History

Monday, September 29, 2003 2:35 PM CDT

"To God be all the Glory forever and ever."

We miss our precious Jeri Paholek so much.

The family will receive visitors for viewing on Tuesday September 30, 2003 from 6-8 p.m. at
Schmidt Funeral Home
1508 East Avenue
Katy TX 77493
(281) 391-2424

A service of worship to God and celebration of Jeri Paholek will be held on Wednesday October 1, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. at Grace Fellowship United Methodist Church
www.whatisgrace.org
2655 South Mason Road
Katy TX 77450
*There may be lots of traffic for this service. Please plan appropriately.

The graveside service will be in Bryan TX at 3:30 p.m. Details will soon be available by contacting Schmidt Funeral Home. These details will also be available at the church service.

Our loss is enormous, but...
"God's Grace is perfect for me."
- Jeri Paholek (September 24, 2003)

Wednesday, September 24, 2003 10:22 AM CDT

Good morning from Stanford University and beautiful California. Today it is a little overcast, I have never seen that here so it is new. There has been a heat wave (90's) and all of the Californian's are freaking out. I am in one of the few places here with air conditioning (the hospital!). I still don't think it feels hot here compared to home... what a bunch of weather wimps here - ha!!!

I am feeling good, getting over my respitory infection. I have gained some water weight (due to my heart) and now have a new IV that i am getting lasix in. I lost 5 lbs. the day before yesterday, this medicine works fast! I am learning some new hobbies... like cross stitching and just sitting and looking at a magazine, I never did that before. Last night, I got really sad and lonely. I miss Brady and Daryl so bad. One of the nurses, Natalie, she is my friend and she sat with me and held my hand. God's grace is perfect for me. He is so amazing to send people into my life to take care of me. He knows I am a people person and need that. Jana came by yesterday and wasn't feeling well, please pray she doesn't get sick. My new friend Kim came by and helped me hang up pictures in my room. Also, a couple my mom had met weeks earlier in the hospital came by. She was having surgery this morning. They lost two babies years ago from the same illness I have. They are wonderful Christians and we prayed together.

Running out of room... Thank you all for all of your prayers. God is in control. I trust in Him, but I do wish this could happen soon so I can get back to my wonderful Texas!!! I love you all so much.

Sunday, September 21, 2003 12:25 AM CDT

Greetings from Stanford Hospital. I came in on Friday as you know and have been resting. Yesterday was another day of unexpected events. In the morning I had a run of 16 VT beats in my heart (these are the dangerous ones). I have never had that many together. The dr.'s switched my meds around and I haven't had anymore since then- Praise God!! The man in the room to my right died and it was very sad. My nurse was also his nurse and it was hard for her. Then, the man in the room on my left had a heart attack and missed walking his daughter down the isle. The entire wedding party came in, all dressed in tuxes and wedding dresses! They brought me a piece of wedding cake. Being here gives me lots of time to think and lots to think about. I am feeling pretty good but have a really bad cold. My nose is running like crazy, and my cough is worse. No one is too worried though because my lungs look clear and no infection. I will be glad when it goes though.

The hardest thing right now is waiting. It is becoming harder and harder to focus on that goal. I know I have too, but I miss Daryl and Brady so much it is almost unbearable. I really want God's will in my life more than anything, and to glorify Him... but sometimes I just want to scream "Hurry God!!!".

He knows all the things I don't know and sees what I don't see and I trust Him. I pray I am still making the right decision to be here, my doctors remind me how sick I am and that I am making the right decision. I pray these organs come before Christmas. All I want for Christmas is a new heart and lungs!!! I love you all and missed church so bad today. I know it was wonderful. Thank you for steadily praying for me and mike and midge for that message friday night, i needed it so bad...

To Him be all glory and honor forever and ever.

Jeri

Friday, September 19, 2003 5:36 PM CDT

Thank you for all of your prayers! As you know from Jeri’s last few journal entries, the doctors and she were considering putting her back into the hospital to start her on a new medicine. She was not 100% convinced that taking the medicine was the right thing for her to do. So she prayed that if it weren’t the right thing to do that at least one of her doctors would object to her being put on the new medicine for her heart.

