Back From JAX

We had a good report yesterday from Dr. Oldenburg.

Dad talked to Rhonda, the transplant coordinator as we were leaving Mayo and she said she would tell the committee this week and he should get a letter next week.

Now we just wait for the call with a kidney!!

Granny has been busy shopping for Christmas. We are going to take her shopping either today or tomorrow. She really needs to get out of that house.

Love to all!!

48 Years...

I went by Dad and Mom's this morning to help Dad get his labs together. He was talking about his kidney transplant hopes and that all he wants is 4 or 5 more years to snuggle up to his "sweet thing."

I reminded him that it had been 48 today, to which he got choked up. "I guess your right."

So if you think about it later, call and make their day.

I love you all!!!!!

D'Ann & Gregory's Wedding Pictures... Follow the links instructions.

Hey guys, hope married life is treating you well!

I'll have DVD's burned for you this week. In the mean time, you can pass out this link for everyone to view your photos.

http://www.sendtoprint.net/ Enter "gregdeann"

Dancing in the Rain

Randy and I are planning on leaving tomorrow morning around 3:30am heading for Georgia. I heard this morning when I got to work that the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge is going to be closed until Sunday. We will have to detour north and come out in Baton Rouge. Please pray for our trip. Sheri texted this morning to say that Ethan had to take Daddy back to the hospital this morning around 3:30. He seemed to be in "fluid overload". I believe that is CHF (Congestive Heart Failure).

Mama said Daddy had the "Best Time" with Buddy when got here for the surgery.

I read a quote the other day that was so wonderful, "Life isn't about enduring the storms, but learning how to dance in the rain." I am looking forward to having my own "Best Time" with them for just a few days....

Jax, Fl. 11-14-07

Dad is talking, sounds good, no problems at this time. All is well!

I hope to have him home tomorrow evening.

He was, more than mildly, upset about not being able to drive for 2 weeks.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, to everyone that prayed... especially family and Truthway.

In Jacksonville, Fl.

Tomorrow @ 2pm Dad is having surgery on his carotid artery. He has 90% blockage.

We met with the doctor this morning, everything seems okay to proceed.

Thank you all of your prayers.

Next Week

Dad will need to be in JAX for 9am next Tuesday. Tim let me know if this won't work so I can try to maybe switch days or something. Still no surgery time won't know til Tuesday. We are sitting at St. Luke's waiting for his appt. here. Love you all!

Dad's Surgery

I spoke to Dad a few minutes ago. He sounded excited that Tim is coming out to take him to Jacksonville. I mentioned that I would just drive down that Wednesday for the surgery, and he said, "Well Buddy will be here. He said he could come back here Thursday and bring me home."

I will let you know the specific times and such. I am going over this afternoon to look at the letters he got in. I will just drive down that Wednesday when I get off work. It is a risky surgery and I would hate for one of us to be there alone.

Mom is doing poorly again. She has been bleeding pretty bad from her mouth. Her blood count has dropped some, but I guess not enough for a transfusion again. She looked really bad yesterday.

I will go with Dad next Tuesday to Jacksonville for some labwork, then Wednesday we will go to Valdosta to take Mom to see Dr Ziegler. Hopefully he will give us a good report. The next week we will do the surgery and then Saturday my family and I will head out for Orlando. I will be back late Wednesday night and I am off Thanksgiving so I can go over and cook something up for Dad and Mom.

I'll keep you all posted. Love you!!!

Dad

We made another trip to Mayo today. They did an ultrasound which showed Dad is 75-99% blocked on the right side of his neck. They are going to do an angiogram Thursday to show exactly how blocked then we will go back Friday morning to meet with the doctor.

My impression is that we will be doing the surgery from what the doctor was saying today, so as soon as it is lined up I'll let you all know.

Dad, of course, is frustrated and doesn't understand why he has to have another test....the perils of healthcare!!!

I love you all so much. Being with you this weekend meant more to me than you could ever know. I am part of the best family in the world! I'll try to post some pictures soon.

Church Sign

Happy Birthday!

To my wonderful brother.

I love you so much even though you are officially older than dirt...

