Sammy

Man oh man,I just dont understand any of this cancer stuff.My dad passed easter sunday of lung cancer and he fought till the end.I just pray that this little guy is in as much peace as possible!!I watched what this monster can do to a grown man and it really sucks that someone so young and who has fought this long would live through this.Billie jo you are a saint for keepin us up to date on this young guy and if anyone has plans to go see him,I will leave at any moment to go visit!!

Cindy just updated the caring bridge site

Friday, July 23, 2010 9:07 PM, EDT

God granted our family a miracle last week. Sam felt wonderful the entire week we were on his Make A Wish trip. He had no pain or discomfort and our family was truly able to make some wonderful memories that we will cherish for a lifetime.



We found out today after meeting with Sam's team of doctors that his cancer has spread. Not only is it in his lungs but it is throughout his body including his left leg, hip, spine and pelvis area. The extent of Sam's cancer is not curable. We were given the options of some different treatments that could possibly prolong his life and give him more time but they would not be a cure. Mike and I have chosen after consulting with our doctors that Sam should be with his family in the comfort of his home. We will be bringing in hospice care to help take care of Sam and make him as comfortable as possible. We plan on making every minute count and continuing to make memories as long as God allows. If you are friends with Sam and our family and would like to come and visit we will welcome visitors if Sam is feeling well...please call or e-mail first.



My mother's heart is breaking and I want my son's remaining time here on this earth to be as peaceful as possible. I will never understand why God needs Sam in heaven more so than leaving him here with his family. Mike and I have been blessed to have such a spunky, fun loving, spirited child as a son. We would appreciate your continued prayers as our family adjusts to the news. Sam knows his cancer has spread and that God will be calling him home...he just does not understand the time frame involved. Please continue to keep our precious boy and family in your prayers. Our lives are forever changed.

As I set here wiping the tears from my eyes I wonder what Gods plan for Sam must be.

I will continue to pray for Sam and his family they need it now more than ever. May God bless Sam and his Family.

I can not stop thinking about little Sammy.........this news has hit me hard and i cannot imagine how the family feels.....they are all super strong especially Sammy....there is no doubt in my mind that God has special plans for him. I am filled with so much sorrow right now its hard to even put into words. It surely doesn't seem fair........If God gives us a chance to ask him any questions this would be the one I would ask.......I can never understand why young children have to suffer with such a awful disease. While I surely know God does not cause this to happen........I just wonder why he does not prevent it from happening in the children......... I know there are big plans for Sammy and his smile is so contagious.......God Bless Sammy and family!!

I know God has a reason but sometimes its impossible for us to see. Sammy has passed the test we all must face here on earth and is on the road to such a better place no matter how much it hurts those left behind for awhile. Our prayers go out for Sammy and his family to get through this with a strength that only can come from God. Rick

God Bless Sam and his family in this time of hurting. I could not even begin to imagine what its like for his family right now. Lord please comfort them.

As always Sammy and his family are in our thoughts and prayers.

to sam and his family you are all in my prayers i know what hes going through with his fight and what the chemo does to the body and mind may god bless you and your family with what ever journey he has made for you guys i do know one thing he is a special young man as we all know this

I have been following Sammy's story on Caring Bridge for some time now. I Know no one expected this news. I for one do not understand this either. My heart is hollow and my mind is without an answer. But I do know that GOD has a plan. It is not for us to understand, but to accept. My thoughts and prayers continue for Sammy and his family. Please keep the faith and accept what is in GODs plan for your beautiful family. GOD Bless. Allen

Sammy's mom said

An image I will have in mind forever...

Sam did not want to be alone, so he asked his Dad to come lay down in his room with him and watch a movie. I just checked in on them both and Sam was asleep on the bed and Mike was asleep on the floor. I love my boys! Yesterday our lives were forever changed...

Allen you are so right.....I have been thinking of Sammy for a long time now..but since the news yesterday I can't get him and his family out of my mind.....I have been searching for an answer as to why this is happening to an innocent little boy who certianly does not deserve it.and or the suffering his entire family is going through...but as you stated above it is not for us to understand ......we muxt accept Gods plan....and know that it is better than we could ever imagine! But I still struggle with this and will probably till my last breath........I know God has his hand in this and Sammy will be ok in the end but for me to say I understand would be lying........Sammy is one of the bravest little boys I have ever known.....I only wish I did not come to know him in the way that i did!!!!

Human nature will always be having us ask why when it comes to a child even though we have strong faith in the lord !! This young man has shown me courage that i never knew existed !! This is a very sad day for me to read this news !! From the day the news of SAMMY hit the forums SAMMY became my idol ! I love you SAMMY !!!!!!!!!!!!!! My heart goes out to all around SAMMY !!

