Update

Before we get into the boring medical stuff, I just want to thank you all again for everything you have done for our family. Now that we've been home for a while, we are slowly gathering information about what transpired here in Bow while we were away. So many of you slaved away in the hot sun to create a walkway and plant shrubs. And what about you, the lady with the truck (who I've come to learn is Lori Johnson), who drove to the gravel place THREE TIMES and then UNLOADED stones at our house... we've never even met and that's how you spent your day... random acts of human kindness so many of you have bestowed upon us. We have made so many new friends; friends we will cherish for the rest of our lives. You have touched us and changed us. We have learned from you and thank you so much for that.

Krista, thank you for posting all of those pictures up on the blog. I see, however, that Sammy's photo now is on top. Please keep the one of me (Shari) and Maksim on the top. I like to see it each time I log on ;)

Medical update:

Sammy had a bone scan done last Friday and we learned today that the results were good. All of the other bones look good so we just have to deal with the lungs.

Dr. Shamberger, the surgeon at Boston Children's, is going to operate on one lung at a time (thoracotomy). The first lung will be operated on THIS THURSDAY. We just learned this date a few hours ago so we are getting ourselves prepared. The second lung will be operated on a few weeks later; date to be determined depending on how Sammy is doing. Each hospital stay will last approximately one week.

After the surgeries, or perhaps even sooner, some new medications will be added to the mix. The good news is that most everything can be done as an outpatient. We will be making frequent trips to Boston for a while; we'll be utilizing the talents of both Dana Farber and Dartmouth. There are no start or end dates for the medications so we will just take it a day at a time based on how Sammy is doing.

By the way, Sammy is doing great. She is going to school and even participating in gym class! She is looking forward to summer vacation and then entering the 3rd grade next fall. Bow Elementary, we love you.

We'll try our best to keep you all posted.

Shari and David