SamBeller.org

Wednesday, November 10, 2004

Sam Is At Medical City PICU

Sam was admitted in the the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit on Tuesday November, 9th.  The doctors are calling this a Broncho-Pneumonia: It is caused by the bacteria Strenotrophamas Maltophilia (not that that helps anyone who’s not a doctor, but it’s interesting trivia). This bacteria is a dinosaur in the pseudemonus family that is resistant to a few antibiotics. It turns out he was on the right antibiotic before we switched to Levaquin over the weekend.

Since his admission, they’ve started an IV for fluids and for giving his antibiotics. He’s on two antibiotics, Bactrim and Cipro.

He’s doing much better on the hospital ventilator. The home ventilator has limited features, but does fine for most occasions. The hospital ventilator has improved his comfort. Sam’s not grunting anymore, and his respirations and heartrate are good. He’s on the ventilator constantly right now and is in no shape to start weaning him off of it.  Finally today he’s beginning to loosen up so he’s getting stuff out. Before today he’s been so tight we couldn’t get anything out of his lungs.

No idea how long he’ll be in the hospital, but at least through middle of next week.

While we’re in, we’ll try to get some “re-diagnosing” tests performed: blood test, perhaps a “needle test” for checking on Myasthenia Gravis. They’ve done a heart sonogram, and have arranged consults with his Neurologist and with a Geneticist. We’ll keep everyone informed.

Thanks for your prayers!

Thursday, November 04, 2004

Sam Has a Respiratory Illness

Sam got to enjoy Halloween at a church Harvest party.  He was dressed as a “Brave Soldier”, dressed in gear from our local Army Navy.  Then, woke up Monday morning with a fever.  Ugh!  He has had increasing respiratory symptoms this week.  We had him in to see the doctor on Wednesday and started antibiotics.  Please be in prayer about this.  We don’t want this to turn into pneumonia.  He is truly our brave soldier every day.

Sunday, September 19, 2004

EXTRA!! EXTRA!! Sam is in the Dallas Morning News again!

Sam was on the front page of the Metro section of the September 19th Dallas Morning News!  The News asked for a follow-up article on Sam since the response to the first article on August 29th was so positive.  People love Sam ... what can we say ... we think he is irresistible! We will also post the article here soon!

Saturday, September 18, 2004

Sam Flies With Challenge Air!

On Saturday afternoon, September 18th, Sam took part in flying with Challenge Air.  This organization puts on two events each year in Dallas, where pilots volunteer their time and donors make it possible to fly over 100 flights for special needs kids.  That means more than 100 kids with disabilities in small airplanes flying over the downtown Dallas area!  Too cool.  Sam, his buddy Jeffrey Whited, Mom, Pilote Paul and Dallas Morning News photographer, Melanie Burford, flew from Love Field all around Dallas.  Sam may not be able to walk, but today, he flew.  He loved it.

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31.

Friday, September 03, 2004

Thank You From Sam's Family!

We’ve had a great response to the Dallas Morning News article.  We’ve received many emails, letters, phone calls, and great comments from people we see every day.  Thank you to everyone for the great support.  I think the phrases we’ve heard most are “I cried all the way through it”, “not sugar-coated” and “inspiring”.  We just hope that in telling our story, that other folks may be helped in whatever heartache they are enduring. 

I think Sam will have some new friends from this article as well.  We’ve received a number of emails from families with special needs kids.  What a blessing.

Love to you all… Kelly, David, Sam and the gang.

Sam Started 6th Grade!!

After kicking a respiratory virus into the ground (way to go!!), Sam started 6th grade on Wednesday, September 1st.  This will be his last of 9 years at Greenwood Hills Elementary in Richardson.  He’s had a great week and is really enjoying seeing all his friends.  Everyone at school made quite a fuss over his Dallas Morning News article and he smiles with pride when we all talk about it.  We are looking forward to a great year before moving on to the big time - Junior High (gasp).