The Holts

2010-01-17T13:35:00.002-06:00

It's been a blah day today and Joey is feeling the same. He doesn't know exactly what is wrong with him but he just doesn't feel well. He's about to get a shower so maybe he'll perk up some. Please say a prayer for him and the Turman family as well. They've all had a virus and Kim, Blake and Brandon got it last night! I'm so sorry they had an extra one to take care of but grateful they did take care of him. Brandon is now running fever so please say a prayer for all of them.

Gloomy with Great News!

2010-01-16T17:46:00.002-06:00

Dr. Carney came by and told Joey that if he would promise to behave he would let us go home on Monday unless he has any setbacks tomorrow! Yeah!! We are so ready and are praying that everything goes well tomorrow. He walked around our floor again tonight and will be able to shower tomorrow.

The things he can do when he gets home are: Sit in the recliner and watch tv, walk to the mailbox, sit on the porch and he can ride in a vehicle as long as he does not go down any dirt roads or to the field. He CAN NOT drive! I guess I will have to take his keys away. He told him he could also fix his meals and I made him tell him again "You can fix your meals" so there is no excuse if he choses not to eat! I suppose I can fix them while he is under the weather so to speak.

Anyway our gloomy day has turned into a pretty good one. We do love our doctor! He told us he wants to come down and go hunting if we'd let him and he is going to email us a picture of him when he was a little boy riding on the cotton picker. He really wants Joey to see that picture.

Well enough for tonight, I suppose I'll sit back and watch some more TV.

Tammy

A Gloomy Saturday in Atlanta

2010-01-16T16:07:00.002-06:00

I sure hope the weather back home is better than it is here. It's dreary outside, I can't even see the beautiful Atlanta skyline that I've seen for the past 3 nights, maybe the sun will come out tomorrow.

Joey has been out of the bed for most of today and we even did 4 laps around our floor. Today has been pretty good, much better than his night. He had to call the nurse around 2:30 this morning and get some pain medication and then again this afternoon around 3 pm he had some more pain. He did say that he was glad that he was here since he was having some pretty bad pain. Maybe the walking will help him and things will start feeling better. I know we'll be out in the hall making some more laps before the day is over.

I think we've caught up on all the current events that's been on tv or in the newpaper. I don't know when either of us has watched this much tv, last year during his hospital say I guess. I did go out today and get us a late lunch/early supper from the Outback. It sure was better than the hospital food.

We miss all our family and friends and can't wait to be back at home. Thanks to everyone for everything you've done, wheather it has been a prayer that you said, a phone call that has been made or helping out with our children. It's hard being away but with friends and family like all of you it has been made much easier. Please remember us in your prayers and we are looking forward to returning home.

2010-01-15T16:38:00.002-06:00

Well we've made it to Friday afternoon. Three of the residents came in and removed his bandages and said he could get out of bed. They were not gentle with him at all! He was not happy! The nurse gave him some pain medication and we are letting that take affect before he tries to get up. Please pray that when he does get up he will not try to overdo it. That's about all for today, maybe tomorrow I'll report that he walked down and around the hallway.

Thursday, January 14th

2010-01-14T09:05:00.002-06:00

Well he's awake and rearing to go! He's been awake for several hours now and just don't understand why they want to keep him here for a week! Of course he's been flirting and going on at all the nurses and some of them remember him from last year! How could they forget? He's probably the liveliest patient on this floor.

But in all seriousness, he's feeling great and Praise God they did not mess with his mouth! They have him at a slight angle because they don't want him sitting up just yet and he can watch tv but I've had to feed him and we are so blessed that at least he can eat and will not have to swish around that "Liquid Fire" that he had last year. I'm afraid if they had messed with his mouth he would have gotten up and walked out of here, if he could have.

All he can see from the bed is the beautiful blue sky, he remembers that alot from last year! He had to lay flat for about 6 days then but maybe he'll be able to sit up tomorrow and will be able enjoy the view from our room. It's pretty at night with all the lights lighting up the downtown skyline.

