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

[Cinder & Smoke]

Wednesday, December 21, 2005 at 01:41 PM EST


One word yesterday, two today:
"Wiggle" (a Wiggles ad was on TV), and
"Barney," when her "I love you" Barney was singing to her.

She appears a little less glassy-eyed. Right now I have her sitting up,
propped on pillows, and an OT was working w/her, stretching her arms;
PT will work w/her, too, to get her moving around again.

She had a slight fever this morning, so just to be on the safe side,
they're culturing for infection. Immunology came by, and the doc's been
reviewing her blood counts/bloodwork over the last year, and he thinks
something might be up w/her white blood cells -- her lymphocytes,
specifically. They will be sending bloodwork to the lab, and we hope
to know something a little more conclusive within a few days.

Please pray that anything they find is of the minor variety --
Sam has enough on her plate.

Otherwise, we are just watching and waiting.

Thanks,

Jessica
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We're all Watching, Waiting, and Praying right along with you!
Come on, Sammy - Time to Get Better!

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[Barbara]

Oh that is something to keep fingers crossed about. I hope so much all these lymphocytes are just a little varying....

[Cinder & Smoke]

"Daddy!"



December 21, 2005 at 04:31 PM EST



Well, three words ... when Daddy came in after work,
she cried out, "Daddy!"


So we have the Wiggles, Barney and Daddy ...
could Mama be next?


I'm going to be upset if it's "Baby Bop."

/s/ Jessica (aka Mommy)

[Cinder & Smoke]

Wednesday, December 21, 2005 at 07:53 PM EST


Yes, three updates in one day...it's been a busy one.
Around 5:00, Sam started throwing a HUGE fit,
complete w/screaming and flailing.


They had to bandage her stumps, as she was kicking and thrashing
so much, scabs broke and she started bleeding quite a bit.

This went on for a good 30-45 minutes; she was not easy to sedate.
It seemed like fear/anxiety to us,
but she's likely in some discomfort as well.


They wound up calling one of her ICU docs down to take a look;
he suggested blood pressure meds, as her BP was getting a bit high,
lasix, a chest x-ray and a blood transfusion,
as she's been seeping a bit from the wounds.

Hopefully the x-ray shows nothing.


She's quiet now, but not sleeping -- she's huddled under her red
blanket, looking quite mad.

It was a very unpleasant thing to see --
it took 3 people just to hold her down
while a plastics doc bandaged her up.
(We were helping, but it didn't comfort her at all.)


We don't know if this means she's really coming out of it,
and realizing where she is, or if something else is going on;
the ICU doc doesn't think it's any type of withdrawal from sedation
or anything, and neuro says it's not a typical response
to the removal of an anti-seizure med.


So....more waiting and wondering.

Let's hope Sam sleeps soundly and peacefully tonight.


Thanks,


Jessica

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Prayers for a quiet, restful night;
and a Better Day tomorrow.

{{{Hugs}}} for Sammy, Jessica, and Rob.

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[jenluckenbach]

How frightening and sad. More prayers for you, Samantha.

[Craftlady]

I get notification of updates via email from the hospital site. I always hold my breath when I see an update has been made that it is a positive one. This had got to be a stressful time for her and the family, this little gal sure is a fighter that has had to endure way more than any child should ever have to experience. Will continue to keep good thoughts and prayers for the days ahead that the doctors will find the answers.

[Barbara]

Yes- that sounds frightening. I hope they can do something to get her feel better- and find out what is happening. I am so sorry- I hope Sammy is soon on a better way.......

[Cinder & Smoke]

Thursday, December 22, 2005 at 04:13 PM EST



Late last night, the decision was made to monitor Sam closely
in the ICU for a couple more days;
her BP remained high, and her breathing seemed a bit labored.

Both issues were resolved overnight,
but she'll remain in ICU until at least tomorrow.

Nothing is growing out of any cultures so far, and
they did another cat scan last night, which was normal.

It's possible that her kidneys aren't getting enough acid out,
which could cause some of her symptoms, so they are addressing that.

