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

[sandragonfly]

gosh...WHAT A MIRACLE!!! time for home...

it has been one of a long, long journey we went through altogether! ..especially for this little wagon princess. those pictures made me sad but this word, "home" is great!!! and touchy.

I'll pray harder for no critical setbacks at home so sammy wouldn't have to go back!! I can't believe when this thread first started along with my hospital thread at the same time and she finally is home two days ago. way to go and keep up, love!

parents, take care of yourself but I hope to hear from you sooner!!

[Cinder & Smoke]

Wednesday, August 17, 2005 at 01:35 PM EDT
This is Johanna, posting on behalf of Sam, Jessica and Rob.

First, Sam is safely at home, and seems to be settling in just fine. Jessica's computer is acting up, and I am posting JUST enough to get people through the next couple of days without worrying!! I really want Jessica to be able to tell the news, but, don't worry, it is all good news!

Second, just a reminder that there is a Benefit on Sunday, August 28, at 5:00pm at the Felicity Church of Christ in Felicity, Ohio.

It will be a dinner (Spaghetti, Salad, Roll, Desert, and Drink) Adults $10 and Children 10 and under $5. Concert by The Gospel River Boys, and a silent auction with many items to bid on. We have had so many donations from various companies and individuals. We are asking that everyone please purchase their ticket in advance so we know how much food to prepare.
Contact information- Lisa Stutz at (937)379-2133 after 6:00pm or call the Precious Resources Christian Child Care (513)876-3516 from 6:00am to 6:00pm for more information or to purchase tickets.

RUMOR HAS IT THAT SAM WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE FOR A SHORT TIME!!!

For those that cannot make it, but, would like to donate, please remember we do have a Fund established: The Samantha Chunhui Potts Benefit Fund, Union Savings Bank, 8534 East Kemper Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45249.

/s/ Johanna

[Cinder & Smoke]

Wednesday Afternoon, August 17, 2005 at 05:39 PM EDT

Hello. We are at the library up the street, until I get the laptop up & running at home. Sam is in the kids' area w/Daddy.

The transition home was as smooth as it could be; we had loads & loads of stuff to bring in. Daddy, being mechanically inclined, had the feeding machine set up quickly. Mommy was just reclined. Just kidding; he let me mix up her formula.

Our first nursing visit went well; she was very nice.
She had an hour's drive out to the "boonies," and was greeted, after dark, by our 130-lb. rottie. (Rob was on his way to our neighbor's w/the dogs, to ensure a peaceful arrival for the nurse, but there's always "the one who got away"!) She was a brave woman, withstanding both that and our house-under-construction. She was w/us until nearly eleven, and we finally got a cranky Sam down to sleep, as she was up late.

It took a while to sort out her various and sundry meds (which are still making her vomit), but we feel like we have it all somewhat under control now. She slept well, and had a nice first day at home the next day, w/stroller rides, time in the swing w/Mom, and a heartwarming reunion w/her Cozy Coupe. Mom drove her down to the lake to look around, and later on she cruised our porch in her coupe w/Daddy, waving hi to the dogs along the way. She's had a few drinks, but no food yet -- another goal to work on.

Last night she met a new nurse, who only lives 10 minutes from us. Sam was very cute for her, all smiles, and had another good night.

Today she enjoyed a trip to Kroger's, where the pharmacist helped us make even more sense of things.

Words can't express how wonderful it is to have her home, and when we're on the road, to see her back in her car seat. (That empty car seat these past few months was so hard to take.)

Tomorrow morning we see her ped, and see the kidney doc on Friday.

We'll continue to have @4 nursing visits per week.
Let's hope the rest of the week goes well, and Sam gets a stamp of approval from the docs!

Thanks,
Jessica

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WOW! ~ Road Trips!!

Kroger's and now the Library ...

Quite the Lil Girl About Town!!

WELCOME HOME, Sammy!!

[Corinna]

Yahoo Sammy!!!!!

[Barbara]

That looks so much like a "normal" life- it must be so good for Sammy to see you relax a little. This will help her more than anything else- even with 4 nursing visits and a lot of docs to see

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Sammy you are a superstar!! Well done little girl for being such a brave little fighter...... tons of love and kisses heading your way

[Cinder & Smoke]

Thursday, August 19, 2005 at 11:21 AM EDT

Sam continues to enjoy life on the outside.

Yesterday she saw her ped, and we just went over general stuff re: her illness. After that, we visited the library in Felicity, and enjoyed visiting everyone there. Later on that day, Sam spent time on our swing and in her car. She also tried a little rice and a few bites of plum.

We just finished w/the kidney doc, who checked her over, and drew some labs, which I will get the results of later. She'll come back down in a week. All 3 of us will be typed/tested then, too, just in case we have to consider a transplant at some point. (If Sam should need dialysis again, they feel it's better just to go the transplant route, as dialysis is merely treatment, but transplant is more of a "cure.") We'll have to cross that road when we get there.

