A Family Day Out

Monday was a good day. The children were out of school and I had to teach. I tried to find someone to help with the children but nothing worked out. I prayed and prayed all the way to school that the children would be on their best behavior until I returned home. Tuesday and Wednesday Jim felt terrible. I talked to the Transplant coordinator which stated that Jim’s vitamin D was low. She called in 50,000 IU of Vitamin D to take. He will have to take this for six weeks and then take a different dose every day and have his level retested in May. Thursday, Friday and Saturday were good days. He walked for a few minutes each day. The weather was warmer and it didn’t rain. He sat outside and studied and just enjoyed being outside for a change. We went to Bonita Lakes Saturday. The children feed the ducks and then we watched them play on the playground for over an hour. It was so nice to be able to get out and for Jim to have a little strength to do things. The children sure did enjoy playing. It was a wonderful day. The stress seemed to vanish away. Sunday, we awoke with Jim feeling bad. He tried to preach but he struggled the whole time. He stated that he could see spots and he was so cold even before he sat down for Bible class. We came home and he slept for a while. We had pew packers and the children did great. Jim was not able to preach, so the congregation watched a video about having Faith for Life. It was really good. I think we all can apply the material presented and make changes. I wasn’t feeling good at all, all day. Cameron woke up early in the morning very sick and I had chills all through the night. I was unable to go to school. I had to take Cameron to the doctor. Jim is not able to do that because of the risks of picking up something that could set him back. Cameron ended up having an ear infection, upper respiratory infection and a virus. Dr. Massingill stated that I had that as well and to be careful that Jim doesn’t get it. It is contagious and you will run fever for 2 to 4 days. The cards and encouragement keep coming in. I am so thankful for all of it. It brightens Jim’s day. He loves to get a card each day. For a while he has received at least one a day if not more. We now have over 180 cards. Thank you all for your support, love, and most of all for your prayers. I am soooo tired and achy. So I will get the children ready for bed and Lord willing me and Cameron will feel better tomorrow. “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair” (2 Cor. 4:8)

A Snow Day???

Well, we had a wonderful surprise on Friday. We got snow in Philadelphia, MS. What a beautiful sight it was. The children got to run and play. Jim came outside and helped make a snowman. I threw snowball after snowball. It was like we were a normal family. Jim had to take a break after only a few minutes and I was reminded once again of how weak he is. I ran and played with the children and even our neighbor, Rick, had fun throwing snowballs. Jim just sat there and watched us run around. I know that he wishes with all his might that he could do that. He has always been a hands on dad. He changed diapers, played in the floor, bathed the children, read a story and everything in between. For the rest of the day he felt terrible. He got to looking so bad one time that I knew we were going to be headed to the hospital soon.

Saturday, the snow melted and our regular routine kicked in. Jim went to the church building for an hour or so. He wanted to print some meeting flyers and look over his sermon. I know it means a lot to him when he feels like getting out and he is able to do some things in the church office. He still felt really bad. When he returned home, he frightened me. He was so weak and so grey. I know I looked scared. Julianna even looked at Jim and said “Daddy, you don’t look so good.” We put in a Hallmark movie and rested for a while. Jim rested for the rest of the day.

Sunday, Jim felt worse. He was grey and very pale and ice cold all at the same time.  I don’t know how he made it to church. I was begging him to take it easy. He decided to preach anyway. He struggled the whole time. I could see him trying to make sense of what he was saying. I think over all he did a great job. Several people made comments that they could see him struggling and they could tell he felt terrible. At the end of the sermon, he stood by the second pew and then he sat down kind of suddenly. I was in the back with Cameron because he always has to go to the bathroom when Jim preaches. I wanted to run up there and check on him but I thought people might get scared.

We made it home and he rested until time to go that night. He told me that he would only speak about 5 to 10 minutes. If you know Jim, you know that he is long winded even with his failing health. Well, he finished about 25 minutes later. He made it through. I don’t know how he does it but I know that he encourages me every day. His spirit tells his body what he will do. I thank God that I am married to such a man. I pray that God will allow Jim to receive a new heart that he may continue to preach with the same enthusiasm and commitment that he has. He helps me in my daily walk.

Thank you all for your continued prayers, support, and those of you that have called. It has been good to hear from some many. We love you all for your encouragement and promise to you all that we will ever strive to set the proper example as we continue to ride through this storm. We know this will pass and the sun will shine upon us once more. I GIVE GLORY TO YOUR NAME OH LORD….GLORY TO YOUR NAME>>>>>THERE IS VICTORY IN JESUS>>>>THIS BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD.

Meeting A New Transplant Team

Over the past few days things have been stressful. Not knowing what to expect at a new facility, leaving UAB, Jim sleeping more and more, and I have had two flare ups in one week. We went to UMC in Jackson, MS yesterday. We had to get up early (4:45 am) to be able to leave by 5:45 am. Jim’s mother came to be with the children and get them off to school. We talked to Julianna several times about being a good girl and getting up and getting dressed like she needs to. Cameron always follows her lead. Julianna pinky promised that she would be great but of course, things didn’t go good. She immediately got up and cried for her daddy and then she wanted her mommy. After some persuasion over the phone and some Sunkist from Maw Maw, things got a lot better. (Julianna is extremely worried and concerned for her daddy—please pray for her to be able to relax) The children made it to school just fine. We on the other hand, only got turned around one time but made it to UMC only 2 minutes late.

