New medical team – They’ve been welcoming, organized, and attentive. A relief!

Samuel’s emotional battle – He’s exhausted, struggling, and feels like I’m forcing treatments on him. The recent back-to-back emergency surgeries were especially hard.

Coping & nutrition struggles – Screens are his escape, and weight loss is a major concern. Feeding him with his sensory issues and food concerns feels like an Olympic sport.

Schooling options – Finally starting this process, but it’s complex. Prayers needed!

Busy week ahead – Dialysis at 5:45 AM, then a 3+ hour drive to Dallas for a crucial GI infusion.

Financial update – Just put $3,600 on my credit card for two months' rent to try to break free from hospital life and regain independence.

💙 Thank you for your continued prayers, support, and encouragement!

 🙏 Donate here: www.GiveSendGo.com/savingsamuel

P.S. If you need transparency on donation use, feel free to message me. I appreciate your trust!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL UPDATE.

Dear Friends and Supporters,

(Click Here for Short Version)

Thank you again for the outpouring of support, prayers, and generosity that continue to carry us through this journey. Your kindness has been a constant source of strength for our family. I want to give you a behind the scenes update:

Samuel’s Journey to Recovery:

Samuel was discharged last Friday, January 3rd, from Medical City Children's Hospital in Dallas, after being there for 104 days. The change in his demeanor since leaving the hospital has been incredibly encouraging. Just hours after being home, I was amazed to find him in the kitchen, humming as he made himself eggs and a smoothie. (I even sneaked a video for my documentation! 😊) We intentionally spent Saturday resting and letting our bodies and minds recharge. Sunday, we packed up and headed to San Antonio for the next chapter in his care.

I’m so thankful that my middle daughter, Kara, decided to join us this first week. Her willingness to give up her own priorities to support us means the world. Along the way, some generous people reached out, offering local resources and a warm welcome should this turn into a more permanent transition. I can already feel the care and support from this community.

New Care Team:

When we met Samuel’s new care team on Monday, I was immediately impressed. They’ve been hands-on from the start and are very understanding of the challenges that Samuel faces, particularly with his teen years and the push-back on certain procedures. It’s been such a relief to experience a team that’s truly working together for Samuel’s best interest. Their operating procedures are well thought-out, and I feel hopeful about the excellent care Samuel is receiving here.

Challenges Ahead:

That being said, there are still some hurdles ahead. As with many transplant centers, Samuel is required to stay up-to-date on all vaccines, including the flu shot (but excluding the COVID vaccine). If you’ve followed our journey, you know that we are opposed to mandating vaccines in order to access treatments unrelated to vaccination. It’s a difficult balance of risks for all of us, and this continues to be a hot topic. I pray for wisdom, clear direction, and strength for the path ahead, including a dose of meekness that will guide me as I stand firm in what’s best for Samuel’s health and future.

Next Steps:

This weekend, we’ll head back to North Texas to give Samuel a few more days with his beloved cats and his bedroom, helping him feel a sense of normalcy. Kara, who just graduated from college, will start her new job this week, and I am so thankful for her continued support. After that, Samuel and I will return to San Antonio to continue his treatments.

As we settle into this huge transition and uncertainty, I feel a mix of emotions. There’s anxiety, but also faith that God is with us every step of the way. So many people can relate to the sense of loss, displacement, and unknowns in life, and I continue to lean in closer to my Father for comfort, protection, and peace.

Financial Update:

As many of you know, these past few months have been a significant challenge, not just in terms of Samuel’s health but also in managing the financial strain that comes with navigating his medical care. I’ve always been intentional about managing our finances and maintaining a 100% debt-free lifestyle since 2006. However, the last few months have stretched our resources to the limit, and we are facing some immediate financial hurdles.

The most pressing concern right now is my $6,988.44 property tax bill that is due by January 31, 2025. This bill is critical to pay in order to avoid further financial setbacks, and I am doing everything I can to find a solution before the deadline.

Additionally, my car requires some necessary repairs, including fixing multiple oil leaks. I’ve found a mechanic who has offered to complete the repairs for $1,400, which is significantly more affordable than the $2,200 quote I received from the dealership. While I'm used to paying off all credit card statements in full, both cards are now at their limits as I've used them to stay afloat during the last few months. I’ve been making the minimum payments on them to maintain cash flow for daily living, and protect my credit score, but it’s become clear that we need to either pay these off or transfer the balances to an option with more reasonable interest rates.

I share this not to burden anyone but to give you a clearer picture of where we are financially right now. We’ve done our best to manage our expenses, but the pressure is mounting. I’m grateful for all the support we’ve received so far, and I wanted to be transparent about these immediate needs.

Links to Shows I've Been Invited to Discuss Samuel’s Story:

I’ve had the privilege of being invited to discuss Samuel’s journey and our experiences navigating his medical decisions and treatments. These conversations have allowed me to share not only our story but also the importance of medical freedom and transparency.

• The Insurrection - Michael Lauber & Derrick Evans (Live 1/6/25)
• The Millstone Report - Paul Harrell (Live 1/7/25)
• Under the Sun Podcast (recorded 1/9/25 - coming soon)

I am deeply grateful for the generous hosts who have shown interest in our story and are standing up for medical freedom. These platforms help expose the realities of what goes on behind closed doors, and I encourage you to watch, listen, and support the valuable work they are doing to inform and unify all of us.

Thank You:

I want to thank each of you again for your heartfelt prayers, support, and financial contributions. They are helping us in more ways than you know, both practically and emotionally. Your generosity reminds me that we are not alone on this journey.

Please continue to keep Samuel and our family in your prayers as we navigate the challenges ahead. I will keep you updated and share more about our progress. I invite and encourage you to share our campaign link and story with those you think would also be interested in walking this journey with us.

With love & gratitude,

Rachelle King