We'll see another home nurse later this afternoon,
then hopefully enjoy a nice weekend!

Thanks,
Jessica

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Life just keeps gettin *Better & Better*!


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[sasvermont]

I am so happy to hear that things have settled down now and that repairing from the damage of little Sammy's illness is now the positive part.

I cannot believe how much love and attention this child has received and needed, as well. Jessica and her hubby and family deserve SO much credit for spending nearly all of their waking and sleeping hours with Sammy. She must have felt (and still does) so loved and secure. Such dedication. Such love. Such good people.

I have shared Sammy's story with a few folks in my office. I am about to begin asking them to send a contribution to Sam's fund at the bank.

Hugs and kisses to little Sammy. I have such respect for her friends and family. Especially her Mommy and Daddy!

You all will be in my thoughts for years to come.

SAS

[Cinder & Smoke]

Sunday, August 21, 2005 at 05:36 PM EDT

Sam had a nice weekend,
having fun at home and running errands with mom & dad.

There was no major change w/the kidneys, so we'll see the docs again next Friday, along w/a plastics follow-up. Sam has PT this week as well.

She has both her cars parked up about 2 inches from the TV,
and she enjoys sitting in her car watching the Wiggles;
it looks like a toddler drive-in.
The hospital has made a TV junkie out of her,
but we're working on weaning her!

She had a couple bites over the weekend, and will drink water, but that's it.
She seems happy, though, and we have time to work on her various issues.

Thanks,
Jessica

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Can Sammy "drive" to the nearest Drive-In Movie?



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[Cinder & Smoke]

Tuesday, August 23, 2005 at 06:20 PM EDT

Sam had a busy day today.
We enjoyed the beautiful weather this morning, and took another walk to the lake. She really enjoys being outside and looking around at everything, and saying "hi" over and over to the dogs, who walk alongside the stroller.

After that, she went to see all her friends at Precious Resources, and had lots of fun. Then we went to the library to see more friends, and she conked out on the way home from all the excitement. It was so nice to see her enjoying the other kids -- something she has really missed these past months -- and smiling and laughing.

Mr. C got her to try some apple slices, and Mrs. C gave her some peaches; she kept a lot of it in her mouth for a while, but we think she might have swallowed some! At least she's willing to take bites. Vomiting is still occurring, but nearly always after meds, so it's pretty predictable.

Tomorrow we have PT;
hopefully the medical environment won't upset her too much.

Thanks,
Jessica

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Stay HAPPIE, Sammy!!

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[popcornbird]

Happy happy little Sammy. Good to hear things are going well!

[Barbara]

How wonderful to have these outings. Yes, Sammy must have felt lonely in the hospital without seeing other kids. It is so good that her precious little soul can start to heal

[finn's mom]

That's awesome that she gets to be around other children!

[Cinder & Smoke]

Thursday, August 25, 2005 at 06:05 PM EDT

We continue to get out & about, taking walks, running errands,
and just regular everyday stuff.

Sam's been having trouble sleeping through the night (likewise, mom & dad have been, too), but I'm sure she'll get back on a regular schedule soon.

PT was fine ; Sam will go weekly, and we will work on stretches at home, too. Tomorrow it's back to the kidney docs; hopefully we're still holding steady in that dept. Sam's been vomiting w/meds (as usual) and some w/her feeds, too; we'd sure like to get a handle on that problem.

Around 3:00 today, she said "hungy" to me --
she'd been off her feeds since 6:30 a.m., so I guess it takes that many hours for any sort of appetite to kick in -- so I broke out all her favorites to see what she'd take. She puts things in her mouth, but seems a bit gun shy at swallowing solids. She drinks things w/no problem. She's especially into sweet fruits right now, and will take bites of plums and peaches, but I find a lot of it stored in her chipmunk cheeks hours later!

Oh well; it's still progress. Let's hope she continues in that direction!

Thanks,
Jessica

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"Chipmunk Cheeks"??

Mite get hungry later ...
and who knows - mite be a long winter!

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[Cinder & Smoke]

Friday, August 26, 2005 at 04:24 PM EDT

Sam had a busy day at Children's, getting checked over
by both the kidney docs and plastics;
no major changes w/the kidneys, though we are dropping a couple meds to see if the vomiting improves. Plastics said the skin is looking good.

Sam was very ready to say "bye" at the end of these appointments, and slept the whole way home. We're enjoying a rainy day inside, and looking forward to a good weekend.

Sam can't wait to see everyone Sunday!

Thanks,
Jessica

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"Lookin Good" sounds good to hear!!

Is someone going to a *Par-Tee* on Sunday?
Have *PHUNN*, Kiddo!!

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