Everyone was so nice from the lady who met us at the door to the doctor himself. It is a much smaller place and everyone is a lot more personable. They took all the regular vital signs and then put us in a room. We met the transplant coordinator/personal nurse of Dr. Moore. She was so nice and took her time asking questions, talking about the medication he is on, talking about his history, and allowing us to ask questions. Then we waited for about 5 minutes and Dr. Moore came in. He was very friendly and very professional. He asked several questions and examined Jim thoroughly. Then he allowed us to ask as many questions as we wanted. We found out a lot of information. We were there for almost 3 hours.

Many people assume that once a doctor says you need a transplant you automatically get on a list. Before you get on the list you have to go through a battery of tests. Everything has to be in good shape for you to be able to be considered for a transplant. Jim will have to get an eye exam, dentist check-up, to another cath and endurance check on a bicycle and everything in between. Some tests we will do at home, others can be done locally at our regular physician’s office, and then we will have 3 days of testing done at UMC. If these tests have good results we will then have the go ahead to get on the list. It takes a while for them to be able to schedule the tests, so Brunette (transplant coordinator/nurse) said the earliest they could schedule us was for the 4^th week in March.

Dr. Moore stated that he has done several successful transplants on patients who have transposition of the great vessels. He stated that there are a lot more risks but it can be done. He also stated that Jim needs to try to walk for 5 minutes a day to keep his other muscles working and strong. The greatest danger that he faces is that half of transposition patients die suddenly (Jim has an ICD that can help prevent this) and the other half decline rapidly where they sleep more and more. Fatigue will be the worst thing to endure. Jim’s heart is so weak that it is not getting his blood to the other body parts it needs to, to refresh him. Jim’s fatigue will continue to get worse. Each day he is able to get out of bed and do anything will be counted as a success.

I will be honest to say that I have struggled over the past few days. I have let my doubts and worries consume me. I pray every day to God to let me be free from fear. Help me to be strong, that I may bring glory to God when we are enduring this trial in our lives. I do believe the devil is seeking every opportunity whether big or small to creep into my life and say….You know life is to hard….you can’t handle this….it is not worth trying….be mad at everyone….blame yourself…go hide under the covers….you can’t love God, look at what he is doing to your husband….no one cares! Well, first of all I say get behind me Satan…do you know that we have been through hard times before and we can get through anything with God….I will never stop trying because Christ never gave up…..love others that what I choose…..There is nothing I have done, I can only continue to be faithful to God and pray for help….I am not going to hide because others have shared their hard times, their struggles and because of them we are better….I will never stop loving God, he wants what is best for me and my family….people do care (have you seen the cards, have you seen the hugs, the tears, the financial gifts)

Thanks to so many that have sent us cards. We now have over 165 cards that are covering our bedroom walls. It is so encouraging to wake up and go to bed with a visual reminder of how many people really do care. Thanks to all those who have given to us financially. It has been such a humbling process. We pray that God Almighty will bless you richly for helping us when we need it the most. We could not survive without our brothers and sisters in Christ. We love you and we are sooooo thankful. Blest be the tie that binds. In all things we praise you God and we give thanks.

A New Transplant Team Coming Soon

This week has gone pretty well. Jim was able to preach Sunday. He did a wonderful job Sunday morning with a sermon titled "I've Fallen And I Can Get Up." We were also blessed to have five restorations that morning. We love each of the members here and as all Christians should be we are overjoyed when one comes home who has been astray. (Matthew 18:12-14)

We received news on Monday that the transplant doctors at UMC will be able to see Jim on Thursday (2/11). Getting the referral needed for this has been a long and stressful process but we thank God it has finally come. We are looking forward to meeting their transplant team. Thanks for all you do and keep us in your prayers.

We Met With A Lawyer

Jim probably felt as bad yesterday (Wednesday) as he has ever felt. He had good spirits and pressed on. As you can assume he did teach his class as usual. He teaches the teenagers in a small classroom setting. We went to Jackson today to see a lawyer about all of our financial and insurance issues. We received a lot of information that looked very promising. We owe it all to our new friend Donna Taylor. She is a member of the Clinton church of Christ and truly embodies the epitome of a Christian servant. She is perhaps one of the kindest and most caring people we have ever met. Jim did very well today I am sure he was running on adrenaline but he made the trip just fine. During the meeting and supper, I would touch Jim's leg or try to hold his hand. His legs were so cold and his hands as well. It concerned me that he was feeling that way. I know that his heart is so weak. I pray that we will have more time. We have been truly blessed. We see more than ever as we sang every day at MSOP: "I know the Lord will MAKE a way for me." As the prayer says we were all taught as children "God is great God is good."