Saving Samantha

Update: 12/27/18 With Great Praise unto God, my Father, my Protector, my Hope, and unto Jesus Christ, my Savior, my Healer, my Prince of Peace, I write this letter to all of you who have been emotionally and spiritually with me and my family this past year. I am writing to let you all know that God has healed me! He has heard our prayers, our cries, and our faith in Him. I feel completely different- I know without a doubt in my mind that God has put His Healing Hand upon my painful and emotionally stricken body. I am of off my percocet that I've been on since my surgeries six years ago. I asked God to give me the strength and courage to go to a detox program and He did! My doctor still said I should be in a pain management program, but I knew that God would take care of me. I am just a little weak and I still have to be careful- no lifting. I have not felt like this, like my old happy, pain free self, since I was thirteen years old. I feel like the woman in the Bible who was sick all of those years and just touched Jesus and was healed. Except, He touched me! I am and will forever be grateful unto my Father and my Brother- my Heart and Soul for healing me, for blessing me to be able to play and spend so much time with my daughter, Natalie- something I've not been able to do since she was eight months old. That was something that was more painful than anything that I went through, because my heart was literally broken. I wasn't able to travel, play, do things other people take for granted, things I took for granted- I have been so depressed, because of all of that. Now, I'm not- I'm happy, I have my family, my friends, my furbabi's- I'm so Blessed! Thank you all for your love, prayers, cries, donations and good thoughts! Our Savior has heard and seen them all! My love and prayers go out to you all! I can never thank God enough, nor can I thank you all enough. I thank you, my Beautiful Mother, my Best Friend, my Inspiration, my true Soul-Mate- you have always been there for me and Natti and I pray to always be there for you both. I pray that God will bless me to be so patient, so kind, so caring, so unselfish, and such a good woman to look up to! You inspire me! I Love You A+F! Thank you, my Darling Daughter Natalie for your encouraging art work, your endless Love, Hugs, and Kisses. Just being with you is a comfort and peace. You will never know just how much Mommi Luvs you, Babidoll! Thank you my two Beautiful Sisters, Mellisa and Maria, I am so thankful to be the middle child, this way we are like a sandwich, you two hold me together when times are rough. LoL - it's so true! I Love You with all of my Heart! No matter where we are we are close in Heart! Thank you, my Adorably Smart, Talented, and Loving Babidolls, Hopi, Dorian, and ArAr! You make me laugh so much even when I didnt think it was possible. Thank you for taking such good care of me while I was visiting- you mean the world to me. I Love You Forever! Also, thank you to Matt, Jonathan, and Chris for all of the Love, Support, and Encouragement through such a trying time. I will always be grateful for everything you have done! I Love You Lots! Last, but not least, thank you to my Giving, Loving, Caring, and Uplifting Uncle Anthony and Aunt Sandy for praying for me on the phone, all of your help spirituality, mentally, and financially! I will be forever thankful for everything- all of your selfless sacrifices! I Love Both of you So Much! God Bless and Keep You All in His Hands - a place that is safe and peaceful! I Love and Thank You All! Samantha Psalms 103: 1-2 Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise His Holy name. Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things He does for me. Update: 10/03/18 Praise God and Jesus Christ for hearing all of our prayers!!! God has Blessed me with a cardiothoracic surgeon who is going to see me and do my much needed surgery. It's frustrating because everything should have been done in Florida- that's what we used the donations towards. The other surgeon at Mayo could have had the decency to say over the phone that he wasn't going to do anything- this way we could have used the donations while we were at the Cleveland Clinic where my surgery will be performed. It's ok though, because God Always provides. It was a Blessing from God to spend time with our loved ones. If you're able, donations would be much appreciated, as well as your kind thoughts, and continued prayers! With Luv, Samantha --------------------------- 09/25/18 Update on my health: Hey, this is Samantha. I know that my family and I have been updating everyone on social media, but it's good to refresh and to remind everyone that my family and I still need your continued prayers and support. We are searching for places to get better healthcare. My primary care doctor told me that my case is one in a million. Usually, that's a cool thing when someone tells you that, but not this time. He's the only one that's truly helping and is still trying to find a way to see what needs to be done. Sadly, he can't do everything that I need done to repair my body. We are so perplexed how no doctors know what to do or how to even help me find someone who can help me. I just get told, "We can't help you!"