God answered her prayers and today she found out that some of the doctors did not think it was a good idea to start her on the new medicine. She drove herself to the hospital and will be there hopefully until her organs arrive and the transplant takes place. She will be listed at the 1A status again.

Please continue praying for good health as she continues to wait for her organs. Pray for peace and contentment as she is in the hospital and regarding any decisions she will need to make while in there. Pray for wisdom and guidance for her doctors. Pray for God’s perfect timing for the arrival of her new healthy heart and lungs. Continue those pages and sweet notes to her.

Thank you again for your faithful prayers and hope as we all trust God for what He has planned for her life. Continue to praise Him for all that He is doing and give Him all the Glory!

Amy

Friday, September 19, 2003 1:27 PM CDT

Praise God for answered prayers!!! Thank you all for praying. As I last reported, My dr. asked me to come into the hospital and go on a medication "dopamine", that I was a little afraid of and don't know much about. I asked you to all pray about the decision.

After meeting with all of the other Dr's this morning, she called and said they had decided I could come into the hospital and NOT go on the medication right now. She said due to my liver function numbers and some other things, they could put me back in the CCU and back on 1A status without having any IV's. They hope to keep me in this time as long as possible... hoping I will get the transplant while I am there this time. I feel very good about this decision.

So, I am going back in today. I will call the church and a few people to let them know my new phone number. I don't know how much computer access I will have. I will still recieve mail at my cousin Jana's. I love you all so much, thank you for your prayers. To my King and Lord be all the Glory!!

Jeri

Thursday, September 18, 2003 5:49 PM CDT

Hello everyone,

It is so wonderful to read all of the messages you are leaving me. Thank you so much!! It brightens my day.

Today I have something I need you to pray about. My doctors suggested that they could put me back in the hospital and put me on an IV medication called Dopamine. It makes your heart pump harder and gets more blood and oxygen to your organs, that could make me healthier. The dopamine does not have alot of side effects, the worse one could be irregular heart beats but it is rare. I would have to be on an IV or maybe a pic line (a big IV that goes in your arm and stays for several months). The plus side to all of this is I would go back on the 1A status which means I could get the transplant sooner. I would have to stay in the hospital until that time. I am afraid of a new drug and the risks of the IV, but when it all boils down to it, I just want to come home. I want to come home more than anything, I miss my life, I miss my little boy so much. I am just about willing to do this if it gets me home sooner. I need wisdom to make a good decision and I value your input too. I want to do God's will and only that, this is a hard decision and I need God's wisdom.

Thank you for listening. I love you all so much. To God be all the glory and honor forever and ever.

jeri

Tuesday, September 16, 2003 3:49 PM CDT

My mother-in-law, Candy Delleney, said to Jeri, “Just think about all the times that God hears your name..” . What a sweet way to realize all of the prayers that are being said for Jeri! And God does listen; He hears each and every prayer from all over the world being lifted up for Jeri!

What an amazing week-end Jeri had with Daryl and Brady! She is so blessed to have shared such a fun time with them while they were in California visiting. They all went to the beach, where Brady covered himself in sand! Jeri and Daryl had a date night out in San Francisco and Brady got to spend some much needed time with Nana! Jeri was able to see all of Brady’s impressive school papers and even his book he’s made all about his favorite food (for now), tacos! She said it was so precious! The good-byes were a little difficult, but they didn’t block out any of the fun memories they made together! She said the week-end was absolutely perfect!

Jeri said she explained to Brady what was going on and why she couldn’t come back home with them and why he couldn’t stay there with her. She explained the best she could in 5-year-old terms. Please pray that he has peace and comfort knowing that she is far away, but being well taken care of. Pray that he can understand what is going on and why.

Mom has come back to Texas to tie up some loose ends with her work, spend some time with family in Texas, and plans to return to California in a couple of weeks.

