Poor Sammy, more prayers, fervent prayers for the infection to go away, for there to be no more necrosis, for healing and for peaceful sleep for the sweetie.
Poor Sammy, more prayers, fervent prayers for the infection to go away, for there to be no more necrosis, for healing and for peaceful sleep for the sweetie.
:(
{{{hugs}}} Sammy. Prayers for you, dear one.
Being new to the site I was just clued in on this situation...Add continuous prayers from Lexington, furry critter-type and otherwise. I pray that God will guide the hands of the nurses and doctors treating Samantha and bring healing to her little body. I also pray for strength and courage for Samantha and family...with prayer all things are possible.
Jennie Lu
:( More prayers and {{{hugs}}} to you dear, Samantha.
From the Care Pages:
June 23, 2005 at 11:38 AM EDT
Sam was still having trouble w/fevers during the night, but tylenol and a cooling blanket seemed to help. The bone scan was pretty much inconclusive; they are treating her w/antibiotics as if there's an infection there, but may have to do an MRI to confirm. In a worst-case scenario, surgery might be needed, but nothing's definite yet. They changed her trach yesterday, and all is fine w/that. She will have dialysis again shortly; she's been having it for @2.5 hours daily--the goal is to have her on a regular Mon-Wed-Fri schedule. There is some good news today: she went back to whirlpool, and the plastic surgeon was "very pleased" w/how her skin looks; the new grafts look great, and overall, that end of things is going very well. We are very happy that he will be continuing her care. Sam's resting quietly now, and hopefully that will continue the rest of the day. As always, thanks for your continued prayers.
Jessica
*********
That sounds a little better update, more prayers coming ...
More prayers on the way. {{{hugs}}}
I just found this thread. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Childrens Hospital in Cincinnati is the best place for sick children. They do wonderful work.
Still praying. Good to hear a little better news!
Latest update:
45 June 24, 2005 at 11:46 AM EDT
Things went well in whirlpool again, and plastics remains pleased w/her skin progress. Orthopedics took a bone marrow biopsy yesterday, and will give it @5 days to culture; the likely infection would be osteomyelitis, which is common in kids w/her condition. It may require surgery in order to remove the infected part of the bone, but we don't know yet. As long as they deal w/the infection, that's all that matters to us at this point. Hemodialysis continues to work well, but there's been a startling development--Sam is making her own urine, and a pretty good amount of it. This started yesterday after the catheter went back in, but it's possible it's been going on a little while, as she often didn't have a catheter in, and the stool output might have been hiding it. I actually saw her urinate yesterday while I was checking her diaper, but then thought maybe I was seeing things. Please keep those prayers coming, as we're really hoping this might mean good things for her kidneys. Sammy deserves a break about now. Other than that, we'll be waiting for the biopsy results, and continuing whirlpool and dialysis. They are again trying to cut back a little on all the drugs, but closely monitoring for any signs of pain, so her little eyes are open more, and with only 1 tube in her nose, we can kiss her fat cheek again.
Thanks,
Jessica
Please, God, let her kidney functions be restored, please!
Johanna, my prayers for little Sammy and her family have never ceased and I just know that God will work another miracle.
My thoughts are always with her, even if I don't post a lot on this thread. I read it all the time.
Hi God ~
Hey, THANKS fur werkin so hard on lil Sammy's Case!
You must be gettin allua Daily Purrayers we'z all been sendin ...
Miz Joh sez da *pee pump* anna *pooh maker* are startin ta
werk again - Reelee Gud Newz - THANKS, God!!
Da White Coat Gurlz *LIKE* changin diapurz - so we'z goona send
sum extra Purrayers that her plummin keeps werkin!
An are You sure she's *comfortable*, God?
We don't wanna *rush* nuffin ~
but it'd sure be nice iffin lil Sammy kuld feel gud enuff ta
wake up an *enjoy* bein held by Mom & Dad.
THANKS again, God ~
We'll >talk< more at Purrayer Tyme tanite.
/s/ the Prayer Pups anna Purrayer Kat
Still praying hard for little Sammy! {{{hugs}}} May her kidneys begin to function perfectly normal again soon!
More prayers are on the way. {{{hugs}}}
Keeping Samantha in my prayers. (and her family too!)
My heart aches everytime I think about her. But at least, SOME good news. We'll keep thinking of her.
