We did it! We made it two miles! Samuel did beautifully! Samuel, Elianna, our nurse, her daughter, my grandmother, and I all walked. You should have seen us out there, I’m sure we were quite a sight. I had more than ten people come up and ask me why I was hauling his huge go bag around on my shoulders.

Samuel wasn’t fully corporative at first, but he was soon lulled into a restful slumber by his stroller, especially when his eyelids became heavy from the warmth of the sun. We were very proud of our prayer warriors and all those who supported Samuel when we were able to present the PCC with your generous donation of $490.35! By the end of the day the generosity and support of thousands of people brought the donation amount to over $9,000 dollars! What a tremendous blessing. That money will be used strictly for ministering to young women and preserving life.

The turnout was great. There were double the amount of people and funds this year than the previous. Praise the Lord! Once again we would like to thank everyone for helping sponsor Samuel in his Walk for Life. To God be the glory!

Samuel's 50th Update!

No news is good news, right? Samuel is still recovering here at home. Heart rate is down in the 120’s (much more acceptable), breath rate is back to normal, and his temps are mild 99. something’s. His shoulder is still healing well. The Doctor says maybe 4 more weeks and it should be good (so much for a 2 week heal time). Samuel is on Neb treatments for his Trachitis (spelling?) and doing well on that. Thanks for your prayers.

Kaitlyn

Samuel's 49th Update

Samuel just got home from a long day in the ER. Turns out you shouldn’t doubt a mother’s instinct. When Samuel got to the ER he began to de-sat and lots of yellow junk started coming out of his Trach. Chest x-rays and blood work was run, so he doesn’t have to go back in tomorrow for blood. It was concluded that Samuel has Tracheitis (spelling?), which would explain his discomfort. The ultimate decision was to bring Samuel home and start him on antibiotics. There was nothing the Doctors could do for him in the hospital that we couldn’t do at home. Samuel is still running a fever (100.4) and his heart rate is still in the 140’s, but his breathing has calmed back down. Now it will just be a process of his antibiotics kicking in and taking care of his Tracheitis. The Edema issue is still not resolved, but we’ve been living with that for the last five months so once this other issue goes away we should be back to our new normal. Thanks for all your prayers.

Kaitlyn

Samuel's 48th Update

Samuel is headed up to the hospital again. He had a 101 temp this morning and his respiration was up in the 50s. His heart rate is back up in the 140s and he seems distressed. He may or may not be admitted. My mom wants some x-rays run. A mother’s instinct is an amazing thing and my mom still feels there is something wrong, something being overlooked. Please pray for the Lord to lead the Doctors hands and minds as they try once more to probe for this hidden issue that is causing Samuel’s body so much distress.

Thank you for all your prayers. I received an e-mail this morning from one of Samuel’s prayer warriors indicating that they knew a 100 more people praying for Samuel that were not on my list. Not that prayer is about numbers, but it amazes me to know that so many of us can unite together and pray to the same end. Many of you don’t even know Samuel personally. The bible says that when one rejoices we all rejoice, and when one weeps we all weep. That is a powerful bond. Thank you everyone for your encouraging e-mails and support. May God richly bless all of you as you all have blessed us.

Kaitlyn

47th Update

Last night our family went up to the hospital to bring our baby home. Both the Cardiac and Abdominal ultrasounds came back normal. The Dr.’s are not sure what is going on with Samuel so he was released from the hospital. His heart rate was down in the twenties and his fever had broken. Elianna was so excited to get to the hospital. She’s been looking for Samuel in his room every day and was sad she couldn’t find him. When we got to the hospital and I put her in bed with him she wouldn’t stop kissing brother. She gave him kiss after kiss and stroked his head and patted his arm.

Samuel is back on his Lasix, and a third Diuretic has been added to his medications. Samuel did fine at home last night, but this morning his respiration and heart rate are back up. There is a possibility Samuel will be readmitted to the ER this morning. My mom feels concern about his lungs and would like them to do x-rays of them. We are watching him for now. At eight we will make a decision on a course of action unless he is in need before then. Please keep his little body in your prayers.

Kaitlyn

Samuel's Hospital Update

Unfortunately hospital visits tend to turn into waiting games that involve lots of tests and patience. Samuel had a 2 hour ultrasound done this afternoon, the results of which we have not yet received. Samuel is good and medicated so his heart rate has come down to the 130’s. This is still higher than normal (106-114), which indicates that something is still bothering him. His last temp was 99.8 so his fever is coming down as well, thank goodness! Respiration is still heavier than normal but not like it was when he first got to Cardinal Glennon. He’s resting now and seems to be more comfortable. An order will probably be done up for an ultrasound of his heart tomorrow and see what those results show.

I want to let you all know how much we appreciate all the prayers and encouragements that get sent our way. Some of them bring us to tears while others make us laugh and cheer our hearts. The body of believers is such an amazing entity, and prayer is the most powerful tool we are given. I have seen in my own life, and the lives of those closest to me, that God works mightily through the prayers and faith of His believers. Most of you don’t know this, but there are 689 people in the US (not including all of his E-mail buddies) who follow Samuel’s blog, 8 people in Denmark, 4 in Canada, 4 in Japan, 2 in the United Kingdom, 2 in Sri Lanka, 2 in the Netherlands, and 1 in Germany, India, and Korea. That means that quite possibly Samuel is being covered in prayer globally, not just here in the US but by people from all different countries. This also means that Samuel is encouraging and impacting the lives of people from across the globe. I think that is absolutely amazing! We are all linked together by the life of this amazing child the Lord has blessed us with. Thank you all for helping make this network of people possible, because I know I didn’t contact anyone in Germany or India.

In Christ’s Love,

Kaitlyn

45th Update

Not much of an update, but I know I’m constantly chomping at the bit for any information so I thought I’d pass along what little we did know. My mom did have the consult with the Renal Doctor. He said that they were looking at the ultra sound of Samuel’s heart done last time he was hospitalized and saw that the artery that controls the blood flow to his lower body is somewhat smaller than the one controlling the upper body. Samuel has always have a very strong heart, that’s part of why he has undergone all of the things he has. The size of the artery is not really concerning, but the Renal Doctor wants an ultrasound of Samuel’s abdomen to see if his lower body (bowels, legs, abdomen) are getting proper blood flow. They’re just trying to look at every avenue that hasn’t been considered yet. Tomorrow’s ultrasound may lead us to a dead end or reveal some enlightening information. We’ll see. Samuel did have a bowel movement on his own. An explosive, out the sides of his diaper kind of bowel movement. His stomach is still distended, but it is no longer hard. No other new information. Please pray the Doctor’s have wisdom as they seek to find the reasoning behind Samuel’s issues. Also pray for my mom and baby number six as they undergo the stress of a hospital stay.

Kaitlyn

44th Update

Not much news on Samuel. He is somewhat calmer than last night, although his fever is still up (102.7-103.0). Mom will be consulting with the Renal Doctor later this morning to early afternoon. Nothing much has changed since we left the hospital five months ago, he is still having the output and Edema issues. The major difference since our last hospital stay is that Samuel has gained fifteen pounds of fluid weight. Some of the test results show that Samuel’s white blood cell count is high. This could mean a possible infection or overexertion. Over exertion is possible since his heart rate and breathing has been elevated for the past 12 hours. However they are going to be running a culture on him and starting him on antibiotics as a precaution. He was admitted into a room late last night. If anyone would like to have the room number you can e-mail me and I will send it to you. I’ll keep everyone posted.

Kaitlyn