Jul 2009
Travis McCollum
07/31/09 21:25
My uncle, Travis
McCollum, was involved in a car accident and broke
his hip. He will have an operation this morning,
Friday, at 11:00 a.m. (I believe that's local time.)
Travis, who is 91 years old, is my dad's brother and
lives in Decatur, Georgia, where the surgery will
take place. Carolyn left this morning to be with him.
Please pray for Travis as well as the doctors and
nurses during the surgery and Carolyn following the
surgery.
Jimmy McCollum
UPDATE: 08/01/2009
Got a call from Carolyn Friday night. She said the doctors postponed the surgery on Travis till Monday. The doctors told us that the surgery will be risky due to the pacemaker Travis has as well as his age. His other option is to let it heal on its own, but he will have to stay in bed and risk getting pnuemonia. We have decided, with his consent, to go with the surgery schedule for Monday. Please continue to pray for Travis as well as the doctors and nurses that the surgery will go well and for Travis' recovery.
UPDATE: 08/06/2009
The doctors postponed Uncle Travis' operation again. This time due to his high heart rate and low blood pressure. We're just taking it day-by-day right now. When they do decide to operate, I'll let you know how it turns out. Meantime, please continue to pray that Travis' pain is minimum, for the doctors to determine the best time to operate and for Travis' recovery.
Jimmy McCollum
UPDATE: 08/07/2009
Carolyn called last night (Thursday) and said Travis' surgery with well but his heart gave them some problems. They put him on a respirator and are keeping an eye on his heart. He is in a room where a nurse is there to monitor his recovery. Please continue praying that Travis will be able to get off the respirator soon and his heart will return to normal.
Jimmy McCollum
UPDATE: 08/10/2009
Uncle Travis was taken off the respirator and his heart is responding well. He is scheduled to have a procedure Monday, to place a filter in a vein near his heart to prevent any clots from getting to his heart. He should be able to start therapy in about 5 days, followed by rehab. Please continue praying for Travis as this is just the next step on his way to recovery.
Jimmy McCollum
UPDATE: 08/12/2009
Dear church family and prayer warriors, Your prayers are such a comfort to Melinda and me as we try to care for Travis McCollum in Atlanta. Knowing that others are praying gives us added strength to face the challenges each day brings in a strange environment and without family and friends nearby. Jimmy has kept everyone informed about specific health conditions, but I wanted you to know how much we appreciate your concern. I will return to Atlanta on Thurs. and covet your continued prayers for Travis: his comfort and peace as he responds to the treatments. Also I humbly ask for prayers for Melinda and me: for guidance in our decision making, for our patience with the patient, and for traveling protection. With faith in God's eternal goodness, Carolyn McCollum
UPDATE: 08/18/2009
Carolyn, Melinda and I appreciate all your prayers for Uncle Travis. The
doctors told us last week that Travis is too weak to be put in a rehab unit. So
we are in the process of finding him a nursing home, possibly in Birmingham,
which will place him closer to my sister's home. However, we learned Sunday
that fluids have developed in his lungs, so you prayers are requested that this
new development doesn't turn to pneumonia. Only until he gets over this will we
be able to transport him to Birmingham.
Jimmy McCollum
Jimmy McCollum
UPDATE: 08/01/2009
Got a call from Carolyn Friday night. She said the doctors postponed the surgery on Travis till Monday. The doctors told us that the surgery will be risky due to the pacemaker Travis has as well as his age. His other option is to let it heal on its own, but he will have to stay in bed and risk getting pnuemonia. We have decided, with his consent, to go with the surgery schedule for Monday. Please continue to pray for Travis as well as the doctors and nurses that the surgery will go well and for Travis' recovery.
UPDATE: 08/06/2009
The doctors postponed Uncle Travis' operation again. This time due to his high heart rate and low blood pressure. We're just taking it day-by-day right now. When they do decide to operate, I'll let you know how it turns out. Meantime, please continue to pray that Travis' pain is minimum, for the doctors to determine the best time to operate and for Travis' recovery.
Jimmy McCollum
UPDATE: 08/07/2009
Carolyn called last night (Thursday) and said Travis' surgery with well but his heart gave them some problems. They put him on a respirator and are keeping an eye on his heart. He is in a room where a nurse is there to monitor his recovery. Please continue praying that Travis will be able to get off the respirator soon and his heart will return to normal.
