Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Updates on My Parents - May 11th, 2016
Here are my updates from today, May 11th, 2016.
8 mins ·
Sorry for such a late update. I've been on the phone, it seems, all day handling some business. First, I want to say WOW.. just WOW. I am so humbled, in every sense of the word, by our friends and family, and our community, who have supported us, prayed for us, and contributed to us. I'm an independent person and this has all been a lesson for me. Sometimes we need help, and it's okay to accept it. Thank you all for your love! My heart is in awe of it.
Now, for the update. Mom had an MRI on her back today. It was mainly just to make sure nothing was needed, operation-wise, for her fracture(s). I'm not yet sure on the results, but I'm optimistic and so are the doctors. Mom has been up and we've had several visitors. I can see such an improvement and encouragement when people are with her. Keep praying for her. We are hoping to get her out of ICU tomorrow; she's on a waiting list. Tonight they have her sleeping - which, if you know my mom, you know she doesn't sleep, so it's much needed.
Dad had a skin graft today, and is doing remarkably well. He is using his left hand minimally, but I can already tell it won't be long till he's using his arm moderately. He's doing really well and is pretty much his good ole self just in a bed.
Tonight Ali and I got the possessions that were in the hospital's security station and went through them. I'll spare you the details, but them being alive is even more incredible after seeing their clothes and some of the things they had with them. God is so good!
Please keep praying. We still have a long way to go, and heard that it may be about a month before we are able to move to a closer rehab facility. Thank you everyone.. sincerely, our family is so humbled.
11 hrs ·
People have been asking, and here it is; mom and dad's address for cards. Please share.
Jeff and Marcy Cherry
C/o Mission Hospital
509 Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
13 hrs ·
If all of life was easy God wouldn't have the opportunity to be glorified in times of trial.
Good morning. I stayed with Mom last night and John Heldreth stayed with Dad. Mom was kind of restless, but not too bad. She's just worried about everything and everybody. Dad did pretty well from what I hear. He looks a lot better. Mom has an MRI on her back today around noon to check a fracture or two, but they're not anything major compared to everything else. They are thinking they may just let it heal and give her a brace. Dad has surgery at about the same time. They will either see his arm up or do a skin graft from where the Dr. left it open to accommodate swelling. Keep praying!
Updates on My Parents - May 10th, 2016
Updates from May 10th:
23 hrs ·
We are all pretty tired, but I want to give you an update on how things are going.
Mom breathed on her own last night, and got her tubes out and off her sedative today. She's talking a little, but because she had them in so long it'll take a bit to get back to normal. She's already started therapy and was able to sit herself up. She's doing well, just worn out.
After a long night of fighting with me and trying to "break out" of his room, Dad started therapy as well and got in a chair. He's doing really well. Not much of a change on him.. Just improving and getting stronger.
I'll share a dialogue with you from right after mom got awake and got her tubes out:
*in mom's room*
Me: I heard Dad is up in a chair.
Surgeon: Yeah, man. He's a stud.
RN: You hear that Marcy? You married a stud 28 years ago. You're not too shabby yourself.
Mom: *smile*
Me: You're a stud too mom
RN: Y'all must have a stud farm over in Kentucky
Mom: *coughing and laughing hard*
.... Later with Dad....
Me: Dr. Kaufman called you a stud. *recounts story*
Dad: Well... There you go. You heard it from "the man."
23 hrs ·
We are all pretty tired, but I want to give you an update on how things are going.
Mom breathed on her own last night, and got her tubes out and off her sedative today. She's talking a little, but because she had them in so long it'll take a bit to get back to normal. She's already started therapy and was able to sit herself up. She's doing well, just worn out.
After a long night of fighting with me and trying to "break out" of his room, Dad started therapy as well and got in a chair. He's doing really well. Not much of a change on him.. Just improving and getting stronger.
I'll share a dialogue with you from right after mom got awake and got her tubes out:
*in mom's room*
Me: I heard Dad is up in a chair.
Surgeon: Yeah, man. He's a stud.
