SamBeller.org

Monday, April 25, 2005

Sam Improving ...

Sam is still being a mystery with this bug he got last week - good days and bad days.  However, he’s definitely turned the corner ... we are feelign out of danger and no need to admit him to the hospital.  Last week, he was worrying us.  Last night, he slept through the night for the first time in a week.  Steam showers seem to really help him breathe better and help his heartrate to stay nice and low - gets rid of stress.  It also seems to cool his skin down.  He’s had hot rashes on an off all over his body.  This comes and goes all day.  The shower helps that a lot.  No fever, no stomach symptoms and he’s breathing much easier.  However, he’s still being unpredicable - on and off Oxygen, up and down heartrate. 

For the rest of the week ... I think he’s out of school all week.  We still haven’t been able to get him off the ventilator because he breathes too hard when off of it.  So, we’ll wean him off of that slowly and then hopefully, school next week.

So, pray for him to be comfortable, no rashes, sleep well and get off the ventilator during the day.

Thanks for the prayers,
Bellers zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Thursday, April 21, 2005

Sam is Ill With Mystery Bug

Please keep Sam in your prayers.  Tuesday, April 19th, he came down with a fever, followed by a day of stomach symptoms and now it has settled in his lungs.  We had him to the doctor today and started him on antibiotics, steriods and more breathing treatments.  He’s been quite uncomfortable and falling asleep at the drop of a hat.  Please pray that this will resolve quickly and that no hospitalization will be required.  Also, pray for sleep and protection for the rest of the family.  We don’t have night nurses and are already tired!

Home Makeover Interview Details...

David and the kids, nurse Sherri, friends Greg Stewart & kids as well as Rhea & kids were all at Valley View Mall to help support our effort to give Sam a huge gift.

The long and the short of it is that after waiting about 2 hours in line, David was interviewed very quickly by a woman in her early 20s with very little patience or interest in our story.  Hmmmm.  Bummer.  She said that IF the show was interested in learning more about us that we would hear by May 4th.  We get the impression that we will not be hearing. 

However, God can do whatever he wants.  If this blessing comes our way, it will certainly be of no great doing of our own.  We prayed that if this would glorify God and bring good to our family, that the Lord would provide and if not, then let it pass us by.  So, we are at peace with His plan and His purposes.

Thanks for your love and support.  We will update you on this in a few weeks.

Beller Clan.

Tuesday, April 12, 2005

Beller Family Applies for Home Makeover

One of the blessings that came from Sam being on the front page of the Dallas Morning News was a phone call from a sweet lady named, Rhea, from McKinney.  She called to tell us that she wanted to nominate Sam and our family for the television show, Extreme Makeover - Home Edition.  She later mailed us an application with a wonderful letter to ABC.  Life took over and we’ve never completed the application or mailed it in.... until now.

On Wednesday, April 13th, Casting Directors for this show are coming to Valley View Mall in Dallas.  Unfortunately, Kelly had a trip planned to visit her parents and it cannot be rearranged.  So, David, with Sam, a nurse and other three kids will be going to the mall to wait in line for an interview.

Please pray that if this is something that would glorify God and bless Sam’s life, that David would have an opportunity for an interview and let God handle it from there!  Since he will have Sam with him, please pray that they do not have to wait long.  We are a little unsure about applying because there are so many needy families out there ... but if it would bring a smile to Sam’s face and joy to his life, then we will do it!  Sam is worthy and deserving of all goodness that we can provide for him.

Thanks for your continued love and support.
Kelly & David

Diagnostic Testing Results Coming

We’ve been waiting since November to hear about all the tests ran on Sam to determine if he has another diagnosis besides Cerebral Palsy.  Because he continues to weaken every year, the doctors feel there must be another underlying muscle disease or disorder.  All testing results came back normal… except one.  The muscle biopsy showed a strong possibility for Spinal Muscle Atrophy (SMA).  We now are scheduled to have another blood test done to test for the genes that may confirm this.  We may not know anything until the end of May or June.

Spinal Muscle Atrophy is like a childhood ALS.  The nerves lose function and so the muscles slowly deteriorate because the nerves are not firing properly.  From everything we read about kids with SMA, Sam sounds just like them.  We feel quite certain that the blood test will confirm this diagnosis.  So what would this mean for Sam’s life?  No change.  There is no treatment for SMA.  There are some clinic drug trials that Sam may be able to participate in ... but, we will cross that road when we come to it.  However, a diagnosis of SMA does confirm that Sam is getting worse and will continue to do so.  Kids with SMA usually do not survive past the teen years.  The threat is pneumonia ... just as we have seen with Sam. 

Please pray for wisdom and discernment as we process all this information.  We want to know what is going on in Sam’s body - but it’s hard to tell good news from bad news sometimes.  Also, please pray for the blood test to accurately confirm or deny SMA.  And, as always for faith to raise Sam, Tevah, Jacob and Simone to trust in the Lord in all things.

We will keep you posted.

Much love,
David & Kelly

Wednesday, April 06, 2005

PRAYER REQUESTS FOR SAM

Many folks have asked what they can pray for regarding Sam and his health.  So, we’ll be posting our prayer needs for him here on Sam’s website.  Thank you for lifting him up to the Lord – He always provides.

1. Prayer – We are still praying about all of Sam’s diagnositic tests that we did in the hospital in November.  Everything came back normal - except for the strong possibility of Spinal Muscle Atrophy.  One more blood test is required and we are scheduled for that on April 20.  Please pray for the results and wisdom in whatever those may be.
2. Prayer – God’s will be done in the application for Extreme Makeover - Home Edition and that He will be glorified and Sam blessed by the out come.
3. Praise - Sam had a healthy winter after his November illness!  We made it!
4. Prayer – for Sam’s spiritual needs to be met so that we can continue to help him to trust in the Lord in all things that he endures.
5. Prayer – for good friends for Sam in school and outside of school to nurture his need for fun and buddies!
6. Prayer – a new communication computer.  Sam needs a new computer as his current one is slowly giving out.  Please pray for Sam’s Medicaid to cover this cost.
7. Prayer – for Sam’s nurses and therapists that God would continue to give them unending patience and love for Sam and accuracy in all medical treatments they administer to Sam – they are a great bunch!
8. Prayer – for Sam’s siblings, Tevah, Jacob and Simone to see God’s purpose in their lives and for our family to be well-balanced.
9. Prayer – for wisdom, spiritual discernment and strength for us (Kelly & David) as we care for Sam and manage his needs.

Thank you for taking the time to pray for our sweet Sam.  May God bless you ten-fold for the love you have poured out on Sam’s behalf.

Philippians 4:5b-8 “The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."