Another Lord's Day

We made it through another Lord’s Day. Jim didn’t feel good at all. I let him sleep as long as possible. He got up and was wiped out after getting a shower and getting dressed. He had to rest in the recliner, until we were ready to go out the door.

Jim was able to preach. He did a great job considering all that his body is going through while he is preaching. By the time, he was done his hands were ice cold. I can see how he tries to preach as fast as possible. I think he does this so he can tell what he knows about the text before he forgets (medication has been causing problems like confusion and forgetfulness) and so he can finish. When he is done he tries to sit down as soon as possible.

Everyone said wonderful prayers, gave us lots of hugs and stated that they were making phone calls and contacts to help us.

The children were restless to say it nicely in services today. I gave them a wonderful surprise when we got home. I told them that they could take a nap immediately following lunch. To my surprise they did just that. Jim uploaded his sermon and then he rested until time to return to church.

Tonight he tried to talk about Phil 4:13. He was so tired and didn’t feel good. I think you could see him struggling to get through it all. I am proud of him for his efforts. I am so glad to be married to a man who even in the face of death and feeling terrible says…I will continue to preach and teach. I know that he will do just that. He admires his Uncle Don Murrell who preached and taught even though he was fighting cancer.

I pray that God will give us a good week. One of our members, Stanley Kirk stated that I hope things work out that he will get a heart soon. My reply was “I KNOW THE LORD WILL MAKE A WAY!” I know that He has been there for us in good times and bad (if you know us, you know that we have been through a lot in our short life). We will continue to sing this song and one more that rings in our ears “I’ll never forsake my Lord.”

Thank you for your continued prayers.

First Transplant Evaluation

I just wanted to update everyone. Jim has been sleeping more and more. His fatigue has increased even more. I thought he might get a little stronger as the days passed since his cath. I know when you are put to sleep for any kind of procedure it takes you a day or two to get over it. It has been a week today since they told us his heart is extremely weak. I feel like I am in a daze. I know that things are happening and going on but I feel like I am in slow motion trying to take it all in.

Since our social evaluation for transplant, Jim has been busy with calling Senators, Congressmen, Governor’s wife (Mrs. Barbour), Head of Social Security, Head of Medicare, anybody that might help us expedite the process to get Medicare. This will allow Jim to get the transplant he so desperately needs.

We have received numerous phone calls, emails, and cards of encouragement. This means a great deal to the both of us. I cannot imagine anyone facing what we have through the years and not having the Lord and his church on their side. We are so grateful for all that have reached out to us. Many may shy away because frankly they don’t know what to say or do. To you PRAY….Going before God Almighty at your desk at work, in your car, or while you are in your easy chair is a wonderful thing to do. Whenever you are going through tough times, the little things are what really mean the most. Of course, who can categorize when you need all the help you can get at times. (By the way, prayer is not a little thing, it is HUGE)

The children have had a good week. They have been extremely tired. Julianna has been talking to a wonderful lady named Leann Rush (counselor at school). She has been through a lot herself. This is helping Julianna deal with the fears and anxieties that she has. She often questions me about what happens to you when you die or will daddy get better. This morning she asked about death on the way to school. She said “Did Jesus really die and when we die what will happen?” I went through the scriptures in the car on the way to school about how Jesus did die for us and how through Him we have victory over death. I told her when you die, it is a lot like going to sleep, If you have been obedient to God and faithful you will be in paradise, if not you will be in torment. I told her that I don’t cry sometimes because I know that no matter what happens to daddy that he will be okay. He has been obedient to God and he strives every day to be faithful to God in every way. I told her that if I remain faithful, I will see him again. I will get to live in eternity with him. That comforts me and frees me from a lot of my fears. It was so powerful when she looked at me and said okay. She had the look like, your right mom, no matter what daddy will be taken care of and we will see him again.

Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement. You have made our burdens lighter. TO GOD BE THE GLORY-----OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD----GOD WILL PROVIDE---------Jenn

The Cath Results

We went to our follow up appointment today with the advanced heart failure/Transplant group. We expected to walk in and get their review of the catch that was done on Friday. We assumed they would say "well as you know Jim’s heart is much weaker, so we really need to begin to think about a transplant sometime in the future." That is not what happened at all. The doctor looked very concerned and said we needed to be considered immediately for a transplant. (We began the process within the hour) He said Jim’s heart function was not good at all. The only detail we understood was that the average male heart pumps blood, at rest, approximately 5 liters of blood per min. Jim’s only pumps 1.4 liters per min. He said this number alone requires that Jim be considered for the transplant list immediately. He went on to tell Jim not to exercise at all. As the doctor put it “You are not to lift anything, do anything, and if you have to walk you must walk gently.” Jim is not one to follow restrictions like these but he has no choice. Jim even ate a salad for supper last night.

We were reminded again that transplants carry huge risks. There is a limited life expectancy, even after the transplant. In addition to this we will have to make arrangements to be within two hours of Birmingham when we are put on the list. Post-transplant, Jim will require 24/7 care for 6-8 weeks. At this point you must live within 15 minutes of UAB. So we have a lot to think about. We love Philly and the work God has allowed us to do. The elders have truly blessed us and they are leading the congregation in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. We pray that something will allow us to stay and work with this great congregation for many, many years.

 We must remember “God will provide” and “All things will work together for good” (Genesis 22:8; Romans 8:28)

We will return to Birmingham in four weeks for the remainder of the testing. Please pray for our upcoming decisions and that Jim may have the best quality of life possible.

Another Cath Behind Us

January 23, 2010 we are currently at Jim’s parent’s house. We went Thursday to Birmingham, AL to get ready for the heart catch on Friday. We were met in Birmingham by our good friends Gage & Kelly Coldwater (and children) and Kay & Michael Hillman. (Gage and Kelly are friends from MSOP and Kay is a former co-worker and good friend of mine from Philadelphia). You got to love friends who are willing to drive 10 and 4 hours one way just to be there and support you. We were also visited by Tim Hayes (MSOP grad and preacher friend), Jeff Clark (the preacher at Jim’s home congregation), Jim’s parents, my mother and twin sister.

Jim's catch went off without a hitch. He was in surgery for about 2 1/2 hours and the doctors were not surprised by what they saw. They were going to look again at the possibility of ballooning or stinting. They made the decision early on that this was not feasible. His narrow places were about the same and little was found in those areas that could be blamed for this increased symptoms. They did find that his heart muscle was significantly weaker. Most of the meds he is on was hoped to improve strength and function, this has not happened. Although this was to be expected they were not happy with these findings. The way they put it is "his heart does not even function well enough when he is as rest." They are amazed that he is able to do all that he does. The way we see it is that they only see the man and not the motivation (God). With His strength and blessing Jim lives on. We are going on Monday to see the heart failure/ transplant group again. Since this is the only option we have left they will help give advice on our next move. Please continue to keep us in your prayers and thanks for all of your encouragement.

Happy New Year

Just wanted to update everyone. We hope everyone is doing great this New Year. We pray that God blesses each one of you richly. May you all have great health and happiness and a new found love for Him and His word.

We will be traveling to Birmingham, AL on Jan 21. Jim will have a catch done on Jan 22. The doctors have asked us to report to admissions between 6:30 and 7:00 am. We don’t know when the actually procedures will take place. Since the end of September Jim's symptoms have increased significantly. The doctors will try to see what has changed since his last cath. The doctors suspect that he has a new obstruction or the scar tissue has become worse, coupled with the evidence that his heart is hardening.

We have been approved for help from the UAB Health System. This has been a tremendous relief. We ask for your diligent prayers for our entire family. Please lift Jim up especially on the 22nd. We can't thank each one of you enough for your continued support, prayers, cards, phone calls and help with the children. We now have over 100 cards on two walls in our bedroom. This is a daily reminder of the support and love you have given to us during our trials.

Thank you all and please keep in touch. ---Jennifer Murrell