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

[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

[Barbara]

Sammy, what a fighter you are!
I am so glad to hear you are better.

If you appreciate cat nose kissies, Filou and Tigris send some fresh and cold ones

[Cinder & Smoke]

Wednesday, December 14, 2005 at 12:59 PM EST

Sam is improving each day, and was extubated yesterday;
she's breathing great on her own, and slept through the night.
She has opened her eyes, but doesn't stay awake for long --
her sedation is now off, but it will take a little time before she's fully awake.
She has managed to cry, though!

Her arterial line has been removed, and though she was puffy yesterday,
the fluids are coming off, and she's "deflating" as I type.

Dialysis won't be necessary, which is great.
She has bled a bit into some old wounds, so some of her scars are darker,
and she's had a little blistering/bleeding, but plastics has been alerted,
and we'll wait to hear what they have to say.

She did mouth a small kiss to me yesterday, and
gave her Barney a brief hug.
She received a shampoo & hairstyle (pigtails), and
is nearly ready to leave the PICU -- maybe tomorrow!
She will need to finish the course of antibiotics,
so she'll recover on a regular floor for a week or so, at least.
They are lowering the lasix as well.

They identified the bacteria; it's a GI bug, and a pretty uncommon one.
It's not an esp. resistant one, luckily, and
they feel they have it under control.
The PICC did not appear infected, but the fact that she had a
line in increases the chances for infection, so they still think it's involved.

We're hoping Sam will be hungry when she wakes up, and
have the menu in front of us, to order some of her favorites.

Thanks, everyone, for your support and prayers;
Sam plans on being home as soon as she can!

Jessica

PS: Yesterday was one year to the day when Sam was
first placed in my arms!

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Happie *Gotcha Day*, Sammy!!

Now let's see if you can make it Home to see Santa!

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[ramanth]

Phew!! So glad to hear you are bouncing back from that scary setback Sammy!

[RobiLee]

Keep on fighting, Sam! I am praying for you and hoping you will be home for Christmas with a big smile on your face.

{{HUGS}}