12/26 - On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

A dialysis machine!  We have been at Children's in Dallas for almost a full day, and we are duly impressed. There have been so many people in and out of Sam's room, each with their own responsibilities, that it's almost like watching a flawless stage performance.  We're still coping with the longer distance from home, including, but not limited to finding the train and dodging potential tornados. In reality, the distance is really the only downside to being here.  The care is phenomenal, and we know that Sam has the best opportunity of recovery here.  

First, the dialysis seems to be working, and he's beginning to have more output on his own.  They are pulling off about 3 liters of fluid per hour (if I remembered that right) and he is already looking a little less puffy in some areas.  We're still hoping this resolves some of the other problems that have been plaguing him, like blood pressure.  We have already met people from OT, PT, respiratory, nutrition, maxillofacial, ortho, and neuro, not to mention all of the nurses that are here.  Sam has his own nurse in the room for the majority of the shift, and others come in to help from time to time.  The whole room is essentially a little emergency room, and so much of what he needs can happen right there.  There is also a recliner and a small couch that opens up to a full bed. We're not sure that Jim and I will have a lot of nights together here, but it's nice to know that one or both of us will not be pretzel-shaped when we get up in the morning.  The only other thing that is a little sticking point is the rule about visitors.  In order to stay over night, you need to be over 18. Sarah's not really happy about that, but she'll get over it.  

I had a fantastic talk with the doctor who was here when we were admitted last night.  She had come in to give him a basic exam and spent more than 20 minutes discussing with me a lot of different things. We talked about some of the issues Sam is having.  She agreed that this kidney issue was probably the main cause of his blood pressure problems.  She said very plainly that Sam would have deficits, and we'd just have to wait to see what those were.  While that is hard to think about, the conversation kept moving in a forward direction. She was telling me what sort of things WOULD happen when Sam came out of this, what WOULD happen when he went to rehab.  There was no hopelessness or saying "We've done all we can do."  There was just straight talk about what was to come.  It was so encouraging to know that no matter which version of Sam comes out of this, everyone is on board with helping him be his best, and recovering all of the things he may have lost.  In fact, rehab will be starting shortly. I can't remember if she said 2 days of sometime next week--I'm a little fried--but in either case, that's amazing.  They feel that the earlier they start, the better off the patient is, and I couldn't agree more.  We are in the absolute right place for this stage of the journey, and we're excited to see where it will lead us.  

Please continue to be in prayer for Sam and others previously mentioned.  Also, there were some tornadoes that destroyed several nearby areas, if you would please add them to the ever growing list. Thanks!

"Tower of Loefflers" from 3 years ago.  Sam's on the top.