SamBeller.org
Welcome to Sam's New Web Site! We will continue to add more news and neat stuff, but in the meantime there's lots to check out--including recent photos of Sam, the full archive of journal entries dating back to 2000 when the site originally launched, and links to resources for families with special-needs children. You can also send a message using the contact page, submit comments on your favorite entries, and join the e-mail list to be notified of special Sam news!
Thursday, September 21, 2000
Pneumonia Improving, Waiting on New Med-a-Port
Dearest Sam’s fan club,
This bacterial infection in his lungs has produced some really big mucus plugs that we’ve had to work to suction out of his lungs (via the trach - with saline to help thin it out). Through it all, Sam’s been pretty comfortable and happy. The ventilator helped inflate his lungs with bigger breathes to help loosen the stuff in his lungs.
As of Wednesday evening, Sam was moved successfully from the ventilator to his regular BIPAP machine to assist him in breathing while he recovers (the machine he normally uses just at night). He’s just on 1 liter of Oxygen (good!) and in good spirits.
Thursday morning, we took him off the BIPAP and just put him on a little Oxygen and he did fine. He was tired after about 90 minutes - so we put him back on the BIPAP for a while longer ... until he can do without it all day.
We need to finish IV antibiotics through Wednesday. Do do this we need to get his Med-a-Port fixed (40 minute surgical procedure). So, the doctors are trying to determine if he’s ready for surgery and when they can fit it into their schedules.
Please be praying for ...
- Bacterial infection to continue to respond to antibiotics
- No additional infection due to the increased suctioning and hospital setting
- No irritation in his nose/trach from suctioning
- Sam’s current IV site in his hand to remain intact for the duration
- Continued good spirits and comfort for Sam
- Strength to return quickly so Sam can do normal activities soon
- Nursing care to be setup with good staff when we return home to complete the IV medications and recover.
- No illness to hit Tevah, Jacob, Simone or Mom/Dad while we all are working through this.
And prayers for the troops ...
- Continued health of Ursula, our nanny, as she helps with Sam at the hospital (night duty) - she recently had a heart catherization, but is doing well - and continued recovery of her husband, Larry, who had a heart attack 2 weeks ago.
- Health of Cara, Sam’s private duty nurse, as she helps out with Sam at the hospital (out of the goodness of her heart - no $$) ... and Scotty, her hubby, and baby Julyn.
- All the folks helping with the other yahoos (Kenneth & Suzanne Kirklin, Eleanor Gresham, Cenz Pittman, and others TBD this weekend).
We’ll let you all know how Sam is doing.
Much love,
Kelly & David
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