Jimmy McCollum
UPDATE: 08/10/2009
Uncle Travis was taken off the respirator and his heart is responding well. He is scheduled to have a procedure Monday, to place a filter in a vein near his heart to prevent any clots from getting to his heart. He should be able to start therapy in about 5 days, followed by rehab. Please continue praying for Travis as this is just the next step on his way to recovery.
Jimmy McCollum
UPDATE: 08/12/2009
Dear church family and prayer warriors, Your prayers are such a comfort to Melinda and me as we try to care for Travis McCollum in Atlanta. Knowing that others are praying gives us added strength to face the challenges each day brings in a strange environment and without family and friends nearby. Jimmy has kept everyone informed about specific health conditions, but I wanted you to know how much we appreciate your concern. I will return to Atlanta on Thurs. and covet your continued prayers for Travis: his comfort and peace as he responds to the treatments. Also I humbly ask for prayers for Melinda and me: for guidance in our decision making, for our patience with the patient, and for traveling protection. With faith in God's eternal goodness, Carolyn McCollum
UPDATE: 08/18/2009
Carolyn, Melinda and I appreciate all your prayers for Uncle Travis. The
doctors told us last week that Travis is too weak to be put in a rehab unit. So
we are in the process of finding him a nursing home, possibly in Birmingham,
which will place him closer to my sister's home. However, we learned Sunday
that fluids have developed in his lungs, so you prayers are requested that this
new development doesn't turn to pneumonia. Only until he gets over this will we
be able to transport him to Birmingham.
Jimmy McCollum
|
Jean Bell
07/30/09 23:48
Please
pray for Jean Bell who fell on broke her hip and her
shoulder on Tuesday 07/28. Jean is the mother of
Deborah Paseur. Jean lives at Glenwood Nursing Home
and is 85 years young.
She had successful surgery on Wednesday at ECM but is experiencing a great deal of pain associated with her injuries.
Please keep Jean, Deborah and her family in your prayers.
DeColores!
Thanks,
Mike Schmidlkofer
She had successful surgery on Wednesday at ECM but is experiencing a great deal of pain associated with her injuries.
Please keep Jean, Deborah and her family in your prayers.
DeColores!
Thanks,
Mike Schmidlkofer
John Hart
07/29/09 18:31
Family of Amber Horton
07/27/09 22:05
Please pray for the
family of Sheila Horton, a co-worker and friend of
mine. Her daughter, Amber, was killed in a car
accident this morning on Cloyd Blvd. in
Florence. I know how important prayers are in
helping a family get through a difficult period of
time in their lives.
In Christ,
Betty Burns
In Christ,
Betty Burns
Bo, Becky and family
07/27/09 22:05
I need for everyone to
put on their prayer chain my very good friend's son.
He has recently had surgery for a brain tumor (it is
not malignant); however, it was on his brain stem.
They could not get it all removed on the 1st surgery
(he will have to have a 2nd surgery) and he is now
having complications from leaking fluid and
infection. Becky is a member of our Emmaus community
and we need prayers for Bo and his family.
Thank You!
Your Friend in Christ
Sandra Pankey
Thank You!
Your Friend in Christ
Sandra Pankey
Michael Thompson
07/27/09 22:03
Your
prayers are coveted for 12 year old Michael Thompson,
son of Jeff and
Lyda Thompson, who will begin chemo therapy tomorrow at Children's Hospital
in Birmingham. Please pray that the chemo is effective and that he has mild
side effects. He is schedule to receive chemo three times a month, which
will be rough on this young guy and his family. Thank you.
DeColores
Kathy Parkinson
Lyda Thompson, who will begin chemo therapy tomorrow at Children's Hospital
in Birmingham. Please pray that the chemo is effective and that he has mild
side effects. He is schedule to receive chemo three times a month, which
will be rough on this young guy and his family. Thank you.
DeColores
Kathy Parkinson
Ed Borden passed away.
