Birthday Week- Camo's Concussion

We have been in and out of the hospital or doctor’s office every week but one since Christmas. That one week I had two flare ups. To say the last few months have been hard would be a HUGE understatement. What can you do for me? PRAY. Pray for us daily. Take one minute and ask God to give us courage and strength to continue to endure these trials.

I just gave midterms and spring break is around the corner. I need a break in every sense of the word. I pray that we will stay well and be able to enjoy that week.

Right now, Julianna and Cameron are having sinus problems. I am having several flare ups and Jim stated that he was not feeling well at all tonight. We already have 2 doctors’ appointments this week. Hope things get better.

By the way, if you don’t already know. Cameron received a concussion from a nasty fall in PE on Wednesday, March 6^th. We had to rush him to the hospital. He was vomiting and couldn’t stay awake. It was so scary. He is doing better. He is still having headaches and goes for an MRI next week.

We have a BIG week of birthdays this week. Jim will turn 38 on Tuesday and Cameron will be 7 this week. So excited for Jim to see another birthday. Cameron is loving birthdays more and more each year.

Julianna is thriving. She had her first drama performance this past week. They did some Dr. Seuss books. I am so glad that she is enjoying so many of the various activities at school. I am the MOST proud of Julianna for calling or walking to her friends’ houses and inviting them to church, youth devos…you name it she is busy trying to others involved. She is always telling me that she invites people at school and several of them have been able to come to a service here and there or a youth devo. I  AM SO PROUD!

We are so humbled by the continuous cards, phone calls, e-mails and especially the financial gifts to help with the increasing costs to care for Jim. We pray that through our faithful service to HIM we can be a light to others through these trying times. Please pray for us. Please become an organ donor. Thank you and may God get the glory in all things.

Sick Kids

Feb. 17^th

Julianna is sick with the stomach virus and I had a flare up today. So thankful that Jim and Cameron are feeling good. Please pray for Julianna. It has been an EXTREMELY brutal virus.
I HATE missing church. Hopefully we will be better real soon.

Feb. 20^th

Julianna went back to school and so did I. Praying God will help us to have a "normal" rest of the week. Thanks for all the get well wishes.

Feb. 23^rd

Well, we just can’t stay out of the doctor’s office. Cameron has strep. :( I want us all better for one whole week....PLEASE!

Six Months Listed- The High Cost of IV Meds

Today marks the six month that Jim has been on the transplant list. We need your prayers that he will receive the gift of a new heart soon.
We have received numerous financial gifts and we are so thankful. Right now the PICC line meds alone cost $1980 a month. This is after the insurance has paid.

Praise be to God that so many have helped us. We are so humbled and thankful for your gifts.

A Really Tuff Day

Well yesterday was probably one of the worst days in a long time. We went to play Julianna's first basketball game of this season and everything was great until the game before ours ended. She made it clear to me, the team, and everyone there that she was not playing basketball. It put a damper on the whole team. The team struggled and I had to try to coach and take care of her on the bench. Thank God Cliff Goodwin was there. He was able to talk to her. We ended up losing 23-17. I am still having a hard time with how everything when down. When we got home, I took care of things. (Proverbs 22:15)

 We then had a great meal at home...where I spilled everything in the floor (of course, after I had just mopped).

 We went to UAB. Saw Jim, he is under isolation. You have to wear gloves and a gown if you want to see him. All the children did the whole visit was tell me how hungry they were. (Really?) Jim had a better day. As of last night he was fever free for 24 hours. YEAH!

 I have enjoyed doing the simple things for him. I got to change the sheets on his bed, then I washed his back, arms, and legs. He is unable to take a shower.

 We made it home safe once more (PRAISE GOD!). We read the Bible and went to bed. I am so thankful that today is Sunday, so I can worship God and be able my fellow Christians.

 Thank God today...were you able to take a shower, did you have family to greet you this morning, do you have a church family that loves you. We have SO much to be thankful for. Let us live like we believe that God CAN do all things.

January 14

JIM IS HOME! Things are back to normal. Bless his heart he is so tired. This is how I see my husband 90% of the time. He sleeps and sleeps. Please pray for us. Jim needs a new heart.

January 19

Got the call yesterday afternoon...Jim is back on the ACTIVE transplant list. He is still very weak and sleeping more and more. I appreciate all of your prayers and well wishes. May God help us to hang in there.  Living by FAITH, not by fear. Jeremiah 32:27

Thankful At Thanksgiving

Jim continues to do pretty good most days. He has had several more days where he has having to take several naps to get through the day. He gets so gray especially around his eyes. I know he is so tired and that his circulation is bad. We had to call the doctor again today because of dizzy spells, shortness of breath and increased fatigue. We are praying that God will give us more time.

