Wednesday November 8

Here is the photo! Sam is a cow on a silver platter. Pictured also are Gran and Grandpappy.

Wednesday, October 8th 9:00

Hello everybody, It's George, just giving an update for today. Dad came up this morning for some additional training with Sam's PT and OT therapists. I was able to get away from work and participate in Sam's OT session with Dad. We worked on arm stretches. Sam also got a little shave. His wheelchair controls have been moved to his right side to strengthen his right hand. He's still eating and drinking great on his own. The trac came out yesterday and has been replaced with a button which is a step towards the right direction. His voice already sounds a lot better. I took tomorrow off, so I'll have a chance to work with his therapists all day tomorrow. I wanted to mention that this Saturday will be Phase I of converting our workshop into Sam's music room (he refers to it as his "Man Room"). We will have ribs, burgers and lots of beverages for everyone and will also have all the football games on, so please come on out and help pitch in. We'll get started pretty early Saturday but whenever you guys can show all help will be greatly appreciated. Visitors today included: Dad, Mom, Aunt Sue, our cousin Reg. I'll talk to you guys soon. Take care. Love, George

Tuesday November 7

You may have noticed that the site has a new look. After 100 posts during the past couple of years, I figured it was time for a new look. Like it or not? Let me know.

Monday November 6

Sam III is to be a guest on Trisha Patterson's radio show today between 5 and 6 p.m. Here is the url for internet reception:
http://radiosandysprings.com/
Then click on listen to Radio Sandy Springs online.

I just listened to the show, Public Access on Radio Sandy Springs 1620 AM. Chase, Trish's son, was also on air. Marshall Hamilton was also on the show. Trish called Sam and he answered questions from the show's host. Sam sounded great. He also said that his treac is scheduled to come out on Thursday. Thanks Trish for having Sam on with you.

11/07/2006 If you want to listen to a recorded version of the show, go to this link and select the show date of 11/06/2006 http://radiosandysprings.com/PublicAccess/index.html

SAM GOES WIRELESS!!!!

That's right, as of Sunday, Sam is no longer connected to anything. He no longer has the telimetry box attached to him. This box was always on Sam and had several wires that ran out of it that stuck to his chest with those little suction patches. His vital signs were monitored from this box. They obviously feel that he is healthy enough now to the point where they do not need to monitor him. He was very happy to have this removed. Another step in the right direction. He had a really good day yesterday. He got a shower for the first time. Some of you may be wondering if I mean the first time as in his life, but no it's the first shower since being at Shepherd. They've been just giving him sponge baths (which they will continue to do). He had Claybo and Bob come visit and Aunt Sue came by. He and I both napped for a little while yesterday. We also raced wheelchairs. When Bobby, Claybo, and Lan were there, we were hanging out in the gym. I was popping wheelies in Sam's manual chair when he looked at me and said "You wanna race?" How could I turn down such bold challenge. Claybo was the flag girl who says "Ready, Set, Go!" and Sam and I took off. I had him at first but his electric chair certainly does gain momentum because he ended beating me. Not by too much. Anyways, we had a really good weekend and Sam is ready for another hard working week of therapy. Talk to you all soon,
George

Saturday, November 4th, 3:30

Hey everybody it's George, just hanging out with Sam and Lan. It's a good time to post now because Sam is resting in his chair and Lan is asleep in his bed. He has made so much progress from last weekend when we were here. He's feeding himself and drinking by himself. He's also brushing his teeth by himself. His muscle control has increased. You can tell he has really been working hard in PT and OT b/c it has paid off. He's a bit sore this weekend but that's just from working his butt off this week. Just to recap some of Sam's Milestones this week: On Monday, Sam ate and drank by himself for the first time. With a couple of straps and a bent fork and spoon, Sam goes to town on some food. On Tuesday, Sam came off the vent. completely. He had been put on the vent for a few hours each night but he no longer needs that assistance. On Wednesday, his feeding tube came out. He was joking and said the nurse tied a piece of string to the tube and the other end to the door and then slammed the door, but that's not exactly the way they operate up here. Thursday and Friday were very productive days in PT and OT. Once on the mat, Sam is able to hold himself up with his arms and various other exercises that he has not been able to do on his own until then. Overall, it was a extraordinary week for Sam. He had many visitors this week. I'm not sure exactly who all stopped in but I do know some of his visitors this week include: Gogo, Gillian, Tara, Gran and Granpappy. Of course Dad, Mom, Hollis, Aunt Sue and family, and Aunt Susan and family. Also cousins Sara, Julian, and Fred came by on Thursday. Today we played with R2D2 robot from Dustin with Aunt Sue, Uncle Lewis, and Suzy. Sam wanted to thank Jaime Simmons (I'm sorry I only know your maiden name) for the really good looking junk food basket. Sam, Lan, and I would also like to send our love to our step-mom Jaime since she had back surgery yesterday. We love you and hope you get to feeling better. Well, that's all for now. Tomorrow Sam wants to reply to some posts so you guys will hear from him soon. Until then, we love you all and thank you all for your love, support, and prayers. Oh yeah, don't think we've forgotten to post Sam's Halloween picture, it's coming soon.
George