All the fun of the week-end took its toll on Jeri’s body. She is still doing great, with the sinus infection still! She is very tired, exhausted, in fact, but it was worth it to her. Pray that she will get her strength back very soon! She is weighing in at around 90 to 92 pounds each day, which is wonderful! The fluid retention is still doing great and she’s not having too much swelling! She is sticking to her low-sodium diet and learning that sodium is loaded in everything, from cereal to yogurt, in things she never imagined! The funny thing in all this is, well, remember those yummy ’boost’ drinks she forced herself drink on doctor’s orders? Those are actually a welcomed break from her routine low-sodium diet when nothing else sounds good! If anyone knows of any quick, low-sodium recipes please pass them along to Jeri. The reality of waiting, waiting, waiting, is beginning to set in. Pray that God would bring her peace and contentment as she waits on Him and the arrival of her healthy new organs!

She has a doctor appointment with her cardiologist this week. Pray that the doctor finds everything well. She is also going to a wedding with her new friend, who’s in medical school, this week-end. She’s looking forward to that!

Thank you again for your sweet prayers! She loves reading all the precious notes you’ve written to her on the web page. For those who may be trying to email her, she no longer has the AOL email address. Her new email address is heartprayers@hotmail.com . The pages continue to brighten her day and the thoughts of all the prayers being lifted up for her are more sweet to Jeri than she can express! Please continue to pray for healthy organs. Pray for God’s perfect timing for everything to happen. Thank God for hearing our prayers and for His faithfulness! All the praise, honor and glory is Yours, Father, all of it!

Amy

Thursday, September 11, 2003 11:07 PM CDT

hello everyone... i am at my cousin's now and doing well. i got a slight fever, it is a sinus infection but am on meds and feeling pretty good. we are having a heat wave here this wk end. it is in the 90's!! usually, it is 70's and 60's, very nice. i am getting used to living in california.. but not enough that i wouldn't come back to texas in a heartbeat if they would let me. my doctors are all so cool and are just as much social friends as they are my caretakers. i am suprised there are so many christians here and great churches too. we went to a place called jubilee and it was very cool. it was mostly other races and the choir was rockin' to some awesome gospel music. my church would love it. i still miss my grace family though and long to be with you each sunday. i met a friend, she is in med school and was with a class that came to "study" me in the hospital. she came back 3 times to talk with me and just be a friend. she has invited me to her church which also sounds really cool. jayme would like this, it is called "sanctuary" and it is post-modern (hey,hey jayme and cindy)... that means really open to unchurched and really cool. so i have my little routine, i get up early (7) and make my same breakfast each day. routine is good. mom and i explore parks and gardens and sit in the sun. we also love to go to outdoor markets, every city here has one. at these markets, they sell lots of fruit, nuts and good food. i love the fruit here, it is amazing. it is all so ripe and juicy. the plums are dark red, the peaches are incredible and the berries are great too.. it is all very cheap (the only thing here that is cheap!) i have never had fruit this good, it makes me wonder what the garden of eden must have been like if California is like this... out of all that amazing fruit adam and eve wanted that one apple... we are all hopeless sinners, praise God for His amazing grace.
thank you all so much for the incredible messages you leave here on the website. i wish i could write each one of you back, but know that i am reading each day and every word you write lifts me up and carries me a little farther along. i love you all so much and miss you. this wk end daryl and brady are coming and i can't wait to get my arms around them. my brady is going to look so big, i just know. thank you all for taking my burdens to the Father so faithfully, I am so so blessed and God continues to amaze me with abundance i could have never imagined. all Praise and Glory and Honor to our Lord and King!!

jeri

Wednesday, September 10, 2003 2:50 PM CDT

God continues to watch over and protect Jeri! Yesterday evening Jeri came down with fever. She spoke with several doctors at the hospital. The temperature of 101 degrees was cause for the doctors to be very concerned. So, Mom and Jeri made the trip back to the hospital to the CCU. She felt a little strange waking up in the same room she had spent so many days and nights in. What a blessing that the hospital is so cautious with Jeri’s health and taking such good care of her. She feels very comfortable and knows she is well taken care of there.