Our thoughts & prayers are with you SAMMY & your family.

billie jo whats word with sammy hows he doing at this point

Sammy's mom wrote

Wednesday, July 28, 2010 10:24 AM, EDT



Just a quick update to let you know that Sam has been able to enjoy a lunch out with friends and family this week as well as a trip to Toy's R Us. He enjoyed both outings. He is also spending a lot of time napping during the day and sleeping later in the mornings. He is still asleep now and it is almost 10:30AM. He has been waking up early in the morning having pain and then he has a hard time settling back down to go back to sleep. By the time the pain meds get into his system and he gets comfortable, everyone else is getting up for the day and he is just wanting to go back to sleep. I know he needs his rest....hopefully he will wake up soon so we can enjoy some time together as a family today.



Our girls now know about their brother. Our youngest Caitlin does not understand...she just cries and says she does not want to go to heaven and she does not want Sam to go there either. Our daughter Aubrey keeps a lot inside. She has not asked many questions but you can see it on her face....she is anxious and saddened by the news and she is scared. We are all working through things the best way we know how. Sam asks every day if he is going to die today...it is weighing heavy on his mind and we are doing our best to comfort him. He asks everyone to pray for him...even strangers...to pray that the cancer will get out of his body and he will be healed. He has also been surprisingly open with many of his friends and people visiting him here at our home about what is going on.



Hospice met with us yesterday. I just can't believe we are at this point in Sam's journey. It is comforting to me to know that we will have the support and help of hospice and family members to help take care of Sam and support our family. Mike and I have some very hard decisions to make in the coming weeks....things no parent should ever have to decide for their child. Please pray for wisdom and strength for us. All of this is just so very hard. We are doing our best to keep things as normal as possible for our family but I just feel like we are walking in a fog...like none of this is real. People are going school shopping for their children now...I am going to have to prepare Aubrey and Caitlin for school while preparing another child to meet Jesus. Our family already feels different. Mike and I were hugging our girls the other day and we just looked at each other and cried...it just did not feel the same without our Sam in the family hug. Already our home feels different b/c he is sleeping so much more and is more quiet...I miss the noise and believe it or not even some of the bickering between the kids. Nothing feels the same anymore.



Thank you to those that have sent us cash donations of gift cards for our family. I can't express how much this means to us. All of the cards we receive each day lift our spirits. God's presence is felt here...I know he is here....but the ache of my mother's heart and the void that is already in our family is very present. Thank you for praying for us during this very difficult time.

I just wanted to let you know I have been a long time prayer warrior for Sammy and you guys. I have not posted anything in a long time but now Im a member and I just really want you to know as I am sure you already do, the Lord is in your house at this time. I have a verse that helped me and my wife in recent past. Romans 8:16-18 "The spirit itself beareth witness wuth iyr spirit, that we are the children of God; And if children then heirs: heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ. If so be that we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.



I will keep praying for you guys.



Johnny B

Sammy's mom wrote

Friday, July 30, 2010 7:40 AM



Sam has slept through the night the past 2 nights w/out waking up needing pain meds. We have been able to continue to control his pain at home and he is on numerous drugs to help with this. He is not really walking anymore with his crutches..it hurts his left leg to much. He scoots around the house on his bottom or we use the wheelchair. He continues to spend his days playing video games, watching television, visiting with friends and family that have been coming to visit and taking naps. We were able to enjoy a visit with my mom yesterday and my grandmother is coming in from New York today to spend the week with us. My best friend and her son is coming in this weekend from Boston as well. We were blessed last night to have a magic show performed at our home by a dear family at our church. Sam went outside for the magic show ( his first time outside in several days) and seemed to enjoy watching it with his siblings, cousins and some of the neighbor children.



Sam has started wheezing now when he takes deep breaths and Hospice ordered us Albuterol treatments that were delivered to our home last night. I believe we are going to get oxygen in our home as soon as possible as well so we will have it when it is needed. Hospice is also coming out to our home today to check on Sam. My sister in law (who is a pediatric nurse practioner) and our 2 neices are staying with us right now for the next night or two. It helps to have someone with a medical background here with Mike and I ...it somehow helps us feel more secure to have her here incase something should happen.



Meals are being delivered from friends, church family and some community members every other day (and sometimes every day) through September. A care calendar has been set up for signing up for meals and it has had an amazing response. I know how much everyone wants to do something to help. Cooking for my family is the last thing on my mind right now and our family appreciates these meals more than you could possibly imagine. A huge thank you to the Hall family in Iowa for the treat basket that they had delivered to Sam as well as 2 stuffed animals for our girls. Thank you so very much for these thoughtful gifts and for thinking about our family.



Each day is gettng harder. Nothing about this is easy. I hate seeing Sam in pain and now hearing him wheezing is just breaking my heart. Please continue to pray. Sam is asking everyone (even strangers) to please pray for him for complete healing.

Sammy is my hero!!! I pray for him everyday even though Im not very religious.

I believe Sammy has brought out the best in a lot of people. What a Great Hero Sammy is, what a Great Family,and What a Great Community. God Bless all involved. Allen

Please tell Sammy that we are praying for Him from PA!