Good Time in Calgary with the Kings...

The view from the the King's home. Overlooking Calgary.



Look from the Plus Fifteen system.

China Town.

Here are some more pictures. Bro. King drove us into Calgary downtown. We went into the shopping area to look around. An interesting thing in the Downtown area of Calgary is called,'Plus Fifteen'. There are enclosed walking bridges in between the building downtown, so in the winter the Calgarians can walk to different building without going outside.

Be Praying for Dad...

He is really feeling under the weather. He has a low grade temp and chills. I called the clinic and they called him in an antibiotic. He has continued to have UTI symptoms. The doctor wants him to see an Urologist which of course aggravated Dad to no end...

Mom sounds good today. She is ready to get home so she can take care of Dad. I hated to leave him to go to work but he said he'd be ok. I'll have the kids go by when they get off work.

Dad and I will go get Mama when I get off Monday morning.

Love you all!!!

As requested by my big bear...er, um, brother

Mom is doing better today. She had gone into Congestive Heart Failure, but she said she can breath much better today. I did not find out until yesterday but obviously Mom had been really laying on the pain meds. The nurses said she had been up wandering the halls disoriented. They also had to give her Narcan which reverses the effects of narcotics. I know when we went in one night they had a hard time getting her to wake up. They had to even do a sternal rub (for D'Ann). I was pretty upset to say the least.

Her feet are doing really well and I think when she does get up she is doing so without the pain that she had been having previously. Her kidney function is still not as it should be. They did an echocardiogram this morning and said her heart valve looked good, so that was a good sign.

Uncle Bud came to see her and that really did a lot for her. It was good to see him. He is looking really good. He called this morning and said they are hoping she can go home this weekend.

Dad is doing good. We are doing dialysis right now. He gets lost when Mama is not around. Uncle Bud couldn't believe how things are now.

Hope ya'll are having a good time and a well deserved break. Looking forward to my own in November. Love you all!!!

D'Ann, my poor baby, sick all by yourself. Aunt Sher loves you!!!

Vacation in Calgary

Sissy said, this is a picture of two bears. Whatever could she mean?

Sissy, Whit, and I are in Calgary with the Kings. Today we drove up into Banff and Lake Louise in the Rockies. Even though it was cloudy the grandeur of God was so evident.

Give me an update on Mom and Dad, please. I will be calling tomorrow sometime. I miss my other baby badly. I wish you were here Tidy.

Dad and Mom

Dad and I just got back from Jacksonville. We will have to go back on 10/22 for another carotid ultrasound and then see the doctor that afternoon. He said he can have the transplant even if he is 100% blocked, (technically) but he would recommend the surgery. It would not be stents, but surgery. So we will see

Mom was a little more with it today when I talked to her. She said she may get to go home next week with "a lot of restriction." I probably won't be able to see her again until Sunday because of Dad's dialysis and work. So she will probably have "poochie lip" by then.

Love you all!!!
Sheri

Wedding Info...

Here's a link for some wedding info....

http://weddings.theknot.com/pwp/view/co_main.aspx?coupleid=3297675657143811

Love y'all and can't wait to see all of you at the wedding....

OK D'Ann

Are we formal, semi formal, just dressy or what? Aunt Sher is trying to loose some more weight so I won't be the *fat Aunt* at the wedding so I need to know stuff...colors...etc.

I love you sweetpea. Let me know if I can do anything.

More Pictures of Douglas Church

Here are some more shots before service last week.

Love you all!
Sheri

On Our Way to JAX

The eye visit went well today. We will go back in a month and if it has not improved he wants to do *REAL* surgery on his eye, which should still be an outpatient procedure.

Dad and I are about to leave for Jacksonville. We thought it better to go tonight than get up before the chickens and leave in the morning.

So be praying that everything goes well. Tim I'll see you tomorrow.

I love you all!

Sheri

Douglas Truth Harbor

I will post some later today of the empty building as I am going over to straighten up. Be praying about the bathroom situation. I don't know how well that is going to work out.

Jacksonville Thursday...

