Friday, October 31, 2008
Dear Sammy’s Fans,
We are hereby making a difficult to digest update and are making a last personal appeal on behalf of our devastated friends, the Zeltser family.
As you know, Sammy Zeltser, 8 year old handsome boy and a great hugger, had been fighting a lethal genetic disorder, adrenoleukodystrophy, for the last twelve months. The disturbing symptoms and the shocking diagnosis emerged cruelly swift. Alex and Gelena Zeltser together with the finest genetics and transplant team from the Children Memorial Hospital reacted quickly and drew on the only available option to try to stop deadly demyelination of Sammy’s brain.
Performed in February of this year, a successful bone marrow transplant operation had initially stopped the destructive force of this disorder. Encouraged and optimistic, doctors and the parents, were building plans for a measured recovery. Sam’s Mommy even organized a trip to Disney World, keeping her promise she had given to heroic Sammy prior to grueling pre-transplant chemotherapy.
Alas, just recently, all the hopes that parents, doctors and hundreds well-wishers cherished have been crushed. Sammy’s MRI showed further destruction of nerve insulation and collapse of two vital functions. Our hero completely lost his eyesight and is now having difficulty to swallow solid food and liquids. In order to prevent fatal choking and pneumonia due to food going into the wrong passage, Sammy has been receiving nutrients through IV and is about to have the gastric feeding tube embedded.
Sammy’s pediatrician just had a very difficult conversation with Alex and Gelena. He informed them that all possible treatments had been exhausted and that the best thing they could do for their beloved son at this time is to shift their focus to:
- provide Sammy with an unremitting warm, intimate, and comforting companionship
- assure thorough and continuous pain management and symptom observation
The hope dies last and of course all of us are praying for miracle and Sammy’s complete recovery.
Nevertheless, while completely trusting Almighty G-d’s infinite wisdom, Zeltsers are switching gears and will follow Pediatrician’s advice.
Alex and Gelena will take continuous turns gently assuring Sammy that he is not alone and that they love him very much. They will also hire around-the-clock clinical professional to help manage Sammy’s pain and symptoms. Both of these endeavors will demand additional financial resources that had already been wiped out from Zeltser’s arsenal. Alex’s and Gelena’s newly lessened focus on job and business will of course impact their ongoing income.
We are asking you today to make a contribution to help the family in emotional and financial distress to deliver the imminent care that Sammy needs at this juncture. Any level of help will be meaningful to Sammy and his family. Please click here to donate.
My God bless you for your compassion!
Sincerely,
Sammy Zeltser’s Friends, Close to Him and Way Too Many to Count by Name
- Sammy Zeltser