She's a little more alert today,
and we're trying to get her to eat and drink,
as that's one of the criteria for discharge;
if she's unable to eat by tomorrow,
we'll have to consider a feeding tube again, at least temporarily.

I've gotten a couple smiles out of her today,
but she is not happy to be here at all.
Please keep her in your prayers.

Thanks,

Jessica

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A "couple smles" is better than none.

We'll make sure Sandy Paws knows where to find you on Christmas Eve.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Little Samantha is remembered every morning in my prayers!
Bless you little one!

[Alysser]

Aw! Poor lilttle Samantha. Your in my prayers. Good luck!

[Cinder & Smoke]

Friday, December 23, 2005 at 11:40 AM EST


Sam continues to be a bit more alert each day;
she's been laughing and giggling a lot today, mostly at Daddy.


The main issue right now is nutrition;
because she's been drooling constantly and unwilling to swallow,
it's assumed there might also be a sore in her throat.
Until that heals and she's ready to eat again,
she'll go back on a feeding tube;
it doesn't make us happy, but it's a necessary measure, at least temporarily.


We're still in the ICU, and there's no word yet as to when
we'll go back to A6 South, but I suspect it will be soon.


The immunology doc stopped by to collect more blood samples, and
said he might have some more information for us later today.
He did say that her immunoglobulin assessment was normal -- but
he didn't go into specifics, and he's testing for a lot,
so I'm not sure what that means at this point.


Thanks for your continued prayers and support,


Jessica

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Santa will *find* you no matter where you are Sammy ...
we just wish it was going to be at Your House this year.

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[Cinder & Smoke]

Friday, December 23, 2005 at 11:40 AM EST

Sam continues to be a bit more alert each day;
she's been laughing and giggling a lot today, mostly at Daddy.

The main issue right now is nutrition;
because she's been drooling constantly and unwilling to swallow,
it's assumed there might also be a sore in her throat.
Until that heals and she's ready to eat again,
she'll go back on a feeding tube;
it doesn't make us happy, but it's a necessary measure, at least temporarily.

We're still in the ICU, and there's no word yet as to when
we'll go back to A6 South, but I suspect it will be soon.

The immunology doc stopped by to collect more blood samples, and
said he might have some more information for us later today.
He did say that her immunoglobulin assessment was normal -- but
he didn't go into specifics, and he's testing for a lot,
so I'm not sure what that means at this point.

Thanks for your continued prayers and support,

Jessica

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Santa will *find* you no matter where you are Sammy ...
we just wish it was going to be at Your House this year.

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[slick]

Have never stopped praying for this precious baby. You are right Phred...."Sana" won't let her down.

[Barbara]

I'm there with you- thinking of Sammy and hoping they'll find soon how they can help her. And that everything what turns out NOT to be normal is only a little bit of something- and nothing serious.

I am so full of admiration that giggling and laughing is still a part of Sammy's life. Kids and cats are better in dealing with things you can't influence than we are.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Friday, December 23, 2005 at 08:57 PM EST


It looks like we won't be relocating during the holiday weekend,
so we'll be in the PICU for Christmas.

The feeding tube experiment was short-lived;
Sam vomited shortly after it went down, so we're going to
try to get her to eat & drink over the next couple days,
while she still has a line in to receive basic nutrients.

It really seems like the mouth sores are responsible, so she's on a special mouthwash
to help numb the areas, and maybe then -- hopefully! -- she'll be willing to swallow.

In other news, the preliminary immunology bloodwork showed
nothing abnormal, but he's still checking a few things;
let's hope the rest of it comes back okay, too.

That's it for now, as we head into the holidays;
I know Santa will find a good little girl like Sam wherever she is!

Thanks,

Jessica

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Maybe PICU is the best Home away from Home for Christmas -
Sammy has LOTS of Buddies in there that worked with her before ...

We'll Pray she *perks up* and can enjoy Santa a bit.

{{{HUGS}}} to the whole Family!!

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