Updates

May 23^rd

The announcement

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUBd0xzEhUc

Still a go for transplant. Just started the necessary IV meds. Got to be in the O.R. at 5:00 am. Pray for the donor’s family and Docs. Don't Worry!

Jim giving a thumbs up. His is my hero. Through it all....so positive.

Doc said heart looked good. We kissed him and said see you later at 730. I will update everyone when I can. Thank you God. Please pray for the donor family. Today they said goodbye and gave a precious gift.

Officially started operation at 910am. They have a lot of scar tissue to get through...keep Jim in your prayers.

 

New heart going in. Nurse said everything is looking great.

Doc just said everything went well. Heart is working great! Praise God! Thank you for all of your prayers. Surgery is finished...God is good all the time!

Just saw Jim words cannot describe how good he looks. I felt his heart beat, kissed him and held his hand. God is so good.

Breathing tube out. Jim is trying to talk. Eyes open...praise be to God!

May 24^th

Just saw Jim. He looks great. He had two Popsicles some water and a sprite....Wow are u kidding me! You can visit us and support us. No one but immediate family at this time can see Jim and no one that is sick needs to see us or Jim Murrell. Thank you all for your well wishes and especially for your prayers. To God be the glory....God is so good.

Jim is resting today. Still doing good just tired. I am so thankful to be here to see my husband another day. Thank you God for one more day!

Jim sat up in a recliner today. He is starting to feel some real pain. He is super tired. I got to put lotion on his legs and feet, hold his hand, and kiss him lots and lots. Thank you for your prayers and support. It means so much. Jim got 12 cards through the mail today at UAB. He wanted me to read every one of them to him.

May 25^th

Jim is having a rough day. He is really feeling a lot of pain, he doesn't want me to leave his side today. The docs say this is normal and will hopefully get a lot better in a day or two. The docs are still amazed at his progress and all his numbers look great. He has wonderful nurses taking care of him. We covet your prayers that the pain will ease up soon. Still so thankful for having more time with my best friend and the love of my life. TGBTG

Despite all of his pain, Jim walked 244 steps at one time today. He is such a trooper. In another life I think he could seriously be a navy seal.

May 26^th

Thankful for Let The Bible Speak program and In Search of the Lords Way. Can't wait to assemble with the saint tonight. Praying for a better day for Jim.

May 27^th

Jim is walking multiple times a day. He is now allowed to walk on his own without a pole or a walker, it is all him. He is still on oxygen right now but other than that he has lost tubes and wires. Praise God for He is great and giveth us strength. Thanks to the everyone who is helping me with our children, the house, the yard God has truly blessed us with a great church family! TGBTG!

May 28^th

Thankful for David and Susan Courington for allowing me to have a safe and comfortable place to sleep. God truly takes care of his own.

May 29^th

He is doing great. Having to take lots of pills but walking up a storm. He is enduring some side effects of the medicine that are unpleasant but who can complain. He goes for his first biopsy today to check for rejection. This will be the first of many. Please pray that all goes well. The docs have been trying to move him to HTICU but they don't have room for him there. They have done so many heart and lung transplants lately that they are running out of room. Thankful for all those who choose in their time of loss to give a precious gift. It is hard to describe what Jim's heart looks like on an echo. It is amazing and brings tears to my eyes each time. We serve an Amazing God. Thank you all for your prayers, phone calls, texts, cards. I am trying to play catch up and get back to everyone when I can. TGBTG!

May 30^th

Jim gets out of CICU and into a “real” room. So glad he is on the Heart Transplant ICU Floor. So glad he has his own potty and a door to shut so he can rest. Really…yes….really. We need to be thankful for the little things.

*****UPDATE*****
Address for Jim Murrell , please put James on there.
UAB Hospital
James Murrell HTICU P542
619 19th Street South
Birmingham, AL 35249-0018

New Heart

Jim got a new heart on Thursday, May 23rd. I just wanted to let everyone know real quick. He is doing great and I will post more in the near future. Praising God for He continues to pour His richest blessings on us.

Rough Days...Still Counting Blessings

Jim got to go outside for the first time in 16 days. He got permission to go 2 floors down to a courtyard. He is able to go when someone is with him. He loved it. He just stared at the sun and clouds and watched all the people going about their day. It was such a blessing.