RN: You hear that Marcy? You married a stud 28 years ago. You're not too shabby yourself.
Mom: *smile*
Me: You're a stud too mom
RN: Y'all must have a stud farm over in Kentucky
Mom: *coughing and laughing hard*
.... Later with Dad....
Me: Dr. Kaufman called you a stud. *recounts story*
Dad: Well... There you go. You heard it from "the man."
Laughter, next to prayer and probably a few pain meds, is the best medicine.
God is good and he and all of you are blessing us! Thank you!
Yesterday at 7:24am ·
Being in the valley with God is better than being on the mountain top without Him.
I slept in dad's room again. We had a long night. He's been in a lot of pain. He's doing a little better right now. Mom was weaned off the ventilator last night. Keep praying! God is with us!
God is good and he and all of you are blessing us! Thank you!
Yesterday at 7:24am ·
Being in the valley with God is better than being on the mountain top without Him.
I slept in dad's room again. We had a long night. He's been in a lot of pain. He's doing a little better right now. Mom was weaned off the ventilator last night. Keep praying! God is with us!
Updates on My Parents - May 9th, 2016
Theses are my Facebook posts from May 9th
May 9 at 8:29pm ·
It has been a LONG day; about 8-10 hours of surgery total. Both Mom and Dad have done excellent and the doctor says it went as well as they could have hoped. I want to give everyone the official update to hopefully clear up questions. We have been telling you what we deemed appropriate until we could determine how to say it and till we could be 100% certain for ourselves that what we say is fact, and we appreciate your respect and understanding. Thus, now that the surgery is over, here is what has happened today:
DAD:
Dad went into surgery early this morning. When he first arrived at the hospital they performed an emergency amputation on his left leg because the muscle was gone and the damage was so severe. They left it open in order to account for potential further muscle degradation and the possibility of needing to extend the amputation, and this morning they were able to close the amputation. Thankfully, the amputation was below the knee and remained where it was, so he should be able to walk fairly normal. They were able to rebuild the left knee and put a rod in his femur. His left forearm was shattered and they put a large plate in, and he is expected to have full usage of the arm. The arm has a cut in it still to help with swelling and he will go back in later this week to either sew it up or graft it. He's doing well; in pain, but doing well. He is supposed to start getting up and doing some therapy tomorrow.
MOM:
Mom has very similar injuries; all on the left side. She has a deep laceration almost the whole circumference of her thigh, removing some muscle tissue, and her pelvis is broken. She also has a fracture in a vertebra in the middle of her back. The pelvis should heal, and the vertebra is similar to a compression fracture, so it should be okay after some healing time. The laceration has been cared for and will need to heal. In surgery, they pinned her broken hand (nearly every major bone) and it's now elevated. They anticipate that after some therapy and fighting stiffness that she will have full use of it. They placed the same kind of rod in her femur as Dad's. Her ankle and foot received so much damage (missing bone, tissue, and muscle) that it was not salvageable, but she received a below the knee amputation as well in order for her to have a functional leg and be able to walk fairly normal and it is slightly lower than Dad's. Mom is in her room recovering right now, and we are hoping to get her extubated and off of the ventilator tomorrow. They want her on it tonight just to keep her strong through the night.
This has been very traumatic and life changing, but we are so thankful to God that both of them are still here. God was watching over them and he is in the healing process. Please keep praying! Thank you so much everyone for the prayers, and thank you for the love and support that you've given and continue to give us!
May 9 at 3:19pm ·
Forgot my quote:
When God proves himself, we shouldn't be afraid to commit our trust to him.
Mom just left for surgery. Send up some prayers. The hospital let us all go in and have a family prayer. This hospital has been such a blessing to us. God proved himself with Dad. Let's pray and put our trust in him for Mom.
Dad is in his room in a lot of pain, recovering though. He looks so good!
May 9 at 2:21pm ·
Dad has been out of surgery for about an hour now. We are waiting for him to come out of recovery. The doctor said things went beautifully and better than he hoped. Mom will go in soon. Thank God! He is so good!
