Sam was out of bed today!

Good Morning everyone!

This is going to be a quick update, as I’m trying to make 8 o’clock  Mass this morning and need to still dry my hair and put on some  makeup!  Don’t want to scare anyone!  HA!

Yesterday was an INCREDIBLE day for Sam, we think!  We felt he had a  few milestones and wanted to share them with you.  Yesterday, Sam went  down for another CAT scan to make sure that his brain was dealing with his spinal fluid okay.  Everything looked great, so mid morning, they  numbed up the front of his head and removed his drain!  I think  removing the sticky bandages from the wound was one of the worse parts for him actually.  I also think he likes being free from one more tube/ cord.

Sam also (with our help of course) walked over to the restroom in his room to use the potty yesterday!  Wow!  Jere and I could’ve been  models for a Crest commercial our smiles were so big and we were so  proud!  He was very wobbly, but it was great to see him actually  standing and shuffling along.  Since the doctors said he can begin leaving his floor for 30 minute intervals at a time, we then placed  him in a wheel chair and went out for a stroll.  We visited the gift shop (his favorite place!) and even ventured outside for a bit.  I think he really enjoyed getting out of his bed, being out of his room  and having the change of scenery.  We did, of course, get pictures of  this exciting event, but they’re down at the hospital right now and  I’ll try to post them later on.

It was my turn to spend time with Jack last night so Jere stayed with  Sam while Jack and I did a little shopping for him (it’s amazing how  fast they grow..Jack had outgrown so many things!).  It was strange  being back in the “normal world” where people are going about their  day, shopping, laughing, thinking standing in line for more than five  minutes is a big deal.  I was looking around with a new perspective  yesterday and it was very different for me.  Big things don’t seem so big anymore.  Funny how one experience can put it all into perspective  for you.

Sam’s big day really tired him out.  After our big wheelchair ride, he took a big snooze, Jere said.  He was awake yesterday more than any other day and that was super.  He still is on T3 (that’s Tylenol 3 with codeine for all of you laymen out there!) as well as ibuprofen for pain and only takes his nausea meds as needed, which hasn’t been very much lately. Really, no more morphine.  We think that’s great.

More later.  Are you getting tired of these updates?  I’m so sorry to be flooding your inbox.  If you’d rather not receive these  ”novels” (although this is more of the Ciff Notes version today)  please let me know.  Some had suggested posting updates on the Caring  Bridge Website, but I’m not ready to do that yet.  For some reason, I  associate that website with doom and gloom even though I realistically  know that is certainly not the case, and so I don’t go there.   Positive, positive! That’s what I like to focus on!  And so anyway I can trick my brain into the positive game, I go there!

Enjoy your Sunday everyone and take the time to thank God today for  all that you have.  God is good!

Love,

Erica

Daddy helping Sam out of bed and to the restroom!  The stitches here are from his drain, which has now been removed.  The surgery actually took place to the back of his head where he has about an eight inch incision.

Jack, Sam and I taking a stroll through Riley hospital during our first venture out of Sam’s room after surgery.  A trip to the gift shop of course!

We even ventured outside for a bit so Sam could feel the sun on his skin and get some fresh air.

Sam was visited by a clown while in the hospital and even got into the act.

Enjoying some good ‘ol hospital food!  He really likes having a wet washcloth on his head-his new security blanket.  :)

Washing Sam’s hair.

A visit from Sam’s cousins, which REALLY lifted his spirits.  We got some true smiles and giggles out of him this day!

Sam with his new “boo-boo bunny” from the hospital.