Update

Below is a copy of an update on my nephew, Jesse Lewis Embry, posted on FaceBook by his wife, Cindy.   If you scroll down to my last blog post, you will see a picture of this couple and read about his recent kidney and pancreas transplant.  The transplants are working fine, but he has very poor circulation to his left foot.  They are both Christians and very active and involved with their church.  They will appreciate your prayers.

Cindy Embry

6 hrs · 

"The latest from all docs is that they are recommending a below the knee amputation for the left leg. We are not willing to do that just yet. We are going to hyperbaric for consultation this afternoon. We have not more than 2 weeks to decide, if that long. They are very concerned about the possibility of the infection moving up his leg. As information becomes available to us we will let you all know."

Update at 8:30 AM Dec. 22. 2015

Cindy Embry

12 hrs · 

Jesse will have his left foot amputated in the morning (Tuesday 12/22/15) between 9 and 10 am. Every doc we've consulted agree that this is the best thing to do. Not what we wanted but after running all these tests and meeting with all these docs we feel like this has to be done.

Update   4:34 P.M.

Cindy Embry

 · 

Just heard from the doc: Jesse is out of surgery and doing well at this time.

Surgery was supposed to start between 9 and 10a, but the surgeon had an emergency surgery come up so that postponed Jesse. At 1:15 they came and took him to the surgery suite where he was put in holding. At 4p he was still in surgery with no news yet from the doctor.

It's now 4:34 pm and doc just called to say that he did well through the surgery! Now in recovery for about an hour. Then back here to his room. Everyone thank you for your prayers, texts, calls, PMs, fb msgs, and encouraging words. Thank you Lord Jesus for
taking care of Jesse.

Dec. 23rd Update:

He's doing ok this morning. In some pain this morning but seems to be managed ok at this time. Last night from 8-10p he was in terrible pain. The doc upped pain meds and he was able to rest. Waiting to see doc this morning. Will update as info comes available....

Good (Transplant) News!

This is my nephew, Jesse, and his wife, Cindy. 

I copied these Facebook posts reporting the good news about my nephew finally getting a kidney and a pancreas transplant.  He has been on the list for a long time, but each time they got a call, something wasn't right and they had to go home disappointed.  Jesse has had Diabetes since he was a child.  His sister, Laura, gave him one of her kidneys for his first transplant many years ago. Below are some of the updates as posted on FB by his wife, Cindy:


1.TRANSPLANT NEWS: we've been called in to the hospital. Surgery should begin between 7 and 9 am tomorrow (Sat. Aug. 29) morning, and last for 7 to 9 hours. PRAYERS PLEASE.

2. Just wheeled him out headed for surgery. Please continue praying.

3. 1st update: Jesse's doing well. They are putting in the kidney. Will work on pancreas next.

4. 2nd update: kidney in and doing good. Now on pancreas. All signs good and stable.

5. ITS DONE and he's doing well!!!! THANK YOU LORD!!! Have not seen him yet or the doc but they called and said it's finished.

6. Thank you all for the well wishes and prayers. Thank you Susan Torma for bringing refreshments. Thank you family and friends who have been here supporting us. Still waiting to see him.....

7.  Just went to see him. He looks fabulous and his vitals are excellent! He was awake and very coherent considering all.

8. Sunday morning edit: "He did well through the night and is very alert although medicated. Constant mess staff coming to check everything. Has a one on one nurse."

Please pray that this surgery will give Jesse many more years of health and happiness.  I haven't forgotten how you prayed for my son, so I'm asking for your prayers again for Jesse and Cindy!

                                                      Thanks be to God for answering our prayers!

Thing Called Love by Jennifer Peppery Ramsey and Jackson

Here are a few Butterflies that have fluttered by lately

Hope you are enjoying this hot summer!

The Dawning of a New Day

Do you ever have one of those nights when you wake up in the wee hours of the morning and you make the big mistake of 'thinking'?  I finally got up about 3:30 and made some coffee, checked my email, Facebook, etc.  Then comes the good part.  I went out on the sun porch and felt the cooler, early morning air coming through the windows.  I sat down in the glider with a cup of coffee to just meditate.  It was so quiet out there!  The silence was only broken by the call of the Whip-o-will, Quail and a few song birds.

