12/21 - early am

Good morning.  I'm at the hospital and I've been up since a little before 6am.  I was woken up by one of my new "roommates".  So much to say about that, but I'll save that for another blog.

I just talked to Jenni, one of the neurosurgeons' nurse practitioners.  Cristin (sp?) is the other one, and they have been just as fabulous as everyone else.  We're not sure if the pentobarb is coming down today, but it will be within the next couple of days for sure.  We talked about some things, but really, we're pretty much where we were yesterday.  Dr. Morgan is here, so they will be talking to me after they've consulted.  I'll post more after that conversation. (**Update from Jenni - the only change is that the pentobarb will start coming down tomorrow.)

I did want to share a couple of things.  The first part really has nothing to do with Sam's recovery.  I am direct, and you all know that. (Saying that is like telling you that fire is warm.)  I just want to clear the air a little bit.  

1.  I cannot respond to all messages personally, and I'm having a really hard time with calls.  If I do not respond, or if I say no thanks to offers of help, it is not personal.  I/we just need some space.  Thank you for respecting that.  

2.  I have been receiving and seeing comments posted from time to time giving advice about what the doctors should be doing, and asking why they haven't tried this treatment or that procedure.  All I will say is this:  I know you mean well.  Please please please stop doing that.  There is nothing the medical team and we have not thought of here.   

Rant over.  Thanks.

Now for a little bit of fun information!  (About time, right?!) In my second entry, I posted a picture of Sam with John Rutter.  If you don't know who Rutter is, please consult Google.  In any case, Sam is a huge Rutter fan to the point of obsession, and he had the chance to meet him in the spring.  It was, he claims, the best day of his life.  Last evening, I got a forwarded message from a good friend.  It was a personal 'Get Well' email to Sam from Rutter himself.  It is signed "Your Musician Friend, John Rutter".  We are all agog at this, and we will be reading it to Sam shortly.  If by chance you are reading this, Mr. Rutter, thank you.  You have given Sam--and us--an incredible gift just by reaching out to him.

This boy is so loved and so prayed for.  Thanks for continuing to lift him up.  Prayer concerns for the day:

• For a low ICP and brain swelling to come down
• For his temperature to stay in normal range
• That all of his other systems keep functioning
• That Lily shows signs of improvement
• And finally, peace and comfort for Jay's family, as they prepare to lay him to rest tomorrow. 

Catch you later.  This picture is just because.