Coming Up For Air

This week seemed like the eternally long week. It was tough.... admittedly... and now the weekend is half way over. My lack of sleep impacted the week incredibly, I'm sure. I was reminded part way through, not to grow weary, whatever the "hand is we are dealt". It's amazing how little growth has to do with actual circumstances, and how much it has to do with how we respond to them. I've heard so many of you say, when we've asked how you are, "blah, blah, blah, but it's nothing compared to what you are going through...." Jonathan and I had to laugh tonight because despite things being challenging, we are so blessed, we are so in love - we are so rich in more ways that we could begin to describe. Is it hard?? Yes.... but no harder than where anyone else is - dealing with their own valley to walk through. We laugh because when we are told others could not begin to imagine going through everything we are facing right now, we think of so many people facing so mamy more difficult circumstances. All of that to say, God's grace is amazing. Our goal? To win, every day. To win, keeping our hearts upright before God, to win with you in your victories, to win at helping our kids walk through this with strength, to win fulfilling every purpose He could possibly have through all of this, to win at love.... "...... I (we) press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.." We love you all. We know you pray for us - it is apparent everyday.

Few Days....

Well its been a few days since I got home, and since our last post. I thought this would be a good opportunity to give an update (that... and my laptop just got a drink of apple juice and I think its dead, dead... and since mom still had her computer here, and is leaving tomorrow... thought it would be a good time to update.)

It has been just over a week since my surgery. It has been quite an eventful week. When I left the hospital, my dad asked me if i was ready to be on less pain medicine. I told him that I didn't care, I would figure it our because i was ready to be home with my family! Well, That response was tested. I got home and the first night I was on the pain meds they sent me home with and I wasn't sure  that I would make it through the night. I actually had thoughts of getting in the van and trying to drive myself back to the hospital in the middle of the night (stupid, I know.. that's why I didn't do that, but that's how bad I was feeling)

We talked with the doctors over the next few days and they threw every thing they could at the pain that was legal. It still doesn't seem to help much, but its better than nothing I'm sure!  the only other viable option is that they re-admit me to the hospital and put me back on Delaudid, but I'm trying my best to hang in here because I'd rather be in pain and at home with my family, then in la la land and in the hospital. 

I am unable to leave my ankle hanging down for more than about 15 minutes. That has been really testing, because every minute it is not elevated, the pain increases exponentially. Therefore, the greater majority of my time has been sitting on the couch with my ankle about my shoulder. Thankfully my time has been filled with hugging on my kids, and watching a lot of movies. That seems to be one of the only things that really helps keep my mind off of the pain.

My wife has been such an amazing trouper through this all! She is battling her own severe pain and yet has to give me two shots a day and pills every two hours, provide meals, and take care of three very active kids! She is amazing!!! My mom has been here this week as this is her spring break from teaching and has been a big blessing. She is leaving tonight, so we are going to need some help! Her biggest  and most painful moments are bathing the kids each night, and making it through dinner. 

If you have a few minutes and need something to do, come on by! We are always ready for company and someone to visit with! It really helps take my mind off the pain. If you have some movies that I might want to watch, bring them on over, and if you can stay to watch... that much better! We can't get out right now, so the only way we can hang out, is if you come to us! 

We are so grateful for your help and prayers!!! Please keep it up!!! 

Come on over!?!?

Double Posting

Ha!! I should have read our own blog before I wrote!!! :-) Didn't know Jonathan posted his homecoming :-)

Jonathan's Home

Hey Everyone! Jonathan is home from the hospital!!! They released him sort of unexpectedly last night. Sorry for not updating sooner. It's been a crazy couple of days.

His surgeon removed his splint to change it and found that his incision is infected, so we need that to heal quickly. He also gave us a fairly LONG recovery expectation of MONTHS, not weeks before Jonathan will be able to walk. We were hoping for him to be in a walking cast in 8 weeks, but were told he would be in a removable splint at that time instead and would not be able to walk on it. Thankfully our house is mostly ready for him to be in a wheelchair for the duration of that (with the exception of our one bathroom being extremely small and completely non-handicap accessible). This has been the biggest issue so far regarding the house set up. He has to get out of his wheelchair and onto crutches, bearing all of his weight on his right ankle which he is NOT SUPPOSED TO DO. (It is also damaged, has been fused in the past and is very weak).

I am giving him his infusions for factor every day and night here at home. He REALLY wanted to come home quickly - his pain level is very high, though - something we were not completely expecting. The type of medication he can take at home does not work as well, obviously so he feels EVERYTHING. He is pressing through - anyone who knows him knows he is a fighter. It's so good to be able to be close to him..... I just hate seeing him hurt.