Enough for now, he's starting to give one of the nurses trouble so I'd better help her out! Hope you all have a Blessed and Then Some Day!

Joey & Tammy

What a Year!

2010-01-13T20:57:00.002-06:00

Well, 2009 has come and gone and I haven't posted since February! I normally don't have enough time to spend blogging but as it looks I'll have plenty of time over the next week. We are back in Atlanta at Emory Hospital, room E1113. Joey had the 2nd and final stage of his urinary tract repair. He was in surgery from 12:30 until 6 pm. It was scheduled to start at 8:30 am but you know how hospital schedules are......they are rarely on time. He's resting nicely right now and I hope he continues to rest tonight. He wouldn't take the pain medication they offered him so we'll see how that will go. The nurse just came in to give him a heprin shot, I'm not even sure he woke up but she gave it to him and out she went.

Our baby boy turned 11 today! Happy Birthday Brandon! Sure wish we could have been with you but we know that you and Justin are well taken care of.

Looks like it's gonna be a long week here but we'll make it. Please check in from time to time and maybe I'll keep this updated so you can know how he's doing. I was going to email but I can't use outlook express and it's really not fun using centurytel to check my mail. Maybe I can figure out how to post some new pictures to update this blog tomorrow. One thing I won't update is my song that plays....I just love "Remember When" and I don't know if I even know how to change it now but why change a good thing!

Goodnight to all of you and I hope you have a blessed day tomorrow!

Joey & Tammy

Monday, February 2, 2009

2009-02-02T17:17:00.002-06:00

Where does the time go? It's already February! I haven't made a post in quite a while. I'm sure most of you know but others may not, Joey's father passed away on January 23 while being treated at Southeast Alabama Medical Center. He had a mild heart attack on January 17 and after a week of being there he started improving. They took him off of the respiratior on Friday and shortly after that he started going downhill. But God is gracious and before he started getting worse Joey and his Mom had a wonderful visit with him. They laughed and enjoyed each other for about 30 minutes and then time started slipping away. I'm grateful that they had that time with him and he wasn't in any pain but it is still so hard to believe. Please keep us in your prayers, especially Mrs. Holt. They would have been married for 52 years this month and although she says she's fine, it's really been hard on her. They did everything together so it's going to take some time for her to adjust to him being gone. She went back to work today and maybe that will help her some but then when she gets home she doesn't have anyone to take care of. Please say a prayer for her when you can.

Tonight is Justin's last basketball game! They are playing in Ariton and I didn't get to go. Brandon was at home sick today and I know that he didn't feel like riding over there and I couldn't find a bus driver for my afternoon route so it all worked out anyway. I hate for the season to end but now we must get ready for BASEBALL!! Yeah!

Well I've got so much to catch up on around here so I'll post later and maybe it won't take me so long this next time.

Tammy

Tuesday, January 20th

2009-01-20T19:22:00.003-06:00

Joey had his follow up appointment in Atlanta today and they told him to continue light duty until February 16th which will be 6 weeks from his surgery. He didn't like that very much but maybe he'll listen and they said we didn't have to go back to Atlanta until July!! Yeah! Thank you Jesus!

As some of you know Joey's father, Allen, had a heart attack early Saturday morning. He was flown to the Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan where he is in the Critical Care Unit. Please be in prayer for him. He had one blocked artery and they put a stint in and fixed it and was hoping that was all there was to do, unfortunately his blood pressure has been extremely low. They did some tests yesterday and said they do not believe he will need open heart surgery, a prayer request answered, but they are not sure why his pressure will not come up. Joey went to Dothan after we got back from Atlanta and he told me they are just watching him now, his blood pressure has started coming back up, slowly.

The doctors are not sure why it has not gotten back to normal so they have decided to just let him rest and see what it does. He is also on a ventilator and they are keeping him completely sedated because when they let him come out of it some he tries to get up. Please pray for the doctors who are treating him, they don't seem to be able to figure this out and pray for Joey's Mother who has been at his side every time they will let her in the unit, I know she is very tired.

