a rollercoaster
This rollercoaster we are on is SO hard. The past few days have been good and we felt like Cora was making some progress. Like we were on our way to getting our little girl back. We even felt comfortable enough to both leave the hospital to go out to eat. Joel's mom stayed with Cora while we were gone. When we were on our way home from dinner we got a call from Joel's mom saying not to panic but we needed to come back to the hospital. Both of our hearts sank. Cora had been fighting her C-PAP all day and pulling her feeding tube out. She was a tired little girl and just wasn't breathing like she needed to. The doctor decided to put her on a ventilator. He said Cora needed to rest and she was working too hard to breathe. It is so sad to see Cora hooked up to all those machines again. It feels like we are moving backwards instead of forwards. Cora will probably be on the ventilator for several days. The doctor is hoping that as Cora rests her body will be able to recover more quickly from the surguries and chemo. So, this is how we left our little girl tonight. Joel's mom is staying in her room tonight so that we can try to sleep.
We continue to be amazed by all the people that know about Cora and are lifting her up to our Heavenly Father. Please continue to pray for our sweet baby. It is so easy for us to get discouraged and feel consumed by this cancer. Especially after a day like today. We don't know how we would get through a single day without Jesus right beside us. As Joel and I talked about the ups and downs of today these are some truths that we are resting in tonight."You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you."
Isaiah 26:3
"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22-23
Praises:
-The oncologist remains positive about how Cora is responding to chemo
-Cora's strong, fighting spirit
-An encouraging visit from the pastors at Grace
-The FANTASTIC PICU doctors and nurses who is taking such good care of Cora
-I am feeling better today and getting over a sinus infection
Prayer Requests:
-That Cora would be able to rest and her body would heal as she is on the ventilator
-Comfort for Cora (we feel like we can't do much to comfort her)
-The chemo would be getting rid of the cancer
-Patience as we continue to wait for the test results
-That we would rest in God's peace through this very unpeaceful time
-Perseverance as we have a long road ahead
posted by the mcclenahans @ 11:23 PM
55 Comments:
I'm sorry this is all happening to you and that sweet baby. You three are in my prayers. Don't give up, God is watching over you.
I followed Bobbitybo's link to you. I feel helpless to offer any words that would let you know how deeply we feel for you. I carry in my heart these words spoken recently by a friend's pastor in light of a tragedy of our own -- "Tragedy never leaves one where it finds you. You move one way or the other." I am so glad you have moved closer into the arms of our Heavenly Father to seek solace and comfort.
May the love and prayers offered for you expand with each moment of every day. God be with you.
Hi Jess & Joel--We love you guys. Precious Cora is getting lots of love and prayers sent her way from the California Fam. She is so lucky to have you leading her to health and keeping faith strong.
Sending you hugs and love. Lecia, Gregg and Rhiana.
Joel and Jess, this is my first time reading your blog... found you through We Are THAT Family. I am so deeply sorry that all this is happening to your dear sweet Cora. Please know that I am lifting you all up in prayer and will continue to daily. As a momma to four young munchkins, I have no idea what this must be like but my mind can imagine and it breaks my heart. Praying, praying, praying...
Baby Cora and your family are in our prayers night, day and beyond. We send you our love and support.
The Gianni Family
I'll keep Cora and your family in my prayers. She is a cutie!
I am new to your blog but praying for and sending good thoughts to your little beautiful baby girl. And much strength and prayers to you, too, beautiful parents. I also send you some southern California sunshine -- may it light your day.
i showed photos of Cora to my three-year-old son and he went straight to his toy kitchen to "make a medicine for baby". i hope his faith in goodness can help a bit.
Cora, we love you.
thank you for sharing all of this with us. Even though we have never met I think of you daily and have shared Cora's story with others. Everyone is praying for her and you.
Oh, Joel and Jess, I am so sorry this day turned into another roller coaster. It was such a delight to see the three of you yesterday and to see Cora fighting. We just have to trust that God wants her body to be able to concentrate on healing and not having to struggle to breathe. I am thankful that you were able to get out of the hospital even for such a short time. You too need refreshment and rest. We will be praying that you can trust Cora's care to the wonderful medical staff and to the Lord, so that you may truly sleep. Thank you for sharing Cora with us yesterday. I was blessed beyond words.