May 9 at 5:51am ·
I'm sitting with Dad in pre-op. He's good, just tired and on some meds. He should be going in shortly. Say a good prayer for their surgeries today. Mom's will begin around lunchtime.
May 9 at 8:29pm ·
It has been a LONG day; about 8-10 hours of surgery total. Both Mom and Dad have done excellent and the doctor says it went as well as they could have hoped. I want to give everyone the official update to hopefully clear up questions. We have been telling you what we deemed appropriate until we could determine how to say it and till we could be 100% certain for ourselves that what we say is fact, and we appreciate your respect and understanding. Thus, now that the surgery is over, here is what has happened today:
DAD:
Dad went into surgery early this morning. When he first arrived at the hospital they performed an emergency amputation on his left leg because the muscle was gone and the damage was so severe. They left it open in order to account for potential further muscle degradation and the possibility of needing to extend the amputation, and this morning they were able to close the amputation. Thankfully, the amputation was below the knee and remained where it was, so he should be able to walk fairly normal. They were able to rebuild the left knee and put a rod in his femur. His left forearm was shattered and they put a large plate in, and he is expected to have full usage of the arm. The arm has a cut in it still to help with swelling and he will go back in later this week to either sew it up or graft it. He's doing well; in pain, but doing well. He is supposed to start getting up and doing some therapy tomorrow.
MOM:
Mom has very similar injuries; all on the left side. She has a deep laceration almost the whole circumference of her thigh, removing some muscle tissue, and her pelvis is broken. She also has a fracture in a vertebra in the middle of her back. The pelvis should heal, and the vertebra is similar to a compression fracture, so it should be okay after some healing time. The laceration has been cared for and will need to heal. In surgery, they pinned her broken hand (nearly every major bone) and it's now elevated. They anticipate that after some therapy and fighting stiffness that she will have full use of it. They placed the same kind of rod in her femur as Dad's. Her ankle and foot received so much damage (missing bone, tissue, and muscle) that it was not salvageable, but she received a below the knee amputation as well in order for her to have a functional leg and be able to walk fairly normal and it is slightly lower than Dad's. Mom is in her room recovering right now, and we are hoping to get her extubated and off of the ventilator tomorrow. They want her on it tonight just to keep her strong through the night.
This has been very traumatic and life changing, but we are so thankful to God that both of them are still here. God was watching over them and he is in the healing process. Please keep praying! Thank you so much everyone for the prayers, and thank you for the love and support that you've given and continue to give us!
May 9 at 3:19pm ·
Forgot my quote:
When God proves himself, we shouldn't be afraid to commit our trust to him.
Mom just left for surgery. Send up some prayers. The hospital let us all go in and have a family prayer. This hospital has been such a blessing to us. God proved himself with Dad. Let's pray and put our trust in him for Mom.
Dad is in his room in a lot of pain, recovering though. He looks so good!
May 9 at 2:21pm ·
Dad has been out of surgery for about an hour now. We are waiting for him to come out of recovery. The doctor said things went beautifully and better than he hoped. Mom will go in soon. Thank God! He is so good!
May 9 at 5:51am ·
I'm sitting with Dad in pre-op. He's good, just tired and on some meds. He should be going in shortly. Say a good prayer for their surgeries today. Mom's will begin around lunchtime.
Updates on My Parents - May 8th, 2016
I posted these updates on May 8th, via Facebook, about my parents.
May 8 at 10:20pm ·
Well... I am thankful to God that I was able to worship Him today, that I still had Mom to spend Mother's Day with, and that my mother (and us) still has her husband.
Today Dad got moved to a different room, a less "severe" room. The nurses have been SO incredible and they pushed Dad's bed into her room to see her, so we had a family Mother's Day smile emoticon
Dad is awake and eating and doing alright aside from quite a bit of pain. Mom is still sedated, but has been responsive. Both go into surgery tomorrow early; Dad first, then Mom. They expect them to improve dramatically after surgery; including Mom being able to be more awake. The surgeries will be focused on fixing some breaks in their legs and arms. Neurologically and internally they are both sound and doing great.