I'll try and get better at posting this week, maybe we will have good news.

Tammy

Sorry, I've been bad about posting!

2009-01-15T22:07:00.002-06:00

I've been bad and have not made a post since Monday, please forgive me. We made it home Monday night and it was so good but I still haven't slowed down. When you get home from being away a week and the kids have been away a week there is so much to catch up on.....laundry, back to doing homework and general household chores. I think I was so tired that I didn't realize I was tired, does that make sense? Wednesday afternoon I didn't feel very well, I made sure the boys and Joey had supper and I went to bed at 6:30 pm. I got up today at 5:30 am and feel so much better. I think I was totally exhausted and had just not slowed down enough to realize it.

We have to go back to Atlanta on Tuesday for a checkup and hopefully this will be the last one for a while. The skin graphs look great but his mouth seemed to be getting worse. Yesterday I emailed the doctor and he told me to have him stop the "Liquid Fire", which he was more than happy to do. Wednesday his lip was swelling and he was really in alot of pain, this morning I accidentally (it really was an accident) hit him in the mouth with my elbow! He was not a happy camper, he was in ALOT of pain and it was my fault and saying "I'm sorry" really wasn't making him feel any better. After the initial shock he has not had any pain in his mouth! Praise God he was able to eat today! He said, "I hate to say it but I think when you hit me in the mouth it released the pressure inside my lip where it was swollen and made it feel so much better."

Enough for now, it's getting late and I must get up early to drive the bus in the morning. It will be cold but I'm so thankful to be home and wouldn't trade it for the world!

Joey & Tammy

Sweet Home Alabama....

2009-01-12T22:47:00.002-06:00

We're home and ready to sleep in our bed tonight. Will post more tomorrow.

Love,
Joey & Tammy
Justin & Brandon

Dr. Carney has arrived!

2009-01-12T09:33:00.002-06:00

Well he came in and hopefully we will be on our way very soon! He removed the bandages and said everything looked great so we are waiting on the nurses to discharge us. He explained in detail the reason he had not been here earlier and we understood. Joey said he is such a good surgeon and very compassionate about his work that we couldn't be upset with him for taking off to go help his mother with her problems.

Please pray for safe journey on our way home and maybe before dark we will be there. Talk to you all soon and as I mentioned before we can't begin to thank you enough for all the prayers and phone calls you have given us. We love you and we look forward to seeing you all real soon!

Joey & Tammy Holt

Looks like we are here for the night!

2009-01-11T20:46:00.002-06:00

Well it's 10 pm and since the doc still has not been by we know we might as well get as comfortable as we can. He has surgery on Mondays so we hope he comes by early in the morning so we can be on our way home.

Thank you to our Training Union Class - they called us up on the linc and gave us a big Hello from Hopewell! We can't wait to get back to fellowship with you all and we can't thank you enough for all the prayers!

Hopefully we will make a post in the morning that says "We're on our way home" if not I think I'm gonna cry and I know Joey will but we are praying and trusting the Lord that everything will be fine and they will release us.

Until then....we love you and miss you all and can't wait to see you!

Joey & Tammy

Making Progress....

2009-01-11T14:21:00.002-06:00

Dr. Carney never came in last night but when the resident came in today he said Dr. Carney gave him permission to remove the outer bandage and he could get up and walk, I can hardly keep him in the room. It was a slow go to start with but he's doing great right now. He is probably walking every hour so maybe he won't get too tired.

Annie our nurse just came in and told us that he very rarely sends a patient home the first day he gets out of bed....bummer...I had already taken my luggage to the car. We were so hoping that we would get to leave. I guess when I go out and get Joey some dinner I'll bring my luggage back. He's not fond of this hospital food and he doesn't want any more soup. He's had Taco Bell and I shared my steak with him that I got at Outback last night. Me and Brandon and Joey's parents went out for supper and it was so good to get away for a couple of hours. They came back by today but have already headed back home. Brandon really wanted to stay but he has school tomorrow.

