Samantha's Marathon for Life

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February 8, 2002 our lives forever changed.

Samantha was diagnosed with T-cell leukemia / lymphoma

Six years later, she is winning the battle. We won't know for awhile if she has won the war, but she is on her way. Samantha has been so brave. She has shown so much courage and strength. Our lives have been enriched by this disease which invaded so rudely into our lives over six years ago. We have learned quickly how important a hug, a kiss, the smell of ones skin, and the sound of a heart beat trully is. We no longer take for granted the simple pleasures in life. We laugh more, we cry more, and we love more. She has become a beautiful young lady. When she started this journey of having cancer she was only 9 years old. Now, Sammy is 15, and is in the 11th grade. When she is feeling good, she goes until her body won't let her anymore. We can never tell her to just take it easy. She always wants to be on the go and hanging out with her friends or family. She understands that life doesn't give you do'overs, so she makes every moment count.She is our hero.


Samantha is one of six children. We have a large family. Her oldest brother Ethan is serving in the Army and is stationed in Germany. He will be heading to Iraq in October.Bradley, her second oldest brother, enlisted in the Army and will ship out to basic as soon as he finishes his Senior year. Christian is 16 and will be a junior in High School at Pioneer High School. Sammy's little sister Jessi will be in 8th grade at Lee Junior High this year. Her little brother Corey will be in the 7th grade this coming year. Our household is full and we couldn't imagine it any other way.
We have lots of family and friends here in Woodland and we couldn't be more thankful for their support and love. We are blessed!



As most of you know, and for those who have followed Sammy's journey, you know that Samantha has faced many short and long term effects from her 2 1/2 year cancer treatment.If you are new to her page and her journey, the last couple years have brought many challenges to her health. Through treatment, and from one of the chemotherapy drugs that she had to have, it brought about a heart condition called Prolonged QT syndrome.Just recently, she was diagnosed with another heart condition called Pemature Ventricular Complex. Within the last 6 months Sammy has been hospitalized three times. Once for the nerve damage in her brain which creates major pain. Secondly, back in July of 08,some serious issues within her intestines.More recently within the last month, was hospitalized again at UCSF in San Francisco for 10 days. This has proven to be a huge challenge for her physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. When she asks why survival from her first round of treatment is like this, I honestly have no answers. She is now being treated by the eight different specialists at UC San Francisco.These doctors will be her primary doctors of care because her health issues are severe and complex in nature. She has developed a new condition called Sweet's Syndrome.The specialist are currently looking at putting the puzzle pieces of everything wrong within her body to determine a diagnoses. As of now, it looks as though Sammie might have Becehts Syndrome or Crohns Disease. Sammy is facing many different challenges with her health.She trys each day to make it a good day. Some days are better than others. Her main goal this year was to be in school and with her friends. With all the ongoing changes in her health, we update her journal as we know what is going on. No child at any age should have to go through what Sammy is going through. She handles it with grace and with such bravery.We hope that her life will inspire you to love more, hug more, dance when no one is watching, and live life as if you won't get tomorrow. *************************************************************************************************************** SCROLL DOWN FOR SAMANTHA'S MARATHON FOR LIFE EVENT INFORMATION FOR OCT 18,2008
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Please take a moment and sign her guestbook. She enjoys seeing who has stopped by to visit her web page.
Please check back to see what is going on in her crazy and fun life.
Blessings to you and your family!

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***BOOK RELEASE***
We were so pleased to announce the release of Sammy and her dad's childrens book. The date of the release was August 19, 2004. There was a book signing event at Cook Childrens Hospital with Kidd Kraddick in the Morning for KIDDKIDS. The time of the event was at 1:00pm. All proceeds from the sales of the books went to KIDDSKIDS. Sammy wanted to "pay it forward" and make a difference in another childs life. The book is entitled, "Too Pooped To Pop". Many of the illustrations that are in the book were painted by her dad while she was in the hospital getting chemotherapy. If you would like to know more about KIDDSKIDS, click here. Thank you to all of you who came out to support KIDDSKIDS.






Here are some of the reviews and comments from those who have reveived the book.







What a wonderful job! Great art, great story, great message!
Terry Josephson
Julianna Banana's dad
Winnipeg, Canada
Julianna.


I want you to know that I read your book with Scarlett more than one time everyday. We love it!
Lana Cowan
Scarlett Cowan's mom
Birmingham, AL.
Scarlett.


