SamBeller.org

Monday, November 15, 2004

Sam Improving Slowly in Hospital

Sam started making a slow turn towards recovery this weekend.  His lungs are still full of junk, but better.  PICU doctors want Sam to finish his IV antibiotics in the hospital setting (7-10 days depending on how he’s improving).  This puts us there through Thursday, Nov 18th or as long as Sunday, Nov 21st.  He is having a hard time breathing sitting up right now and is still on the ventilator continuously with added oxygen, six daily nebulizer treatments and 8 daily breathing treatments with a special pulsating ventilator nebulizer followed by CPT (chest percussion).  There is not much time where Sam is just left alone… and during that time, he falls asleep inbetween all the treatments.

We continue to do additional tests while he’s in the hospital to look for another diagnoses for Sam (since we are there, it makes it easy to get this stuff done).  More on this later.

Please pray for Sam:
- lungs to continue to clear and nose to dry up
- to be able to sit up without breathing trouble
- last longer between breathing treatments
- transition from hospital ventilator to home ventilator
- transition back to his normal trach tube
- require no extra oxygen
- tolerate breathing on his own off of all ventilators again for 6-8 hours/day
- for him to just feel good!

Also, please pray for the rest of the family to remain healthy (Tevah has had a stomach virus over the weekend, but is feeling better as of Monday).

David’s parents, Richard and Janie will be arriving on Monday afternoon to man the fort at home, run kids around and keep things sane.  We are SO VERY THANKFUL to their willingness to sacrifice their time to come take over here.

Thank you for your love and concern.
David & Kelly, Sam and kids