Again, thank you all... I could not imagine trying to juggle it all alone.

PS Visitors are welcome :-)

Home???

The Doctors said that my Blood levels were good and that they were glad to let me go home today. So We took them up on it. We were'nt very prepared, but God was. Carla ended up coming up to the hospital in the early afternoon. Then Steven Bowen was working two blocks away and was able to come by to pack us up. Carla had not had a chance to prepare the house for me to come home, then Shawn and Julie Lightfoot called and asked if we needed anything. So they went over to our house to clean up and prepare everything for me to come home!

I am in a LOT of pain from that car ride, but So glad to be home on MY couch with MY family! 

Thank you Lord for your Goodness and attention to every detail!

Jonathan's mom took some great pictures of the kids.... Of course, they didn't want to all smile at the same time, but they are cuties......

Best Day So Far

So Jonathan had his best day so far after a REALLY grueling and difficult weekend. This morning he had a pik line inserted after 9 IV's, many of which had blown. (A pik line is basically a really big IV that is put into your arm, chest or neck - his is in his arm - so fluids and medications like Factor can be fed directly to the heart). I walked into his room early this afternoon and he looked better than I have seen him yet. He is still groggy from time to time, but so far he seems to be much more stabilized. The difficult nursing staff seems to have gotten better for the most part. There is one charge nurse in particular who has taken it to heart over the past few days to really try to give Jonathan better nurses who are more attentive.

So what's keeping him in the hospital? Well, aside from getting his pain under control, his clotting percentages have been all over the map. They have gone from 50% to 43% to 93% and back down to 60% for some unknown reason. He really wants to come home on Wednesday but having things level out is very important before that happens.

Thanks to all of you for your support, your laughter, your friendship and most of all for believing God with us and for us.....

Carla

The Kids

Many of you have asked how the kids are and what we are doing with them while Jonathan is in the hospital. Well, I am proud to say I have an amazing mother-in-law who has been staying at our house with them. She has been such a huge blessing to me. When we found out Jonathan's surgery was going to be Easter Weekend, we were concerned about everyone being busy, but for her, the timing was perfect. She is a school teacher and has the week off.... God's timing is perfect.

Easter Weekend

So, it's been a crazy few days. Jonathan has finally been given a patient pump so pain medication does not have to come four hours late as it has been. I'm so thankful for his dad, who has continued to stay with him and fight on his behalf, re-explaining every 12 hours when the shifts change, why Jonathan needs what he needs. Thank you to everyone who has been praying. You have no idea what a difference it makes. We know we are not alone.

As of this morning Jonathan was only clotting at 43% - a far cry from what he needs in order to heal and be released from the hospital. He is still in a tremendous amount of pain and will be for quite some time. At this point it is all just one day at a time. I remember my mom saying that a lot when I was a kid during really hard seasons. I didn't understand it then - I do now. I'm thankful that I don't HAVE to know what's coming, I know that God is in control. I guess that's all I need to know right now.

Love you all.
Carla

Rough Night

Jonathan had a really rough night. The nerve block wore off way too soon and the doctors weren't prepared to deal with his pain. Long night for Jonathan and his Dad. We covet your prayers. I'm headed to the hospital now......

Jonathan's Surgery Initial Post

Jonathan's surgery went well. All in all he was in for about five hours. His doctor fused his heel (basically cleaned out a bunch of garbage, old broken off bone pieces that were floating around and shaved the bone down until it was bleeding so that his body would think it was broken and so it would try to attach itself to his ankle. He then put two massive screws about the size around of a man's thumb through his heel and attached it to his ankle). In order for all of this to heal, he has to be on a constant factor 8 drip in the hospital and they would like to keep him there seven days to ensure he gets the factor he needs. His leg is in a splint that he will be changed about three or four times over the next two months. This is a non-weight bearing splint. According to his surgeon, should he walk on what has been done inside, he would break the screws and bones. They were able to do a nerve block to help with the pain from his knee down. This should get him through a couple of tough days. He seems to be in good spirits but in some pain that he will probably feel more through the weekend. Thank you all for praying so hard. We truly appreciate it. I'm sorry if this blog seems disjunct - it has been a truly exhausting day. Love you all!!!!!! He is at Tulane Hospital in New Orleans, room 7224W.

Getting ready...

Getting ready for surgery tonight. Packed bags... check, packed meds.... check, packed secret weapon hand sanitizer to gargle with....check. 

I am have to be at the hospital by 5:30, therefore we have to leave around 4:30 AM. Yuck! When I found out that I was going to have to get up around 3:30 in the morning I think I just decided that I would rather stay home! Don't really want to have to do the surgery anyway! 

