And now today ...

I "think" this should catch me up --
**For those who don't know ... Rick's dad, Jimmy McCoy, is having heart valve replacement surgery this coming Thursday - October 23, 2014 - at the Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital, Tyler, TX. His aortic valve is not closing properly and the cardiologist said that half of his blood is returning to the heart with each beat of the heart. So far, does not appear to have damaged the heart, however, that small window is fast closing. Hence the urgency to get this repaired!
Jimmy is 74 years young - and in relative good health. He has high blood pressure and diabetes, both of which are well controlled with diet, exercise and medication. He goes to the gym 3 or 4 times a week, does the mowing, goes where and when he wants to. He never has drank or smoked. Cardiologist said that all these things are in his favor. Please be in prayer for Jimmy, for Mary Lou - his wife, Rick's mom. As well as praying for the family. Jimmy is the rock in the Walker's and the McCoy's. He always has been - and will continue to be. He's ornery - but very loved!!!!!

**Rick's nurse called me today with his lab results from Wednesday. Phosphorus is down - Praise the Lord!
However, his albumin (protein) is down also. For a dialysis patient, this is not the best. Albumin should be at 4, no lower than 3.8. Rick's albumin is now at 3.5.
His calcium level is creeping up, which means that we really have to watch his dairy intake at this point. It is a balancing act between the phosphorus binders and the level of calcium. His binders are calcium based - the best tolerated by his body.
His total blood count is down. Concerning. His hemoglobin should be no lower than 10. It is now at 8.5. We must be diligent about the EPO shots - now at 100 on the syringe, twice a week. 
Please pray for Rick. He struggles with all this. Yes, it is a physical struggle and challenge. But even more so is the mental and emotional side. He has always been a very independent man. Never liking to be told where to go, what to do, and certainly not what to eat! And now? PROTEIN, PROTEIN, PROTEIN!!! As well as very little if any dairy products - and he is a milk and cheese man! 

** My prayer today --
O Father! God of all glory. God of heaven. God of earth. God of all. God who is good - all the time. and all the time, God who is good. i love you!!!!!

my heart hurts today with so many hurting people. people that need you Lord. people that are going thru some major life crisis - us included. lanetta's husband has throat cancer, stage 3. autumn called me and rick's total blood count is now under 9 - should be no less than 10. i was afraid of this when he makes such an issue of the epo shots, and when i have caved and given in to not giving them to him. sigh. i think of our kids and our grandkids. of rick's dad and mom. and those here in the park - as well as the park changing from a family to a business. so sad. and then all these people so affected by ebola in our nation. the fear that ebola makes to rise in our minds and in our hearts. fear of the disease itself, fear of people's reactions to the fear, fear of what our leaders will or won't do.

but God - you are so much greater than any of our trials or troubles. you are God. our Father in heaven. you know when a sparrow falls to the ground. you know the number of sands upon the shore. you have a name for every star in heaven. how much more important are we to you? you gave your only begotten Son for us. you care. you are aware. you love us.

i want to acknowledge your love and care over us right now. i want to accept your love and care for us. Father, just to lay down my resistance and believe. trust you - God is good all the time.

forgive me of my sins. cleanse me from all my impurities. make me holy. help me to believe. revive me O Lord God - turn my heart to you. let the Deep call to the deep - and let the deep hear, answer, believe.

O Father God! Poppa! i need you! oh how i need you! hold me now ... please, just hold me. hold us all. love us until we believe. love us until we trust you. O Father God!!!!!

in Jesus' Name ...

thank you - i love you!!!!!