I will be flying out to be with Dad Thursday... He is having a heart cath... Please pray for him and mom that God will get them up and mobile... It is a "Real Deal" for a man who is used to going like a banshee all his life to being slowed down at this stage...

If everything is fine I should be back home Friday night... Love you... JTM

Just a quick note

Mom says she is feeling better today. They changed her antibiotic. The place on the bottom of her foot grew out a different type of staph instead of staph aureous so this staph should be responsive to this new antibiotic. Mom said she is hoping to go home tomorrow or the next day.

Ethan said Papa is doing good. Said he is going to refuse dialysis there Friday and just come home because he said it takes too long there. I don't know what we'll do about giving him dialysis Friday, I guess we'll just have to work it out. Ethan is going to talk to him tonight about how we can work it. I will work tonight and tomorrow so I don't know what we will do about getting it all together. I was thinking he would have it there Friday and then make a batch Saturday and I would do a treatment Sunday and Monday since he is going back Tuesday, but I don't know now what we will do.

Be praying for a couple in our church that's little 3 year old son shot and killed himself yesterday while his mother was cleaning someone's house. He found a gun on the dresser and shot himself in the neck. He died in her arms before help could come. He was such a sweet little fellow. My heart is just broken for that family.

D'Ann, how many questions did you end up having to answer? I am putting you a little something in the mail. I hope you like it. I want one now for myself!!!

I love you all!

This morning

Left Mom in good spirits. Helped her get up last night. She is anxious to get back on her feet which is an improvement from last time.

Dad and Ethan made it to Jacksonville without any problems. I'll call to check on them later to see how everything is going.

Right now sleep is calling. Love you all!!!

I passed my nclex exam!!!! Thank you, Jesus! Thank y'all so much for all your prayers... Love y'all.....

Ready to Make Plans

Ethan finally had a chance to talk with Pastor today(er, um yesterday now I guess). He was very encouraged and said Pastor helped him a great deal and confirmed some things in him. So he is ready to get to his Uncle Tim.

Let me know some dates. I talked to Bobby and we can probably fly him out to you and then Bobby can see his retailers in Mississippi and swing over and pick him up. He will start school again on August 10th.

We have been having good church. A young man by the name of Bro. Kelly Holland has been here. And as I am typing this it just hit me who he is. I think this young man is the one whose father has the church in Glennville, GA. Is that right, Cyndi?

Anyway, what awesome services. We are getting very excited about the prospect of a building here. I think Bro. Wood is going to talk to Pastor and see about doing an offering for the chairs. We are going to buy a keyboard for the church, but in the meantime, I will probably bring mine over there and leave it to keep from hauling it back and forth.

I love you all. I will keep you posted. Give me an idea of dates and you guys let me know about Thanksgiving so I can find a place to book. Have a blessed day.

Is E. H. B. planning a trip to the Promise Land of Cenla?...

a post from the "working woman"

I'm still in orientation...I 'm just rotating to different units right now. I'll finally start working nights on my home floor next week (Thanks be to God! These 5:30 morning are killing me!!!) Anyway...I take my state boards on July 13th (that's right ...Friday the 13th ;) Please be in much prayer...I'm a nervous wreck and can't seem to motivate myself to study...Love to all, D'Ann

In Calgary...

I was sitting on the King's porch...checking messages, reading, generally enjoying the view and the climate...

It is 12 degrees Celsius or 53 degrees fahrenheit... A little overcast and breezy... Just splendid...

The King's home is on a hill overlooking the City of Calgary ( approximately 1 million population) and just to the west the Canadian Rockies... I wish I could transfer the weather and the view home...

I am lonely for my girls, that is the best view and one I don't have here... God bless...

Gettin' in the Groove

I have officially finished my first week back on the OB unit. I must say, other than the debilitating tiredness I feel pretty good about life at this moment.

After working Sunday night I saw a patient I had checked in Wal Mart (imagine that) and she waved and waved at me. And when I got to work last night one of the nurses kept saying how my patient from that morning and her family kept bragging on me. This was an element of my life that was missing and I'm glad to have it back.

It's going to take me a little time to get back into the swing since I have been sitting on the proverbial bench for 3 1/2 years now, but I don't think it's going to take me as long as I originally thought. I already feel comfortable like I have been bound but now I am loosed.

