Officially Listed For Transplant

Just got the phone call from UAB. Jim is now on the active transplant list. They can call anytime there is a match.
PLEASE CONSIDER BEING A DONOR AND TELLING OTHERS. THE GIFT OF LIFE IS SO PRECIOUS.

Now we begin a new journey. I am going to hold on tight.

Decision Day

DECISION DAY....FAITH IS THE VICTORY! NO MATTER WHAT...OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!

He was approved to get on the list. The insurance will be preapproved for him to have surgery then he will officially be on the list. Thanks for all your prayers. It means so much to us to have your love and support.

Took Jim to meet the stars of The First 48 in Birmingham. It was awesome. Got to see the interrogation rooms, conference rooms, meet the Homicide detectives. Sgt. Jacobs was great. He also got a cup and two DVDs that had not been released. He was grinning all the way home.

Transplant Classes

August 21, 2012

Jim goes for more tests on Thursday. Then transplant class on Tuesday. Thanks for all the visits, prayers, cards, donations, food, calls...God is so good.

August 23, 2012

Jim and his dad are on their way to UAB. Jim has blood work, then appointment with heart failure group and then meeting with the social worker. My heart is with him. Trying to teach today. Praying that all goes well.
Transplant classes on Tuesday. Then docs will be ready to make a decision. We expect one no later than Thursday evening. Thanks for your continued prayers and support. It means so much.
OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD HE REIGNS IN HEAVEN ABOVE WITH WISDOM POWER AND MIGHT...MY GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!

August 24, 2012

Good day yesterday. Jim had blood work, saw heart failure doc, and then finished up with the social worker. No big major tests. YEAH! Doc said he would need to do his dental check-up then go to class on Tuesday. They should make a decision by Thursday. Social Worker gave us great news instead of costing tens of thousands of dollars it is figured to be under $7,000 right now. We haven't checked the...cost of the meds yet. I cried. God is SO good. We used to have around $50000 raised but after two prior transplant evaluations and being in and out of the hospital we have about $4000 now. Medicare kicked in the first of May and that has helped a lot. Thanks so much for all the countless prayers on our behalf. I don't know how people do it without God and a church family. God has always been so faithful to us and I pray that daily we will serve and glorify Him.cost of the meds yet. I cried. God is SO good. We used to have around $50000 raised but after two prior transplant evaluations and being in and out of the hospital we have about $4000 now. Medicare kicked in the first of May and that has helped a lot. Thanks so much for all the countless prayers on our behalf. I don't know how people do it without God and a church family. God has always been so faithful to us and I pray that daily we will serve and glorify Him.

August 25, 2012

Thanks to Jeff and Meghan Stacy for your visit. You drove over an hour...just to see us. It was so good to see y'all again. You both are really special people. Thank you for doing what you do. We love you both and we pray for you and your work. God has great plans for you and He will give you everything you need. May God bless you richly as you faithfully serve Him.

August 29, 2012

Transplant classes yesterday. Wow, learned some weird facts. Did you know after a transplant you are not supposed to go fishing on a lake? Can't be around cats? Before they do the surgery they shave everything from your chin to your ankles. The average wait time is 18 months for a heart. Two of the medicines you have to be on for life can cause cancer. Let's just say it was information overload that lead to a migraine. Going tomorrow to UAB to see if Jim will be put on the list or not. Thanks for your prayers. We love you all.
***GOT A SPECIAL TOP SECRET SURPRISE FOR JIM***
Can't wait until he finds out. :D

Our Longest Hospital Stay Yet

August 12, 2012

Thanks for all your love, support, and prayers. Jim remains in the hospital and will until Tuesday, unless the docs change their minds. Got to sleep in a real bed at home with my children. Wow, it was nice. Going to worship God today and then see my hubby. So thankful that it is church day.