07/23/09 08:52
Susan
and Ed were on a cruise to Greece with two other
couples, when Ed had a massive heart attack and
passed away. Please pray for Susan. The ship is on
its way to France, where Ed's body will be
taken off and shipped home. Susan thinks that may be
Saturday. Please pray for her comfort and peace and
safety home. The cruise company is working to get all
of them home as quick as possible (The other couples
are the Reeves and the Terrells).
UPDATE: 08/02/2009
Visitation is 11:00-1:00, with the funeral following at
Sheffield First United Methodist Church. Please remember Susan
and her family in your thoughts and prayers.
De Colores!
UPDATE: 08/02/2009
Visitation is 11:00-1:00, with the funeral following at
Sheffield First United Methodist Church. Please remember Susan
and her family in your thoughts and prayers.
De Colores!
| Ed's funeral will be Monday, August 3. |
Terri Ash
07/17/09 11:23
My
sister, Terri Ash, will be having a kidney ultra
sound tomorrow morning at 8am. She is the one
that has MS and diabeties. The
protein in her urine is off the charts.
They have been trying different drug combination so
not sure what to blame, could be an MS episode.
The drugs are either for MS or diabeties...no testing
has been done for people who have both
diseases. She also has a consult for a possible
upper GI procedure next Tuesday. Please pray
for the wisdom for the doctors tending to her
and for Terri, peace and comfort in knowing that He
is in control and in His faithfulness, she will
be blessed.
In Him,
Lori
In Him,
Lori
Renn Triplets
07/16/09 22:27
Horace
07/16/09 22:27
Please
pray for Linda Romine's (in my Sunday School class)
father, Horace. He is having surgery tomorrow to
amputate right leg below knee due to diabetes. Please
pray for peace for the family and all the adjustments
that will have to be made.
Bonnie
UPDATE: 07/17/2009
Linda Romine's father, Horace came thru his surgery this morning great. His right leg has to be amputated below the knee, but everything went according to plan. Please pray for his recovery and rehab now. Thank you so much for all of your prayers.
Bonnie
UPDATE: 07/17/2009
Linda Romine's father, Horace came thru his surgery this morning great. His right leg has to be amputated below the knee, but everything went according to plan. Please pray for his recovery and rehab now. Thank you so much for all of your prayers.
Gena
07/15/09 18:36
Texas Wildfires
07/13/09 18:30
Linda
Romine, who is in my Sunday School class, has a
friend, John, who lives in Wimberley, Texas. She just
heard that a wildfire has broken out in his
subdivision. Please pray for the protection of his
home and the entire area. It is very dry there and
this is a dangerous situation.
Bonnie
UPDATE: 07/14/2009
Spoke w/Linda Romine last night. Her friend John's home was spared from the fire. It stopped at the back edge of his property. Thank you LORD!! He expressed his sincere thanks for your prayers.
Bonnie
Bonnie
UPDATE: 07/14/2009
Spoke w/Linda Romine last night. Her friend John's home was spared from the fire. It stopped at the back edge of his property. Thank you LORD!! He expressed his sincere thanks for your prayers.
Bonnie
Barbara Dickey
07/09/09 21:46
Please
pray for Barbara Dickey who is hospitalized for
diverticulitis and will have to have surgery
scheduled for this. She has a first time to Europe
trip planned next month (Ireland) and has prepaid.
She is hurting, but also concerned about the trip. As
God, in his wisdom, to heal her and work things out
in the best possible way.
Anne Roy
Anne Roy
Michael Thompson
07/08/09 22:50
Well,
today is Monday, July 6th.
Michael and Jeff arrived safely in Arkansas.
God is good, and His timing is PERFECT.
We’d been waiting since the end of May for Blue Cross/Blue Shield to approve Michael’s chemotherapy treatments. Many of you know that the wait has not been pleasant for me – the Mom – because I am, admittedly, an impatient New Yorker. The doctors at Children’s have been wonderful about keeping me informed every step of the way, but their hands were tied by the bureaucracy of the pre-determination/pre-approval process of the insurance company. They’d asked and had been rejected 4 times already and were on the 5th attempt at sending MORE requested medical information to the nameless, faceless doctors at BC/BS (emphasis on BS).