The morning she was doing better and the temperature was at 99 degrees. Fever and other health concerns prevent Jeri from being able to remain on the list for receiving organs.

I just spoke with mom a minute ago and she said that Jeri was doing much better and her fever was gone! In fact, Jeri and mom were waiting to be discharged from the hospital. The doctors said she must have just gotten a little ‘bug’, but that everything looked good now.

We are confident that God is in charge and everything is happening according to His plan. Praise him for the great medical staff He has provided to take care of Jeri. Please continue to pray that His will would be done. Pray for protection and continued good health for Jeri as she waits for organs. Pray for healthy organs. Please pray for wisdom for the medical team. Pray that Jeri would continue to keep her eyes on Him. Pray for patience as she waits for healthy organs.

Thank you all again so much for everything. You are such a blessing to Jeri.

Amy

Tuesday, September 9, 2003 12:02 AM CDT

Great news again today! God continues to bless Jeri with good health, both physically and emotionally! I’m sure if we could all see her she must be glowing, inside and out! She sounds so happy and peaceful!

She has had two sweet friends come to visit her. What a refreshing break for her! She got out to see more beautiful sights in California and enjoy the amazing weather there! She is looking forward to spending the weekend with her two best friends, Daryl and Brady!

She is getting the hang of keeping up with her dietary intake. Yipee - she's been able to gain some weight back! She is at about 90 pounds now! Her swelling has been very minimal, only at the end of the day, and she is feeling great! She remains on the list for organs. When a healthy heart and lungs arrive she will be the first to get them, if they are the appropriate size and blood type, of course!

Daryl and Brady were able to get out this past week-end to go an Aggie game with some friends! Whoop! I know that must have been a great time for all of them!

We are all so thankful for you and for your prayers. Please continue to pray for God’s will in receiving healthy organs. Pray for wisdom for the medical team working with Jeri. Pray for God’s continued blessing of good health as she waits. Pray for a safe trip for Daryl and Brady as they travel to see her. Pray for God’s blanket of peace to continue to cover Jeri and those living with her in California. Most of all, Praise Him for Jeri and for the sweet people all over the world he has placed in her life to lift her up, encourage her, and love her. Praise Him for all the things He is doing in others’ lives through Jeri! All the glory goes to God, and God alone!

Amy

Friday, September 5, 2003 11:36 PM CDT

Wow! What a great time Jeri has had! Thank you for your prayers for a smooth transition from the hospital. Thanks to our cousin, Jeri, mom, and her sweet friend have a nice place to stay very close to the hospital should organs arrive!

She had a wonderful time at the transplant support meeting yesterday. She enjoyed getting to meet even more transplant patients! The friendships she has made with people who have been through the transplant have been such a precious blessing to her!

Jeri is doing very well out in the world!!! I'm sure it is more beautiful than ever before! And the freedom...it must be sweeter than ever before!

She had a fun day today, including a pedicure and lots of time at an outdoors! She is laughing and having a great time! She is taking it easy, using a wheel chair so she doesn't wear herself out. She said she feels a little silly, but she's taking care of herself well! She said keeping up with just the right amounts of liquid, sodium, and all that fun diet stuff was a little difficult, but she isn't complaining!

Thankfully, Daryl and Brady are doing very well and Brady is enjoying school! Thanks to all who have given their time and efforts to help them out!

Thank you for your faithful, constant prayers through all of this! Please keep it up! She is still waiting for those organs! Please pray for God's continued blessings of good health as she waits. Please pray for God's will in delivering healthy organs. Please continue praying for her doctors and everyone involved. Please pray also for her to continue to be emotionally healthy. Although emotions of fear, worry, doubt, etc. are all perfectly normal, they can become harmful when they overtake her. Pray that she would keep her mind focused on God and waiting on Him, as she has been doing! Continue to praise God for all the great things He has done and is doing! Praise Him for what He has planned!

