Johanna (Cataholic) & Sister Jessica continue to Request Prayers for young Samantha

[Cinder & Smoke]

Dear God ~

Please Help Dear Sammy bounce back from this setback.

We'll all Pray she's Home for Christmas.

[jenluckenbach]

What terribly distressing news.

Prayers for Samantha.

[Craftlady]

I just read the update. Will keep good thoughts and prayers for baby Sam.

[popcornbird]

Poor little Sammy. Feel better soon sweet child! Prayers that she is able to return home soon.

[rosethecopycat]

Come on miracle baby girl, keep amazing us all.

Prayers rising tonight.

[shais_mom]

This certainly puts my whining about my life in perspective.
Thoughts, prayers and lots of hugs and love sent to your family Jo, from the bottom of my heart.

[K9soul]

Samantha is in my prayers, as well as Jessica and Rob.

[kimlovescats]

I am so sorry to see that our Sammy has had this setback. Many prayers coming her way and for Jessica and Rob as well.

Kim

[captain]

Johanna,

So sorry to hear about Sammy ......... {{{{hugs}}}} and prayers coming your way.

[Uabassoon]

I'm so sorry to hear about Sammy. You will be in my thoughts.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear this. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent Sammy's way.

[RobiLee]

Thinking and praying for you Sammy.

[Barbara]

Oh no!!!!! I am so sorry. Deep breath.
All my best thoughts for the Sammy girl.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Monday, December 12, 2005 at 04:17 PM EST

Thanks, everyone, for continued prayers and support
during this sudden and scary setback;
after nearly 4 months of constant and amazing improvement,
this has been a real blow,
but I'm happy to report that Sam is rallying back like the fighter she is.



She is stable, and they are beginning to wean her off the vent, and
will wean her off the sedatives as well.
It is quite possible that she will be awake by mid-week.

An initial concern was whether or not she had an immune system problem
that would lead to a second bout of septic shock in so short a time,
but nearly all the docs we've spoken to feel that the "hardware" (belly catheter
and esp. the PICC line) she came home with facilitated this infection,
and that in the absence of those, she likely would not have become ill again.

(Other facts against the immune system problem theory:
she survived a serious case of one of the worst pediatric infections, and
she remained healthy for the nearly 2 years she spent in a foreign orphanage.)

They still suggest a consult w/immunology, just to be safe.
The PICC has been removed, and the kidney team is going to come up with
another way to handle labs. Up to this point, they haven't needed dialysis;
we pray that this will continue.

She's a bit puffy, but that was inevitable, in light of the sepsis;
she is on a lasix drip to help pull liquids off and reduce swelling.
They will start running some nutrition through her line tonight,
and then we're on a wait-and-see.

They are hoping to extubate by Wednesday -- late tomorrow if we get really lucky.

She seems to be past the worst of it, and is working her way out --
there can't be a stronger little girl in all the world!!
I'll try to update each day --
please keep Sam in your prayers!!

Jessica

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WW ~ GOOD NEWS all the way!!

WAY to GO - SAMMY!!

KEEP on Gettin Better!!



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[Pawsitive Thinking]

Prayers for you sweet Sammy - you are an inspiration to us all xxx