http://gallery.me.com/helanaamy/100023 This video is of Sammie at the JDRF Walk to Cure Kick Off Luncheon.

So Very Proud

    My family has been through so much the past year, sometimes it is hard not to wonder what God's plan is for us. Today I saw God's plan in action. Sammie spoke to a group of corporate JDRF sponsers. She told them her diabetes, gastroparesis story and I do not think there was a dry eye in the room. Her strength amazes me. She did a wonderful job and Randy and I are so very proud. I know my mom would have been so proud of her today.

Sammie's 2011 JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes Video

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!!!