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

[CagneyDog]

Stay strong Samantha

[K9soul]

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.

[Karen]

Yay, Sammy! Pattycake and mashed potatoes all around! Still in our prayers.

[gini]

A smile from Sammy for her Daddy. That reduces me to a puddle!

Sammy, you are never NOT in my prayers.

[Cinder & Smoke]

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
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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

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This week is off to a pretty Good Start! ~ Thanks, God!

[NoahsMommy]

Thank you, God!!! ♥

Keep it up, sweet Sam!!

Hugs,
Kelly

[prechrswife]

It is so great to hear positive updates. Little Samantha is still in my prayers.

[Karen]

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!

[Barbara]

*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

[lv4dogs]

I'm glad to hear that she is improving.
You are all still in my prayers.

[luvofallhorses]

That is such good news! Stay strong little Samantha you can do it! More prayers on the way.

[krazyaboutkatz]

This is wonderful news!!! Sammy continues to be in my thoughts and prayers.

[Cataholic]

I just can't effectively communicate how much it means to me that you are following this horror with us. Everyday is either a really, really 'high' or a really, really 'low', and it is exhausting at times. My sister has been like a rock through it all, never faltering, always faithful, though, of course, at times, scared beyond belief.

It is nearly unfathomable, the experience. It is beyond words at times. I am so thankful that the doctors are finally talking about Sam leaving the PICU. It will be a long road to recovery, estimated at 6-12 months in the hospital, alone, then rehab at home.

I am sure my sister and Rob appreciate all the love and support pouring in from around the world. I do believe it has made a significant difference.

Thanks again for standing so strongly behind us.

Love,
Johanna

[popcornbird]

Johanna,
Sammy is a little girl that has touched my heart so deeply. Though I have never met her, it truly feels like I have. I can't even begin to imagine how difficult this time has been for your sister and brother-in-law, and of course, for your whole family. I won't ever stop praying for Sammy until she is 100% better, and back home, no matter how long it takes. It brings me tears of happiness when I think of her great improvements, but of course, she still has a long road of recovery ahead of her, and still needs lots of prayers. Rest assured that those much needed prayers will continue. May things get better for all of you soon. I can't wait till the day we hear Sammy has returned home from the hospital. That day will be a day of celebration, and we'll all be celebrating for her, here on PT too. Stay strong, and remain faithful!

{{{{{hugs}}}}}

[DJFyrewolf36]

My prayers and thoughts are with Sam always! God has special plans for Sam, I just know it.

Keep faith and hope!

DJF