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

[prechrswife]

I was just thinking about Sammy the other day, so the update came at a perfect time. It is good to see her making so much progress.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Friday, April 14, 2006 at 09:19 PM EDT



We checked into Cinti Shriner's Wednesday afternoon, and came home early this morning;
the surgery was yesterday morning, and it went fine.
Sam has a pin that will be removed from her finger next Friday,
and a big splint on her left arm that will be downsized next week as well.
The plastic surgeon grafted some skin from her groin to use on her hand,
and it usually heals quickly. After a couple weeks or so, she should be splint-free.

She can't use her walker for a while,
but we hope to help her w/her legs during this recovery period,
mainly so she stays used to the idea of having legs and being "up."
She doesn't seem to be in any pain, but I know she hates dragging that splint around everywhere.

She was happy to come home; she kept saying, "go home, see Daddy."
Her plastic surgeon said her skin was looking pretty good as well.
She received lots of presents and an Easter basket from Shriner's,
and enjoyed their playroom the day before surgery.

I will post a couple of post-op pics of her.

She can return to preschool Monday,
as long as she avoids "rough play and contact sports."
No football and hockey for Sam for a while!

Hope everyone enjoys a nice Easter weekend.

Thanks,
Jessica



Walking - with a little assistance >>>



"She's not happy - but she's Trying!!"



Riding on the Hospital's Cart - a favorite activity!



HAPPY EASTER, Sammy!!

[poofy]

Happy Easter Little One..

[sasvermont]

Boy, these photos brought tears to my eyes, for sure. Such a brave little girl and such wonderful parents.

Happy Easter to all from Camp Vermont.

[Randi]

I'm so glad to hear about this progress - what a trooper Sammy is! Seeing the pictures of her smiling face is wonderful.

I will be sending positive thoughts to sweet little Sammy and her family, and hope she'll be spoiled for the rest of her life.

Happy Easter girl! You deserve the biggest Easter egg there is.

[Barbara]

Sammy- you rock! I still can't believe how happy you can look at us.
I understand well that walking with these things is not that much exciting- but it will be nothing compared to what you've been through.

Wish you a good visit of the Easter bunny

[gini]

Tears flowing on the West coast as well.............bless her heart!!

I wish your entire family the Happiest Easter - and all of the many blessings that come with this religious holiday.

[Cataholic]

Sam is such a stinker! The things Jessica doesn't share with the world....Sam woke up, ready to greet the day, at 3 am on Friday morning! They checked out of Shriners sooo early that day, and were home by 830.

Once this tendon issue is behind her, I expect Sam to be full speed ahead.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Wednesday, May 03, 2006 at 10:10 AM EDT

Well, the pin came out yesterday; they elected to keep it in an extra week.
The graft seems to have taken, and Sam only has to wear a splint
overnight for a while; Shriner's gave her gloves for her left hand as well.

She's not used to having that hand free again, and still holds it up when she
scoots around, but I'm sure it won't take long for her to realize she can use it.

The legs are still not high on her list, and we haven't been pushing it too hard
due to the hand surgery, but now that she can use her walker again,
we're going to make it a priority, and walking will be a major goal for this summer.

Otherwise, Sam's doing well and feeling great!

Thanks,
Jessica

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Sing along:
A WALKING we will go, a WALKING we will go;
WALKING is *phunn*!!

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Major LES here - such courage and determination in someone so tiny!! God bless you sweet Sammy

[king2005]

Such great news

[Barbara]

Sammy good to hear from you! You'll soon be soo glad you can use that pawsie

[sasvermont]

I surely hope things are running smoothly for you and your family, sweet child.

I think of you often and wish you only the most fun things in life from now on.

You are such a special girl to all of us.

Love,
Sas and her campers

[slick]

Thanks for bumping this up SAS. I just noticed that this thread was started a year ago and just look at the progress that Sammy has made.

I hope you are doing well Sammy and I'm blowing you kisses from Canada.

{{{hugs}}} for Jessica and family.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Sammy & the Easter Bunny - March 31, 2006




Saturday, May 20, 2006 at 06:15 AM EDT

Sam's scope was yesterday (a look at the old trach area/throat),
and the scarring is minimal; it hasn't closed completely, though,
so the ENT doc tried to help that along w/a cauterizing technique,
to encourage the area to heal over again.
But if it's not closed within a couple weeks, Sam will have to have surgery to close it. It's not a major deal, but she'd have to be in the hospital for a couple days, so we'll hope it closes.

She saw her kidney doc afterward, and she was pretty crabby (we'd been at the hospital since 6 a.m.), so he made it a brief visit, just adjusting a med after seeing her lab results.

Her hand has healed nicely, and Shriner's sent her 3 new pairs of gloves,
w/lace sewn on the edges, adding a feminine touch to her pressure suit.
Sam was pleased. She's using the hand normally again.

She's also making a little progress w/the legs; she doesn't complain as much w/them on, and is taking a few steps w/her walker. She wears them more at school now as well. We're really hoping to see a lot of progress this summer.

Thanks,
Jessica

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All Systems *GO*!

Your Fan Club is here to *Cheer* you on for a Fun Summer, Sammy.

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