Wonderful news! :D
Wonderful news! :D
This is such wonderful news about Sammy. I bet Mom loved every minute of getting the sauce out of her hair because it sounds like just the normal thing to have happen with a toddler!
Sammy - what a gift you have been for all of us and you will continue to receive my prayers.
This is such good news hearing that they have removed her feeding tube and she is starting to eat bit by bit. Sammy, you have come a long way little one. Keep up the good work.
Prayers on the way for a good kidney check up on friday.
Sammy, you are SUCH a miracle child. How wonderful to hear you're getting your 'toddler life' back to normal! Wonderful news. :D
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Sunday, October 30, 2005 at 07:22 AM EST
Sam continues to do well, and is really enjoying the fall. She is having a blast in preschool w/her friends, and went on her first field trip, to the Felicity Firehouse.
She's eating up a storm, and the kidney doc was pleased w/her weight on her last visit; her labs remain stable, so we don't go back to Children's until 11-18. It looks like they can pull her remaining lines--PD catheter (belly) & PICC (arm)--soon, so we're looking forward to that. She'll be able to take a real bath again, instead of the sponge baths she hates. She is sitting on a potty seat these days, so we're working on that again, and she crawls all over. She has to take a medication for the next 9 months because her TB skin test came back positive, which simply means she was exposed in China, which is common in orphans from there. It doesn't mean she has an active case or anything, but they medicate so she won't develop it. The important thing is she's not sick or contagious.
And speaking of being exposed to things from other countries--a relative in this case, not a disease!!--Sam's Aunt Judy is home and living in the U.S. once again, and Sam got to meet her and her Italian chocolate lab! We're so glad she's home.
Sam had a Halloween party at preschool last week, and gets to go trick-or-treating for the first time tomorrow; she has a friend, Jillian, 2 doors down, so perhaps they can go together.
Thanks for continued prayers and support. Everywhere I go,
everyone I see, asks about Sam, and it means so much to us!
Jessica
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Goooooooo, SAMMY!! http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/smile.gif
Awesome, so good to hear that she's doing well! :) Happy Halloween, Sammy!
These are many good news in one post! Glad to hear your weight is ok, Sammy girl and I hope you have so much fun at Halloween together with Jessica :) :) :)
Wonderful, wonderful news!! You amaze me, Sammy! Keep on healing, sweet girl. Have fun trick or treating.
Happy Halloween, Sammy!
Have fun trick-or-treating Sammy!!!
What an uplifting update. You are such a trooper Sammy and I can't wait to hear all about your first bath in such a long time instead of those sponge baths that you do not like.
Happy halloween sweetie and enjoy yourself to the fullest. :D
This is just amazing!!!! :) I am so happy for all of you!!!!! :D
Happy Halloween, Sammy!!!! :)
Im so glad to hear such great news.What a strong little girl she is. :D
Happy Halloween Sweetie!!
This is wonderful news!!! :D Have fun trick or treating Sammy! :D
Have a fun time Sammy! So glad to hear you are doing so well
Great news! Hope you had fun trick or treating Sammy. :)
Me tooQuote:
Can't wait to see a photo of this child....ahemmmmm!
Oh Sammy. Such good news coming from your happy home. I surely hope the days become more fun for you and your family and that progress is never ending.
I wonder what sort of costume you had on, dear one! I think maybe an angel is what I would pick for you.
Sammy, ask your Mom and Dad to send us a photo or several! We would love to see you again!
Pet Talkers! :)
I'm glad to hear that baby Samantha is much better!
(((((hugs))))) to the whole family
Thursday, November 17, 2005 at 08:40 PM EST
Well, Sam was supposed to have her belly catheter removed today
(and possibly her PICC line, too),
but the surgeon had to cancel all procedures for today,
so we're still waiting ... hopefully it will be soon.
She continues to do well, w/stable labs, and is eating and talking up a storm,
as well as crawling and scooting all over the place.
We will go to Shriner's in Cincinnati early next month to get her pressure suit,
and her plastic surgeon at Children's will follow up w/her there;
hopefully we will be talking prosthetics soon, too.
I finally have pictures to add, so I will attempt that shortly.
Sam is looking forward to her first Thanksgiving, and
we have so much to be thankful for this year;
it's hard to believe she's been home for nearly a year!
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
Jessica
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Yes, a Lot to be Thankful for this year!
Thanks, God!!
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Oh Phred, thanks so much. That is so typical you- coming home from the ICU yourself and thinking of others first thing.
I missed Samantha news and am so glad she is doing fine so far. My heart is still a little heavy when I see the lots and lots of medical procedures that are in front of her but to be happy and loved within her family will give her the energy to face that- isn't it true that this kid has an amazing energy. She has been through more in her short life than most people in 50 years.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005 at 04:45 PM EST
The belly catheter is out, and Sam is doing fine;
she's been a little groggy since coming home early this afternoon, but is starting to perk up. The stitches will dissolve, and she can take a bath (a real bath!) later this week. The PICC will likely come out next month sometime; they want to wait a little while longer on that. Her labs looked fine yesterday.
Unfortunately, she missed her first Thanksgiving gathering,
as she had diarrhea, which continued several days; we've since found out it's likely due to the long-term antibiotics she's taking for the TB exposure, so she's taking lactobacillus caplets to help with that. She should be back to herself by tonight or tomorrow morning.
She was quite the character down at the hospital,
still trying to talk to everyone through the strawberry gas mask they gave her to make her sleepy.
So it's Shriner's next week, then back to the kidney docs later next month; they'll check her belly again then, to make sure it healed up okay.
