DAY OF HOPE

Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark. ”
~George Iles

Today is "A Day of Hope".  People all over the world are writing this one word on their hands.  In honor of someone special.

It's one word.  One small, four letter word.

But it's BIG in meaning and purpose.

Hope is everything.

You might wonder.... WHY would I want to write this word on my hand?  What good is that going to do?

Maybe someone sees it and it brightens their day.

Maybe someone asks you about it and you can talk about life with Type 1.

Maybe it encourages someone to ACT.

Maybe it helps someone to keep holding on... to keep swimming... to never give up.

Maybe it helps YOU smile when you see it.

Maybe it reminds YOU to keep swimming.

Maybe it makes you feel proud and determined...

There is power in this word.

There is power in people all over the world BELIEVING in HOPE.

“Hope is not a dream but a way of making dreams become reality.”
~Unknown

Of course, it's not too late!  Go ahead and write it on your hand tomorrow.  You can have HOPE any day.  You SHOULD have HOPE every day!

Final Post

   I have learned so much during this gastro journey. I know things like, even though Sammie's  A1C has
been 7.1 - 7.4 for almost 4 years terrible complications can still happen. I know things like , when your stomach does not empty properly your intestines do not empty properly. I know what a motility catheter is and what it does. I have also learned that the line between overwhelming sadness and overwhelming happiness is an invisible line. 
   As Randy, Sammie and I will leave Nationwide Children's Hospital, I  have overwhelming happiness because Sammie will be coming home with a permanent gastric pacemaker. Coming home also brings me overwhelming sadness because I will be saying good -bye to my beloved mother.
  I have so many people to thank whom without there love and support this gastro journey would have been nearly impossible. First, I want to thank my mother, she is the one who taught me to always, no matter what be your child's advocate.  I want to thank my brothers and sisters who filled in for me so I would leave our precious mother.  I want to thank my United Baptist Church family, your support has meant everything to me. My mother's family in Wisconsin (Anna and Sarah and Linda) always kept my family in their prayers, .I want to thank my Aunt Phyllis and Uncle Frank, and my Salyers cousins who always had us in their thoughts and prayers. I really could not have made it through this journey without my daughter Cassie, she had to be Little Randy's mommy while I was away. Big Randy for loving me and listening to me. I want to thank Sammie, your life has not been smooth sailing. The waves have been rough, but God has always held on to our ship. I will continue to be your advocate, I will continue to fight for awareness and I will always fight for a CURE.  Please never forget your grandmother loved you and was very proud of you.

Columbus Round One

Sammie and Dad in shuttle on way to hospital

Sammie having some fun.

Sammie being silly , with her bubble gum mask.

Sammie with her pre - surgery nurses.

Sammie and dad acting silly.

Sammie and mom.

Sammie with her surgery nurses

Sammie's room.

Sammie and Aunt Helana

Sammie and Glenna

Sammie and Little Randy

The blue wire is the pacemaker lead. It is attached to her tummy through her nose.

This is the actual pacemaker. 

This is the doctor who did the temporary surgery and will do the permament surgery. his name is Doctor Steven Teich and he is the worlds best surgeon for gastric pacemakers.

       



 Finally, I have a few free minutes to post Sammie's progress and some pictures.  Sammie had a temporary pacemaker put in on Friday. When she was being wheeled on the hallway toward her room , where I was waiting.She was awake and alert, and the miserable sick look was gone from her pretty face. Her first words were " Mom, I feel better. I think it is working".  She did really well all of Friday and the morning on Saturday, since then not doing so well.  Hopefully permament pacemaker will be placed Monday or Tuesday.

First day in Columbus

Wow , what a 1st day. Sammie was so amazing during the motlity study. I do not think I could have handled what she went through. I am very proud of her. The study concluded that when Sammie's stomach is empty  it works almost normal. When food is introduced, her stomach freezes.  So our gastro journey continues!!!

My Mom

     I have the most amazing mother . She left her family in Wisconsin when she married my father, they moved to Franklin Furnace. She raised 6 children with virtually no help, she could not call her mother daily, she could not jump in her car and go see her when she needed something. She is my role model of what a great mom should be.
     My mom quit her job to stay home and help take care of Sammie , so I could work.
( Sammie was only 2)  My mom has been by my side for every milestone. My mom and I  had a party when Sammie finally weighed over 20 lbs.. She has been by my side for every hospital stay, when she was diagnosed with diabetes my mom helped us all through those first days.
    This hospital stay ( and the few before this one) are different. My mom is no longer able to be my side. She is fighting her own battle. It breaks my heart to say she is losing her battle. On Monday I must leave my precious momma to get help for Sammie. I will be losing time with her, time I can never have back.  I have been working for weeks to find Sammie help for gastroparesis, and I am soo excited for the pacer, it will change her life.  But my heart is breaking to leave my mother behind. I know now is the time to be strong. I love my husband and children but I really just want to be my mommies little girl again. I love you momma!!!

Sammie Update

      Sammie has really been struggling. She has recovered from appendix surgery but her gastroparesis and neuropathy seem so much worse. Our blood sugars have been great. Tomorrow , we meet our endocrinologist. Her name is Dr. Kamboj., she will be taking care of Sammie's diabetic needs while in Columbus.
      I plan on blogging ( hopefully video blogging) every step of the way. 

     I hope and pray no other family has to go through the issues surrounding my sweet little family.

New Surgery Date

        Ok, I am going to try and not get my hopes up, but our new suregery date is JANUARY 28TH. I told Sammie our new surgery date, she said " Mom whisper, I don't want my body to know. I am afraid my gall bladder might decide to go next." She is soooo silly, I'm glad she has a sense of humor today :)