I haven't heard from my other little nurse, so I'm thinking all must be well in the CHF/Renal world. I'm excited to hear her stories and experiences from life in the trenches. I know she is picking it all up quick!

Cyndi left today, and I must say I felt very mournful and cried a lot *don't tell her that, OK?* She has gone back to her life and I should be glad since that means Dad and Mom are well enough to leave, but she stayed too long and I became accustomed to her presence. There is just something about knowing my brother or sister are right here that is so wonderful. And I am like Tim, except I think they all just need to move here so we can be together. Hey, we'd already have a congregation with all of us!!!

I am anticipating life taking a more predictable course and I will be glad to fit again instead of feeling like a square peg trying to fit the round holes in my life. I love you all so much...

Travel, travel, rush, rush, rush...

Sissy will be in Dallas tomorrow, coming home Friday evening. I am flying to Calgary for a "Harvest Weekend" Friday Morning and will be back in Louisiana Monday night. Bro. King wants Whit to go to Canada to their "Youth Congress" July 4th - 6th... Mom and Whit (maybe me too) are looking at going to Heritage in Colorado Springs in July...

Meanwhile, back at home Bro. Sibley our Adm. Pastor is in Texas somewhere until the 26th of June, leaving my young preachers, holding down the fort, this weekend...

Life is expedientially moving at an unrealistic pace...

Be careful on your way home, Cyndi... Come as soon as you can, Sheri... and wherever we travel, let us meet in the rapture... J. Tim

Mother's Day

Yesterday was Father's Day... Today and the rest of the year is Mother's Day. Perhaps you have read Harold Bell Wright's book- The Uncrowned King, We are writing our own called,"The Enthroned Queen"...

It is an epic story of a woman and her little Deere...

We miss you all and hope to see you soon. Give Dad a hug and kisses from me and the girls...

Back From Legacy

The kids and I had an awesome time this past week. It was like leaving reality behind and stepping into another world. The new overseer of the campground (which is a Baptist campground) said his staff told him they looked forward to the Apostolic camp each year because we were so considerate.

They told him he would not believe it, we played basketball, volleyball, we swam and did all kinds of outdoor recreation *with our clothes on!* They were amazed. He also told Bro. Bass to pass on to all of us that we should never lose our testimony.

Since Sis. Godair has been sick we had Bro. Burgess in the evening, and Bro. Calhoun from Texas in the morning. It was so wonderful, I would that you could have all been there. We probably had close to 1000 in the evening services, the day services were broken up in age groups. We even had a church from Illinois come. I suppose there were 16 churches represented.

It was good to see Mom and Dad. Cyndi has them both up and running. I'll start back on OB tomorrow night, and Bobby will be going back on the road as a salesman. I am prayerful that I can eventually go part time which is my DREAM!

Well, I love you all!!!!

By the way...I love the picture of you with your reading glasses perched on the end of your nose. You are still the handsomest big brother ever! Happy Father's Day.

I'll walk you around.

Here are pictures of the outside of our home. Hopefully you all can come out to see it in person...

here i go....

i'm out in the working force....scary huh?....i started orientation today...i still feel way too young to be taking people's lives into my hands every day....anyway...love y'all....tell granny and poppa i said hello and i love them and am praying for them...

Mom & Dad

It was good to have my Big Brother and my wonderful niece here for a time. Nice to have some more shoulders here to help carry life.

Glad you made it home safe and sound.

And it will be good to have my Big *Little* Sister here for a time.

I love you all so much!!!!

D'Ann & Daddy on the Road

We have to tie up some loose ends here and then we will be traveling to GA to check on Granny Merritt. I should be there early Tues. morning. God bless. JTM

We're Engaged!!!

I just wanted to let everyone know that Greg and I are engaged to be married on October 20, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. He asked me last Friday night.... I am sooo, extremely happy!!! I'll keep y'all up to date on details... His dad wrote this poem and read it when he announced our engagement to their church...

Gregory & D’Ann

It was a chance meeting in a place far away,
A glance, a moment from which dividends would pay.