Last night, our social worker came to do our 1-year post-placement visit
(the final one), and was able to finally meet Sam;
Sam really enjoyed her visit, as did we.
Thanks, Heather!! I'll update again after our Shriner's visit.
As always, thanks for your continued good thoughts;
we feel especially blessed this holiday season.
Jessica
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There will me more Thanksgiving Gatherings, Sammy;
and Christmas is Coming, too!
Happie Holidays!!
Here's *Sammy* >>>
At the Drive-In
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Sam with her best friends
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Chillin' with Daddy
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"Wheeeeee!"
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Playing with Cousin Jonah
(Hey - we know That Kid, too! http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/wink.gif )
http://www.carepages.com/usr/G26254/P245284_FS.jpg
Mmmmm! ~ Real Food!!
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More coming ...
A few more Sammy Shots >>>
Firewoman Potts
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Playing outside at PreSchool
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Happy Halloween!!
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Camo Sammy http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/smile.gif
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All Photos "borrowed" from the Hospital CarePages.
Oh my God....just look at that precious baby girl! After all you've been through, sweetie, your smiling face brings happy tears to my eyes. What a Thanksgiving day it must have been for the parents....and just think of what a Christmas it's going to be. I'm doing the happy dance and crying at the same time. God certainly does work miracles, doesn't He? Phred, thanks so much for posting these. :)
There's our SAMMY!!!! Oh it is so wonderful to see that girl so happy and healthy and smiling up a storm!!! Every picture is just beautiful ... I especially love the Camo shot!!! :D
Sammy helps us not think about ourselves.
Sammy makes us realize that miracles can happen.
Sammy shows us real joy.
Sammy brings out the best in her Daddy!
Sammy makes us appreciate even the smallest things in life.
And Sammy has shown us the power of love and prayer.
Sammy is here to teach us all something.............she is truly a gift to
Pet Talk.
God Bless her Mom and Dad and may God continue to bless Sammy.
Thanks Phred for posting these wonderful pictures.
Beautiful, sweet Sammy, you are one great example of God's mercy, grace, compassion, and how He answers prayers, and makes miracles happen. These pictures brought tears to my eyes...happy tears. May God always keep you healthy, and happy, and make you a source of tremendous happiness and joy to your parents, who have LOTS to be thankful for this season. Hugs to you, sweet child. You have truly touched my heart so deeply.
Sammy you look sooo good! Pretty, happy, mischievous :) - with so many different emotions in your sweet face.
I love that picture in which you are playing with Jonah.
I am so glad that catheter finally came out. So it's not only nice warm baths but also some playing the water next summer. :) :) :)
I'm so glad to see Samantha outside and playing! Enjoy it, little girl. :D
She is a beautiful and brave little girl. Thank you for sharing her with us
What a miracle girl Sammy is!! It feels so good to see that little girl smiling and playing. She has gone through so much already... !
Where will she have to wear that pressure suit on? Body & arms??
Yay Sammy! You are looking good girl! :D And I love your adorable smile and cute outfits. So happy to hear you are doing better day by day!
Phred I've been keeping up with her progress through carepages and I missed the pictures:o Thanks so much for posting them! She's looking wonderful...and happy:D
Lut- Sam will wear a custom made pressure suit for at least 6 months, up to 2 years, and it will cover her arms, body and thighs. ;)
Oh Sammy, you look so wonderful! I, too, am experiencing major LES while jumping up and down with joy at your progress. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Cataholic
Jo, I guess I missed something, but just what is this "pressure suit" for? It doesn't look like she has anything special on in any of the pics, so will it be something that she wears under her regular clothes? Also, what is the tube in her nose for? Just curious because it's in some pics and not others and more importantly, how in the world do you get such a youngster to not pull that out?!!? :eek: Sorry for all the questions and if I missed some of the explanations earlier in this thread....
Prayers for Baby and family.. :(
Debbie,
The pressure suit is to help with the integrity of the skin, having so many grafts, to help with the healing of the scars, to help with the legs, etc. She will wear it underneath her clothes.
As to the tube..well....some of the pictures were taken earlier, and some later. The tube was removed at some point, and all she has left of portals is the PICC line, which is on her arm. ;) That might come out next time around.
They are in myprayers.. :(
Wednesday, December 07, 2005 at 09:40 AM EST
Sam's visit to Shriner's went well;
she was measured for her pressure garments, which we will p/u on the 20th.
Her plastics doc says her skin looks pretty good, and she'll probably only have
to wear the suit for @6 months; the initial estimate was 6 mos-2 yrs, so we're pleased.
She's also on the surgery list for a tendon release procedure on the finger on her left hand, as scar tissue has tightened it to the point where it can't be extended.
All that will take place at the Cinti Shriner's, as well as any further skin issues; prosthetics & anything else orthopedic will be handled through the Lexington Shriner's--the Cinti folks are contacting them to make arrangements. They are willing to help Sam until she's 21, so we are very grateful.
Sam continues to do well and is really enjoying herself, and makes us laugh constantly.
She had her picture taken with Santa over the weekend, and she wasn't scared at all.
She also had pics taken at Sears, and I must say--with total objectivity--that the pics are very, very cute.
(It was rough going at first, though, as she thought it was a medical appt., and the photographer was wearing white! Also, "picture" to Sam means x-ray.)
When we got back home, she was all smiles, though, and kept saying, "picture taken. cheese!"
She's also singing "Jingle Bells",
in preparation for her Christmas program at preschool this Friday;
some of you have heard her already!
Thanks,
Jessica
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*Pictures*
We want to see Sammy's Christmas Pictures!!
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Bless her little heart - have a lovely Christmas sweet little Sammy xx