You know when you look around you can always find someone that has more to deal with than you do. This morning as I was taking my luggage to the car I met a lady walking toward the gift shop. She told me she had taken her husbands luggage out yesterday and that he was dying. I think they are going to take him off the respirator tomorrow. I felt the need to wrap my arms around her and pray for her, then we went our separate ways. Tonight when you say your prayers, please remember her, she is from Newnan, Georgia and she is going to have some hard days ahead.

Well that is enough for now....I'll post more later.

Tammy

Dr. Carney.....we are still waiting.....

2009-01-10T20:53:00.002-06:00

Well the nurse just came in to check on Joey and he told her that he had given up on Dr. Carney coming in tonight. She told us that there is still a big possibility that he will come. She said he usually comes later on in the evening, she's even seen him come in as late as midnight! We're still here waiting, praying and trusting God that he will come in and remove the bandages when they are healed enough to be removed. Even if it is not on our schedule.

I'll post more as soon as he comes by and checks things out. Until then......

Tammy

It's Saturday......just a few hours away from getting up!

2009-01-10T09:42:00.002-06:00

Joey is counting down the hours until Dr. Carney comes in and gets him out of this bed! We are looking so forward to that! We just pray that he can get out, he hasn't been mobile since Monday! He has started eating a little more each day so maybe he will have the strength but he is still having alot of pain in his mouth.

Brandon & MeMe & Pappy will be here in just a little bit and we are excited to see them! All the phone calls are still coming in and they are wonderful, it's such a joy to talk with each of you. Sometimes Joey feels like talking unless he has just swished with that Liquid Fire!

It's time for me to get ready to go to the parking deck and meet my baby but I'll post again tonight after bandages are removed and he gets to get out of bed.

Joey & Tammy

2009-01-09T15:56:00.003-06:00

Friday, January 9th

Well I haven't posted all day.....I've been sorta busy. This morning was not a good morning. We called for maintenance last night and they never came. The AC in our room was overpowering the heat and we were both freezing so I stayed in bed a little longer and of course Joey was laid up with about 3 blankets on him. After our nurse called down to maintenance they came and we found out that no one called them last night. If all departments around here worked as well as our nurses have everything would have been fine. We have truly been blessed with some wonderful nurses!

I ventured out to Target today and bought a Memory Foam mattress topper for Joey's bed. After I returned he got a bath and I shampooed his hair, by the time we were finished we had gotten the bed totally wet. Then his day nurse, Doris, came in and helped me change the bed and get that Memory Foam put down. All of this had to be done while he was still in bed, and yes he did offer to get out of bed but we couldn't let that happen.

While I was out I saw a Taco Bell so I stopped and picked up a soft taco supreme and he was able to eat it. I may have to start making a run to the border for lunch and dinner. That will be alot easier than trying to feed him the cafeteria food. They are trying but there is only so much they can do with someone as picky as he is.

Brandon will be here tomorrow, Joey's Mom & Dad are going to bring him to see us. Please pray for their safety here and then back home. I know I'm not suppose to worry but let's just say I'm concerned when one of my children is on the road, especially in Atlanta. Justin decided he would stay at home with Nanny. He didn't want to spend the weekend on the road when we should be home sometime Monday. He should be getting ready to take to the court in just a little bit GO EAGLES! He is playing in Florala.

Joey is counting down the hours until he can get out of bed tomorrow night. He's also started counting down the hours until we can go home. Thank you all for your prayers, phone calls and support, we have truly been blessed by all of you! We do enjoy hearing from everyone at home. It's comforting to know that there are so many of you that are concerned about us and willing to pray for us. Can't wait until we can see you all again real soon!

Love,
Joey & Tammy

Scratch the Egg Crate!

2009-01-08T19:10:00.002-06:00

Can you believe this hospital does not have anything like a foam mattress that he can use on his bed. His Doctor wrote the orders but they don't keep those things. The only thing they have is an air mattress for someone that is an invalid and cannot turn even the least bit. Oh well, we'll just make do. We have 2 more days of him staying in bed so we must make the best of it.

