Samantha Rae Olsen

Hello family and friends!

As you may have heard, Samantha is battling a bacterial infection. A couple of weeks ago, she was not feeling well and went to the ER. Although she had no symptoms of a UTI, she indeed had one along with Pyelonephritis (kidney infection), bladder infection, E. coli, and sepsis. She was extremely sick!

After several days in the hospital, she was discharged home. A few days into her recovery, the doctor called to inform her that the blood cultures showed that the infections were resisting the oral antibiotic; she was again admitted for a couple of days.

The E. coli became a more severe bacterial infection that is very difficult to treat. Her kidney is double in size with an internal abscess (pus pocket created from bacteria). The best option was to have a urethral stent placed. (from the kidney direct to the bladder). After a few days of inpatient infusions to administer a potent antibiotic, Samantha had a midline placed due to several failed attempts to replace an IV port.

Samantha needs an infusion daily for at least three weeks. As I type, I am sitting in the waiting room while she has a procedure to have a PICC line placed. Traveling to and from Grand Rapids for the last several days was necessary. Tomorrow she will begin treatments via homecare services and have daily infusions, along with ongoing follow-up appointments at Grand Itasca in GR. This treatment plan is not guaranteed as the infection is unpredictable; many prayers, please.

Samantha is not working during this unforeseen event in her life. Due to her illness and ongoing care, she is limited in daily activity. Samantha had a full-time job that she appreciated very much. She is also pursuing a degree in the healthcare field via online resources. Her compassion and kind heart will lead her to give back to the community. I have never witnessed her working so diligently to make a healthy and safe life for herself and her kids. She is making her life worth living every minute, something I call "Chasing Life."

Despite all the obstacles in my lifetime, I always managed to survive without asking for assistance. At my age, in this thing called "life," I also realized and accepted that none of us should go through life alone! Sharing the good times and the times of need is ok, and it is ok to ask for help!

We believe that faith and medicine will meet in the middle. Samantha appreciates and sincerely believes prayers make a difference, especially when many people have offered their spiritual support. We also firmly believe in western medicine and those that provide the care in our healthcare system. We can't begin to name all the people in the Fairview system (Range and Grand Itasca) that continue to provide care with compassion!! Samantha and those who provide care for her valiantly get through each step of a pretty overwhelming process.

Our family appreciates the overwhelming number of people who asked if Samantha and the kids needed anything. Offers of food, monetary gestures, gas gift cards, etc. I have been staying with Samantha for the last couple of weeks. However, I will need to leave and head back to the city on Sunday. The most challenging thing for a mother is to leave their children, especially during such times. I thank everyone for their kindness and generosity; family and friends.

Samantha has received so many gracious offers that our family decided to create a "go fund me" account as an avenue for those who would like to support (groceries, medical and RX copays, non-covered supplies, cost of living expenses, and transportation costs) Samantha's road to better health and happier days. I mentioned that I accepted the idea that it is ok to ask for assistance; however, it is still the most potent pill to swallow regarding a financial contribution. After working in the field I have had for so many years, you would think I would be the first person to accept that our world has many broken systems. Therefore, it boils down to "people helping people." Tommy always says, "you plant potatoes, and you get tator tots!" I full-heartedly know that Samantha's thought process is very similar to mine. Therefore, Tommy and I assure Samantha that she does not always have to be a "giver" and is worthy of receiving!

From our family to yours, we thank you for your continued kindness and sincerity over the years!

Tommy, Carrie, and Family!