This is the funniest and cutest book on leukemia. I haven't seen anything better. They loved it! Steve and Sammy have done a great job in putting joy and humor on this situation.
Audra
Mom to Ariel (11), Keegan (5), Liam (4)
Littleton, CO.
Keegan.


What a terrific job! Sam and Steve did a wonderful job. I am so thankful to have a book at my daughters level to explain to her what is going on alittle better. Thank you.
Keli Deryck
Canal Fulton, CO.


Wow! My kids loved the book and we've all enjoyed reading the great story. Kendrie keeps saying "that girl has cancer? just like me????" and pointing to the cute pictures. Tell Sammy how proud she should be of herself (Dad, too!). They've created something that lots of people will enjoy, and which will be a benefit to many.
Kristie
Kendrie's mom
Georgia
Kendrie.


What a wonderful book!!!!! Thank you so much. Big kudos to Steven and Samantha for doing such a great job!!!!
Patti
Katie's mom
North Wales, Pennsylvania
Katelyn.


Cody said that he liked the part where Samantha cut her hair and laughed-It's the part he'd probably do to himself and wait for me to pass out. Gotta love that shock value! We also loaned the book to our "neighbor" on the unit this last week when Cody was impatient. Marcos is the almost-5 year old who was diagnosed woth Hodgkins 2 weeks ago. I think he'd look like the part of the crowd with Tony, Sam, and Mocha as he was cruising the halls adding some mischief to an otherwise dour place.
Tell Sammy we love the book!!
Brenda
Cody's mom
Los Alamos New Mexico
Cody.




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Help us help Sammy! Here is your chance to make a difference in helping with her on going HIGH costs of medical treatments. Most people believe that because we have private health insurance that it covers everything. I will say that it does cover the tens of thousands of dollars in regards to her complex medical conditions. However, it doesn't cover the hundreds of dollars in co-pays for her appointments, the co-pays for her medecines that she takes every day and it also doesn't cover the gas to and from San Francisco, the lodging while we are there, or the food that we have to purchase. These expenses can be overwhelming.No matter how little or how much, every bit will make a difference. Click on the button below.
Thank you!
Troy, Duffy, Bradley, Christian, Jessica, Corey and our daughter Sammy

Journal

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 9:52 AM CST

Yesterday was a VERY long day for Samantha.

I honestly don't know where to begin......


I'll start with this:

1. She was in a lot of pain. The meds that they were giving to her to control the pain have stopped working and are no longer effective.The narcotic meds have changed her brain chemistry and will no longer work.

2. There was a team of 30 doctors that all had a conference to go through ALL her medical records and tests. They have come to the conclusion that Sam has what is called "radiation brain". In laymen terms it means that ALL the blood vessels in her brain are expanding but not contracting as they should. The doctors said that this is the worst pain someone can experience in the brain. Her vessels are having spasms that won't stop. They have started her on Depekote and another med to control the spasms and expansion of the blood vessels.
They increased her med that she takes for the nerve damage in her brain. They increased the med that controls the CSF pressure. They did make the decision to NOT do a spinal tap as this would cause too much trauma for Samantha.

3. They also determined that Sammie isn't getting sleep because of the constant brain activity. So, they put it an order for Ambien to help her body get the rest that it needs.

4. The doctors are working overtime to trully treat the issues and not just the symptoms. Sammie is exhausted and is loosing the will to fight. She has had enough. We are trying to do everything we can to be the stregth for her so that she can just be Sammie.

I know that there is so much more that I can share, but I am exhausted as well as Troy is too. Today is a whole new day. As of midnight last night the nurse was still waiting for the new meds to come from the pharmacy. Troy is waiting for the nurses to do their shift change to find out if the new meds were administered.

Brad was sick yesterday but is better today. Jessi woke up not feeling well and I am hoping that she will make it through the day at school.

As I know more, I will post it here. Thank you to all of you who continue to pray! Thank you to our family who have been SO supportive and helpful as we take care of ALL our kids while being in two seperate locations.

I miss Sammie and wish more than anything I could be with her right now!


Until I know more...............

Hospital Information:

UC San Francisco Childrens Hospital
400 Parnasas Avenue
San Francisco CA.

Links:

E-mail Author: troynduffy@yahoo.com