Do we know for sure Sam is dying or just that KeMo is leaving? Because the good bye scene with her long time co workers and (I am behind a few days) what sounds like her coming out of surgery scenes could have been shot with KeMo to give the actors closure (and to give fans of KeMo and DZ together something to make them happy) only to have Sam kinda fade back into the background while they try out some recasts or bring Lindsey Hartley back. Not too long after it was announced KeMo was leaving LH played a few scenes and it was assumed KeMo was gone. She may have agreed to come back to get her gold bye scenes.
Anyway- if Sam’s death has not been confirmed, like i said, I can see her fade into the background with a different actress being brought to the canvas once LuLu wakes for a Dante, Sam, LuLu triangle. If done right, it could be interesting to watch the emotional fall out of Sam giving a piece of kidney to LuLu only to have LuLu come back and claim her man.