SamBeller.org

Friday, April 07, 2000

Feeling Grateful

Nine days have passed since the surgery and Sam has had no major complications. We are so thankful. We really are feeling like we’re walking with a little kick in our step ... walking like we’re on the other side of this mountain. There was so much that we dreaded about this surgery and we are just glad it’s over and Sam’s doing so well.

Sam hasn’t had any of the heavy narcotics since Wednesday night. They transitioned him to Tylenol with Codeine and he’s managing pain really well on this. His body was so relieved to get rid of those things, that he decided to pull an all-nighter and watched movies with Ursula. He was awake most of the day on Thursday - but really ready for sleep by the end of the day.

Sam spent 2 hours off of the BiPAP machine on Thursday, with just supplemental oxygen going into his trach. He did fine, but then got a little tired and needed the BiPAP machine to help him inflate his lungs again. He was really happy to be just on oxygen for a while and was not thrilled with having to get hooked up to the BiPAP machine again - but rested comfortably with it on.

His x-ray looked really wonderful now. The right upper lobe is no longer collapsed. Although, when laying on his right side, he requires more oxygen. So that side is still a little weak for some reason. Overall, his lungs look beautiful and clear on the x-ray.

He got his first regular feeding today with his standard formula mixture. His whole hospital routine is starting to mimic more and more of his regular home routine (minus the regular activity).

Dr. Bobechko and Dr. Smith (anesthesiology) said that they were both so glad to get the surgery over with since they were really worried about the risks with Sam. We are just glad to be getting near the end of the respiratory recovery from the surgery. Sam will still have a lot of pain management at home and probably several months before his regular activity returns. However, he’s progressing with flying colors right now.

From an orthopedic standpoint, Dr. Bobechko said that Sam is ready for discharge! However, Dr. Silver, our pulmonologist, wants Sam to remain until he can maintain Oxygen saturation levels without supplemental Oxygen and only BiPAP usage at night. Dr. Silver thinks that Sam could be ready to go home MONDAY if he keeps improving at the same rate!!!! We may make it out of there in just less than 2 weeks. Now you know why we are walking with a little kick in our step!!

We just can’t believe that we’re over the hard part ... we didn’t do it alone, that’s for sure.

Jim Bales, the Preston Rd Church Children’s Minister, came by to drop off a check that was an accumulation of gift donations to the Friends of Sam Beller Fund. We were stunned, just stunned. You folks know who you are (and we don’t even know who you are) ... but people from David’s office, Kelly’s office, our congregation, our Sunday School class at church, friends of friends and folks we don’t even know how they have come to love our Sam ... you all gave on his behalf to lighten our load during this time.

We really are stunned and our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for such amazing people that are in our lives or just connected to our lives. You all are an amazing bunch of people. This entire surgery and recovery has been easier on Sam and easier on us than we had imagined because of such great support so that throughout it all we could focus more on Sam’s needs and care & less on managing life.

We hope over the next few days that Sam will be able to get into his wheelchair without pain (still only sat up in bed), get rid of his use of extra Oxygen and the day-time use of the BiPAP machine and just, in general, get more and more into his home routine so that we can have a smooth transition home in the early part of next week. We thank you all for your continued prayers for Sam.

God is so good and we’ve really seen His protecting and healing hands around and on Sam during the last weeks. Many folks are talking to God on Sam’s behalf, He’s listening, and with many eyes watching, He showed us how De is bigger than any mountain we may have in front of us!

love,
Kelly & David