Sam has been kicking it lately!  She has been eating and drinking better.  Her attitude has been excellent.  Sam's cough is getting pretty close to normal. Its really enjoyable to sleep through the night when I stay with her. The other night she spent a couple of hours on facebook, without assistance from anyone, and did some texting.  Last night she had a Yankees' game on the iPad and the food network on the tv.  She also had dinner from Cafe Rio.  I've  always known Sam could do anything but she is always surprising me. I think as she sees herself getting better it motivates her to do even more. We are impatient parents and Sam has acquired that trait. She wants to be better now, but she is also realistic. She lets us know how she wants her treatments to go. A few days ago therapy took her up to the Huntsman Cancer Institute for lunch. They have two great restaurants on the top floor everyone needs to try. Sam fed herself lunch. She even held her own glass as she drank her juice. She thought it was great to get out of the hospital for a little while. Last weekend I grilled some steaks in the patio area of the hospital while we watched LSU. Sam really enjoyed that day. Today they are taking her to the City Creek Center.  They want her to do at least one thing away from the hospital each week. She gets around well in her electric wheelchair but told me she wants a manual wheelchair so she can keep improving her strength.  Shes incredible.  I want to thank everyone who visits her. It lifts her spirits so much. For me,  I appreciate our friends who just listen to us vent our frustrations with this situation. Its been great therapy for us.  We have such awesome friends and family. Keep praying for my Sam. We love you all.

Sorry it has been so long since an update! Life is so busy and I just haven't had the time to update. Sam has had a great week. Last weekend some of her friends came up to visit to celebrate homecoming. They stayed for a long visit and Sam had such a great time with them! We are always so thankful when her friends come and make her happy. That night my parents and my little family joined Sam to watch the BYU/UTAH game. It was a lot of fun! Sam even had a bite of pizza that night. And the best part of the night is that UTAH WON!!! (Sam really doesn't care that much, but I do and I am updating so I get to be excited about it :) Sam had a lot of other visitors Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and she just really loves that-so thanks to everyone who comes to visit! We know it isn't convenient, but it means so much to all of us.
I spent some time with Sam today and she is just amazing! She is getting more independent every day. Her arm movement is really great. She is so much more controlled and strong  in her arm movement. She is able to drive her wheelchair independently. The last couple of days she has fed herself breakfast and can hold a cup and give herself a drink of water. She even put her deodorant on by herself! She really is improving so much each day.
Janel, one of the case managers, said to my mom, "Sam is taking this to the next level. She is amazing!" We have to agree. She is working so hard and has such an amazing attitude. Anyone who has visited knows how good her attitude is. She is able to joke and really just be herself. She is so selfless. My dad has been working all week so my mom has stayed the night (she usually does, but my dad is usually here to take a turn as well). Sam asked my mom when my dad was coming back up and when my mom said Friday, Sam said, "Good. You really need a good night sleep." She is just so kind and thoughtful.
My dad talked about the newspaper journalist in his last post. Amy Donaldson, a prep sports writer, met with Sam on Tuesday. Sam said she was really great. She did a very in-depth interview with Sam about everything from the accident to her recovery. They took lots of pictures of Sam in her room and at therapy. We don't know when the story will be in the paper, but I will let you know when we know! Sam is truly an inspiration and I hope that her story can touch the lives of many.
We continue to be amazed at the many miracles happening in Sam's behalf. It seems that every day there is something new that has happened that can only be explained as a miracle. I am so thankful to know of the atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that not only did he suffer for our sins, but our pain and trials as well. I know that he has felt the pain and frustration that Sam is feeling and that with his help she can overcome anything. I am so thankful for him. Please continue to keep Sam in your prayers. She is doing so well, but still has a long way to go!
Now, here are a few pictures from last weekend! (I should probably mention I stole these pictures from Sam's friends Facebook pages! But, Sam wanted me to so I figure they will be okay with that!)

Sam and Gavin watching the game :) He loves Sam!

