Well deserved family time

As most of my family and friends are aware, a very close friend of mine Justin Arandjelovic and his wife Sam and his family are going through the hardest time of their lives.

I’ve created this page as I really want to do something to help and I know that there are so many supporting family members, friends and Justin’s family and friends that want to offer their support.

As many of you know, Sam hasn’t been well for many years. I have witnessed first hand the struggles Sam has been through with her lung disease.

Sam was waiting for a lung transplant for the last 2 years and struggled each and every day and I personally witnessed Sam’s health deteriorate to a point where we didn’t think she would be here today. I’m amazed by her strength and as I know Justin, his girls and family are too and are so grateful to still have her with us.

Sam’s journey to recovery started with a phone call from Manchester! (Wythenshawe Hospital) who offered Sam the lifesaving transplant she needed. This was the call the Sam and the whole family was waiting for which came back in November 2021.
The hospital and the doctors have been nothing short of miracle workers and without these Sam simply wouldn’t be alive today.

Even with the support of Wythenshawe hospital the journey hasn’t been straight forward.
Sam has suffered multiple complications since the transplant (which was a huge success) but since this surgery Sam suffered a ruptured artery that the surgeons thought would be fatal but somehow they managed to stop the bleed (thank you Wythenshawe Hospital) you are truly remarkable people.

This was a worrying moment for Justin’s family but Sam pulled through.

Sam then suffered a collapsed colon which resulted in her having Sepsis and a colostomy bag fitted (which in time we hope will be reversed) but the surgery was hugely stressful on Sam given what she had been through but she pulled through again. Onwards from here Sam suffered another bleed which surgeons thought surgery wouldn’t be an option given Sam’s state (which was very concerning) but Wythenshawe hospital managed to stop this bleed using their medical genius to help Sam through. I lose count of how many time Sam has pulled through!

Hopefully, the major surgery is behind Sam but it has left her with some serious and irreversible circulation issues which have caused damage to her hands and feet. Sam now has to have her left hand, left foot and right toes amputated as the circulation damage is now irreversible.

Justin (Sam's husband) said, “she’s right handed so at least her can hold a cup of tea”. Just goes to show the strength of this man. He’s always thinking positive and keeping their 3 daughters feeling positive.
This brings me on to my message and request for support. Sam has missed Christmas, new year, Bethany’s birthday, Gracie's’ Birthday and hasn’t been able to spent a day with her daughters for 4/5 months. Justin has been travelling back and forth Manchester for the last 4 months and has barely seen his daughters.

Sam has numerous challenges ahead with her recovery, which will involve multiple prosthetics, home and vehicle adaptations, rehabilitation and regular trips back and forth the hospital in Wythenshawe.

I’m asking for anybody that would like to help this amazing family with the challenges ahead to please contribute anything they can.

Thank you so much for your help