Time passed, hearts were offered, and then
Because of struggles they were gathered back again.

One heart was tendered, then broken in two.
The other committed only to be removed.

Wandering hearts asking God for His will
It seemed there was nobody, the void to fill.

Then inspiration, an invitation to the ball;
When he asked the question, she answered the call.

It’s been a long journey fill with moments of care
I like you, I like you, the whispers filled the air.

Then came the moment, like revelation from above,
This can’t be just like, I know I’m in love.

The friendship, the courtship found over the phone
Produced a relationship, now we’ll not be alone.

The way seemed fraught with perilous steps,
But God in His mercy, each footstep kept.

A night down at Shapley’s, a gourmet repast,
A moment on one knee, we’ll marry at last.

And so the date’s given as October 20, 2007.
Greg and D’Ann will find matrimonial heaven!

Congratulations to you both from Mama and me
We’re thankful God’s given us such a blessing to see!

Mother

I was able to talk to mom, via phone, on Mother's day. She sounded good-upbeat. She also thanked me for her gift (thank you Sheri)... It was encouraging to have her out of CCU and in a private room with a phone. Perhaps she will be released today. Let's continue to pray. JTM

Mama

I just talked to Dad and they are in the process of moving Mama out of ICU!!!!!!!!!!!!The Lord is so GOOD!! He always makes a way....I am planning on leaving L.C. Wed. after work and driving to Pineville for the Pinning and will be there for Graduation...I have made arrangements to leave school on the 24th. They will have a sub come in until the end of the school year and Randell will take me to Georgia on the 25th, where I will stay until.......Please pray for his job situation....We truly serve an awesome God...and he has been to Good to US!!

Latest Update

I left Mom a little while ago to see about Dad. But it was evident what an awesome God we serve. Mom's spirits are great today. Even though she is uncomfortable she is smiling and laughing. For the first time in way tooooo long, I had my Mama back. Oh how gracious God is! He always knows just what is needed, always right on time.
We are hoping to get out of ICU tomorrow. And I think Monday would be reasonable for discharge. She is stronger than I can even express. Her mind is sharp, and so is her wit. And Dad's is happy knowing she is on the mend.

On another note: I am weighing my options. I'll talk to the director of OR Monday. I spoke with the director of ER/ICU today about an ER position. I think she is willing to help me with my schedule (which would be wonderful) and then I wouldn't have call like I would with OR. I really need to stay in Coffee County because of everything going on. It would be night shift, 36/36, but I think that will work the best. I only get about 5 hours of sleep a night anyway!! And it would mean I need to refresh my EKG knowledge and take ACLS and PALS (D'Ann, you know what I mean, *nurse* talk ;-> )
Since I made up my mind to go back to patient care I feel like the world has lifted off of my shoulders. Please continue to help me pray.

Update from Georgia

At approximately 1pm (GA time) tomorrow we will return to OR to have the L great toe and the R 4th toe removed. He also wanted to scope her knee to rinse it out with antibiotics, to which she refuses. (I don't really see the need so I didn't push this). She bled from her mouth from about 545pm until about 930pm. The gave her another unit of FFP (fresh frozen plasma) and the GI doc came in *finally* and looked in her mouth. She was actually bleeding from her tongue!! The doctor said he feels like this is where it came from in the past when her mouth bled. She held pressure and it stopped. Bobby said it was about the size of an ink pen tip.

More tomorrow. Let's cont to pray and be encouraged in the Lord. Mom's faith is still great!!

Sissy's Birthday

The church honored Sissy with a cake, cards, and gifts.

Mama Peggy Merritt

Just got off the phone with Dad. Mom's blood sugar is up to 130, when it had been as low as 33... Good news is always welcome. Let's continue to pray. God bless. JTM

Mama Peggy Merritt

We had a good season of prayer for Mom and Dad this morning. Thank you to all that read our blog for holding her up in prayer. She is @ Coffee County Regional in ICU (912)384-1900. I am waiting for an update on her condition. God bless. JTM

House Full of Women!

And all of them BEAUTIFUL... Notice how one seems to be in all the pictures?