Sammy continues to be remain in my thoughts and prayers. I hope that her kidneys will be restored and that she continues to get better and better. Prayers and positive thoughts are also going out to her family. May everyone please take care. ((((HUGS))))
Two updates from today!!!
June 25, 2005 at 04:59 PM EDT
Another little update...she's in her daddy's arms right now, and ate a spoonful of applesauce...but she refused a second bite, remembering that she doesn't like it all that much!! And when I waved my hand in front of her and said "hi," she lifted her arm and waved back! There's no way to describe how much each little moment means to us; they're all small steps Sam is taking to return to us!
Jessica
46Â_ June 25, 2005 at 03:50 PM EDT
Another good day for Sam--her urine output continues to be normal, which is nothing short of a miracle. We pray that it continues, and that the kidneys are producing "effective" urine, i.e., getting rid of toxins, etc. All in all, it's a good sign, though. I've also gotten to hold her a couple times recently. The plastic surgeon was in to see us yesterday, and said that her skin is healing rapidly, and that her whirlpools may end next week, as her skin is clean. He doesn't foresee any additional surgeries anytime soon, though more procedures will likely be necessary down the road. He thinks she's close to being ready for rehab. Since yesterday, they've had her off the vent for 2-3 hours at a stretch, a couple times a day, and she's doing great. She had absolutely no problem breathing on her own, w/just an oxygen mister. So the official weaning of the vent has begun, and they hope to have her off it soon. No word yet on the biopsy results. She had her central line changed over today, and that went fine. She's becoming more alert, and her nurse propped her up this morning to watch the "Wiggles," and she said she seemed quite awake and comfortable. (I slept at home last night and wasn't back yet.) Then later this afternoon, Rob was talking to her, and her tongue flicked out, so Rob spit his tongue out at her, and she spit hers out more! She's definitely in there. We'll hope for continued progress over the weekend--she's being such a strong little girl.
Thanks,
Jessica
*******
All is looking pretty good! Wave to Sammy for all of us!
Hey Sammy, just sending you a kiss and a wave. This update sounds really good:D
I haven't been able to check in on this thread lately, but how wonderful it is to hear such a great uppydate!!
Oh Sammy girl, I knew you could do it! Now keep being strong and this will all be behind you before you know it.
<happy tears>:)
I have happy tears too. Gosh...what wonderful news! Waves and kisses to Baby Sammy!
Hi Sammy!
Just checking in to let you know I'm still thinking about you. I read your mommy's updates and I know how hard you have been fighting. Keep it up, Sammy!
Positive vibes and prayers always coming your way.
Robin
That is such a good update. :) I am still thinking about you and praying for you dear one.
OMG talk about LES...This is such a good update. Makes me warm all over just picturing little Sammy in her Daddy's arms.
Prayers still on the way that this precious little girl continues to get well and I also pray that from hereon in, the updates will continue to be good ones. :)
I found this thread a few days ago, I've gotten through all the pages here of updates and this little gal truely is a fighter. I saw her photo's on the hospital site she is a little doll. Cincinnati Children Hospital does wonderful work. Their transplant teams are very well known.
That is such a good update :)
Little Sammy, you are still in my thoughts. I wave back to you and send you many loving wishes for your recovery.
Aw, Sammy what good news, indeed!
You keep getting stronger, little one, and we'll keep the prayers flying for you and your family.
(((HUGS))):)
More wonderful news! :D
Keep getting better darling Samantha!!! The prayers continue.
Quote:
June 26, 2005 at 12:57 PM EDT
It's been a good weekend for Sam; her urine output remains strong, though she might not be "clearing" all she needs to; her kidneys just started working, so it will take time for them to do all they need to do. Sam's wearing a lot less as far as dressings--the ace bandages are off, and just some gauze remains on her thighs, arms and bottom. Her skin looks so much better, and she's also less warm with the heavier wrappings off. She's allowed to have more food, and we'd like her to try some mashed potatoes today, which is her favorite. I played patty-cake w/her last night, and she lifted her arms and went through the motions with me; she is so much more responsive now, as they've been decreasing the sedation daily. Rob played a game with her that they often played together, called "E eats everything" (don't know where that came from), where he says that, and tickles her belly, and she would laugh and laugh--well, he did it today, and though her eyes were closed, she smiled very broadly when he did it. It was the first huge smile I've seen on her face since she's been here. We were asked to bring in a bouncy seat for her, so she can be propped up; she keeps sliding down on the bed, so this will make it easier for her. I can't wait to see her in it. She will probably have dialysis again tomorrow, and maybe finish up her whirlpools. No word on the biopsy yet, but they're working on getting an answer from the lab, so they know how to proceed on the antibiotics, as far as short-term vs. long-term. Surgery might not be necessary after all, regardless of the results, so that was good to hear. Keep those prayers coming; she hears you!!!