Thank you again for lifting her up to God! We are all so blessed to have so many who love her and who love the Lord!

We love you all,
Amy

Wednesday, September 3, 2003 9:48 PM CDT

Thank you all for the precious prayers, phone calls, pages, gifts, and visits to Jeri yesterday on her birthday. You truly helped her enjoy a special birthday! She had an awesoem day yesterday.

Today she was a little more tired than yesterday, but feeling well again!

She is getting ready to be released from the hospital sometime tomorrow!! Praise God! She will be staying with her cousin, who lives near the hospital. We are so thankful for her generousity in opening her home for Jeri and her family throughout this experience.

She has a heart and lung support group meeting tomorrow at 2pm. Pray that this time would be especially comforting for her.

The doctors and Jeri are working to determine just the right dosages of medicines she will need in order to continue in the great health she has been in. Some medicines have been taken away, some have been added. There are so many things that are regulated by the medicines and each has it own function, yet plays a role in how the rest of her body works. Please pray for wisdom as they try to figure out the correct combinations and amounts.

Also, please pray for Jeri as she learns how to keep up with the right balance of liquids, salt, and other nutritional components in her diet. She has never really had to watch what she's eaten, so this will be something new for her to keep up with.

Thank you again for your sweet, sweet, faithful prayers for her and her family. God is so faithful! Please continue to pray for God's perfect timing for receiving healthy organs. Pray for wisdom for the doctors. Pray for continued good health. Please pray for peace as she leaves the hospital. I'm sure there has been great comfort in knowing doctors are right outside her door. Pray that God would continue to bring her comfort and peace and that anxiety and fear would have no place in her thoughts.

PRAY THAT GOD WOULD CONTINUE TO GET ALL THE GLORY FOR THE AMAZING THINGS HE HAS DONE, IS DOING, AND WILL DO THROUGH JERI!

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phillipians 4:6-7

We sure love you all,
Amy

*Also, Sassy (Brady's dog) is in need of a temporary home while they are getting everything settled. If anyone is interested in helping out, please contact Daryl. Thank you so much!

Tuesday, September 2, 2003 3:20 PM CDT

We're all praising God for Jeri's 35th birthday today!! I know if God had told us what all He would do through her we would have never believed it. Isn't God awesome!

Jeri said she was feeling "GREAT!" today! She was very happy, praising God for all He has blessed her with and looking forward to what He has in store!

The people at the hospital got a cake for her! Her room is decorated in pink and 'Barbie'! (She loved Barbie when she was little!) Mom is still there with her and Jeri has a special friend visiting her from TX. Jeri's cousin who lives very close is also there visiting quite a bit. She is having such a fun time today! She's getting lots of pages, prayers, and phone calls celebrating her birthday! The weather there is gorgeous, sunny, nice, and cool!

Daryl and Brady are together again after a long week-end of moving for Daryl! I'm sure they are both thrilled to be together and at home again with great friends and their church who love them!

Thank you for your prayers for Jeri! We are all so thankful for you and your love for Jeri. Please continue to pray for her continued good health, joy, and peace. Please pray for God's perfect timing for receiving healthy organs. Please also pray now for calmness and peace for Jeri, her doctors, and those there with her when the organs arrive.

PRAISE HIM FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE ALREADY...IT IS BETTER THAN ANYONE COULD HAVE EVER IMAGINED OR HOPED FOR!!!!

We love you all and are so thankful for you,
Amy

Sunday, August 31, 2003 4:49 PM CDT

Today is another fine day! Jeri's blood sugar has leveled and she is feeling much better.

Yesterday was an emotional day. Today she is feeling much better and sounded content and calm when I spoke with her. God continues to bring His freeing peace to her when emotions begin to control her thoughts.

She is so blessed to have such caring individuals taking care of her. Lastnight, a doctor came by around 10 or so and brought his family in to meet her. The medical staff at Stanford has truly become like family to her.