I have dreaded this surgery more than I really anticipated. I have felt like I was going to throw up all day, which is really not like me. I am not sure why, other than I really don't want to be down for my family's sake. That is probably what is the most concerning to me. I am hoping that somehow I will be able to pop right out of bed and at least be here emotionally for Carla and the kids the very next day. I kinda feel like that is an unrealistic expectation, but really wish it would be possible.  

Looking forward to a really good, deep sleep! Haven't had that in a long while. 

Not looking forward to waking up from that really deep sleep! 

Hoping that the staff will be professional and we won't have to fight like we normally do!

Anticipating God to do something really Great!!!

Learning to Wait...

Jonathan 

April Health Update

Well it has been a little while since our last health update and many people have been asking how things are going. With us approaching another big transitional moment I thought I would write this new update so that everyone could be aware of all the new events in our lives. 

First we have been so overwhelmed with the goodness of God and our friends! We have been blown away at how the body has really surrounded us during the past weeks and months. We have had people show up at our door, that we have never met saying that their small group sent them to do laundry! What is even more amazing has been their attitude! Everyone has been so joyful and excited to serve. I don't like doing laundry even when I CAN do laundry. But these people have jumped in here with both feet and said "We can't wait to serve you!" We have had days where there was a need that came up and before the day was over that need was met. Supernaturally met! Anything from bills that needed to be paid to a soggy yard that needed to be cut. 

One of the things that has been so amazing to me during this time has been how some of these people found out we were in need. Some found out the obvious way, through email or a prayer list. But others have found out simply through their small group praying for us and then one of them having an idea, then knowing a friend of a friend of a friend that could help with that need! This has been amazing because we live in a state of outreach, and one of the frustrations of this place for us has been that we have been the ones needing the outreach! A bigger part of that same frustration has been that we haven't had the capacity to get out and meet new people and love on them and minister to them, as we would in a normal daily routine. What has been amazing is that through others serving us in this place, some of them a friend of a friend of a friend, we have had AMAZING opportunities to really minister to some of the people who have come to meet our need! This has been a real lesson to us that serving positions you for breakthrough! I can't tell you how many times people have come over to help with some silly little thing, and ended up balling their eyes out for an hour because God was touching a deep part of their lives. That is not us, although I have made a lot of people cry in my life, but that is besides the point. The point is that when we serve others as unto God himself, we set ourselves up for God to do something amazing in our own lives. We will never be the same! Nothing God does meets only one need, His ways are always multi-faceted 

We feel like we have been an intimate audience to something that God has orchestrated throughout the body! 

All of that said, we are simply grateful and humbled! Although we have grand plans to send out thank you cards, I don't want to miss the opportunity to say it now. So, Thank you, to all of you who have so graciously served us and loved us through some VERY difficult days and weeks!

As to our current status, we have decided to have my ankle surgery now. Actually I am going to have the surgery this Thursday, April 9th at Tulane Medical Center. Hemophilia causes extreme bone deterioration.  As a result, my left heel has "crumbled" and I am not longer able to walk on it (for those of you who have seen me in a wheelchair or who have helped to make our home handicap accessible). My doctors will be attempting to screw my ankle to my heel in hopes of salvaging what is left. The screws will most likely then have to be removed in a second surgery because they cause additional internal bleeding in my case. 

I believe in my last big update I had described how we were trying to decide on whether or not do move forward with the surgery now or later in the year. The short answer is, obviously we decided to have the surgery now. The longer explanation is that God spoke to us that now is the time. So for all the needs we have, we know that God will meet them because He spoke to us! What that really means is that He is going to use YOU, if you are reading this, to meet them!   ;)

I will be going into surgery this week and as you can imagine with no income at this time, we still have a number of income needs. Our expenses will be significantly higher over the next week or so due to Carla traveling back and forth to New Orleans everyday, meals on the go to and from, toll, and a little higher cell phone expense due to more communication to friends and family about medical status. We have planned out most of the help needed for the day of the surgery and a few days following, however our longer-term needs are more significant and not as well planned. We are completely trusting God during this time, so we don't necessarily need to KNOW every detail or answer to every question, however so many people have asked what our needs are, that I will take this opportunity to communicate them now. (If you don't want to know, this is the part where you can stop reading!)

