Pictures from Stage 2, the Glenn
Pictures from Stage 3, the Fontan Please note - these pictures, for the most part, are "safe". If you're interested in post-op pictures from the Norwood, please email us at us@babysamson.com for access.
Doctor Visits
Fontan
General Updates
Glenn
Life with Sammy
Norwood
Other HLHS families
Support
Surgery & Recovery
Surprises
Test Results
Worrying
Four years old
Happy holidays!
Home, home, home!
Recovery
Unexpected Open Heart Surgery
Fenestration-closing cath
One year post-Fontan!
NSTAR's Walk for Children's Hospital Boston
3 years old & cardiology visit
Wild Man
Update and Santa
Blue episodes and a cardiology appointment today
Ellie's Fontan
Post-Fontan Cardiology Visit
"You've gotta just let him be."
Sammy's Recovery from the Fontan
Life Post-Fontan
Bump from home
We are home!
Fontanized - Day 6 Update
Day 4 Post-Op 2:30pm Update
Fontanized, Day 4 Post-Op
Bump #2 - Pneumothorax
Little Bump
Fontan Post-Op, Day 2
Extubated!
Fontan Post-Op Update
Fontan Day
Fontan Pre-op Done
Checking in
Update, 2 years old, Fontan date, more
And we're free!
Pre-Fontan cath DONE.
Cath Day
Day 1, Pre-Fontan Cath Prep
Pre-Fontan cath
Twenty-three months: chatterbox, the holidays and the cath
Twenty-two months
Cardiology visit
Eighteen months
Seventeen months
Early Intervention Assessment
Fourteen month update
Miles for Miracles - Together in Heart.
Sedated echo
Look who's one!
One year.
11 1/2 months old!
Almost 10 months old!
Cardiologist Visit
Just about nine months!
Who is this kid, and what did you do with my baby?
Eight months old!
7 months old!
Coming up on 7 months
Six month update
Post-op Checkup & Life post-Glenn
And we're outta here!
Waiting to go home & a few firsts...
Truckin' along
Step-Down!
And the lines are OUT!
Happy updates
Post-Glenn, Day 4
Post-Glenn, Day 3
Post-Glenn, Post-Bronchial Spams, Day 3
Not fun - post-Glenn, night 2
Post-Glenn, Day 2
Post-Glenn, Day 2 - morning
Post-Glenn, Day 1, part 2
Post-Glenn, Day 1
He's out!
In surgery - updates
the wait
The night before the Glenn
Preparing for the Glenn
Update & Surgery
Milk Allergy Fun
Chatty Sammy
Cath Hospitalization
Catheterization
Gasmonster!
Teaching Sammy about the world.
Miles for Miracles
First bath!
Gassy infant prodigy
Rockin' Sammy
Revelations about mamahood
Babymoon, Part 2
Babymoon, Part 1
Home Sweet Home
Discharged!
Rumor has it...
Stepdown, Day 2
We have step down!
Today was pretty mellow
No step-down for you
Time to buy stock in St. Joseph's
One step closer
Extubation!
One step at a time
Done with the closing
Chest Closing
Birth story
Chest Closing & Mama in Triage
Recovery
Out of Surgery
Welcome, Sammy!
Samson Arrives
Labor update
Of due dates and inductions
Baby Grace
Snow baby?
Welcome to the jungle
Getting closer...
37 1/2 week update
Fighting the bad thoughts
Getting bigger - and closer!
31 weeks with Dr. Brown, CHB
31 Week Appt. w/ Dr. Johnson
One big monkey!
Starting to Get Ready
30 Weeks and Full-blown Panic
Silly Pregnant Lady
27 Week Visit
Fears
EFO Shout Out
Weird Pains & an Early Morning Trip to the Hospital
Fetal Echo at Boston Children's Hospital
DiGeorge's - Negative!
Evil Genetics Counselor
Full amnio results
22 weeks and Life Now
Pediatric Cardiologist
Redefining Normal
FISH Results
Embarrassing the poor boy already
The Baby's Name
Post-Amnio
Pre-amnio, Baby痴 name riddle
Reiki energy, and not being alone
Friends and Tarzan
Trying to get through the day
The diagnosis
Trying to stay positive
Pre-Diagnosis
We've gotten some comments and emails wondering where we are and if we're okay. We're less than a week away from Sammy's surgery, and honestly, I haven't written anything because I'm starting to sound like a broken record. Sad. Anxious. Terrified. Angry. Wash, rinse, repeat.