After lunch today he decided to eat some animal crackers and a banana.....I think all the chewing he has done has gotten the best of him. He wouldn't eat dinner tonight and has already asked for more pain medication. I've told him he needs to take it slow but he is so anxious to get better.

This room is about to get the best of him. He has had the nurse bring him some cotton balls to put in his ears. The IV Pump is making too much noise as well as the air conditioner, the wind blowing outside, the leg socks that keep the circulation going and my computer! Picky...Picky....Picky, I'm afraid if they don't let him out of bed he's gonna start climbing the walls! Please pray for patience on his part and a speedy recovery, we're still looking at Monday to come home. Really, I think the cotton balls are about as close to the farm as he could get right now!

Tammy

Thursday Afternoon

2009-01-08T14:03:00.002-06:00

Dr. Carney just came by to see us and he told Joey what he told me Monday night. He said he believe the surgery went extremely well and he only had to do half of the urinary tract. He said it was a close call but he believes that what he has done will be all that should ever have to be done. He also said since he finished the surgery late Monday night that it will be late Saturday night before he removes the bandages and lets him get up. Joey didn't want to hear that, he was hoping first thing Saturday morning he'd be able to get up out of bed.

Joey told him how uncomfortable the bed has been and that his back has started hurting so he wrote a prescription for the nurses to get him a foam egg shell mattress thing so maybe he will be a little more comfortable. It's going to be a little tricky to get that in the bed without him getting out but I'm sure between all of the nurses and myself we'll get it there.

Tammy

Good Morning!

2009-01-08T08:07:00.002-06:00

One of us got some rest last night and I wish it would have been Joey but unfortunately it wasn't. When I laid down I was gone. Joey thinks the pain medicine he is taking is making him sleep more during the day and less at night. Please pray that he will get some rest tonight.

He was able to eat this morning! He ate eggs, grits and bacon and was actually able to chew without having alot of pain. Last night when the doctor came in he said the inside of his mouth would really start to heal today, so I guess it has. Of course he has been using this prescription mouthwash pretty regular. He calls it Liquid Fire and it is suppose to help with the healing process so before he swishes with it he usually has the nurse give him a pain pill.

The days are long but we are making progress and they have been made more tolerable by all the phone calls and emails you have sent. We have both been blessed by the love and support from all of you.

Well the pain medication has kicked in for him so I think I'll go downstairs and have some breakfast. I hope you all have a blessed day.

With much love,
Joey & Tammy Holt

A New Recliner!

2009-01-07T15:43:00.002-06:00

It's amazing how God answers even the smallest of prayers! He loves us so much and all good gifts come from our Father above. For the past 2 nights I haven't slept very well but today I got a new recliner sleep bed. I'm so excited you'd think I won a sweepstakes or something! I can't wait to try this thing out tonight and maybe with a little more pain medication Joey will have a good night too! After today he only has 2 more days to stay in bed and I bet they don't have to tell him twice when it's time to get up. He's so ready!

We have been so blessed with the phone calls from our family and friends. Thank you all for checking on us and for your willingness to help out. You are all so precious to us.

I'll post some more later, I just had to give Praise to God for my new bed.

Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd - I have everything I need!

Tammy

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

2009-01-07T12:53:00.002-06:00

Sorry I'm late posting this morning but we have been sleeping in. Joey didn't get much sleep last night and they gave him some more pain medicine this morning so I decided to take advantage of it myself and catch a few more zzzz's. The pain that he is having is in his mouth where they removed the tissue and he said they removed lots of tissue, praise God they only had to remove it from one side of his mouth. He didn't have much pain yesterday because they had not removed the packing but when they did that's when the pain started. He actually asked for pain medicine and is having to get some on a regular basis right now.

He has not been able to eat anything until today when they brought him some tomato soup and he ate/drank all of that. He also received a fruit basket and was able to eat part of a banana. Thank you Jeff Zorn, we really appreciate it. Then we were surprised by some visitors today.....Jeff Zorn and his uncle Lynn Zorn drove up to visit for a while and we really enjoyed that. It was so nice to see some familiar faces.