- "Good Luck" or "Here's some names and numbers." No one looks at my scans or even has me physically come in to actually see me. We are very disappointed in Mayo Clinic. We've been mislead, ignored, and more since we've been here. Usually good doctors will seek out other good doctors if they can't provide help themselves. It's a very stressful and tiring situation. I'm waiting to hear from another specialist- God-willing, it'll be good news. I've been enjoying going to the Feast of Tabernacles since I was born. Not being able to go, because my health is in such a poor state, is very disheartening. I'll be 34 on September 30th. I pray that God will heal me and that I can start going again in the near future. If it's not God's Will at this time, then I pray that He will help me be strong enough to be an inspiring and encouraging example to my daughter- like my Amazing Mother is to me. I pray that Jesus Christ will bless me to be kind even when I'm hurting so bad. I also pray that They will send Their Great Comforter to me and my family, you and your family, and that our hearts, minds, and bodies will be at peace. One thing I'm sure of- it's going to be ok, because God is in control! My family and I greatly appreciate your prayers, love, and support. If you are able to give a donation, it is greatly appreciated, but your prayers mean even more. No matter what, I know with all of my heart that God is and will continue taking care of us! God Bless! Love to you all, Samantha Update on my health: I had to be taken to the hospital via ambulance on 08/27/18 for high BP and pain in my lower abdomen. I have still been having trouble with those symptoms plus I fell in the shower and now my chest/sternum pops in and out when I rotate my arm. It's very scary and uncomfortable. I'm being careful, but it's so difficult not being able to do things... 08/20/18 Update on my health: With a heavy heart and much love to everyone, I'm writing to inform all of my prayers soldiers and inspiring friends that the news I have received from two cardiothoracic specialists at the Mayo Clinic is not good. My family and I are having a very difficult time dealing with the news. My Mother and I was informed that my situation is life threatening- it's dangerous if I don't have surgery performed and it's even more dangerous if I do have the surgery performed. My Mother and I was told I may not make it off of the operating table... As you all can imagine, this was and is extremely devastating news. My Mother and I were crying before we left the exam room. Our hearts were broken - we weren't expecting to hear such sad news. We do know and have faith in God to do what He knows is best for me, for us, for everyone. He is our Living and Loving Father, the One Who knows and feels our every pain, the One Who holds us close when we feel so lost. He is now and forever will be our Abba- Father. We also know that Jesus Christ our Brother knows what we are feeling- mentally, physically, and spiritually. We are comforted knowing that we will never walk alone. I'm so grateful for the beautiful verse in God's Word that says, "And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words." Romans 8:26 NLT I know that He sent this verse to me because I really needed to hear it again and know that when I'm so broken and I don't know what to say- the Holy Spirit does and my prayers always get through. My family and I are so grateful and thankful to God for each and every one of you. We will continue to pray and ask God where to lead us. If anyone knows of any other cardiothoracic surgeons that can help please let me or any of my family members know. The doctor said that I have to be very careful in all that I do and he mentioned more in depth problems that I have and could have, because of how bad things are inside my ribcage and around my organs. Please continue to keep us in your prayers and know that all of your love, prayers, and donations went to good use. I'm still going to leave my GoFundMe page open since I still need financial help. Please share with anyone and everyone- we love having your prayers, good thoughts, encouragement, and inspirational comments! We Love You All! God Bless! Here is another comforting verse that God Blessed me with: Philippians 1:21 "Christ means everything to me in this life, and when I die I'll have even more." GOD'S WORD® Translation ---------------------------- Hello, my name is Jonathan,  I am starting a GoFundMe campaign page for my sister in law, Samantha Burgett (33 years of age) who has gone through nine terrible surgeries that have caused her excruciating pain over the past six years.  In fact she is in so much pain that most of the time it is difficult for her to get out of bed.   The surgeries began in 2012 and the original purpose for the initial surgery was to correct an inverted chest. Since her chest was inverted it did not leave enough space for the heart and so the chest bones had to be operated on and rearranged.  