Thank you for showing your concern and friendship. Know that even if we haven't written you back, we truly appreciate that you're thinking of us. It's just easier right now to not talk or write about it - everything sends me over the edge, so the further I keep myself from it, the better I can get through the day.
The schedule is this: Monday we head to the hotel. Tuesday is pre-op, which includes an EKG, an echo, bloodwork and an xray, at the minimum. Family will be coming into town and staying at the hotel with us. Wednesday, he goes in for the Fontan. We don't know the time and won't until Tuesday, but we're hoping for first case. They expect to keep him fairly sedated for the hours after, only waking him up enough to make sure he can breathe over the ventilator before they'll extubate him. If all goes well, he'll move to stepdown a day or two after surgery. Average recovery is 7-10 days, during which we'll take turns staying with Sammy and napping/sleeping at the hotel - one of us is with him at all times, and family will be there too. As long as he is doing well physically, I imagine we can get through the rest.
We will update here pretty regularly to keep everyone in the loop. Otherwise, please understand if we're not in touch personally. We know you're thinking of us, and please know - we appreciate it so very much.
If you're local and well (not a single sniffle!), we'd love for you to visit post-surgery. You can email us or call the cellphones, and if Sammy's up for visitors, we'll figure out the details. In the meantime, we could use some good thoughts, positive energy and prayer to help carry us through. Cause really? This is the hardest thing we've ever had to do.
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Hi, I have been following your blog since I first learned of our own baby's heart condition back in October. We also have the same card. I have been thinking, praying and sending many positive thoughts over to Sammy. I know he'll do amazingly. He is a strong little boy...and pretty darn smart too!
Best wishes,
Sabrina, Mama to Luna & Sienna
Sammy is just one step ahead of Abby and I am already dreading when the day comes that I have to hand her over for this. I cannot wait to hear from you once all is said and done and everyone is recovering.
We are thinking of you and praying for a swift recovery!
-Alison (abby's mom)
Posted by: Alison (Abby's mom) at May 18, 2008 3:08 PMall my best! My thoughts and blessings are with you all.
xxoo,
Cyn
Sending some love to you all today and will be keeping Sammy in my prayers.
Posted by: Sarah at May 19, 2008 9:27 AMWe are thinking of you and Sammy this week. We will be praying for Sammy's strength for everything to go well and also for you to be strong through it all. We are excited to hear good news over the next few weeks.
Posted by: Brooks at May 19, 2008 10:09 AMWe are rooting for Sammy and for you guys. Thanks for being so brave and keeping all of us heart mommies up to speed on your story. I have been saying prayers daily for Sammy - I just know he'll be wonderful. And it will be the best summer ever...having all of this behind you. Much love and good thoughts!!
Molly, Lee & Annalee
Thinking of you!!!!!
Daric's Mommy
Posted by: Voss Family at May 20, 2008 12:17 AMi hope your son and you get through it in the best way. i probally dont know how you feel but i wish the best luck to you and your baby-boy. LMACS LOVES YOU AND YOUR SON
FROM:JUSTIN MORALES AKA MOO LOL
Hey Mrs.Lanier, I hope that everything is going alright and I wanted to let you know that I am praying for you guys. I want you to know that you will always be in my heart and I know deep down that Sammy will be okay. Love always your student Ashley
Posted by: Ashley Powell at May 20, 2008 9:30 AMFirst god bless your family and you. Hope the best and beyond For Sammy and you.
Hello!! Hope everything goes well. May God be with you and your family. Go Sammy... Love and Prayers...
Hi,its Donna i just heard about your son going in the hospitaltoday and i hope everything goes well i know this must be hard for you guys but,ill pray for your son. Hang in there. Your son is so cute.
--Love,
Donna K
MAY GOD BE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SAMMY!!!
MUCH LOVE AND PRAYERS...
Good luck Mrs. Lanier and we hope everything goes well.
Posted by: Marquis & Nathasia at May 20, 2008 10:23 AMGo get 'em, Sam! Best of luck to your whole family!
Posted by: Dave Daniel at May 20, 2008 1:58 PM(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)
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This Hope for HLHS site belongs to Erika, Jason & Samson
I know your anxiety/anger/sadness very well. Anticipating sending your child into heart surgery is a very scary thing. Please know that we will be praying for all of you. You will soon come to a place where peace surrounds you and I'll pray that it happens soon. Sammy is in excellent hands and he is going to be a superstar!
xoxoxox
Posted by: Megan at May 15, 2008 12:36 PMMegan, Dan & Elijah