Everything is still the same as far as his health. They are still not letting him get out of bed until Saturday and hopefully we'll get to come home on Monday. The nursing staff is still top notch and anything we have asked for they do their best to get it for us.

Thank you all for your continued prayers and phone calls. We have been so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family.

Joey & Tammy

Help....

2009-01-06T15:33:00.003-06:00

Okay I've added a few new pictures but now I need someone to tell me how to create a slideshow. I went to Flickr and started uploading pictures which took forever so I gave up on that route. If there is an easier way and someone wouldn't mind sharing that with me I'd appreciate it.

Joey is fast asleep and he said earlier he thinks he is starting to get sick. I think just because it is cold in here that maybe he doesn't feel well. They are going to take the bandage out of his mouth tonight if he isn't able to work it out before them. Please be in prayer about that. He hasn't had anything to eat since Sunday night. I will let ya'll know how that goes. Will post more later....thanks.

Tammy

We're Doing Great!

2009-01-06T12:33:00.003-06:00

Thank you for your continued prayers! We can really feel them! So far Joey has not had any pain that he couldn't handle. The only pain that he has experienced is in his mouth. He still has the packing in there and probably when they take it out he may have a little more pain, but maybe it won't be that bad. He refuses to take any pain medicine!

The hardest part of this so far has been the fact that they won't let him get out of bed! He keeps on at his nurse but she say's he has to stay there until Saturday. She even wrote it on the board in his room so all the other nurses and assistants will not let him try and convince them he needs to get out.

Obviously the recliner wasn't to bad. After waking first thing this morning I went back to sleep and slept until 12! Since I'm well rested I think I will do some work on some pictures that I took on Saturday of Joey and the boys. I'll post them later today. Again thank you all so much for remembering us in prayer.

Love,
The Holt Family

Surgery - A Very Long Day

2009-01-05T22:51:00.002-06:00

Joey went through an 8 hour surgery with no complications, Praise God! It was a very long process but I'm thankful that it wasn't any longer. Thank you Brother Barry and Mr. Glenn for being here with me today. You don't know how much we appreciate it.

The surgery went as planned and his doctor thinks everything will be fine. They took out most of the tissue on the left side of his mouth to use for the lining of the urinary tract, so he is probably going to be in a lot of pain for a few days.

The doctor said that he couldn't get out of bed until Saturday and the nurse told me tonight that he can't even roll over on his side. He has to lay flat on his back until Saturday. If all goes well they will let us go home on Monday. It's going to be a long week, but one that we can live with. We would like to thank you all for your prayers and support. I know that several of you have called today to check on us and we are so thankful to have you in our lives. I do not know when he will fill like talking but the number to our room is 404-712-3112. We are on the 11th floor at the Emory University Hospital.

I can get online but for some reason my email is not working just right......Kim Hollinghead....I'll be calling you.

Well it's getting late and I think I'm going to make my bed in this recliner and try and get some sleep. Again thank you all for your prayers and we ask that you continue to remember us.

Love,
Joey & Tammy Holt

Headin' To Atlanta

2009-01-04T14:21:00.000-06:00

We are preparing to leave for Atlanta in just a little bit, trying to get the last minute details finished around here. Please be in prayer for us this week as it will be a very tough week. The surgery is scheduled for 8:30 am Monday morning and should last anywhere from 6-12 hours if all goes as planned. Please be in prayer for us, especially Joey. Our boys will be here going to school and trying to keep a normal routine. I will post something tomorrow afternoon after he comes out of surgery so everyone will know how he is doing. Thank you all for your prayers.

Joey, Tammy, Justin & Brandon

2008-12-29T17:02:00.000-06:00

You have reached the blogspot for Joey, Tammy, Justin & Brandon Holt. I'm not exactly sure what I need to do to create this but I'm going to give it a shot and we'll see what happens.