cora's story

Cora was born on March 5, 2008. We were instantly in love with our baby girl. She was such a joy to us in every way. We loved being a new little family and having this sweet little girl to share our lives with. She meant everything to us.

In late November Cora started having multiple ear infections along with a respiratory infection. We were visiting the pediatrician quite frequently and she seemed to keep getting sick. After trying lots of medication and still noticing that Cora just didn’t seem to be getting better, Joel decided to go to her appointment with me on January 22^nd. Besides the ear infections we described a few other things we had noticed and the pediatrician decided to take an x-ray of Cora’s abdomen. About an hour later he came into our room with the news that forever changed our lives. Cora’s liver was very enlarged and he was concerned that it could possibly be the result of some kind of cancer. 

He sent us directly to the hospital in Wichita where we would spend the next 17 days. After checking in, lots of tests, and finally a CT scan we were forced to wait until the morning to learn what the doctors were going to do. In the morning our worst fears were confirmed. Cora had a tumor that needed to be removed immediately--it was most likely from cancer. After a whirlwind of meetings with doctors, surgeons, and the oncologist we were holding our little girl waiting to hand her off to the nurses for surgery. That was the HARDEST thing we have ever had to do. We never dreamed that this would be the last time we would be able to laugh and play with our little girl here on earth. After the surgery Cora was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma cancer. It is still so hard to say that word “cancer”. The doctors and oncologist were very positive about Cora’s chances for recovery. Since she wasn’t yet a year old there was a very good chance that chemotherapy and possibly other treatments would be effective. The next few weeks were a roller coaster. It was HORRIBLE watching Cora lie helplessly in that hospital bed and not be able to do anything to help her. The plan for Cora’s treatment and when we would be able to go home seemed to change every day. We were forced to fall to our knees before the Father and trust Him with our little girl. That was the only thing we could do. 

Cora had four surgeries and completed the first round of chemotherapy while we were in the hospital. She was hooked up to so many different monitors and medicines we couldn’t even hold her. Eventually she was put on a respirator and then an oscillator because of her oxygen levels. While she wasn’t progressively getting better we held onto the hopeful words of her doctors. We were shocked that awful Sunday morning when we were awoken by my mom who was staying in Cora’s room. We were sleeping in the parent's room down the hall and had just left Cora two hours earlier. The doctor told us that Cora’s little lungs were failing and there just wasn’t anything else they could do. We watched so shocked and helplessly as our little girl slipped away, now safe in the arms of Jesus.

Cora went to be with Jesus on February 8^th, 2009. She was 11 months old.

Our world has been rocked to the core. Never in our lives did we imagine that we would have to go back to our house alone, without Cora. Never did we imagine that our time with Cora would be so short. Never in our lives have we clung to Jesus so tightly. And His love and grace to us has been truly indescribable. This is the most horrible thing that we have ever been through, yet we have seen God working in our lives and the lives around us in a mighty way.

We started this blog when Cora was born to post pictures of her for friends and family to see as she grew. While we were in the hospital we used it as a tool to share what was happening with Cora and how people could pray for our family. It was amazing to see how many people stormed the gates of heaven on Cora’s behalf. We literally had thousands of people praying for us all over the country. It was incredible and humbling. The outpouring of love in our community and around the world we have felt since Cora went to heaven has been equally amazing. We decided to start a fund for a playground at our church for a memorial in Cora’s honor. Through our blog and a website called Etsy, over 50,000 dollars was raised for what is now known as Cora’s Playground. It is such an awesome remembering stone for our family. A reminder of God’s love and faithfulness to us.

While our hearts hurt so deeply every single day, we continue to rely on the HOPE that we have in our Lord. We miss our sweet Cora desperately. We know we can’t continue on this road in our own strength. We continue to seek the Lord and take things day-by-day. 

Thanks for joining us in our journey!