SuperSam’s Story #SamStrong #SuperSam


As I read through the SuperSam Facebook page to help write this story, I am awed and inspired by SuperSam and his family.  This sweet boy  loves donuts and mussels, has some wicked dance moves, loves LEGO’s, and finds hours of joy from a card that plays music. When he’s told he has to make another hospital trip he says, “It’s ok, there is a    cool castle and legos there.” 

Memorial Day 2016 was the start of Sam’s battle with Neuroblastoma at 3 years old. 


He has endured multiple surgeries, endless rounds of chemo, radiation, and a stem cell transplant all before he was 4. 

He was was blessed with a dad who shaved his own head to help Sam get through it. 



And look at those pictures, he did it with a smile and an “I’ve got this” motto. 

His parents and sister fought with him everyday, all the while smiling and telling him “We’ve got this!”


Along the way he got to meet some pretty cool people. 

But, I bet if you asked Sam who his hero is, it would be a toss up, Mom, Dad or Emmie. 


In 2017 Cancer returned, but the Pampels and Sam fought back.   There weren’t any “this isn’t fair” complaints. Just SuperSam saying “I’ve got  this” and showing the strength of a SuperSam. 


It was a rough year-- more surgery, more chemo, more fighting.  But Sam’s smile caught the attention of Dallas and Make a Wish and he was granted his wish to take his family to Disney. 


Unfortunately, a reaction to one of his drugs landed him in ICU over the dates the trip was planned and Christmas. This was a particularly  tough fight.  One of the only photos we have ever seen of Sam without his legendary smile.  

 
Nearly all of December he was in the hospital, at one point sedated and on a ventilator; he never  gave up.  2018 started   with Sam re-learning to    talk and walk. 2018 also brought Sam the title Big Brother with Ben joining the family. And, the  Pampels made a long awaited trip to Disney. 


Sam graduated Pre-School and started Kindergarten. 



More good news & good scans. Sam celebrated  his 6th birthday with a milkshake cake and that
heart warming smile. 


2019 brought a 3rd round of neuroblastoma,  this time pressing on the optic nerve and taking his vision.  This go-round was harder in some ways because  Sam was older, wiser and now knew what the words  meant.  

Another 8+ hours of brain surgery, on the way in Sam says, ”Let’s Do This!” with his signature double thumbs up. 

The doctors removed as much of the tumor as they could and his sight returned.  June brought more chemo and radiation. 


Sam’s next adventure was to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City to take part in an experimental treatment. This world class hospital has the best pediatric oncologists working on this trial.


So, they took on NYC! Sam loved Central Park and the pizza especially.

The Pampels enjoyed Christmas with both sides of the family. Sam was a trooper enjoying being around all of his family.  

January 2020 brought some headaches and a trip back to the hospital in Dallas.  He’s been in ICU fighting infections and the latest scans showed the cancer retuned.  With limited options Maude and Tony decided to make Sam as comfortable as possible and hopefully bring him home while  they try to soak up all the minutes over the next few weeks.

The Pampel’s Dallas friends and family have been a huge support throughout their journey selling #samstrong and SuperSam T-shirt’s, and hosting a crawfish boil for Sam. The Pampels have received immeasurable love and support from around the world for which I know they are extremely  grateful. 

Many of us, as long distance friends and family,  asked what we can do to help? So, we have started a GoFundMe page for the Pampels. We want this fund to help with uncovered medical expenses and everything related to Sam's journey, but also provide help for any long term needs for the entire family- anything that can help support them through the    next steps including counseling and special gifts for Emmie and Ben to help carry on the wonderful memories they have of life with Sam.

You can use a credit card or debit card safely on this site. The site will take a 3% processing fee     from each credit card donation, the remaining    97% goes to The Pampel’s. If you would rather use venmo or mail a check please feel free to do so.   Reach out to me for those details.

Any questions can be emailed to me, Maude’s cousin Amy   Westerman at [email redacted].