sep. 26th

2 months ago today was Samuel's accident. His progress is incredible. His determination is so amazing!

Sammy update 9/23/13:

last day of therapies today! This kept Samuel very busy. Preparing for outpatient therapy & doing post-evaluations. Everything went fine. Tomorrow we head home & get used to a new transition - Sam living under the same roof as his parents - like the old days, minus Jared. Sam's hoping Jared will do some overnights! We'd of course love that, too. Thank you all for the encouragement, support, friendship, love & prayers through all of this. We have a long road ahead, but Sam's determination is amazing & contagious!

Sammy update 9/22/13:

 a very short therapy day for Samuel - Sunday's always are. Time enough for visitors, parents, & even some time out of the rehab. Also, extra walking. Sam's doing great. He's so ready to be out of there. And thanks to yummy food brought in by wonderful friends & family, he's up 2 pounds this week! 1 & 1/2 days to go.

Check out this awesome event for Sammy! Spin for Sammy - 9/29 at 11am

 SPIN FOR SAMMY!
When:9/29 at 11am
Where: Saratoga Cycling Studio (Downtown)  24 Hamilton street, Suite 3 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

WEBSITE: http://www.saratogacyclingstudio.com/

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Spin-to--Pay-it-Forward-.html?soid=1109404280653&aid=4gHBOoToB0c

Sammy update 9/21/13:

 Samuel's day off from therapies today was such a great time. We had a pass to leave rehab! We went to Lakeside Farms in Ballston Lake & Melissa Yager joined us. Then we went to her home & had lunch with her & Kyle. It was a 3 hour outing & exhausted Sam. He a 2-hour nap afterward! After dinner we went for a walk through the building, & outside to get some fresh air. Walking is tiring for Sam, but his balance & posture is improving everyday! 2 & 1/2 days until discharge.

Sammy update 9/20/13:

Samuel had fun cracking up with Archie this morning during breakfast. Then a short visit with the traveling Jay Dee. Tons of walking & balancing & fall-recovery practice with Kim @ PT. Kevin had him do some balance & reaching exercises in OT. Sam ate like a king @ lunch thanks to yummy Four Seasons food! Napping now, then Speech; & the therapy day will be done! Hope you're all enjoying the last taste of summer weather.

Sammy update 9/19/13:

after doing some functional evaluations in OT today, Samuel's discharge date was changed BACK to Tuesday, September 24th! In the meantime there will be extra walking in addition to Sam's already busy therapy schedule. Kim will be working on Sam's balance in PT. It will be a busy few days. Then back here to Middle Grove for recovery, & day trips to Sunnyview for outpatient therapy a couple of times per week. 5 days to go.

Sammy update 9/18/13:

 Samuel had a busy day - 3 OT appointments & 2 of Speech & PT! He went for a walk outside during PT. Sam's discharge date has been changed to 9/27 (next Friday). His therapists feel that he'll benefit greatly by a few extra days to get his posture & balance in check. Sam is disappointed, of course. But he understands & trusts his therapists completely. He's so strong & brave, & such an inspiration.

Sammy update 9/17/13:

busy afternoon for Samuel! We went to Bombers in Schenectady with Sarah & Cristina, it was such a success. We sat upstairs, (Sam said he was up for a challenge!) 25 steps up! Had a great meal, but we all felt the music was a bit loud. Food was amazing, as was the company. Sam got a little rest before his 1pm PT with Kim. We went to the wellness center, Jared Anthony DeMarco joined us. The boys used stationery bikes for 5 minutes. Also Sam did crunches, awesome job. Great balance & endurance! Sam & Jared Played a card game called "golf" in Rec. therapy. Family @ dinner time. Sam is doing great - we hope you all are, too!

Sammy update 9/16/13:

 Samuel had a busy morning, lots of therapies, & walking better everyday. Went to the Gift Shoppe as part of OT, which really tired Sam out! Tomorrow we are going out to lunch with Cristina (speech) & Sarah (OT) to Bombers! It is for fun & therapy as well - being in a real-world situation: ordering, math, paying, dealing with distraction. Sam is catching a nap now before dinner. Happy Monday everyone!

Sammy update from Jen 9/15/13

short therapy day for Samuel - only 1&1/2 hrs. total! OT training for home - shower chair & other home chair seating. Visit with family, a little outdoor time & rest! More tomorrow - the therapy week begins again.

Sammy update 9/14/13:

Today was a REALLY restful day for Samuel! No therapies, tons of rest. Making up for the hard work he's been putting in! Attached is a picture of Sam reading cards friends wrote to him while we were in Albany Med. Tomorrow will be a 1/2 day of therapies, then back at a full schedule starting Monday. — with Samuel Babydude Yager.