I ask that you please refer to the family's posts before telling anything. I know it's hard not to talk because it's on everyone's minds, but out of respect for our family, please keep it to what you know and nip what you don't. We are so thankful and overwhelmed by everyone's love and care- the calls and messages - the cards already - everything.. we are amazed by how much support everyone has given us. God has blessed us! Please keep praying! God is incredible.
May 8 at 7:24am ·
There is a Balm much greater than physical ailment, but a Balm in Gilead, the Christ. The one who overcomes the world!
Good morning and happy Mother's Day. Mom and dad did great overnight. Mom's more alert and dad is doing about the same (really well). Praise God!
May 8 at 10:20pm ·
Well... I am thankful to God that I was able to worship Him today, that I still had Mom to spend Mother's Day with, and that my mother (and us) still has her husband.
Today Dad got moved to a different room, a less "severe" room. The nurses have been SO incredible and they pushed Dad's bed into her room to see her, so we had a family Mother's Day smile emoticon
Dad is awake and eating and doing alright aside from quite a bit of pain. Mom is still sedated, but has been responsive. Both go into surgery tomorrow early; Dad first, then Mom. They expect them to improve dramatically after surgery; including Mom being able to be more awake. The surgeries will be focused on fixing some breaks in their legs and arms. Neurologically and internally they are both sound and doing great.
I ask that you please refer to the family's posts before telling anything. I know it's hard not to talk because it's on everyone's minds, but out of respect for our family, please keep it to what you know and nip what you don't. We are so thankful and overwhelmed by everyone's love and care- the calls and messages - the cards already - everything.. we are amazed by how much support everyone has given us. God has blessed us! Please keep praying! God is incredible.
May 8 at 7:24am ·
There is a Balm much greater than physical ailment, but a Balm in Gilead, the Christ. The one who overcomes the world!
Good morning and happy Mother's Day. Mom and dad did great overnight. Mom's more alert and dad is doing about the same (really well). Praise God!
Updates on My Parents - May 7th, 2016
I posted these updates concerning my parents on May 7th, 2016 via Facebook.
May 7 at 9:26pm ·
I'm getting to recline next to Pops and watch TV with him. He had a couple bites of jello today and is doing really well. He's cracking jokes like the Jeff we know. Mom's still sedated, but her BP and HR are good and she responded to Aunt Patti and I. Both are strong and pushing forward. Keep praying and I have faith he will keep answering. The Creator the universe cares enough about us to hear your prayers and take care of our family. How humbling!
May 7 at 2:44pm · Grassy Fork, TN ·
Dad is awake and off of the ventilator. Uncle Jimmy and I went to get mom and dad's things from their hotel in Gatlinburg, so I haven't seen him yet, but from what I've been told he's doing really well. I ask that you please don't ask for further details. I know many are concerned, and we will update you as we can and feel appropriate. Thank you!
May 7 at 10:14am ·
God's protection doesn't necessarily mean nothing happens, but that he is with you that you might overcome what happens.
Good morning. No serious update. Mom and dad are doing reasonably well and are sedated. Both have responded to us through the night for a short moment. Keep praying. Thank you!
May 7 at 12:12am ·
We have been at the hospital a little while now. Both mom and dad are pretty rough, but the care here is excellent and they should be good in the long run. It will be a long process, but God and the love so many have shown us will get us through it. We will be here for a while for surgeries and care but I'll try to keep everyone posted as I can. If I don't respond to your messages it's not because I don't care. We are just overwhelmed. Keep praying and thank you so much for the love and prayers. God is incredible.
May 7 at 9:26pm ·
I'm getting to recline next to Pops and watch TV with him. He had a couple bites of jello today and is doing really well. He's cracking jokes like the Jeff we know. Mom's still sedated, but her BP and HR are good and she responded to Aunt Patti and I. Both are strong and pushing forward. Keep praying and I have faith he will keep answering. The Creator the universe cares enough about us to hear your prayers and take care of our family. How humbling!