August 13, 2012

Jim had a rough weekend. The place where they went in to do the cath started bleeding yesterday and they couldn't get it stopped until about 4a.m. this morning. He has been making pit stops in the room. Going for one test after another. I can't believe what all his body is going through. He is doing it all for me and the children. WOW. They have to do a pic line today and he is presently gone on his second test of the morning. Thankful to Jim’s mom for her staying with Jim so I could see my children and go to church. Thankful for my church family who gave me hugs, encouraging words and some monetary gift. It is so expensive to eat in Birmingham. Got an awesome snack bag from Alice and Billy and Brandi Hayes. I am snacking it up. God WILL provide. He is my strong deliverer.

More tests...picc line went in good. IV out. Docs came by and said there are still several tests to go. May get to go home either tomorrow or Wednesday. May have to come back to Bham to do more tests as an outpatient. Docs are trying to get everything finished so they can put him on the list as soon as possible. Chris and Melissa Clevenger and Phillip, Amy, Kelsey and Tyler Gallahar all came by to see us. What a great visit. Made Jim's day. Jim is trying to rest. I have been doing word searches and reading. Thankful for all the prayers. Thank God for my church family.

August 14, 2012

Good day so far. It has been a long one. Docs about to come by. picc site won't stop bleeding. Trying to figure out what is going on. Thanks for all your prayers and support. We couldn't do this without our faith in the true and living God and our wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ. Thankful for the brethren at Logan Martin church of Christ for their visit, monetary gift, and my chic-fil-a sandwich:D
Hold me fast, let me stand,
In the hollow of Thy hand;
Keep me safe 'til the storm passes by.

August 15, 2012

11:30 p.m. HOME SWEET HOME. Julianna's sick but at least we are all together again. God is so good to us. Thanks to all for your love, prayers, visits...words are not adequate enough.
Lam 3:25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

Jim has just been released after nine days in the UAB hospital. His increased fatigue and dizziness were of great concern to us and the doctors. A new heart cath was performed on Friday August 11^th and revealed what we had already feared. The right side of Jim’s heart has become much weaker to the point the doctors stated it was hardly working at all. Because of this they immediately placed Jim on an IV medication 24/7 (via home health) that forces his heart to squeeze harder. This medication is considered only a short term treatment intended to extend his chances of survival until transplant. This brings up the next important milestone. The doctors have now agreed that now is the time to proceed with transplant. Jim will be formally be added to the list soon and willl be awaiting an available donor match. This is something we have tried to put off for some time but have taken the doctor’s advice with highest regard and trust. Please pray for us in the coming days as we will encounter the most trying and expensive part of our journey.

Things Friends Say

God gave us two good Samaritans today. Dad and I went downtown going to eat lunch and bring lunch to a dear couple who are in the hospital. I have known Jennifer Cobb Murrell since I was 11 and her husband Jim has heart failure. While we were trying to get me into the car from the wheelchair, a very nice man pulled up beside us to block cars from hitting us while I got into the car since we had to park on the street. Also, dad dropped several 20's while he was paying for our parking at the hospital and a lovely gentleman returned the money to us, dad had no idea he had dropped it. I have to say Jim and Jennifer Murrell's faith inspires me so much. Jennifer has battled illness of her own, often causing her to have to be in a wheelchair, and Jim has known he needs a heart transplant for most of his whole life. They both have an unwavering faith that Jim will receive a heart and that God will take care of him. The faith they have really strengthens me when I start to feel bad about my situation. Jim, although in the hospital now, is determined to be with us at our church to preach this Sunday, a commitment he made before he had to go to the hospital. Please if you are so inclined; please join me in praying for this family the Murrell's: Jim and Jennifer and their two kids Julianna and Cameron. 8/14/2012 Missy Hopkins Gilliam

 

My heart goes out to my buddy Jim Murrell and his beautiful family. Jim is in need of a heart transplant. Please help me in asking for a miracle, stroke of luck or answered prayer (whatever your faith or beliefs allow). Jim is a great man and the world still needs him. Timothy Taylor 8/11/2012