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

[gini]

Dear Johanna,

Sammy has reached out and gripped the hearts of all of us.
The entire situation is so difficult to accept - but it "is" - so we, feeling entirely helpless, can only offer our prayers and reach out to your family.

As I have said so many times, just thinking about Sammy reduces me to tears - either from the sadness of a down day - or the high of reading that she smiled for her Mom - or waved to the nurses.

There are days when it is really difficult to open the care pages to read the latest update. But, then I think of what your whole family is going through and I am filled with guilt - and open it up anyway.

I don't think there is anyone who would not be touched by Jessica's strength. What an example she has become for all of us.

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

You're welcome Johanna! Little Samantha has touched our hearts!!

[Vio&Juni]

We're still thinking about Baby Samantha.

[jenluckenbach]

I truly think about Samantha every day. I read her updates FIRST before anything else. I wonder (with awe) how your family is even surviving this tragedy. I pray for you all to be strong, as that is really all you can do.

[sandragonfly]

HOORAY -- way to go, sammy!!

I've not checked in for awhile, it was hard for me to keep checking daily but always prayed/praying hard for her daily.

I agree with poppy, I feelike I've been around the hospital with you guys...wow. I was going to ask if by any chance when sammy will be going home...but johanna answered, 6-12 months!?

you people have a long, long journey to go..we all will keep and be pulling you all along with us!

I only want to hear and hope to see a new thread that she is home very soon!! thank you jessica so much for updating us as much as you could.. I know this can be hard but it's getting easier as long as your little super sammy's getting better!

(ps; I wonder how often does sammy and her family check out our thoughts? daily I hope, this helps them!) --

[Cinder & Smoke]

Wednesday, June 29, 2005 at 01:54 PM EDT

Sam continues to do well,
and has spent a couple of nights off the vent completely;
in fact, she is off the vent more than on it these days.

The diarrhea is improving; they think it might have been due to the methadone being given in such large amounts at one time, so they are handling that differently, and it seems to help. (Her stool hasn't tested positive for anything at this point.)

Apparently, yesterday was her last whirlpool treatment --
the plastics doc says her skin is looking good.

Sam had a wonderful visit w/Uncle John, Aunt Toni and cousins Jamie and Jordan last night, and was busy today w/OT, PT and speech therapy, where they are mainly working on getting her to eat --
she managed some milk today, and maybe a lick of mashed potatoes.

She was wiped out from all the other therapy,
and really just wanted to sleep.
She will have dialysis again tomorrow, and
that's about all the news today!

Thanks for keeping her in your thoughts!!
Jessica

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WOW!
That's a LOT of Good News for one day!!

GO ~ Sammy!!
..

[Anita Cholaine]

Im glad of hearing that you're doing well, Sammy...

She's a real fighter, and of couse she's in my thoughts

[luvofallhorses]

It's so good to hear this great news, stay strong sweetie!
More prayers on the way..

[Cinder & Smoke]

Thursday, June 30, 2005 at 09:45 AM EDT

Sam is still a bit tired, and is taking a snooze
in her bouncy seat as I type. She's gone 4 days w/out dialysis now, and they are going to try and hold off until tomorrow; they will use a couple medications today to control her potassium, as she's a bit puffy from that, but her "numbers," kidney-wise, are stable. They are going to do a 24-hour pee collection to see just how the kidneys are doing in terms of flushing things out.

Her bp is up a little, likely due to increased fluid volumes; she's working a bit harder to breathe, but this is to be expected--she's essentially off the vent now, and going at it on her own. The plan is still to transfer her to rehab, probably next week.

I get good-morning and good-night kisses from her (plus the million kisses I force upon her in between!), and when she's not napping, she's fairly alert. She's working very hard to get out of the ICU (though we will miss the amazing staff),
so keep the prayers coming for her continued strength!

Thanks,
Jessica

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Keep up the Good Work, Sammy!

[luvofallhorses]

Keep staying strong, Sammy! I know you can do it! More prayers on the way.....

[popcornbird]

Awww, those kisses sound SO SWEET!!!! The prayers continue for little Sammy. I am thrilled to know she's doing so much better now.

[Barbara]

It is so great to see that the steps are getting a little bigger. So much love in these kisses- I am glad for you both

[Cinder & Smoke]

Friday, July 01, 2005 at 01:24 PM EDT

Sam's a bit more awake today;
she had dialysis late yesterday afternoon, and is finishing up a session now as well. They think her electrolyte balance may have been off (due to fluid overload), and that may have been causing her excessive drowsiness.

She vomited a couple times overnight, so they've stopped her feeds for a while and will change tubes again, and stop directing the feeds straight to the belly to give her a rest. They are also checking for anything like pancreatitis, in case that's causing the vomiting.

In other news, she had both OT and PT this morning, and did very well.
She now has a hip splint as well as hand splints, to keep all positioning correct, and to aid in flexibility/mobility later. Overall, she continues to do fine, though, so we're still hoping for rehab next week.

I also plan on taking some pics of Sammy soon, and maybe Aunt Johanna can put them in the photo gallery, so everyone can see how pretty Sam's looking these days!

I may not have PC access until after the holiday,
so please send prayers Sam's way for a good weekend.

Thanks,
Jessica

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Prayers that Sammy, and the Whole Family,
will have a Happie 4th of July Weekend!

[Barbara]

Oh yeah Sammy- we still keep our fingers paws and tails crossed- this time for a happy 4th of July weekend

[lbaker]

On this very special Independence Day weekend, let's all pray that Samantha and family can have even a bit of independence from pain and worries and be able to celebrate the birth of Sam's hopefully new wellness track