Sammy update 9/13/13:

 Samuel worked hard today. Most of his therapies were in the morning, he was off noon-3; perfect amount of time for a leisurely lunch, mom-time, then a long nap! More therapies afterwards. Kim had gotten creative in helping Sam's leaning problem in PT: a weighted belt over his right shoulder. It's helping. Genius! Tomorrow is Sam's day off from therapies - relaxation time. Happy weekend, everyone!

Sammy update 9/12/13

: Samuel had such a busy day. This morning he got his feeding tube out! Before lunch, he had an eye Dr. appointment, & he had his glasses altered. This should take care of the occasional double vision & may help with his posture as well. Tons of walking, as usual, in PT. Family visited this evening & it was a good night. Dinner was lacking, so Sam finished off his burrito & brownies! I love seeing him happy. We're so lucky to have him!

9/11/13

Sammy update 9/11/13: After walking 600' in PT, Samuel had a nice rest period late this AM (due to a therapist's schedule conflict). By the time I arrived, it was lunchtime. I warmed the samosa sent by friends & he was excited to be eating food he loves! So cute. He then went to the pool with Sarah, his OT. They had a good time. The therapeutic pool is floor level, which lowers down to 3 & 1/2 feet deep. It's awesome. It tired Sam out for his afternoon therapies, which were back to back; no breaks. He has a tentative discharge date from rehab of 9/24! That's less then 2 weeks away.

9/10/13

Sammy update 9/10/13: Samuel had been at Sunnyview for a month already! His hard work is really paying off. Today during PT he walked 800' with Kim not even touching him! Well, except to catch him from almost falling a couple of times. He is still listing to the left a bit & his neck & shoulders give him a bit of trouble. It's very tiring for Sam, so he needs a break during the day to rest. Jared Anthony DeMarco visited & brought Sam a burrito & he ate 1/2 which is alot! Sam is being very patient & just amazing.

NYC show Sept. 14th The Silent Barn BROOKLYN

Check out another benefit for Sammy in NYC! September 14th, 6pm The Silent Barn, 603 Bushwick Ave., Brooklyn, New York 11206

Link to the facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/talyah.alpern.9#!/events/420491521395693/

INFO on the upcoming NYC show for Sammy:

"We are so happy that Samuel Babydude Yager is awake and in recovery mode from his accident. Please come to the show to celebrate his road to recovery and show your love and support as well as raise some funds to help him as he moves forward. There are some great bands playing and some awesome raffles so please come and tell all your friends to come to this rad BIRTHDAYS party!"

WHAT'S HAPPENING:...

Bands that are awesome will be playing! Come early enough to enter the raffle and win some great bike helmets or lights!

BANDS:
Slow Animal- http://slowanimal.bandcamp.com/

PEP - https://www.facebook.com/pepisaband

Honduras- www.hondurasband.com/

Dillon James Rego-http://www.dillonjamesregoisalaskas.com/

The Pluto Moons (featuring Max Alper) - www.theplutomoons.bandcamp.com

A-E-I-O-U (vowels)- http://aeiouvowels.bandcamp.com/

Buffalo Sex Change (members of Crawl Babies)- http://buffalosexchange.bandcamp.com/

9/9/13 update from Jen

Sammy update 9/9/13: Samuel's RN, Nate, told me he had to shake Sam awake this morning! He was beat! Although his shoulder is hurting, he walked quite a bit during PT & worked hard in OT as well. He is taking the 2nd nap of the day in a 5-hr. therapy day. Busy, busy. Sam had a psychology visit today & the Dr. Says Sam's doing surprisingly well for his situation. She also reminded him that this type of brain injury takes quite a while to overcome. His diet was upgraded AGAIN - now he's on a regular-consistency diet! Keep up the positive energy - we need it!

Sammy update 9/8/13

Sammy update 9/8/13: Samuel had a pretty good day. Sunday's therapy schedule is short: 1/2 hour each of Speech, OT & PT. Lots of down time for resting, family, sunshine & meals. Sam's neck & shoulders were really bothering him by dinner time. But he did a great job eating, & also with walking in PT (we got to see another therapist tear up @ Sam's accomplishments!), & with math problems in Speech Therapy. It was awesome to see family; he lit right up at seeing
Jared Anthony DeMarco,and Kyle & Melissa Yager. Hope everyone has a good week!

9/7

Sammy update 9/7/13: Today was Samuel's "day-off" from therapies. Lots of time for rest, relaxation & sunshine. After initially being upset by the news that he'll need to recuperate at his parents house for awhile when he's discharged from Sunnyview, Sam seems to be handling things much better today. There are alot of people around telling him how well he's doing, & that he's inspiring. Its evident when he processes this information. He has a long road ahead, but no one could ask for a better support team than Sam has in all of you!

updates

Sammy update 9/6/13: Samuel is feeling kind of down today, "cranky", in his words. However, at the same time he's realizing his own progress. He mentioned twice in PT, "this is much easier than a couple days ago". Also, his diet Is going through another upgrade: thin liquids! This means non-thickened drinks! He rode a stationery bike today & did tons of walking with almost no assistance. But he's tired. He wants out. He wants to be home. & he wants to be all better right now. But he is able to recognize that it will take time. Happy weekend everyone; be safe & be well.