We had a great Thanksgiving. At the congregation we attend, Ironaton church of Christ, we fix food plates for those that are shut-in, those in nursing homes, those that have fallen on hard times. We buy food from Cracker Barrel. You know that stuff is good. Jim wasn’t able to help this year. He was just too tired. Julianna and I went and helped to fix over 200 plates. It was AWESOME! Then we went to Jim’s parents home. We got to eat with them and his sister and her daughter. It was so good. Then later we went to see Bo Foster, a friend that we made about 3 months ago when we were in the hospital. He has been waiting on a heart transplant for over 6 months. He got a heart on Tuesday and we couldn’t wait to see how the family was doing. We are so excited for him. We have been praying for it for a long time now.

Julianna is half through the 5^th grade. She is so beautiful. She is starting to have some growing pains. I think she is honestly trying to be a teenager and a child all at the same time. I guess it is that awkward time where you are still young enough to play and run around but old enough to look like a teenager. She will be turning 11 soon. I pray to be as understanding and as consistent as possible. She is looking forward to basketball season. I can’t wait to see how the team turns out. Hope she gets to enjoy herself and learn a lot in the process.

Cameron is doing pretty good in school. He has started coming out of his shell. He is speaking up more and is participating in class. He asked me today, that if he was good all year in school could he have this snow globe Christmas ornament at the end of the year. I was like…really? He is so easy to please. He loves rocks, sticks, anything unusual…like a mattress pad…bubble wrap. He is my sweet little cuddly man.

I can’t believe the semester is almost over for me. I have 2 more weeks of classes and then finals. I have only gotten to know a few of the students really well this time. Unfortunately, so many have had health problems, family problems, or other things hindering them from class. I really hope that Jim is able to get a heart before the year is over with. I will have plenty of time to spend with him. Money is tight and we need every penny we can get. So I hope to work at CACC as long as possible. I know my number one job behind being the best Christian I can be is to take care and support my Jim. I love him and want to help him. It has been a roller coaster ride to say the least. Waves of emotions come and go in minutes, or throughout the day. I pray that God will help me to have the best attitude and to know that He can see how things are going to work out. I know God is so good to me and my family. I just want to bring glory to God in my attitude and actions, in private and in the public.

We deeply appreciate the numerous individuals who have made recent donations to our medical fund. We would also like to thank the Waco church of Christ for their generous donation and continuous support. We are always getting cards from the Waco and Glencoe churches of Christ and from Ken and Billie Sue Butterworth. It is a beam of sunshine when we get those cards. Please continue to keep us in your prayers. That is by far the BEST thing you can do for us. Remember our children. They need your prayers and support as well. Thank you all so much. May God bless each one of you that faithfully server Him. Your service is such an encouragement to us. Keep on fighting the good fight.

*********************BE A HERO…BE A DONOR, SAVE JIM*********************

In Home Health Care

I can’t believe it is already November. Where has this year gone? Jim has been declining ever so slowly but surely each week. He has begun retaining more fluid. He can gain anywhere from a pound a day to 4 lbs. It is mainly showing up in his abdomen and face, but even his tiny bird ankles have started to swell. He has been requiring more rest and has been out of breath more. The nurse, Michelle, has brought a machine that can track his oxygen level, blood pressure, heart rate and weight. This can give the nursing staff early warning signs that something is going on. He has to increase his medication that he receives through his picc line and they have put him on some meds to reduce fluid retention. If you are walking and talking with him, he is liable to get quiet because he can’t catch his breath while he is walking and talking. Even when he moves positions, it takes his breath away. Last Friday, we had to call UAB, because he came so close to blacking out. I saw him staggering and told him to sit down. I call the docs immediately. They thought he might have been dehydrated but he has had an increase in his dizzy spells. Despite all that, he has pressed himself to help a congregation up the road that is without a preacher. The preacher has cancer, and is not doing well. Jim has agreed to help them temporarily. I honestly don’t know how he does it. He is so drained and so weak but he gets up there and he is so beautiful when he is preaching. I have honestly tried to discourage him from doing it. I am scared he will overdo it. I pray that I will let him live his life and continue to do what he loves. What if he doesn’t get a heart, what if it is months from now? I should be ashamed for discouraging him. I am only human. I love him and want him well and with me as long as possible.

The Cost of Transplant (Great News)

Jim has been feeling bad all week. He went to the doctor today. They did lots of blood work and decided to increase his IV meds. He is just not feeling like his old self at all anymore. Please continue to pray. We know that God is at work for us. His time is the best time.

We found out about the medicines. For two months every year his medicine will be $4700. For the remaining 10 months of each year, his medicine will average $1500+. We ask for your prayers that we will get an outstanding heart for Jim and that we will be able to afford the medicines. We know that God will provide a way. We know that God will MAKE a way for us. Help me Lord, to trust You. To lean on You and to know that nothing is too hard for YOU.