Since Thursday, Jim has been fighting dehydration. His fluid intake is limited to help keep his medicines balanced, but in the mean time it is making him feel rough. His heart rate has been in the upper 90s and 100s when he is lying in bed. This has caused him to have trouble resting especially at night. He continues to have low blood pressure off and on which makes him feel bad. When Jim feels good he gets up and takes a shower and walks a good bit. He hasn't been able to do that everyday.

Jim's room is suddenly filling up with cards. The doctors will come to check on him and spend time reading all the cards. They especially love the ones from Cameron's class at school and the ones from the children at Philadelphia church of Christ. Jim grins from ear to ear every time the mail arrives. The nurses are picking at him saying he has a fan club. Thanks to all those who have sent cards and continue to do so. Please don't lose hope. Jim appreciates you get well wishes and is positive that God is working some great things out for him.

The kids and I are trying to get adjusted to life at the house without him. I cooked pancakes for the first time in forever. Jim always did that. I cleaned the fish bowl. Jim always did that. I have food to grill but Jim has always done that. So for now, no grilling. I might get the courage to do it one day. We have a gas grill and I am afraid I will blow up the house or something.

This is going to be a hard week. Cameron has awards day today. Julianna graduates 5th grade. The children keep asking me if I am going to be there and I say "Of course!" I know they are so sad that their daddy can't be there to celebrate with them. We are trying to do Face Time at the school. I will see if it works.



Jim and Coconut

Jim and His new buddy, Coconut

Reading Jason Adams card.

Made a wish for daddy.

I am mindful of all the parents who lost their children due to the recent tornadoes and even in the Newtown shooting. I am thankful that God has provided protection for my children. He has blessed them with health. He has given them loving parents who care for them no matter where we may be. Thank you God for allowing us to see our children grow. Help us to mold them in the truths of Your Word.

Jim is receiving visitors. We ask that you please plan on staying 15 minutes or less. He gets wore out by just talking. No...he doesn't look bad. He will try to entertain and talk and talk. Please do your best to stay 15 minutes or less. This way he can rest. His heart is having to work extra hard to do the little bit it can. We thank you for understanding and for your cooperation.


I did it Jim!

The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar
That tomorrow
There'll be sun!
Just thinkin' about
Tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs,
And the sorrow
'Til there's none!
When I'm stuck a day
That's gray,
And lonely,
I just stick out my chin
And Grin,
And Say,
Oh
The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on
'Til tomorrow
Come what may
Tomorrow!
Tomorrow!
I love ya
Tomorrow!
You're always
A day
A way!

The sun WILL come out baby girl!


What happened?

It was like any other day. I got up and got the kids dressed. Julianna and I were headed to Tree Top Adventures in Birmingham and Cameron had a regular day at school. Mrs. Murrell was going to sit with Jim and Julianna and I would be by the hospital later. I called Sheri Harris around 7:15 am and asked if she didn't mind picking up Cameron. When I was talking with her, Jim beeped in. He said "Good Morning, Happy Anniversary!" May 15th marked 19 years since we have met and started dating. I asked him to let me let Sheri go and he said "No, I need to tell you something. I am NPO and they are prepping me for a heart." I said "Oh, Dear God, thank you." I started shaking and crying. I told him we were on our way. I flashed over and told Sheri. Then Julianna and I started throwing things into bags. We were running and sliding all over the place.

We got in the car and I turned on my hazard (which is a No No) and sped my way over to UAB. I asked the children to pray that no dogs would be in the road and no cops would see me going that fast. I am confessing that I sinned...we should obey the speed limits. I am so sorry for not controlling myself.

All the way there we got updates. Jim would text us. They came in and he got shaved from his chin to the tops of his toes. That's right....EVERYTHING. They drew lots of blood work. Then they turned of his pacemaker and defibrillator. We got there around 8:05am. We got the news from the nurse that the doctors would not know anything for sure until 11:30. Around noon we got the news that he was a perfect match for blood type, tissue type...it would just be down to body size.  The doctors came in and said that everything was looking good. Then they told us that the transplant team transplanted a heart on Tuesday and lungs Tuesday night and they needed to rest. The donor was donating a heart and lungs to our knowledge. The doctors said that they would have to look at the heart around 4pm after they got some rest then things would move pretty fast. Around 5pm a nurse popped in the door and said it was a NO GO. Wow, that quick it was over with.

We thought another man was getting it and Jim even tweeted about it. Come to find out he was getting the lungs. Once they went to harvest the heart, the doctors saw that it was not viable. So no one got the heart.