Last week (thank you, Gail Cassel) I called Blue Cross and got a case manager. Funny how God works…. When I called Customer Service, they gave me the phone number for “my” case manager. I don’t know what determines which one “mine” is – our city, our zip code, our contract number, our shoe size, our hair color…. Anyway, I called the number I was given – only to be greeted with the “I’m on vacation & won’t be back until” message. I was invited to leave a message or to call her supervisor who would, in turn, give me the phone number of the person charged with taking “my” case managers calls. (Picture unhappy, frustrated Lyda….)
I called and got the number for the replacement. I expected to get a harried, overworked, overloaded, and impatient person. What I got was a friendly, sympathetic nurse who seemed to truly care about the situation. God has a sense of humor: her last name is Lavender – a shade of purple, which is the color for Lupus awareness. (There are no coincidences. Just a little funny between God & me.) She got all of my information and got to work.
Michael has not had a great time of it these last couple of weeks. He’s run fevers, been quite tired, had headaches, and had a nosebleed that scared me. This only heightened my frustration. I came to the decision this past weekend that Michael was going to have the chemo one way or the other. “One way” involved me calling St. Jude’s to see if they handled autoimmune disorders and would take his case. I knew that they didn’t care if you had insurance or not – at least with the cancer patients. I thought it would be worth a try. “The other” involved me finding some way to pay for it myself. Those of you who know my current financial situation are probably laughing hysterically at that notion, but I can be creative when it comes to my baby!!! I’m not above felonious behavior!!!
My plan of action was to drop off Jeff & Michael at church this morning and to come in and first, call Blue Cross to check the status, and then to call St. Jude’s. Unbeknownst to me, God had already worked it out. I came to work & had a message from Blue Cross on my voice mail. Ms. Lavender told me that she’d found out that Michael had been approved for chemo already – on June 12th!! Letters had been mailed to the doctors and to us already according to BC/BS.
Here’s the evidence of the perfection of God’s plan. Had either or both of received the letters, Michael would have already started the chemo. The doctors would not have wanted Michael to be out of the state, so he wouldn’t have been able to go to church camp – an event he’d been looking forward to for weeks, if not months. I know without a shadow of a doubt that God WANTS Michael at this camp. I KNOW that he is going to do an amazing work in Michael this week at this camp. Why do I know this? Because – here we go again – God’s hand is ALL OVER THIS. When Michael arrived at camp, he discovered that the camp leader/organizer is a recent graduate of Shoals Christian School (the school Michael goes to and loves SO much). [For those of you who are SCS people – it’s Tom Berryman.] Now I KNOW he’s with someone who knows & cares about him and is familiar with his situation. And God made it so that I’d find out about it WHEN I needed to. I didn’t have to call St. Jude’s and make a fool of myself, I didn’t have to call Blue Cross and make more terrorist threats, and Michael got to go to camp!
I am humbled that God would see fit to do this for little old me. I think I needed that reminder that He is aware of and is taking care of my needs.
Thank you all for your faithful prayers for Michael and for me. This has been very hard. And now the truly hard part is about to begin. Pray that we have the finances to make these semi-monthly trips to Birmingham. Pray that Jeff and I will be able to take off from work to be with our only child. And pray for this if you pray for nothing else: pray that Michael is healed.
I will keep you posted.
Lyda Marie Thompson
God is good, and His timing is PERFECT.
We’d been waiting since the end of May for Blue Cross/Blue Shield to approve Michael’s chemotherapy treatments. Many of you know that the wait has not been pleasant for me – the Mom – because I am, admittedly, an impatient New Yorker. The doctors at Children’s have been wonderful about keeping me informed every step of the way, but their hands were tied by the bureaucracy of the pre-determination/pre-approval process of the insurance company. They’d asked and had been rejected 4 times already and were on the 5th attempt at sending MORE requested medical information to the nameless, faceless doctors at BC/BS (emphasis on BS).
Last week (thank you, Gail Cassel) I called Blue Cross and got a case manager. Funny how God works…. When I called Customer Service, they gave me the phone number for “my” case manager. I don’t know what determines which one “mine” is – our city, our zip code, our contract number, our shoe size, our hair color…. Anyway, I called the number I was given – only to be greeted with the “I’m on vacation & won’t be back until” message. I was invited to leave a message or to call her supervisor who would, in turn, give me the phone number of the person charged with taking “my” case managers calls. (Picture unhappy, frustrated Lyda….)