The recovery plan for the surgery is the big unknown. I have had a surgery similar to this in the late 90's and it was estimated then that I would be unable to walk or function for approximately 12 months. Well, we calculated my last recovery time and It was approximately 7 months. This being said, I was a teenager when that happened. So, some have estimated that I recovered quicker because I was younger, others believed it was because I was a teenager and slept in until 12:00 everyday anyway! Whatever the reasons, it is supposed to be a long recovery. We are having Issac Benjamin James in 9 weeks, and I have to be back at work in 5 weeks if I plan on staying employed (which is a must for a billion reasons) So, all of that said we NEED, are expecting, and are stepping out in faith believing that God is going to provide supernatural recovery! Summary: we need a 12 month recovery to be reduced to 5 weeks! 

Therefore, we need you to PRAY! We need your support in prayer most of all! Pray with us that God would give us supernatural recovery, supernatural grace, and supernatural healing!

We also have several needs during this time that are easier depending on how many people join in the fight. Marc and Angelle Lyman have been so gracious to help us organize help with laundry, yard work, and meals. If you are able and interested in helping us through this period in any of those ways, please email Angelle at angellelyman@bellsouth.net. If you are able to help financially our mailing address is at the bottom of this update. As I mentioned earlier, we don't have any income at this time as my job has a commission-only structure, and we still have regular and some inflated bills during this season. Our monthly bills add up to around $3000 per month, including our house payment. Just writing that makes me realize how much we need God to intervene. That said, people have been SO generous to help sustain us thus far, we have no doubt that God is with us and will sustain through the days ahead. If you are unable to help in any of these ways, please pray? It works! So don't count your efforts as small, when your faith is BIG!

Again, God has been so amazing as we have seen Him work through you in these past days and months. There have been many days when we weren't sure if we would be able to make it through the next day, but then one of you would show up with a faith-FULL attitude and offer strength for the next day!

Many of you have asked about Carla's health and strength as well, since she will be my sole caregiver during recovery. Although she doesn't talk about it, ever, it is very real and difficult! Most of you know by now, that she has a scaring condition that has complicated her ability to carry babies normally. She has sustained 7 abdominal surgeries in the past 5 years and as a result has a tremendous amount of scar tissue. This scar tissue grows regularly anyway, but exponentially when cut on or strained. Therefore, she has organs that are connected that shouldn't be, such as her intestines are "glued" to her uterus, her bladder is connected to her intestines, etc. So in a normal pregnancy you have a pretty significant amount of pain related to stretching and growing of the baby. In her case the tissue tears one organ away from another daily. This also occurs more with activity (ie: bends over to pick up toys from the other three kids, or puts away laundry in the bottom drawer). She IS one of the strongest people I know! Not just because she deals with pain, but because most people don't even know, including me sometimes, that she is in excruciating pain. I am learning that she simply closes her eyes and bears it. Needless to say, for those of you who have wondered but not asked, we believe this will be our last baby to carry outside of adoption.

I explain all that to you, not to be overly descriptive, but so that you can understand why and what she goes through, simply because she wouldn't tell you. She really wouldn't have even tell me, except at the end of the day and she is in so much pain that she can hardly breathe. The way I was told, was by the doctor! Not to mention we have great communication in our marriage, but this is quite a battle that she faces daily that she simply endures. She is one of my hero's!

Once again, I can't express how much your help has been appreciated! Just yesterday we had a team of people from Northlake Christian School and some other close friends come out and do some work around our house that we have needed done, but have started and stopped for at least five years. What a blessing! We can give you story after story just like that! Its been simply amazing to see God's hand in such a difficult and painful place. We have felt very helpless many days, and through you we have been helped! We have needed more help than anyone resource could give, but God has brought in people from many resources to help! We are amazed at the goodness of God, and humbled by the greatness of your service! Thank you for your help! Thank you for your Prayers! And Thank you for your Love! Just like when Jesus told the crowd in Matt 5:41 "if anyone asks you to go one mile with him, go with him two." This is what you have done with us! We pray that God would return your efforts to you 100 fold!

With Gratitude,

The James'

Jonathan & Carla

Hannah, Ezra, Isabella, Issac

65570 Mulberry St

Mandeville, LA 70448

P.S. - There is one more thing I must address in this update. For all of you who have gifts as your love language, and you know who you are... because you're reading this letter thinking "I know they need food and water, but that's boring... what about a water slide off their roof!". Many of you people have requested from me something called a "wish list". I have been very hesitant to even make something like this because many of the things that God has supplied during this time we wouldn't have asked for, whether it be due to lack of faith, or simply that WE didn't even know we needed that item. Therefore, I apologize for not responding to your requests. However, I will let you know that I have made an attempt at a "wish list". It contains several items that we could really use, however don't feel necessarily qualify as NEEDS. I am not going to list these items here, as I believe that there are many needs that are priority. However, If you are one of those people and are interested in doing something amazing, I will leave it up to you to email me and I can email you a copy of this list. We love you all!