It got so bad last night that she didn't have even one " today in her diaper. She knows that going to the potty will help her not have pain.
Now every morning she gets Dexamethasone...this causes restlessness, confusion, extreme irritability, increased appetite, food obsessions, nightmares, hypersensitivity to light, sound and motion.
Today she screamed at me for an hour, "Turn off the sun!"
I got the room as dark as possible and she just cried and screamed about it being to sunny. The nurses had to come in and medicate her...
Now the food obsession has changed for Taylor. Last week she had to have noodles and fish sticks all hours, day and night. She ate 42 fish sticks a day last week. This week she wants nothing more than rice and Ruffles cheddar and sour cream chips.
One of the other patients here will eat nothing but pasta and shrimp.
Another eats peanut butter by the jar.
I've also been told by someone here that one of the older patients eats and carries soup with him at all times, including a can opener! So...we're all going through it.
Gee and to think, tomorrow will be her full day of intense chemo...
So, the good part about today...Taylor has me push her around in this wagon for hours on end. We went to the play room today and she actually wanted to go in. She had me carry her to the "paint table", (she can't walk anymore)
and she carefully took each color out and painted this nice swirly picture. She looked like she was on a mission..very serious and when she was done she just put her hand in the air. "I'm done, lets go."
She's still my perfect little
"haunch-muffin"...she's just trapped inside a body that fighting to save her life and take her life all at the same time.
Amber

PS...this website deletes a few words in the roll over...I'm trying to get it fixed....sorry

Monday, May 26, 2003 9:46 PM CDT

Today was rough...
She had her chemotherapy.
(The L-spar)
She also had to get plasma.
For a few hours, every day that she gets her chemotherapy, her mood is jaded. With in minutes she is absolutly nice and can converse with you and then without warning she rages. Shrills become her only mean of communication. She cries...she throws fits...and it makes me glad that she is here to do it!
Don't get me wrong, I the disability but I really couldn't imagine not working through this with her every step of the way.
I fight the doctors...constantly...to make sure that I'm the one who holds her while they put her under for MRI's, CAT scans and Spinal Taps. And it's a tougher battle to be there when the she is brought out of sedation.
Come on...that's my job...to secure her in all of this mess...to be the one she knows she can always count on...the one that will always tell her the truth and work past the bad to the moments of good.
I'll never stop being her balance.
Amber

Sunday, May 25, 2003 1:00 PM CDT

This is our first official entry! Taylor is here in the hospital because she is not eating or drinking. Her weight has become an issue and they now have her on a drip of fats and vitamins. I'm sure to say that this is the only reason any female would ever let anyone inject fat into their body, am I right?
Chemo is kicking in and she's lost a great deal of hair. This week I had a friend cut Taylor's hair very short and to make the process better for Taylor, I also lopped off most of my hair.
Her therapy includes 7 medications now and she's slowly starting to go with the flow of "treatment".
She's misses her cousins and her friends at the Bunny Room greatly, but in time I know we're gonna have her running faster and jumping higher than we ever thought possible. God is working some kind of miracle through this disaster. -We just know it!
Amber Dinh

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