May 7 at 2:44pm · Grassy Fork, TN ·
Dad is awake and off of the ventilator. Uncle Jimmy and I went to get mom and dad's things from their hotel in Gatlinburg, so I haven't seen him yet, but from what I've been told he's doing really well. I ask that you please don't ask for further details. I know many are concerned, and we will update you as we can and feel appropriate. Thank you!
May 7 at 10:14am ·
God's protection doesn't necessarily mean nothing happens, but that he is with you that you might overcome what happens.
Good morning. No serious update. Mom and dad are doing reasonably well and are sedated. Both have responded to us through the night for a short moment. Keep praying. Thank you!
May 7 at 12:12am ·
We have been at the hospital a little while now. Both mom and dad are pretty rough, but the care here is excellent and they should be good in the long run. It will be a long process, but God and the love so many have shown us will get us through it. We will be here for a while for surgeries and care but I'll try to keep everyone posted as I can. If I don't respond to your messages it's not because I don't care. We are just overwhelmed. Keep praying and thank you so much for the love and prayers. God is incredible.
Updates on My Parents - May 6th, 2016
These are the Facebook updates I posted on May 6th regarding my parents.
May 6 at 7:17pm · Franklin Hill, TN ·
Mom is in ICU recovering from surgery. She has a thing on her leg to try to stabilize it. Dad is in surgery now. Both are stable. Thank you for the prayers!
May 6 at 4:56pm · New Middleton, TN ·
We were going to try to keep it quiet till we got there, but everyone seems to know already. Ali Cherry and I (with Nani and Grand Dad behind us-John Heldreth) are headed to Asheville, NC. Mom (Marcy Heldreth Cherry) and Dad were in a motorcycle accident. A car crossed into their lane and hit them head on. They each have a broken leg, dad might have two, and he has a broken arm. It's serious, but they're both stable. Mom is in surgery and dad is next. I will try to keep you updated, but we really don't know a whole lot and probably won't till we get there.
Please pray for them and the doctors, and for our family. Also give a prayer of thanksgiving to God for protecting them from what could have been so much worse.
May 6 at 7:17pm · Franklin Hill, TN ·
Mom is in ICU recovering from surgery. She has a thing on her leg to try to stabilize it. Dad is in surgery now. Both are stable. Thank you for the prayers!
May 6 at 4:56pm · New Middleton, TN ·
We were going to try to keep it quiet till we got there, but everyone seems to know already. Ali Cherry and I (with Nani and Grand Dad behind us-John Heldreth) are headed to Asheville, NC. Mom (Marcy Heldreth Cherry) and Dad were in a motorcycle accident. A car crossed into their lane and hit them head on. They each have a broken leg, dad might have two, and he has a broken arm. It's serious, but they're both stable. Mom is in surgery and dad is next. I will try to keep you updated, but we really don't know a whole lot and probably won't till we get there.
Please pray for them and the doctors, and for our family. Also give a prayer of thanksgiving to God for protecting them from what could have been so much worse.
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Welcome to Franktown; We Don't Turn Down
Howdy everyone!
I'm going to really, really try to start blogging on a regular basis. I stopped blogging in Haiti because of a lack of internet connection, among other things, but I'm back online and I'm going to try to keep up, as well as start posting some more writings with Biblical topics and points.
To get you caught up, I finished my Spring '14 semester at TAMU about 3 weeks ago, and I'm about to complete my first week of working with the Holly Hill church of Christ in Frankfort (a.k.a. Franktown), KY. This first week has been outstanding. We have a lot of great things planned for the summer and I hope you'll pray with us that God allows His Word to pierce the hearts of not only those who do not know the Truth, but those who know it as well-all of us. I'll be working here until July 27th. Then, I'll be speaking at the church of Christ in Madisonville, KY's Bible Quest on Saturday morning, August 2nd. That evening Collin Fitzgerald (Mayfield, KY) and I will fly out of Evansville, IN for the Philippines, where we will be met by Daniel Horn (College Station, TX) and stay for two weeks working with congregations there.