Julianna and I have a good cry. It hurt me. I ached inside. I don't want Jim to have to go through all the surgery and pain and endless tests and blood work. I thought that after being listed as a Status 1A for one day...he was closer to coming home. That is why I cried. I missed my husband terribly. He has slept and slept over the past few months. But I could go to the living room and cuddle or hold his hand. I miss seeing his face every morning. It is harder than I thought it would be.

Julianna and I stayed for a little bit then we left the hospital to go to church. We got something to eat and thought we had plenty of time. We put the church address into our GPS and it said we would not be there until 7:30pm. I said forget that...we will stop at Logan Martin church of Christ. I thank God for that church. We had a great ladies class. Then one of the men did an outstanding lesson on being solely focused on Christ. All the hugs and encouragement did my soul a world of good. The brethren there gave us several financial gifts to help with gas and other expenses. For that I am truly grateful.

Please continue to remember us in your prayers. We are so thankful for an opportunity at a heart. We are so thankful that the donor and his/her family made the choice to help others in their time of loss. Please remember them in your prayers. Our gain is someone's loss. That is so hard to think about. We know that God's Will will be done. He knows better than us. He has big plans for our family. We are believing and trusting. Your prayers help us to be strong in the midst of this storm. We love you and thank you for your support.

Thank you to Amy Gallahar for taking care of Bella. I am sorry you went around the world. You are a true friend.

Special thanks to all those who came to the hospital to help with the children and to support us:
Jimmy and Sharon Simmons Family
David Courington
Amanda Woodard
Dale and Sheri Harris and Family
Billy and Brandi Hayes Family
Cliff Goodwin
Magan Grimes
Bo Foster
Hal and Kelly Davidson Family
All the countless others who helped us, called, texted...thank you.

Thank you God for one more day. Help us to be thankful and content.

Check out Jim's latest work. http://www.iftruthbetold.org/daliydose.html

I NEED THEE

I need Thee every hour,
  Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
  Can peace afford.

I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
  Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior!
    I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour,
  Stay Thou near by;
Temptations lose their power
  When Thou art nigh.
I need Thee every hour,
  In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
  Or life is vain.
I need Thee every hour,
  Teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises
  In me fulfill.
I need Thee every hour,
  Most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine indeed,
  Thou blessed Son.

Updates...I am trying.

Status 1A

Jim is now officially listed as a 1A Status on the Transplant List. He will be staying at the hospital until he receives a transplant. The doctor said that he is seeing signs that his heart is continuing to weaken each day. But Jim is one of the top 3 for his blood type in the region. If a heart becomes available he could easily be up for it. Please pray that God's Will be done.
It was a hard day.... His sugar was 281 this morning...docs think it might have to do with his meds because he has been eating good. He has only had one sugar cookie in 12 days. The docs put him on a special diet and he is behaving. His BP was low. His O2 is 42. He is on oxygen. He didn't feel like taking a shower and that says a lot. He walked a little bit. He had a lot of company and that wore him out. He is thankful for all who came but he is SUPER tired.
Thank you Amy Hindman Gallahar for helping me with Bella. I owe you big time.
Thank you all for your continued prayers. Your encouragement means so much. We love you.

Daily Dose
Well, guess what my husband has been up to? No, I am not surprised. He just doesn't know how to stop. Thank you for being that example for me.
http://www.iftruthbetold.org/daliydose.html

Waco church of Christ
Blessing Box and Basket...WOW!

Thank you for all the phone calls and texts. Your concern means so much. I am trying to return calls and texts when I can. Your prayers are working.

Thank you God for one more day!






 

I am going

Yesterday was extremely hard. I felt like I was in a fog all day. I knew I was tired but every song, every prayer was so great and I hated that Jim was not there to share it with me. As many of you know, Jim has only missed church over the past 6 1/2 years when he was in the hospital. No matter how bad he felt he was going. One time, he left the ER at 2 am in the morning and preached at the morning service. One Wednesday night, he turned completely gray because his heart was going into v-tach and he still went to church. I was feeling a deep void with him not by my side.