Isaiah 40:11
The Lord tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
Praying for you,
Beth in NC
Oh...sweet baby. Praying for Cora...praying for all of you...
Continuing to pray and pass the word.
You are all in my thoughts .
Chris
Rest sweet little one...Mommy & Daddy are praying for you and so is the rest of your loved ones, as well as so very many people who have seen your precious face. Our prayers are for your recovery so that you can go back home and play with your friends and give hugs and kisses.
Rest and heal...and the Good Lord will take care of the rest.
Our prayers continue to be with you. I pray this is a day of good news, rest, and recuperation.
Courtney
bless your hearts...i'm so sad that you have to see baby cora on the vent again. my prayers continue for you all.
praying every day....she is such a beautiful little girl! It is so clear how much her parents and whole family love her, and abundantly clear how much you love the Lord. He will continue to watch over you and your precious little Cora, and we will continue to pray for improvement and healing, even through the setbacks....may the setbacks be few and far between. God Bless you all, Erica in Illinois
I continue to pray for ALL of you daily!
I don't know you but read your story through a blog link. I'm praying for you through tears. Cora is so sweet - it breaks my heart - what she is going through. I can't imagine your exhaustion either and the pain you must feel. I am keeping you in prayers daily. Thanks for updating everyone and giving us specifics to pray for! I have a friend whose young daughter is a cancer survivor and resting in God and relying on Him is what got them through it - you are on the right track! Hang in there and know that we are praying.
You are in our thoughts and prayers every day.
Oh she is so precious! It is so hard to see a child hooked up like that in a photo. I can't imagine how hard it is for you! I have been thinking about your family and praying for sweet Cora. I pray that she feels better very soon and can be removed from some of those machines.
I wanted to tell you that I recieved an e-mail from a friend that I had told about Cora. She said that she was telling someone else about Cora without using her name. She had said "a 10 1/2 month old little girl with cancer". The Girl then replied is her name Cora? They both knew of Cora and follow your blog. They live in eastern Iowa. This Amazed me. The works of God are WONDERFUL! Sorry Cora is having set-backs. But hopefully this will help Cora's body heal. I thought this would be an encouraging story.
Jen
I know this all must be so scary for you. God will protect your girl. Vents are scary but it is really helping her so much. Praising God that He gave her such beauiful, wonderful parents and family that know and love HIM! Praying continually for you and your sweet one.
God Bless you . I'm a new foller and reader of your blog, i was informed by my dear sweet friend countney and the boys about your family and what is going on these days.
I will lift you sall up in prayer,I will hope to ebcourage you to follower my blog and keep me posted and day by day what is going on.
I pray that God continues to give you strengthand lobve and support . I pray that you love one another and come together in this time of need, I pray that God Heals the wonds in youre hearts .
My family will be praying for cora and your family.
god bless and keet teh strngth .
Isaiah 40:11
The Lord tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
love and prayersa circle of life
...dear Lord as we continue to pray for this precious child...we know that You begin to act...we praise you for all the many many good things you have done for this little one...things unseen by human eyes...we know that You are God and that You have power far beyond our imaginings...we praise you for things seen...for kind and gentle nurses...for wise doctors...for words spoken at just the right moment...for prayers lifted by human hearts full of love for this family...we praise You that we live when we do...that this child is able to receive the medical help that only last year may not have been known...we praise you that as cora was being formed inside her mother You were there...we praise you for angels that minister to her...for Jesus Himself spoke of the angels of children...we praise you that in some mysterious way cora knows of You and Your love...that she is aware of things heavenly ...for she is so fresh from you...we praise you for the constant love of her mommy and daddy...for grandparents who pray for this grandbaby as they pray for their own babies...we ask again for everything...we ask that You heal this little child...we ask that those who witness the love of those around her are blessed and that they come to know of Your goodness...give cora's mother and daddy energy that seems beyond the possible...for we knwo that all things are possible with You ...we pray with faith ...in the name of Jesus Christ...amen
Joel and Jess, this is tough stuff, and hard to understand. I am praying today that God gives you peace and rest. I am praying for Cora's healing, resting in the fact that "God is able, more than able, to handle - REALLY handle - all that concerns you today." Since Cora has been in the hospital, all the pretend babies at our house have been "sick" too - :) The kids are thinking about you in their own way. Elizabeth and Eric Biggs
Ah, as a mom, seeing that pic is heartbreaking. I pray she is getting better. I am also adding your link to my blog. Stay strong... you are not alone.