I am so blessed to have the opportunity to be where I am, specifically at this moment. I am absolutely loving the Holly Hill congregation, and looking forward to what God has in store. To give you an idea of some of our activities, we are planning young men's and ladies' Bible study groups, planning for VBS (#HollyHillVBS2014) in a couple weeks (June 8-11), hosting a Summer Youth Series on June 2 (my birthday, and I'll be speaking-be there or be square), looking at doing a congregational garden to give produce to the local Soup Kitchen and Men's Shelter and volunteering there via service and leading worship services, and of course we have an assortment of activities like movie nights, etc. If you're in the Frankfort area we would love to have you! Sunday school starts at 10:00 with services following at 11:00, and Wednesday evening services at 19:00. Again, please keep us in your prayers.
In regard to the Philippines work, I'd like to
1) Ask you to pray for us,
2) Sign up for the newsletter - send me an e-mail: PhilippinesMissionsProgram(at)gmail(dot)com,
3) Consider supporting the work yourself, or getting your congregation on board-send us books, Bibles, song books, study material, monetary support.. if you plan on sending us something other than something listed, please ask first, so we can make sure there is a need and way to distribute, &
4) Join a trip-see the Lord work in the lives of Filipinos. We need teachers, but also those will agricultural and medical abilities.
God is good, all the time! All the time, God is good!
"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."
-Deuteronomy 31:6
Have a blessed day!
-Audie
I'm going to really, really try to start blogging on a regular basis. I stopped blogging in Haiti because of a lack of internet connection, among other things, but I'm back online and I'm going to try to keep up, as well as start posting some more writings with Biblical topics and points.
To get you caught up, I finished my Spring '14 semester at TAMU about 3 weeks ago, and I'm about to complete my first week of working with the Holly Hill church of Christ in Frankfort (a.k.a. Franktown), KY. This first week has been outstanding. We have a lot of great things planned for the summer and I hope you'll pray with us that God allows His Word to pierce the hearts of not only those who do not know the Truth, but those who know it as well-all of us. I'll be working here until July 27th. Then, I'll be speaking at the church of Christ in Madisonville, KY's Bible Quest on Saturday morning, August 2nd. That evening Collin Fitzgerald (Mayfield, KY) and I will fly out of Evansville, IN for the Philippines, where we will be met by Daniel Horn (College Station, TX) and stay for two weeks working with congregations there.
I am so blessed to have the opportunity to be where I am, specifically at this moment. I am absolutely loving the Holly Hill congregation, and looking forward to what God has in store. To give you an idea of some of our activities, we are planning young men's and ladies' Bible study groups, planning for VBS (#HollyHillVBS2014) in a couple weeks (June 8-11), hosting a Summer Youth Series on June 2 (my birthday, and I'll be speaking-be there or be square), looking at doing a congregational garden to give produce to the local Soup Kitchen and Men's Shelter and volunteering there via service and leading worship services, and of course we have an assortment of activities like movie nights, etc. If you're in the Frankfort area we would love to have you! Sunday school starts at 10:00 with services following at 11:00, and Wednesday evening services at 19:00. Again, please keep us in your prayers.
In regard to the Philippines work, I'd like to
1) Ask you to pray for us,
2) Sign up for the newsletter - send me an e-mail: PhilippinesMissionsProgram(at)gmail(dot)com,
3) Consider supporting the work yourself, or getting your congregation on board-send us books, Bibles, song books, study material, monetary support.. if you plan on sending us something other than something listed, please ask first, so we can make sure there is a need and way to distribute, &
4) Join a trip-see the Lord work in the lives of Filipinos. We need teachers, but also those will agricultural and medical abilities.
God is good, all the time! All the time, God is good!
"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."
-Deuteronomy 31:6
Have a blessed day!
-Audie
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