I was able to get a much needed nap yesterday after morning services. Then we went to Piedmont church of Christ where Jeff and Meghan Stacy labor. I got to meet their "Little Bit" who was more than precious. (Romans 12:15) The name is certainly fitting expect for that BIG beautiful smile that she shines. They had a great pew packers at 4:30 and services at 5. The singing was amazing. I usually don't get to hear singing like that unless I am at Diana.
I got a text after services that Jim was moved to HTICU. The doctors want to watch him more closely. This is the Heart Transplant ICU. He is not getting a heart but the nurses and doctors come around more often and can check on him. Lord willing, he will get a heart soon.
So I told the kids we are going. I could see in Julianna's eyes that we needed to go. I felt it in my heart. It took us almost 2 hours to drive from Piedmont to Birmingham. The children were outstanding. I thank God for how good they are.
When we arrived we quickly grabbed a sandwich and went to his room. He was watching for us. We hugged and kissed on him. It is so good to see him and touch him and even to smell him. I know...I am weird. We sat and talked and cuddled. We didn't want to leave but around 10:30 pm we did. We made it home safe again. PRAISE GOD!
I let the children sleep in a little today and then took them to school. Only 8 more days of school. We can do it.
I want to thank all those who continue to help us with gas money, medical expenses and other gifts:
     Tom Musick
     Dean Gallahar
     Ralph Braswell
     The Waco church of Christ (gift basket and box pictured)

Thank you to all those who are praying for us. It really, really means so much to us. That is by far the best thing for us. God cares and He will provide. Isa. 49:15-16


Jim's new address. If you have already mailed your cards. It will get there.
UAB Hospital
James Murrell HTICU P518
619 19th Street South
Birmingham, AL 35249-0018

Thank you God for one more day.

A Letter to Lift

Please send cards to Jim to encourage him at:

UAB Hospital
Spain Wallace
James Murrell W632
619 19th Street South
Birmingham, AL 35249-0018

He is having a rough day today. They have increased the medicine everyday instead of every other day. He blood pressure is lower, which is a side effect. He doesn't feel like doing much. He slept for most of my visit today.

When I am with him, he wants me to take care of the kids. When I am home, he wants me to come and visit and spend the night. Ok Jim, I am doing the best I can. He is such a nut head. You got to love him.

I feel so empty without him by my side each day. Tomorrow will be especially hard. He will not be able to attend services. Hoping I don't lose it in church. I am trying to hold it together.

Thanks for all the prayers. Thanks to Billy and Brandi Hayes for taking care of the children. I know that had a great time getting away and playing. Love y'all so much.

Thanks for all the visitors that have come by to see Jim from far away and from close by. Bob and Tammy Horn from Virginia, Tom Musick from Glencoe, Dale Harris, Shane Clark and TJ from Munford, Cliff Goodwin for Ironaton, Chris Clevenger from Tennessee, Bo Foster from Locust Fork...so many others. THANK YOU!

GOD WILL PROVIDE!

Thank you God for one more day!

Staying

Well, it took a while for the doctors to come by yesterday. A lot was on the table but the decision came down to keep Jim until he gets a heart. They will increase his medicine every other day. They have increased it 4 times since last Thursday. He is now on room level oxygen. This helps him to feel some what better. He had a great recovery from the cath. No bleeding...YEAH! He is banged up pretty good from all the blood work they do and lines blowing out. He is going through a lot for us. The day of the cath marked the 250th day on the transplant list. Can't believe it but thankful to still have him here with me.
The kids and I were able to stay at a hotel the past few days to be close to him. He is able to have visitors but he is EXTREMELY tired. He wants to stay awake and talk and he will. But it will wear him out. I do encourage you to visit but try not to stay too long.

Once Jim moves to a more permanent room, I will give you his address. The highlight of his day is walking to the mailbox and getting cards. So I know he would be tickled to get them there.

I am sharing the pictures below for you to see our family have "BIBLE TIME." This is a daily time where we stop...no matter what and read God's word, sing together and pray together. I believe it is what helps us get through the bad times and appreciate all the good times. If you are not doing this, I strongly encourage you to start today. Most Christians walk around spiritually starving all week to fill up on Sunday...that has NEVER been God's plan. We are not perfect but we are trying to be complete with God.

Can you tell how tired the kids are? Wow...wish I could sleep that good.

Time with Daddy is so precious. The children act pretty good for the most part. Glad they get to love on him. He is such a good daddy.

I also wanted to share a beautiful gift I got. I absolutely love flowers and trees and planting. I had this blooming when me and the kids got home yesterday. I will continue to travel quite often to Birmingham. Please keep us in your prayers....daily prayers. Pray for God's will to be done.

Thanks to all who have helped cut the grass, clean our house, clean our laundry, feed us, run errands for us, given financial gifts, paid for our gas. God is so good all the time...in every place...at every time.