Just as it was getting light, a few Hummingbirds began coming to the feeders, chirping and chattering as they fight for a place at the feeder.

Another sound I heard just as dawn was breaking was what sounded like a very large bumblebee gathering pollen from the Phlox just outside the window.  

I didn't see the Rabbits this morning, but lots of mornings there is one or two that run away when I go out on the porch.

A few days ago when I went out early, I saw an Armadillo headed to the woods after a night of digging for grubs, or whatever they eat.  They act like they do not see or hear you when you approach them.

The next time you wake up too early, go outside, or where you can see outside.  Look and listen and just see what is going on in your yard.  Or just use this time to sit and enjoy the silence, meditate and get ready for whatever the day has in store.

Thanks be to God that His mercies are new every morning!

Things I've seen this week

Sorry I haven't posted anything here for a long time! 

 Here are a few pictures to make up for my laziness!

We haven't had many butterflies this summer.  So when I DO see one, I just have to see if I can get a picture!

We have enjoyed seeing the big happy sunflowers every morning.  Thanks to our yard man for suggesting that we leave the little plants that came up under the bird feeders.

You just never know what all you miss by not going outside and walking around!  This Lantana is in a place that you don't see, unless you walk around the house.  I was out chasing a butterfly, when this Hummer came by for a few sips of nectar.  I was too excited to take time to focus.

Carolina Wren and sunflower

For the last day or two, we have been visited by a Skunk.   It forages through the grass and under the bird feeders.

Tonight the mother came and brought her four babies with her.  I think she is teaching them to forage for themselves.  They were eating some, but mostly playing with each other.  

I got to see the mother Skunk and her four babies leave all in a row.  After about an hour I went back to see if she had possibly put her babies to bed and come back by herself.

  Sure enough, there she was all by herself, eating the sunflower seed.

We have enjoyed having so many birds at the feeders.  The Sunflowers came up volunteer and the Goldfinch really like them.

A friend gave me a start of this Summer Phlox and it has really multiplied!

A perky, little Carolina Wren built her nest in this hanging basket.  We got to see the babies when they left the nest!  They were so cute!

We have seen lots of sunny days this summer! 

 Now it's hot and dry and I find myself looking forward to Fall.

Hope you are having a good summer!

Birds Just Passing Through

We have been enjoying the migratory birds that stop by our feeders in April.  This is a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

The beautiful Indigo Buntings have been here for several days.

Yesterday, I just 'happened' to be in the garage stalking the birds, when this immature Orchard Oriole stopped by for about 2 seconds.

This White-crowned Sparrow just now stopped by before heading toward his breeding grounds in Canada and other points north.

I hope you are seeing some pretty and different birds in your area!

Easter

Jeep brought the message at the Easter Sunrise Service at the McAdams Baptist Church. On Easter, the Baptist and Methodist meet together for the sunrise service. When it's at the Baptist church, the Methodist Minister brings the message and vice-versa. After the worship service, everyone was invited to share a delicious breakfast in the Fellowship Hall. At 11:00 A. M. Jeep brought the message at the Salem United Methodist Church's annual homecoming service. After the worship service we all enjoyed another wonderful pot-luck meal.  It's no wonder why I can't lose weight!

Spring!

One day it is sleeting and snowing and the next thing you know...it's Spring!

This is one of the first Jonquils to bloom in our yard.

These little Violas survived being covered with snow a few days ago.

The Hyacinths smell so sweet! 

Bradford Pears are blooming everywhere.  This was shot through the windshield.

This Red Bud tree is in my sister's yard, but we saw some blooming in the woods as we traveled the Natchez Trace yesterday.

Of course, yellow Jonquils are everywhere!

Also, the Japanese Magnolias are in bloom.

I hope you are having a nice Spring!

Snow and Sleet again!

They warned us that we would have freezing rain, sleet and snow again, but I didn't believe it!

These photos were made about dawn today.

It looks like mostly sleet out there now.

This House Finch has his eye on the feeder

We still have lots of Pine Siskins!

Even a few Red-winged Blackbirds showed up!

The snow has slowed  and I don't think this spell is going to last long!