SamBeller.org

Saturday, September 23, 2000

Sam is Finally Home!

We were able to get Sam home at about 1:00PM this afternoon. He was just GIDDY as we leaving the hospital. We don’t even have to do IV antibiotics. The doctor said that he was doing so well that we could finish the course on regular Augmentin. Yeah!!

We feel like God truly blessed us on Friday ... we were able to avoid another surgery to fix the med-a-port (clogged permanent IV site). We made all the plans to do the surgery (two incisions in his chest and one in his neck) for Saturday morning. As a last effort to salvage the port, the surgeon ordered some “anti-clogging” stuff to be put in his port (try to push it in as much as possible, then try to pull back blood from the port after 1-2 hours). They tried twice and failed. We felt certain we were headed to surgery. Sam and I prayed about it after the failures. The surgeon came in and we made plans for surgery (incision in neck and 2 on belly - ugh). Then the nurse and I decided to test it one last time before taking out the needle from the port and IT WORKED!!! We were all amazed - felt like I witnessed a miracle! I’m soooo glad that we don’t have to put Sam through another surgery!!!

Sam was very comfortable through this pneumonia - not as bad as the other ones where he’s really struggling and working a lot. He mostly slept the first 3 days (while on the ventilator). He was very peaceful. I think the trach makes being sick easier on him. However, he probably GOT this bacterial pneumonia by something being introduced via the trach - so it also adds additional risk of infection - sigh.

Friday he spent most of the day off the BIPAP and was really wanting to stay in his wheelchair - sick of the bed. We played GO FISH in his chair and he was all smiles.

Thanks TONS much for everyone’s prayers.

love ya,
David, Kelly, Sam and gang

p.s. We ask your continued prayers for Sam’s health and our wisdom in caring for him. God Bless!