Thank you God for one more day.

Big decisions...Big day.

Yesterday was a hard day. Jim's O2 level decreased to 49 and he had increased shortness of breath. The fatigue is beyond description. I won't go into all the details right now but there are a few scary things on the table that the doctors are considering. Please pray that God will be the doctors as they decide what is best for Jim. We have full confidence in them that they will do their best.

Tomorrow Jim will have a cath to check the pressures in his heart. He can't have a lot of visitors. Only 4 people can be back there at a time. No one can come that is sick...please don't even try. He wants his immediate family there to support him at this time. Please feel free to come by and visit us but don't expect to see him at this time.

I want to thank Sheri Harris for coming by with her children to help me. I couldn't stop crying yesterday. I thank God for them coming by to listen and get me out of the bed. Jim's mom was with him and we are trying to have one of us
in the Munford area in case we need to get the children quickly.

Please pray for Mrs. Murrell. Jim is so concerned about his mom. He loves her and hates to see her worried.

Thank you to Billy Hayes who came by and "brightened" up the room. We love the Hayes family.

Please pray...pray...pray it up for Jim right now....tonight...and tomorrow. Your prayers are working. He is with us today because of your prayers.

God is good and He WILL provide.

Thank you God for one more day.

Check out the new clothes Jim got....ROLL TIDE

Let the Sunshine In

Thank you to the Simmons for the wonderful gifts. You made our day. We love you all so much!

Missing Him

It is Sunday...I am super tired. I miss my husband and best friend. He is not here to pop up and sing to us each morning.

Jim has been in the Cardiac Critical Care Unit since Thursday. He has been feeling rough for several weeks. He was put into UAB because the doctors thought he might have an infection. All the cultures at this time continue to come back negative. The doctors are concerned that his heart is just that much weaker.

He is not able to walk the halls at the hospital. He used to be called the marathon man because he would walk and walk and walk. Now he does two laps around his tiny floor and attempts to do a third...then he has to lay down immediately.

My heart feels like it is literally breaking inside me. I have able to see him each day but I am staying the night at home with the children. They are taking this hard. Friday night they both cried themselves to sleep.

Dr. Tallaj did a special blood test this morning and found out that his oxygen level coming from his heart is a 50...they want him to be a 70. They increased his IV meds and will see what happens from there. This med again is very beneficial but once you increase it...it takes time off your life expectancy. You can either suffer and live longer OR feel better and not live as long. This is the 4th time this medicine has been increased. So you can see that Jim's time is fleeting. Please pray for him and us as well.

I can't tell you how much your phone calls and hugs have meant. Thanks to the Harris family for helping with Cameron and for the wonderful breakfast. Thanks to Amy for taking care of Bella. Thanks to the Goodwin's for going to GA for us and for helping with Julianna. Thanks to Doyle for helping us with our yard. Thanks to the Nichols for the gas money. Thanks to the Simmons for the Sunshine box. Thanks to the McClures for the financial gifts. Our church family at Ironaton and the Murrells for all their help. I know I have left some of you out but this is what my tired mind can think of right now.

God is good...all the time...in every place.

Thank you God for one more day.

Hat Day!

I am so thankful to have such beautiful and healthy children. They both love the Lord. Julianna is constantly inviting friends to church and is a great Bible student. Cameron writes me notes that say "I love God and Mommy."They have their strengths and struggles but I feel so blessed each day to have them in my life.

My "hat" is off to you.

More than Tired

Jim has been feeling more than rough the past few days. He is having trouble with shortness of breath and shooting pains whenever he moves more than a couple of feet. His doctors said this was because his heart is continually getting weaker and it can not adequately supply the body with the blood flow that it needs.

When you see Jim, he looks great. But if you watch him, really watch him. He is having to lean against walls more, he is having to concentrate on breathing...he is more than tired.

He is gone to the Advanced Heart Failure group today for a check-up. His mother took him so I could teach my classes. I hope and pray that he tells them everything that has been going on. You know Jim, he doesn't want to speak up and tell how he really feels. For those of you at the Ironaton church of Christ, you can notice that he took himself off of the prayer list. It is not that he doesn't want and need prayers...that is just his way of saying "I will be okay."

Please count your blessings. So many of us think that getting out of the bed is no big thing...or running and playing with our kids. You are blessed.

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME. TODAY I WILL THANK YOU FOR THAT!

Thank you God for one more day.