Thanks,
Jessica
I'm so glad to hear these great updates.:D I'm still keeping Sammy and her family in my thoughts and prayers.:)
How nice to see something positive. :)
Continued prayers being sent...
That is such good news! More prayers on the way.
Stay strong Samantha:D
I've been watching for updates constantly. Samantha is still in my thoughts and prayers. Oh how grateful to God I am to see good news! What a strong little girl Sammy is. I think God must have a special purpose in mind for her.
Yay, Sammy! Pattycake and mashed potatoes all around! :) Still in our prayers.
A smile from Sammy for her Daddy. That reduces me to a puddle!
Sammy, you are never NOT in my prayers.
:)
Monday Morning, June 27, 2005 at 10:08 AM EDT
Sam slept well last night, and blew me a little kiss earlier!
Then this morning, I kissed her, and she puckered her little lips several times to give me kisses! She was wide awake, and clapping her hands, and when I asked, "where's your tongue?", she spit it out; when I asked, "where's your teeth?", she pulled her lips back and showed me.
When doctors and nurses come in and say hi to her, she waves her arm at them. And when they do something she doesn't like, she tries to hit them.
She's down at whirlpool now, so will be sleepy until this afternoon; she will have dialysis after her treatment. She's very itchy and squirmy, and this could be due to several things: her kidneys not clearing all toxins; her skin healing/peeling; or her medications.
Last night we heard that the biopsy samples weren't growing anything, and that was 72 hours afterward, so that's good news; perhaps the dark spot they saw on the scan was just some more necrosis from the initial disease, which is common; it's possible the bone can just reabsorb that, so we'll see how things go. Any escape from infection is good.
Sam continues to do great off the vent, and is breathing on her own up to 8 hours a day (at 2 intervals). She continues to pee, but will need the dialysis to make sure it's "effective" ; hopefully the kidneys will continue to get stronger.
Let's hope and pray for a great week, w/even more strength for SuperSam!!
Thanks,
Jessica
----------------------------------------------------------------
Monday Afternoon, June 27, 2005 at 03:59 PM EDT
Whirlpool and dialysis went fine.
Sam was a little squirmy in the early afternoon, but still managed a smile for Mr. & Mrs. C when they visited, and even stuck her tongue out. Grandpa was also able to see her moving about.
Her latest challenge has been diarrhea--challenging for both her and the staff! They are checking to see if some type of infection is causing it; we're hoping to get it under control soon.
The rehab team was in to talk w/me today--the hope is that within the next week or so, Sam can bid farewell to the ICU and move over to rehab. They would like her off the vent completely, and she's definitely moving in that direction.
That's all the news for today; keep the positive thoughts coming.
Thanks,
Jessica
----------------------------------------------------------
This week is off to a pretty Good Start! ~ Thanks, God!
Thank you, God!!! :) ♥ :)
Keep it up, sweet Sam!!
Hugs,
Kelly :)
It is so great to hear positive updates. Little Samantha is still in my prayers.
From the CarePages:
51 June 28, 2005 at 09:59 AM EDT
Sam slept well again last night, after a couple hours' worth of wiggling around. She blew me kisses this morning and was moving around to the beat of the Wiggles until they came to get her for whirlpool. It's nice to see her so responsive, considering she's still on a lot of meds and still in a fog; we can't wait until she's completely back. It will take @2-3 weeks, at least, to wean her off most of the meds. Her kidneys are still working, but not quite clearing all they need to yet--the kidney docs want to wait and see how she does this week. Hemodialysis will continue. They collected some stool to test for bacteria; hopefully that will come back negative. All in all, Sam's making lots of progress, and we pray that it continues.
Thanks,
Jessica
********
Wiggle giggle, keep up the good work, Sammy!
*phew* each time I come back to this thread and see the news is positive I can loosen the cramp in my fingers a little:)
But I won't let go:) :) :)