4 Hectic Months

Since the last update, we have had a somewhat hectic time. Samuel's neck fusion on 26 April saw him recovering at the speed of light in hospital, we were discharged on 1 May and were so grateful that all went well. About a week after his 10 day visit to check the wounds, Samuel lost his balance and fell backwards. A frantic trip back to the hospital for x-rays, CT scans and a emergency visit to the Spinal Surgeon. God protected Samuel - although there was a slight bone shift even before we left the hospital, it was not worse and the wires were still in position.

After 6 weeks, we did another batch of x-rays, only the find that the grafted bone did not grow as anticipated. Dr S decided to give it another 4 weeks :( and although Samuel was super excited expecting to be able to remove the brace, he took it like a trooper.

Our next appointment had no better news as there was no improvement and Dr S advised us that we would have to go back to theater for a more invasive procedure.This time it would involve metal plates, screws and a halo and body brace........must say it freaked me out........a lot.

So on 2 Aug we were back in hospital getting ready for another 4-5 hour operation. Once again God proved faithful. The ladies at Admission remembered Samuel from April. The nursing staff in the Pediatric ward who prepped Samuel, were the same group who prepped him in April and even the ICU sisters on duty were the same as those who took care of Samuel in April. Samuel was so relaxed and happy to see them all, he was a real funny bunny :)

Samuel was scheduled for 13h00 and the porter who came to collect him was called Samuel, the same one as in April! This is a big, very busy hospital and for all of the same people to be on duty, was truly God's way to help Samuel feel safe. Dr S and 2 other spinal surgeons worked on him for just over 4 hours and although we expected the ventilator afterwards, it still came as a shock.


For better pain management as well as rest for Samuel's body to recover , he was kept on the ventilator from Friday to Tuesday. Such a difficult time for us, especially for George who felt more helpless than me....this says a lot as he is always the strong one :(

The halo and body brace is quite something and as we wanted Samuel to understand it as best he can, we spoke about how he will be a brave warrior and when he wakes up he will wear a special crown and breastplate.





So here we are, 2 weeks into our next 6 weeks period. After 6 weeks x-rays will be done and we trust that the halo and brace will be something of the past. Then possibly a neck brace again for a short while to give Samuel confidence.

Strangers have stopped us in shops and accused us of being negligent (assuming its a neck injury from a car accident) and cruel to put Samuel through such an invasive procedure (not realising that the instability he had prior to the 1st operation could have resulted in his death). Through this all Samuel has smiled at one and all, said "thank you" each time a drip, plaster,staple, is removed or stats taken. With his Sunshine Sam smile and a "I'm fine" he greets everyone who asks after his well being. There has been some tears and definitely fear, but he boldly repeats the last words his ICU sister said when she handed him over "Jesus loves me very, very much".