I called and got the number for the replacement. I expected to get a harried, overworked, overloaded, and impatient person. What I got was a friendly, sympathetic nurse who seemed to truly care about the situation. God has a sense of humor: her last name is Lavender – a shade of purple, which is the color for Lupus awareness. (There are no coincidences. Just a little funny between God & me.) She got all of my information and got to work.
Michael has not had a great time of it these last couple of weeks. He’s run fevers, been quite tired, had headaches, and had a nosebleed that scared me. This only heightened my frustration. I came to the decision this past weekend that Michael was going to have the chemo one way or the other. “One way” involved me calling St. Jude’s to see if they handled autoimmune disorders and would take his case. I knew that they didn’t care if you had insurance or not – at least with the cancer patients. I thought it would be worth a try. “The other” involved me finding some way to pay for it myself. Those of you who know my current financial situation are probably laughing hysterically at that notion, but I can be creative when it comes to my baby!!! I’m not above felonious behavior!!!
My plan of action was to drop off Jeff & Michael at church this morning and to come in and first, call Blue Cross to check the status, and then to call St. Jude’s. Unbeknownst to me, God had already worked it out. I came to work & had a message from Blue Cross on my voice mail. Ms. Lavender told me that she’d found out that Michael had been approved for chemo already – on June 12th!! Letters had been mailed to the doctors and to us already according to BC/BS.
Here’s the evidence of the perfection of God’s plan. Had either or both of received the letters, Michael would have already started the chemo. The doctors would not have wanted Michael to be out of the state, so he wouldn’t have been able to go to church camp – an event he’d been looking forward to for weeks, if not months. I know without a shadow of a doubt that God WANTS Michael at this camp. I KNOW that he is going to do an amazing work in Michael this week at this camp. Why do I know this? Because – here we go again – God’s hand is ALL OVER THIS. When Michael arrived at camp, he discovered that the camp leader/organizer is a recent graduate of Shoals Christian School (the school Michael goes to and loves SO much). [For those of you who are SCS people – it’s Tom Berryman.] Now I KNOW he’s with someone who knows & cares about him and is familiar with his situation. And God made it so that I’d find out about it WHEN I needed to. I didn’t have to call St. Jude’s and make a fool of myself, I didn’t have to call Blue Cross and make more terrorist threats, and Michael got to go to camp!
I am humbled that God would see fit to do this for little old me. I think I needed that reminder that He is aware of and is taking care of my needs.
Thank you all for your faithful prayers for Michael and for me. This has been very hard. And now the truly hard part is about to begin. Pray that we have the finances to make these semi-monthly trips to Birmingham. Pray that Jeff and I will be able to take off from work to be with our only child. And pray for this if you pray for nothing else: pray that Michael is healed.
I will keep you posted.
Lyda Marie Thompson
Renn Triplets
07/07/09 18:52
We have Independent Babies...... At least they are
born into the world.
Christie Renn had her three babies this morning (July 4th) around 6 am by c-section.
They are early...... (maybe 27 wks)
They are in the NICU unit at Druid City Hospital, Northport - Women's Center.
They are currently on vent...., wrapped in warming wrap..... and holding their own.
The next 5 to 8 days are critical outside the womb.
We are praying for complete development and one area of concern the grandmother (Rita Heathcock) said was that we need no stimulation so the brain will not have any bleeding or hemorrhaging. This can cause development issues for life.
They are little, they have long black hair, their hands are the size of your thumbnail and they all weight above 2 lbs....
Please be praying for God's Blessings on Gavin, Caroline, and Emily Renn.
Parents are Christie and Scott Renn.
Grandparents are Gary and Rita Heathcock.
Brother is 3 yr old Carter.
Thank you for your prayers for our great nephew and nieces...
Uncle Reece and Aunt Sharon Stewart
UPDATE: 07/14/2009
Thank you for your continued prayers for my family. The triplets are now 11 days old. They continue to have their daily ups and downs... We just received word that Caroline Grace is holding steady.... Gavin Scott and Emily Ann's holes in their hearts have closed up....Emily Ann just got a shot for her lungs and expected to improve... They are backing off on the oxygen in the vent..... for the girls (Gavin Scott is just using c-pap).