Sam and Mil

Mil, Kennedy, Nicole, Shandee, and Sam

Sam and Ken

Sam and Shandee

Sam and Nicole

One Month

It has been one month today since the accident. It is amazing to me how one instant can change a life forever. I have experienced so many things in the last month that I never knew I could or would. It still seems so fresh that I truly cannot believe it has been an entire month. Our family has been through an unimaginably difficult time, but we have been so extremely blessed. Our relationships with each other have been strengthened. I already loved my family so much, but that love has just grown. We have learned to rely more fully on our Heavenly Father. I have never prayed so much and felt my prayers answered as I have this past month. I have never felt others prayers as I have this month. My mom and I talked about how we literally feel a cocoon of warmth and strength and we know this is directly from the prayers of others given in our behalf. I have learned so much from my amazing sister, Sam. I knew she was a great person, but I had no idea how much strength-physical, emotional, and spiritual-she really had. She continues to amaze me with her positive outlook. She is not angry or bitter and just wants to work hard to get better. My mom said the other morning she was getting mad because the nurses hadn't come to get her ready for the day. "I have to be ready before 9 so I can start therapy on time!" she said. She really is so committed. I am so thankful to her for making this entire experience so much easier on all of us. My mom told me that she feels like she is forever changed from this experience and I completely agree. I have been changed and I have learned so much.
We have been so grateful for all of the love and support given to our family. We are overwhelmed with all that has been done. We are truly blessed to have the support of such a wonderful community-you have all made our burden lighter.
Now, for an update on Sam. She is doing really well. Dr. Rosenbluth told my dad the other day that he is so happy with the progress she has made. He said others in her same situation are generally not doing as much as she is. The other day she scratched her nose by herself and Dr. Rosenbluth said, "Next she'll be picking it!"  Her arm movement is greatly improving and her triceps are getting stronger. With the help of some aids she is able to use her iPad and she even wrote her name yesterday! She got her new iPhone and she is so excited to start learning how to use it. She has some sensation in her legs, but still no voluntary movement. Her throat is feeling so much better and she has been able to eat more this last week. The progress is so slow with this type of injury, but when I compare her movement to one month ago she has come so far!
It is homecoming week in Nephi and Sam was voted Homecoming Queen! We are excited, but she is embarrassed. Sam never likes to be the center of attention, but I know she is still appreciative of people thinking of her. Some of her friends are going to come up the night of the dance and have a party with her. Speaking of friends, we are so thankful for Sam's friends. She loves them so much and they have been so supportive. She is so happy when her friends come to visit-it really makes her whole day.
Please continue to keep the prayers coming! She still has so far to go, but she can do it!

What a difference a couple days can make. Sam has been feeling really good the last couple of days. The docs have cut her back on one medication and doubled her pain meds before therapy and she has just been a different person. She has been sleeping very well at night. Even I have gotten some sleep at night.  Today I fed her a grilled cheese sandwich with green beans. She also had some wheat thins with cheese whiz, Jordan almonds, and a Slurpee. Needless to say her throat is feeling better. Last night Sam was selected Homecoming queen. She was a little embarrassed but wishes she could be at the game. She is always so appreciative for her friends. A reporter from the Tribune wants to do an article on Sam. Sam rolled her eyes at that idea but was very nice about it. The hospital has dogs (therapy pets) that go around to help the patients feel better. Yesterday the dog jumped on Sam's lap and was licking her face and there was nothing she could do about it. Today the dog prayed for her and even said Amen! Sam has just blown us away at how gracious she is under the circumstances. She is always so polite to everyone trying to help her. Sam's therapist and doctor says she is doing great and that some people with this type of injury can't even sit in a wheelchair at this point in Sam's progression. She wrote her name today, she said I did it but man was it ugly. Last night Sam and I watched a scary movie. At one of the scary parts Sam yelled at me to come and cover her eyes. We laughed about that one.  It sure picks our spirits up when she feels so good.  We are trying to do everything to help her stay positive. Thanks to all who visit and lift her spirits. Keep praying! Its working! Love you all. 

Fund Run!

As most of you know my mom is a big runner! Her amazing running friends have organized a run to benefit Sam. It will be so much fun and obviously for a good cause! Please come! All the information is listed below.

Make plans NOW to join us for

Sam's

Friends and Families

5k “FUND” run

and

 1 mile family “FUND” walk

Monday, October 8^th 7:00pm at the Nebo Ball Park

992 North 400 East, Nephi

$15 per individual runner, $50 family, $10 kids run

{proceeds will go directly to the Guillory family on behalf of Samantha's care}

Registration includes a t-shirt and free hot dog

Bake sale and quilt raffle will be held also

To register call or text: Connie Morgan 660-0564, Sue Ann Whitlock 660-0113 or

Ann Jones 801-367-6795. You can also register at Chilly's Chevron or online at active.com

Shake it for Sam!

