Emily Dao and boyfriend Steven Chiang enjoy a night in Washington, DC at the Muse Lounge for a friend's birthday shortly after Dao began chemotherapy treatment for colon cancer.
"I'm actually interviewing for a job out in San Francisco, but it actually won't start until January," Chiang said. "But she's like, 'Oh, my god, you're going to leave me; if you leave, I'm going to be sad,' but then sometimes she'll be like, 'Honestly, maybe it's better that you leave in case anything happens to me, at least you won't be as sad because you'll be in a different place, living your life.'"
But Chiang steadfastly focuses on keeping Emily's occasionally fragile outlook at bay: For Valentine's Day they spent the night in Atlantic City, letting the dice, and the chips, fall where they may.
"I'M STILL HANGING IN THERE"
Emily is continuing with her chemotherapy treatments. She's found inspiration through Erica Paul's success story and her boyfriend Steven Chiang's unselfish dedication. Though her doctor's plan of attack is evolving, she's still as game as ever, especially with the prospect of warmer weather and springtime in Blacksburg in her sights.
"Nothing makes me happier than being at Virginia Tech, and it's really the greatest school on Earth," Emily wrote. "No where else would I meet such great people that are so supportive and helpful."
Emily hopes to make it back to Tech for a benefit concert her sorority sisters are sponsoring in her honor scheduled for Friday, March 20, at the Lyric Theater featuring The Shack Band. A group of girls in her sorority have also formed a Relay for Life team, "Down for Dao," and are already fundraising in Emily's name.
The co-payments for Emily's chemotherapy treatments "are in the thousands, which is more than surgery," Emily wrote. She said working has helped make a dent in the cost and also said she is so proud of her sisters for helping to support her financially.
"I have so many people that care for me, and that is truly the most important thing to me," Emily wrote. "I wouldn't be able to get through all of this without my sisters, friends, faculty and all the other good-hearted people (random people that contact me because they've heard about my situation even though I don't know them; they do it just because they care so much) that have been giving me such strength and encouragement."
Leave a comment 9 Comments Write a letter to the editor
All letters to the editor must include a name, e-mail, daytime phone number and affiliation to Virginia Tech. Affiliation includes: year and major for students; position and department for faculty and staff; current city for alumni and parents.
wish you a very speedy recovery, god bless!
Reply to this Top
Hi Emily! It's your cousin's 26 year old friend from OC! ;P Trang linked me to this article today so I can check up to see how you're doing... It was fun meeting you and Steven, you guys are fun and good people! Too bad I wasn't able to spend more time and do dinner with you guys that night. Anyway, I hope the new treatment will have a better result so you'll be better in no time! :) You and Steven gotta come back to the OC soon so I can take you guys out! ;P Hee Hee... Get well soon and keep your hopes and spirits high! Steven, you're a good man my friend... You're a GOOD MAN!
Reply to this Top
Moving story! If I could I am willing to give you a few years of my life.
Reply to this Top
this is such a well-written piece, i can't wait for emily to recover and come back to tech!
Reply to this Top
finally something worth reading...this was an awesome article. Cancer is NO joke...I pray that she pulls through!
Reply to this Top
I am praying for you! God is right there with you through all of it!
Reply to this Top
Hi Emily... Just got word from Trang. Please don't give up hope and hang in there. So many of your family and friends are pulling and saying their prayers for you. You have so much courage and heart, I really admire that!!! Hang in there too Steven... You're a good man!
Reply to this Top
Hi Emily... I hope you've found peace and solace in all this. Though I've only met you once, the things I've heard about you (intelligent and a great artist) and the positive vibe you have about you (even after all you've been through) makes you a special and a precious human being. I still remember the first time you said "Hi", you sounded so cheery and happy it caught me by surprise; in a very delightful way. I admire your courage, positive attitude, unselfishness, intelligence, artistic abilities, sense of humor, and especially thinking that I'm only 26! ;-P I hope you and Steven are able to enjoy your time together more now and I hope you guys enjoy the CD I made! (Hee Hee...) I know it's a bit old school but I think the melodies and lyrics are good... ;-) Take care and be at peace. Your friend, Peter.
Reply to this Top
Hi, Emily. This is your uncle, uncle's Bo. It is terrible, and I never believe it happened to my niece. You must have positive thinking, and prayer...I and Lien hope that there will be a miracle, or a high power to help you to be recovery as soon as possible. May God bless you...
Reply to this Top