Doctors orders: change of scenery

Hi everyone.  I thought I would do Sam the favor and do an update for her. She has had it pretty rough lately.  All the surgeries, 3 major ones, two minor ones (by comparison,) multiple chest tubes going in and out, through her ribs and all the other countless procedures, infections/fevers, tests and associated pains has taken its toll on her.  She has been pretty weak, and not up to her usual communicative self. She needs her rest and to start eating again to get some energy back.  So the doctors decided today, that can best be accomplished with a change of scenery, outside of the hospital.  So the plan is to send her to our apartment.  There she will continue to receive her IV treatments with nursing visits and return trips to the hospital every other day.  We all are looking forward to this change of scenery.

As for me and Dolly, we are adjusting to the Miami way of life.   We are sick of hospital food but some how we are managing to gain weight.  As for the weather, yes we realize it's sunny and warm compared to Chicago but just so you all know we haven’t done any sunning yet.  Once Sam gets out of the Hospital we hope to get on our balcony or poolside for at least an hour everyday, with Sam of course.

Next week Sam is expecting a few visitors right before Thanksgiving.  Thank you girls for taking time away from your family on Thanksgiving break to see Sam.  We all are looking forward to the visit.  Jack Morgan it was great to see you.  What a small world to end up seeing you visiting a relative 3 doors down from Sammy.   It’s a testament to the transplant team here.  The transplant Doctors here really are the best in the world.

Again I like to thank everyone back home, especially Alex for managing the household while we are away. Also Joe Wangler (and Bruce Sanders) for dealing with the damage & repairs on the house.  (We flooded the day before we left, when Glenview received that record rain fall back in September.)

Tricia Melzer-Swaydrak I hear it was beautiful, and thank you Mrs. Siegert at OLPH for the “Sweets for Sam” fundraiser.  All this help has/is really making a difference. As I’m sure you all know, besides trying to keep up with the medical cost, the money being raised is allowing us to be here at Sam’s side, where we belong. I don’t know how we would have done it without all of you.  But mainly I need to thank Sammy.  You are such a wonderful person and a joy to be around.  Keep fighting! The hard part is past.  Soon enough you will be back home with your family, friends and that dog of yours.

Lots of Love,

Chris

P.S. Congratulations to Bill Tellone on your promotion.

PPS. Keep the prayer going for Julie who Sam had mentioned in earlier posts.  She has received her transplants but has remained in ICU suffering complications.  You can find her story at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/juliewerner.

PPPS. Several of you had offered airlines mileage to us.  Now that I have seen the cost of flights around the holidays I have signed the family up with American Airlines aadvantage miles program. I still not sure how the program works, but I’m told you can transfer miles (with limitations) to anyone with a account number. Just contact one of us and we can supply you with the numbers. Thanks