The surgery, if done properly, would have resulted in her feeling better with much less pain.  She could have felt well enough to do the things she always enjoyed.  Sadly, as things turned out,  the surgeon did not perform the correct procedure.  He sawed off too much of her ribs as well as took out too much cartilage leaving little protection for her vital organs.  The surgery was not completed properly which necessitated more surgeries.  To make a long story short  he and another surgeon (who also performed the wrong procedures) operated on her a total of seven times.  These surgeries took place in the Raleigh and Chapel Hill areas of North Carolina.  Each surgery did not make her situation better, but were botched, causing her more unnecessary agony.  The surgeons in North Carolina were unable to figure things out and gave up.   Samantha decided to go to Lexington, Kentucky for two more surgeries.  The surgeon who operated on her there did a much better job, and found out that the doctor in Chapel Hill left her sternum floating and not attached inside.  Sadly though by the time she was under the Lexington doctor's care her rib cage and chest was a mess.  Her 3D scan of her chest looked like a rotting corpse. The last surgeon put a plating system in her chest with many screws.  After six to seven months one of the plates broke resulting in that piece being removed. The last surgeon did the best he could which proved to be good enough to secure her chest for about two years but unfortunately,  something has to be done, because instead of helping her chest stay in place - the plating system is pushing everything back down.   This March she found out from a specialist that almost all of the screws are now coming out of the plates and one screw is just floating freely within her body. Obviously, it is a very dangerous situation since a loose screw could mean extreme damage if it were to pierce a vital organ.  Also,  she found out that the first doctor took out her xiphoid unnecessarily and now there is nothing to securely hold her organs in place including her liver which is in grave danger as it has slid not only out of place but is swollen and badly inflamed.  Her organs behind her liver are pushing her liver through the space between the middle of her ribs, causing her liver to be herniated and is horribly painful.  Her specialist told her that's why she gets relief when she lies down on her back, because this makes the organs fall back in place.  She is now consulting with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota to have a tenth surgery performed. It will be difficult.  She has so much Faith in God and she knows that it's all in His Healing and Holy Hands. Even with the best surgeon there is grave danger and risk involved. God’s hand will be badly needed to guide the surgeon. Samantha has mentioned multiple times that the true pain was losing out on taking care of her daughter as all of this started when her baby girl was 8 months old. She wasn't allowed to sleep with or hold her or to do anything all those years because  of the mistakes two men made. She is greatly appreciative for her Mother who has been taking care of her and her daughter all of these years. She has said many times that she couldn't make it without her.  As the reader can imagine the problem Samantha faces is being able to pay for the trip to MN as well as lodging, meals, transportation, etc.  She can not sit in a car for very long at all. She and her family will have to fly to Rochester. Her Mother and daughter will be going with her to take care of and make sure she is looked after.  She will also have to stay up in MN for quite some time after the surgery as she will be unable to travel- she will need continuous care. The new surgeon all ready wants to get her in a proper pain management and wants to truly help her. If anyone can donate something, even a small amount helps, it would be greatly appreciated.   God bless. Jonathan and Family <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Samantha's Plight Close your eyes and imagine As a story I relate to you. A story you could not believe A story amazingly true.   Just imagine a surgery That should have been one If nothing had gone wrong Should have been over and done.   The task? To fix an inverted chest To set the bones right Since her heart had Been pressed.   Imagine two surgeons  Cut with their knife  Deep into her rib cage And caused her such strife. More surgeries added Mesh and a bar. No one could fix her. This was going too far. Of course, each surgeon Said she’d be fine. But come on, guys, She’s now up to nine! This many surgeries In only six years! Imagine the pain Agony and tears. Alive- thanks to God’s grace But most of her organs Are pushed out of place.   Imagine this: she needs Surgery again. Can you believe it? She’s now up to ten! In case you are wondering If there is anything you can do. You bet there sure is!  Just donate a dollar to two. If you cannot There is one other way. It’s very important To pray every day. Thank you so much For imagining her plight And we know with God’s help Everything will be right.