Jim McBride

James IV Update: Post-Op Day 5

  James had a heart cath done this morning, and the doctors found that the pressures in his heart continue to be elevated (no more than 1-5 points higher than normal). Because of the high pressures, they will be conducting several tests today to check for cellular rejection. If these tests come back positive, then they will begin TPE (Therapeutic Plasma Exchange). They still plan to remove all five chest tubes and the heart line today, and possibly the breathing tube from the ventilator this afternoon.

During our stay at the hospital, we have had many opportunities to minister to some of the families that we come in contact with. We had a good opportunity this morning with a spanish-speaking couple who had to put their child on life support this morning due to a heart issues. We were struggling to communicate and help the family, and I was able to call Joy Joiner, who spoke to the mother at length to help her better understand the situation and prayed for her as well. Joy has continued to text her Scripture in Spanish throughout the morning as we waited with her in the waiting room. Please pray for her and her child. Her name is Ingrid and her hcild’s Keila. Ingrid is a believer.

We cannot begin to express how thankful we are for the strong army of prayer warriors that have been praying with us and for us throughout this whole process. Your prayers are a blessing to us, and we continue to see them at work on a daily basis. Please continue to pray with us for the following things:

For wisdom for the doctors as they treat the heart pressures

For a decrease in the heart pressures

For no rejections

That he will be able to get off of the ventilator in the next 24 hours

For Ingrid and her daughter Keila

Once again, thank you for your prayers and for spreading the word. May God be glorified!

James IV Update: A New Heart

We are so grateful for all of you who have prayed for James, Buddy, Mallory, and Beau over the last 17 months during this journey. As most of you know, James was born on December 3, 2011 with hypo plastic left heart syndrome. He has had several heart surgeries as well as other procedures, and was placed on the heart transplant list a few months ago. This morning, we received the call that they had a heart for James.

We first want to mention the donor family, as they are losing a child this morning in order that James receive his new heart. Please pray that The Lord would give them comfort and peace as they endure the loss of a child as we are gaining new life for James.

When we first got the call this morning, my first thought was, “What better day to receive this call than on the Lord’s day.” We know that The Lord loves Buddy, Mallory, James, and Beau, along with thousands of our brothers and sisters in Christ. What an encouragement it has been! Even as were are driving to the hospital this morning, we received this video of  our home church on their knees in prayer for James. We know that this will be a long day, but we will keep you posted with updates throughout the day. May God receive all the glory  for what He does on this day!

IMG_0270

McBride Carnival Business: Where They Are Now

As you all know, my family and I have been involved in the carnival business for many, many years. Just recently, the Winston-Salem Journal featured an article about McBride Brother’s Amusements and their feature turkey legs! Check out the article and the video about the history of the carnival business! Click here to read the article and watch the video.

Family Update: Tommy and James IV

As most of you know, my youngest son Tommy was in the hospital two weekends ago with stroke-like symptoms. Many tests were performed while he was in the hospital, including an MRI, MRI, CT scan, and carotid artery ultrasound to check for evidence of a stroke or a TIA. All of his test came back negative, and they said that it was what they call a “compound migraine.” Tommy was released from the hospital the following day and given some medicine in case he has symptoms in the future. He returned to work last Tuesday and has been recovering ever since. We cannot tell you how thankful that we were and are for the prayers for Tommy and his family during this time. Read more

Three Weddings In 25 Months

Sheila and I have always aimed at preparing our children for marriage as they grew up, encouraging them to pursue pure, God-centered relationships. LIttle did we know that three of our four children would get married within months, and years of each other. My youngest son, Tommy was married in June 2009, followed by my oldest son Buddy in October 2009. And then, in July of 2011, our oldest daughter Victoria tied the knot. Needless to say, I learned a lot during these special times- especially on the planning side. On Victoria’s special day, she had two wonderful people record the events through beautiful pictures. Kim and Roger Russell, of K&R Photography were there to make her day special. Read more

James G. McBride, IV Update

James IV Update

Mallory took James to his heart doctor yesterday for his checkup and his echocardiogram. He was very pleased with his lung function, stating that it was better than ever. However, James’ heart function had not improved like the doctor had hoped it would improve by this point. As a result, he said that James would need to travel to Eggleston sometime within the next month to have another heart cath procedure. During this procedure they will be checking his heart function to see if there were any further improvements. Read more

Penelope Lynn Lane

Just a little over a week ago, last Tuesday night to be exact, I became “Papa” to  not three, but four grandchildren. On July 31st, at 9:21pm, Penelope Lynn Lane was born to my daughter Victoria and her husband Mark. She was 6 pounds and 11 ounces and had a head full of dark hair. She is the sweetest little girl, and her mama and daddy are doing great. I am so thankful that she is healthy and happy, and that everyone is doing well. Here are a few pictures of the cutie! Read more

God, Girls, and Guys

As a father to four children, two of them being girls, dating was a topic that was frequently discussed throughout their teenage years. Our family has a very strict policy in regards to dating, and I always found that speaking about it openly made it a little easier for my children. They were involved in many Bible studies and events that focused on making wise, Christ-centered decisions when dating, so I am always on the look-out for new tools that parents can use to help their sons and especially daughters understand what God has in store for them in the dating world. A new book was just released that I would highly recommend to those who have daughters who are about to be or are of age to consider dating in order to find a future spouse. Robin Marsh, and award-winning tv anchor and Lauren Nelson, Miss America 2007 have paired up to write a book called God, Girls, and Guys: Answers to Questions on Dating and Relationships, to help girls with dating and relationships. Robin and Lauren use their early relationships to talk to girls about their misconceptions about dating and their discovery that the Bible is the best place to find advice when looking for a man to marry. Read more

Missions in Honduras

Since January, Sheila and I have felt God’s call to help support a young missionary named Ashley Miller. We meet Ashley a few years ago through Mallory, our daughter-in-law. They went to college together at Auburn University before Ashley transferred to Auburn’s satellite campus in Montgomery, Ala. to attend nursing school. They have remained great friends and have kept in touch although they now live VERY far apart.

Ashley was an RN at Baptist South Hospital in Nashville, Tenn. when she attended a mission trip to Honduras with her home church from Huntsville, Alabama. While there, she was able to help with medical brigades in a hands on way. Read more

James IV Update

James has been at home for a little over two months now, but his progress has been slow. He is still on oxygen, although his pulse ox numbers are in the optimal high 80 range. After a temporary hiatus from the oxygen for a week to test his lungs, his numbers dropped dramatically. He was taken to the emergency room at Egelston where they quickly figured out the problem and sent James back home the same day. His shortest trip so far! The oxygen is currently serving as a medication to help his lungs absorb oxygen better until they mature enough to act on their own. Read more