August 2, 11:15m

Good Evening Everyone. It’s Sam here. We’re giving John a well deserved night off.

Let’s get right to the important information….Mom and Rich.

Rich continues to improve. As John mentioned earlier, he will have his arm repaired tomorrow morning and should have his ventilation removed soon after. Boy is he ready to have that tube removed. The big news for today for Rich is that he wanted to and did get out of bed and stand today…twice. I know Rich felt weak as a kitten but it was a big moment for him and shows his strength and determination to heal. Mom and Rich are next door to each other. There is a small window between the rooms and the staff leave the curtains open for us so we can look in on one while in the room with the other. Joyce and I were in Mom’s room watching through the window as Rich stood with his nurses’ assistance. We were able to tell Mom everything about it as it was happening. It was such a gift to be able to share that moment with Mom.

Mom continues her fight. Her “gut” still looks good 24 hours into this vital time. She’s awake and alert and we have an entire conversation with us talking and Mom responding with her eyes and eyebrows. Believe me when I tell you that she is so expressive that we understand her loud and clear. Mom will return to surgery tomorrow afternoon so her surgeon can check to see how her abdomen and intestines are doing. While in surgery, her ventilator tube will also be removed from her mouth/throat and a “trach” tube will be inserted. This will be significantly more comfortable for her, lessen the chance of sinus infection and allow her to speak.

We are all devastated by this tragic event that now finds Mom and Rich struggling to survive and heal. What I never imagined from that first awful call, though, is the overwhelming love and support that I have received. I know all of you love Mom and Rich very much. If feels like all of the love you feel for them is directed to me and it buoys me…it is palpable and gives me strength. If I stumble, I simply could not fall. There are too many hands holding me up.

There are so many people that it is impossible name you all but I do want to take this opportunity to thank you. Your posts give us heart and we love the photos. We’ve received a gift basket of such thoughtful, practical items to help us, a coffee card to “fuel” my efforts from people I’ve never previously met. Messages from the England and Texas family and my awesome friends from Washington are like a balm to my heart and soul.

I do need to thank the people who have been involved intimately with the care of Mom and Rich and make up what I now call my “Wise Council”…wonderful Aunt Maryann Winnicke, John and Sully Dieffenderfer, “Nurse” Doug and Krista Grilliott, Erica Niles and Joyce Colajezzi. Each of these people spends countless hours caring for Mom and Rich, especially when we were splitting time between hospitals. They have carried a huge portion of the burden. When there are decisions to be made about their care, these people have helped to see all sides of a situation and help us to make the best decisions we can. John, as all of you know, has also taken the responsibility to post all the updates to keep all those who love Mom and Rich informed about the status.

Special thanks to my “Consigliere” Joyce. She is Tom Hagen to my Michael Corleone as well as my caretaker. She has once again opened her house to me and I am so comforted being in her warm home sleeping in the bed I slept in decades ago. Each morning she has my breakfast made, hands me a cup of coffee at the top of the stairs and shakes a bottle of vitamins at me until I take one. She has given me her truck to drive…which I really, really like and greets me with the best hugs.

Thank you Matthew and Kynah for coming up to give Mom and Rich more reason to recover – you give them great joy. Scott - thank you for your trust in me. Alan, you allow me to be weak for a moment then bolster me with your faith in me. To the Shelfords, my employer, thank for your concern and flexibility and for taking up all the slack at work.

Mom and Rich – this may sound odd to say but it has been a privilege to help you and be at your side as you endeavor in this struggle. You have been there for me with love, support and respect each day of my life. I didn’t realize that I still had lessons to learn from you but each day of the last two weeks have humbled me as I stand witness to your strength, determination and grace. I’m honored to be in the position to be here for you when you need me as you have been there for me with every step I take.

Night all.