Thank you everyone for your daily prayers for my great nephew and nieces...... The family is feeling your prayers of support and love....
Everyday is a new challenge for each one.
The babies continue on minimal stimulation due to their skin is so thin and delicate and their ears.... are not strong enough for lots of noises...
But Christie has gotten word that soon she should be able to dress them in their own clothes.... (yeah)
Please continue to remember the babies, and the parents (Christie and Scott Renn)
and the grandparents (Rita and Gary Heathcock) and Carter (he goes to visit them everyday)
The construction of their house. and all the doctors, nurses and medical staff at Druid City Hosptial, Women's Center in Northport, AL
Thank you again.
Your prayers are working
Love,
Sharon and Reece Stewart
Christie Renn had her three babies this morning (July 4th) around 6 am by c-section.
They are early...... (maybe 27 wks)
They are in the NICU unit at Druid City Hospital, Northport - Women's Center.
They are currently on vent...., wrapped in warming wrap..... and holding their own.
The next 5 to 8 days are critical outside the womb.
We are praying for complete development and one area of concern the grandmother (Rita Heathcock) said was that we need no stimulation so the brain will not have any bleeding or hemorrhaging. This can cause development issues for life.
They are little, they have long black hair, their hands are the size of your thumbnail and they all weight above 2 lbs....
Please be praying for God's Blessings on Gavin, Caroline, and Emily Renn.
Parents are Christie and Scott Renn.
Grandparents are Gary and Rita Heathcock.
Brother is 3 yr old Carter.
Thank you for your prayers for our great nephew and nieces...
Uncle Reece and Aunt Sharon Stewart
UPDATE: 07/14/2009
Thank you for your continued prayers for my family. The triplets are now 11 days old. They continue to have their daily ups and downs... We just received word that Caroline Grace is holding steady.... Gavin Scott and Emily Ann's holes in their hearts have closed up....Emily Ann just got a shot for her lungs and expected to improve... They are backing off on the oxygen in the vent..... for the girls (Gavin Scott is just using c-pap).
Thank you everyone for your daily prayers for my great nephew and nieces...... The family is feeling your prayers of support and love....
Everyday is a new challenge for each one.
The babies continue on minimal stimulation due to their skin is so thin and delicate and their ears.... are not strong enough for lots of noises...
But Christie has gotten word that soon she should be able to dress them in their own clothes.... (yeah)
Please continue to remember the babies, and the parents (Christie and Scott Renn)
and the grandparents (Rita and Gary Heathcock) and Carter (he goes to visit them everyday)
The construction of their house. and all the doctors, nurses and medical staff at Druid City Hosptial, Women's Center in Northport, AL
Thank you again.
Your prayers are working
Love,
Sharon and Reece Stewart
Nan Gardiner's mom
07/07/09 18:51
Nan's
mom is going home today and Nan will be staying with
her off and on for an extended period-- her mom
has done well after the surgery and we are still
waiting on lab report on the lymph nodes but the
doctor was optimistic-- thanks for all your
prayers and we all need to be so thankful for
this prayer chain and for our wonderful church
family--- Jimmy Gardiner
Mike Sewell
07/01/09 22:24
My
friend, Mike Sewell, was hospitalized for his injury
on the Bar Nunn mission trip. Serious infection set
in, and he had to have surgery to remove a half
gallon of "stuff" (I don't know the medical term). He
may be septic, meaning the infection is already
flowing through his body in the blood stream. If so,
he will be hospitalized for several days and may need
surgery again. Please pray for his recovery.
Vic
Update: 07/14/2009
Mike went back to the hospital, but they did not close the wound. Looks like 3 more weeks of drainage is necessary first. He is out of the hospital, back at work on light duty. All is going well, although slowly. Special thanks to everyone who prayed! I will let everyone know if things take a turn for the worse. Vic
Update: 07/14/2009
Mike went back to the hospital, but they did not close the wound. Looks like 3 more weeks of drainage is necessary first. He is out of the hospital, back at work on light duty. All is going well, although slowly. Special thanks to everyone who prayed! I will let everyone know if things take a turn for the worse. Vic