Praying for you all everyday! Your little girl is so precious!
If you haven't already, listen to this song, Overcome by Desperation Band. We sang it at our church last sunday, and I prayed for you and little Cora. God is faithful. Hugs to you all.
I continue to pray for your little angel Cora...and your whole family. I have shared Cora's story with others and I know she is in the prayers of MANY people.
We are faithfully praying for Cora and you.
just want you to know i'm praying for you right now. hard to believe all you have been through in such a short time. we don't know what tomorrow holds but i know you are pointing others to GOD.
I don't know you all but I am praying for and trusting Jesus for Cora's complete healing and for unbelievable strength for you!
Rest assured you will be receiving HUGE prayers from my neck of the woods. I've said it before and I'll say it again...your family especially little Cora are in my thoughts non-stop. xo
Joel and Jess
We love you very much. We pray for you and your extended family often. As we have watched you grow up, you have become part of us and when you hurt, we hurt with you. We continue to pray for God's comfort to be with you during these times.
please check out my blog I made a button praying for cora on my site please copy and paste it on your blog.
If you send me your e-mail I can send over the codes for you to have the whole ting up on your site
"My soul clings to You,
Your right hand upholds me." Psalm 63:8
My prayer for you today---
It's amazing how the family of God works! I'm friends with Ginger and Joe, but my mom got an email from a friend in Sterling, where she grew up, about Cora. Please know that word continues to spread, and I'm lifting you up every day!
God bless you Jess.
I just keep being reminded of how God works even when we don't know He's working. Thinking back to Him having you and Joel meet, fall in love and marry. He knew you two would be the perfect team to lean on each other when this day came.
He knew you would be the right parents for Cora.
She is so blessed to have you guys.
Prayers for you all today.
My husband and I check the computer each day to look for updates. We are praying for you and wish we could offer more than that. The Lord is good and His faithfulness will sustain us.
Our love and prayers.
My prayers and thoughts are with you all! May God heal your poor baby!
All our love,
The Tomecko Family
Still praying for sweet Cora!
I can't imagine seeing my baby like that...I am praying a lot for your sweet girl!
Still praying...I know He hears our prayers. Thanks for the lovely scriptures of inspiration you share with us each day!
We have never met but I have been following your story almost from the beginning. A friend asked for prayer for your Cora and I followed a link. I am a mom to four children... and all of us are praying for all of you every single day. I wish we could do more...
Praying that you sense God's compassion for you in a deep and real way... and praying for HEALING... amazing, miraculous, God-given healing for your precious little girl.
nadia
I'm praying Cora gets the rest she needs quickly on the vent and turns around and gets better SOON. Praying the chemo is doing or HAS DONE its job so before you know it, you are all HOME. Praying for all of you.
Blessings,
Gina Marie and boys
www.caringbridge.org/visit/noahhaugh
Some info that might help Jess & her sinus infection. A netipot (which you can get at Wholefoods) will work wonders in getting out the stuff in your nose & helping to relieve pressure. It's a salt water rinse. My kids & I use ours daily. Another thing is elderberry (which you can also get at Wholefoods). I just thought these might help. You all overwhelm me with how strong you are. God is an amazing God! We are praying for you all & your precious little Cora.
Our family is praying for your baby. My husband Justin Bird went to Berean and knows Joel. GOD IS SO GOOD! we will cont to pray for strength for Cora and mom and dad. May God keep you strong. Justin, Sara, and Sophie Bird.
Baby Cora: Know that we love you, and that we are praying for you constantly. Keep up your strong fight, baby. You can do it! The Lord is your strength, peace, and protector.
"The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer, petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philipians 4:5-7
Our love and blessing to you!
Kelli Linkis <><<
still holding yall in prayer!
praying His mighty hand be upon you... grace... peace... His healing!
We are lifting, Cora, your family and the doctors up in prayer.
Jess and Joel so sorry to hear about the "steep plunge" Just had a prayer with our Pastor - we will remember her and you all in our prayers all day and as long as it takes for Cora to get well.
Hugs and love, Sharley and Bob
I am praying for your sweet baby Cora daily.
Just found your blog and my heart just aches. I have my own baby girl named Cora Jane. Prayers to you from our family.
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