Thank you again for your dedicated, passionate prayers for Jeri. The alerts from her pager continue to bring a smile to her face each time they come in. Please continue praying for God's will, His perfect peace, and continued good health as the wait for organs continues!

Amy

Saturday, August 30, 2003 11:08 PM CDT

Another glorious day! Jeri is feeling wonderful. She's had a few minor incidents involving her nutrition, but overall, she continues to feel well! She's got to be sure and include more carbohydrates now, along with the other things that she is to be sure and include.

Thank you for all of your prayers, pages, and thoughts of her. God continues to keep her well. She is shining, inside and out, as she awaits organs.

Please continue to pray for continued peace, good health, and confidence in her doctors and in God's perfect plan.

To God be all the glory forever and ever, Amen

Amy

Friday, August 29, 2003 2:32 PM CDT

Wow, another glorious day! Praise God for bringing peace and joy for Jeri! She is feeling well and getting to see God work every day.

Today she said she lost another pound somehow (now she's at 88), but can't figure out how! She's been eating well and even getting to have some treats like a big sandwich and a root beer (Aaah, the first soda in...she can't remember how long!?!) She's feeling great!

Her bilirubin is perfect at a 2.0 and her pulse ox is at 95, which if you didn't know, that is unheard of for her. She usually stayed anywhere from the high 30's to 60's. To be at 95 is a miracle. In fact, the nurse was reading the monitor and went to get another nurse. Neither one of them could explain it. Then one of the nurses exclaimed, "Go, God! Go, God!" It is so sweet to know how much God is being glorified through Jeri!

Jeri still sounds amazing on the phone! She isn't tired or weak sounding. What a turn around from just last week! The doctors are so attentive and taking such great care of her. In turn, she is providing them with lots of new information about her condition that wasn't known before. She is the often the focus of classes, as they come into her room and witness first hand, things they have only read about. What an opportunity to show God's love to people she doesn't know, and who may not know Him. When in her room, it is impossible to miss Christ. He is all over that room. His word is posted on the walls, in her bed, for all to see where she gets her strength!

She and the doctors are all excited and hopeful to get the organs this week-end. The surgeon said he is ready! She couldn't be in a better condition to have the transplant.

God is awesome, so awesome! Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray for Jeri's health, peace, and joy. Continue to give her to God! God is in charge, pray for His will! Glory to God!

Amy

Wednesday, August 27, 2003 7:25 PM CDT

Dear friends and family:

TODAY WAS GREAT, GREAT, GREAT!! SHE'S ON A MOUNTAIN TOP!

The doctors came in this morning and said they had met all last night about her. Some organs had been offered for Jeri. The doctor said they talked and talked about it and they decided that the organs were not healthy enough for her. Jeri is so excited, just knowing how well the doctors are taking care of her and also knowing that God is working everything in His perfect time!

She wrote today that she was taking shots in her stomach...but then tonight when I spoke with her, she said they won't have to do that anymore!

Thank you for all of your prayers, she is so blessed,and tells everyone about all of you praying! In fact, the chaplain came by to see her today and she told him all about your faithful prayers, everything that is being done for her, and her pager! She said the chaplain started crying! Wow, another example of how God is touching so many through Jeri!

Jeri asked for you to please continue praying. Pray for continued good health. She weighed 89 today and she's not quite used to seeing herself look this way, but she is healthy and feeling good! She expects to be gaining some of the weight back soon with the medication change and those 'fantastic' meals from a can!! Yeah, BOOST!!

Pray for organs. Pray for peaceful sleep, restful days, and continued joy that comes only from Jesus!

Her voice is filled with sunshine and well, she just sounded soooooo great! Just like the spunky Jeri, we all know and love!

We love you all so much! Thank you for your constant prayers!

*Her birthday is this coming Tuesday, September 2nd! She's going to be 35! Praise God for her 35 years! What a blessing she is to all who know her and those who know about her! Pray for the best birthday ever!
*Her pager # is 713-327-0456. She has it in the hospital with her, and loves getting those sweet pages, letting her know she is being prayed for! Call, enter your zip code!