 Sammy update 9/5/13: What a wonderful surprise it was to be greeted @ Sunnyview this morning by Samuel & his PT Kim walking through the doors of the entrance! He looks great: standing straighter & taller than just yesterday! We did wear him... out though. Some time outside, & more walking. Kim asked him to try a flight of stairs in the hall (real stairs, not therapy-gym stairs) & he did great. He had an EEG test this AM which was fine, but hindered his therapy schedule. Sam was thrilled at lunch to get a requested PB & J sandwich on rye! Part 2 of lunch (he's napping now) will take place shortly; Sam will try soup & a smoothie sent in special delivery from Four Seasons! Big night tonight: Sam will be watching SammyFest via Skype! Uncle Kyle & Aunt Melissa Yager will keep him company. See you all later - much love from Babydude & BabyMom!

updates!!! sorry for the delay.

Sammy update 9/5/13: What a wonderful surprise it was to be greeted @ Sunnyview this morning by Samuel & his PT Kim walking through the doors of the entrance! He looks great: standing straighter & taller than just yesterday! We did wear him... out though. Some time outside, & more walking. Kim asked him to try a flight of stairs in the hall (real stairs, not therapy-gym stairs) & he did great. He had an EEG test this AM which was fine, but hindered his therapy schedule. Sam was thrilled at lunch to get a requested PB & J sandwich on rye! Part 2 of lunch (he's napping now) will take place shortly; Sam will try soup & a smoothie sent in special delivery from Four Seasons! Big night tonight: Sam will be watching SammyFest via Skype! Uncle Kyle & Aunt Melissa Yager will keep him company. See you all later - much love from Babydude & BabyMom!

 

 Sammy update 9/4/13: Samuel had a very busy schedule today. His OT & PT were increased from one hour to 1 & 1/2 hours for today - he was exhausted. They also incorporated recreational therapy, where he spoke with the therapist about his interests. It's so nice to hear him speak multiple sentences and see him smile! So they're going to be doing some therapy with music. That cheered him up. He was a little down today. It kills me when that happens. He's doing amazingly, but he is "losing patience" with being in rehab. He is napping now before dinner. 

 

 

 Sammy update 9/3/13: Samuel walked 400 feet in PT today! This was with very little assistance from Kristin. And no rest stops! He used the stairs & practiced getting in & out of the gym-car. I learned how to "transfer" Sam (he basically does it all himself). I'm glad to have learned it, as when I arrived he had gotten himself out of his chair & into bed! Lots of stretching & hot-pack time in OT. S...am has been having some pain in his shoulder & neck area. Some word-problem solving in speech therapy. Therapies are done for the day, & Sam is resting before dinner. He had some neuro psych testing this afternoon (taking place of the coma recovery test) & her did great. He doesn't realize how well he's doing, but making such huge improvements everyday.See More

Sammy update 9/2/13:

Sammy update 9/2/13: Samuel & I have had a busy weekend! Saturday was a day-off from therapies. We stayed entertained by a few trips outside & some time with Archie. Sam has a lot of questions about the accident & hospital stay & his coma. We were very honest with him without scaring him too much. He seems to be over the post-traumatic amnesia! He is so impressed by the love of his amazing friends... and the music community. He knows about all the fundraising efforts & he is in awe. Sunday, Sam had therapies in the afternoon, & did incredibly well. Today therapies will be in the afternoon as well. He is speaking in complete sentences. He has his old voice - which is quite loved! Talking is tiring for him. Sam actually had complained of throat swelling after lunch - probably from use (eating & talking) after being in a coma for 4 weeks. I am asking Sam everyday if there's anyone he wants to see. The names he gives are the only people we're taking as visitors for now. Happy Labor Day everyone!

September 1st:

Samuel reading the Saratogian "Sammyfest" article this morning. He is motivated & inspired by the outpouring of support & love!

Info on an awesome online fundraiser. Today is the last day and all proceeds go to Sammy!

Note from Jennifer Plotnik DiCesare: It's a busy Labor Day Weekend! If you meant to place a jewelry order to support Sammy's Fundraiser and time just got away, I have REOPENED the party and you may order through TODAY at 7pm. A heartfelt THANK YOU to all that have ordered or r...eached out to ask about Sammy ♥ You all are so wonderful :-) To shop, go to www.liasophia.com/jdicesare click BROWSE OUR JEWELRY then type my name, Jennifer DiCesare, as hostess. The sale is buy 2 LEAST expensive items, get UP TO 4 MOST expensive items at 1/2 price. Thank you!! :-) :-)