Shake it for Sam was Thursday and it was amazing! A good friend of our family, Marci Blackett Rasch, organized this event. We had a black light Zumba party, a silent auction, and a bake sale. Over $3000 was raised! It was so much fun! I was worried that not a lot of people would come, but as I drove up I was amazed at how many people were already there. And people just kept coming! We had a full gym of people shakin' it for Sam! So many people donated prizes. I am just so overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone's kindness and generosity! It was such an amazing night and I was just so happy that so many people were there supporting my sister.
We were able to skype for a little bit with Sam and she was amazed! Earlier that day she had had a hard time wanting to eat. My mom gave her a little talk about needing to eat. Then she watched everyone dancing for her and my mom said it seemed to just give her the boost she needed. She ate the most food at one time that she has since the accident! I think we all tell her that she has a lot of support, but actually being able to see the support really boosted her spirits!

The whole group! I showed Sam this picture last night and she said, "Who are all of those people?" I told her it was everyone who came. She was in awe! She couldn't believe there were so many people there!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all these people listed! And everyone who came!

Our Fabulous Instructors!

Thanks so much to everyone involved with this amazing event! We cannot thank you enough!

Sam had the filter in her inferior vena cava taken out this morning.  The threat of clots has been greatly reduced by the passage of time and if you leave it in too long it will . It took less than an hour and she was back in her room watching Criminal Minds.  She ate very well this morning.  Sam says she can't wait until she can just chug an apple beer.  Sam's cousin from Louisiana got here earlier this morning to visit. She should know how loved she is from all over the U.S..  Sam has been in a very good mood today.  She has had to do her therapy from bed today but everyone has been so nice but still working her out enough that she gets sore. .  She updated her facebook by herself and they had her use the phone and ipad with her assistive devices.  Last night was the Shake it for Sam, Zumba.  I heard it went well.  I am sure Mariah will post an update on that soon. Sam sends thanks for all the cards and letters she gets.

A Good Weekend

Sam has been doing really well. She had a great weekend! She doesn't have as much therapy on the weekends so she is able to relax and get some needed rest. She had a bunch of her friends come up on Saturday and Sunday and it made her so happy! She loves her friends and being with them really puts her in a good mood. We are so grateful for her friends!
On Friday the doctor and all of the therapists met with Sam and my parents for a conference (I had to work so I didn't go). My mom said it went really well. They are happy with the progress she has made so far. They still have no idea how much function she will regain, but they are hopeful that she can still make a lot of progress. The doctor said there is a bike that pedals your legs and really works the muscles so that when she gets use of her legs they are still strong and ready to be used. It is really expensive, but they are going to look into grants and using the money from the fundraisers and donations from everyone.
In my last post I asked you to pray for her throat and prayers were answered again. Her throat started feeling much better. It is still hard for her to swallow, but not as bad as before. She has been eating a little bit and is getting better every day. So, thank you for the prayers! It is pretty amazing to see the power of so many combined prayers. I truly know that when we sincerely pray our prayers will be answered.
My mom said Sam had a great day today. Her therapy was really intense, but she did well. She was even able to use her iPad a little bit today! They have an attachment that goes on her hand and allows her to swipe the screen. I am sure it will take practice to do all she wants to, but it is a start!
Her arm and hand movement really seems to be improving. It is so slow and small, but when compared to where she was a couple of weeks ago she really has come a long way. Her triceps are still really weak so that makes it difficult to do certain arm movements. She still has no movement of her lower body, but she has had more sensation. Multiple times last week she would ask my mom to take her blankets off of her feet because they were hot. And last night the nurse said she had some sensation during her bowel care. These all seem to be good signs and we just hope and pray that the improvements keep happening.
Sam continues to have an amazing attitude. We all knew she was an awesome person, but we had no idea how truly strong she is. She is not angry or bitter at all, which is just amazing to me. She even jokes about her situation. I know she will have hard days and will have breakdowns, but I am so proud of how she is handling everything.
We are so grateful for the continued prayers and support. We honestly feel the power of prayers at all times. It feels like we are just surrounded by love and concern. Please continue to keep Sam in your prayers, especially that her triceps and hands can regain function so she can start to be more independent. Thank you all so much!