Amy

Monday, August 25, 2003 2:24 PM CDT

Its a happy day!
Jeri is doing much better today after a restless night with leg cramps. The cramps were caused by too little fluid in her body. Her weight today was 91 pounds (Her normal weight is ~100. When they admitted her a few weeks ago, she was at ~111 due to the excess fluid retention).

The doctors have taken her off of some of the medications she was taking to keep the fluid off. So, with this med change and those delicious 'Boost' drinks (ugh) she should be putting on a few pounds to stabilize her weight.

She is also feeling more upbeat and has been able to get those negative, depressing thoughts and feelings off of her and out of her way!

She was surprised today with a computer in her room and she is soooo excited to be able to communicate with the outside world!!!!! She will also get to go outside twice today! What a treat - it is so gorgeous there! She said the art lady would be coming by to bring some arts & crafts type things for Jeri to do. What a blessing! The boredome was beginning to get to her.
Thank you all again for your faithful, continuous prayers. God is taking such great care of our precious Jeri! Please continue to pray as faithfully as you have! There is so much power in prayer! We are all praising God for Jeri and for your kindness and love!

Amy

Sunday, August 24, 2003 5:16 PM CDT

*************Words from Jeri herself!!!******************

hi everyone. i am sneaking an email from a hospital computer. i am doing good. i miss you all. thanks for all your prayers. each day is a new adventure. looks like i will be staying here in the hospital until the transplant. that is the latest news today. i will sneak on again when i can and update you. please pray for low biliruben, high calorie intake and a short wait for organs. love you.
jeri
palo alto, ca usa - Sunday, August 24, 2003 3:57 PM CDT

Saturday, August 23, 2003 5:15 PM CDT

Everyone in California is doing great! It is another good day for Jeri! She is getting lots of rest finally, which is exactly what she needs! Thank you again for all of your prayers and your encouraging words to Jeri! I know she must feel so wonderful reading all the prayers and words of love you are all writing to her. We can't thank you enough!

Please continue to pray for Jeri, her family and friends, and for all those involved in taking care of her. She is very blessed to be surrounded by such great doctors, nurses, and family.
Amy

Friday, August 22, 2003 3:46 PM CDT

I just spoke with mom and she said Jeri is doing well again today. The nurse had just taken Jeri to see a concert in the hospital and mom said that should get her up and awake! Yesterday she had been moved to a new room, not quite so close to the nurses' station as she was improving. She is still doing well but her numbers are not quite as good as they were a couple of days ago. The stress of not being able to share in Brady's first day of public school took its toll on Jeri. She just has to stay focused on not allowing stress and negative feelings to overcome her.
They moved her to a new room again today, closer to the nurses' station, because she is on the A1 list again! I found out today from mom that the doctors are now wanting her to remain on the A1 list for two more weeks. Again, A1 status is top priority status for receiving organs. We could all be getting the call anytime that the organs have arrived. Since Jeri is doing so well, the doctors want her to have the transplant now.
Everything seems to be going wonderfully! Jeri is trying to learn how to eat a diet with no added salt. Salt is in things she never imagined...like cheese!?! The doctors are wanting her to eat high calories also as she is losing muscle tone.
Here's a great story mom told me: "You know how Jeri's pulse ox levels have always been very low, like in the 60's...well, just the other night Jeri and mom were sitting in the hospital and they both happened to look at the monitor and noticed as her pulse ox level had just registered at 100! Wow! Neither one of them could remember a time when her pulse ox level was that high!" God continues to amaze everyone!
Thank you all again for your dedicated prayers and thoughts for Jeri and her family. Prayer is so powerful! Please continue praying for God's will and for peace for Jeri, Daryl, Brady, Carolyn, and Junny.
We will write more as we learn more!
Amy

Thursday, August 21, 2003 7:37 PM CDT

beep-beeep-bbbeep---beep-beep-beep-bbbeep-beep
This just in. As I write, Jeri is outside enjoying the beautiful fresh air in Palo Alto, California. The medical team discharged all IV's today!! This gives Jeri outside access to the world for the first time in 10 days. Wow!!She is now taking all meds orally and looks forward to being discharged soon.

Brady and Papa flew into Houston late last night. Brady told me all about the plane he rode home on from the airport back to my house. That was a BIG plane!!

Brady began his first day of school today and all is well. He was excited to be back in Katy and told me that he will be playing with his friends and playing with his new skateboard game he got for his game boy. Thata boy.

Daryl is working hard to keep things in-line with a family which has never been separated is now thousands of miles a part. Daryl will be packing up and moving to Katy on Monday, September 4th.

Pray for patience and emotional wellbeing for Jeri. Pray for Daryl as he begins to pack and moving everything back to Katy. Pray for Brady as he is without his two best friends, Jeri & Daryl, for at least another week and a half.

Don't forget to Praise God for Jeri's improved health and Daryl and Brady's move home.

Good Night and God Bless You.

Taylor

Wednesday August 20, 2003 1:36pm ct

Jeri has been walking a lot the past few days. Yesterday, (Tuesday) the IV that was in her neck was removed (ahhhh, that feels much better, I'm sure). Jeri was able to take a shower and wash her hair. She was told that she would be released from the hospital sometime this week. As her condition has improved, she will be taken off of the A1 status for receiving the organs. (A1 status means that they like to receive organs within a week. A patient must meet certain criteria to be placed on this status and the status must be reviewed every 7 days and the patient must still meet the criteria to remain at the A1 status. As Jeri's conditino has improved, she no longer meets the criteria to need to be at that status.) Jeri and Carolyn spoke with the transplant social worker and she said that Jeri would remain at the top of the normal donor list however. She has been able to eat real meals, not just fruit and a little water, so she is feeling much better in her tummy also! Nutrition will be a major thing now. The doctors have changed some of her medicines. They will be regulating how much coumadin she will need to take to regulate the thickness of her blood. Some big decisions have been made. Daryl and Brady will be moving back home to Katy! Daryl has been given the okay from his boss where he was working in Katy to return to work and the leasing agent in Las Vegas has okayed for them to break the lease in Vegas on their home. In fact, she was more concerned about Jeri's health than the lease! Praise God! Jeri is doing great and her spirits are way up from just a few days ago! Everyone involved,from doctors to family, is at peace and we all know that is only due to the prayers of all the faithful friends and prayer warriors. Thank you all for lifting her and her family up to God in prayer. God is so good! Jeri will stay in California and live with her cousin Jana who lives about 45 minutes from Stanford! Carolyn will stay with her.

Please continue to pass along the website so that no prayer warrior is left without knowing.

God Bless,

Amy

Sunday, August 17, 2003 8:44 AM CDT

Good Morning Everyone!!

I have had close contact with California throughout the night. Junny & Carolyn went to the Hospital at 2am to be with Jeri. She only slept two hours last night and is experiencing a lot of pain. Pray for God's Will. Pray for strength. Pray for rest. Pray for patience.

I learned yesterday that Jeri's Medical Team has somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 doctors. My first thought was 'How can they get anything done?' I work in a Hospital and know if 15+ are working together communications seems difficult. They meet as a team first thing each morning. Amy said how well this team works together ~ discusses the topic ~ formualtes a plan ~ then executes it perfectly. What a blessing to know that God has provided 50 excellent doctors to provide Jeri the specialized care she needs.

Saturday, August 16, 2003 8:30 PM CDT

Today has been another day of extensive Diagnostic Testing and much discussions and Consultation on the part of the Medical Team. This afternoon Jeri underwent a Cath procedure which went well. The Medical team is currently treating several areas of need for Jeri. Daryl, Carolyn & Junny, and Amy & Avery have all had a good day and asked that I personally Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.

God Bless,

td

Friday, August 15, 2003 12:47 AM CDT

Not a moment goes by without you crossing our minds.

Godspeed

Taylor

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