Thank you to ALL who came out to support, donate and make Caring For Cordelia a success tonight!!!
More thank you's to come...but off to bed for tonight!
Also, we have a number of baskets and gift certificates that were won and have not yet been picked up. If you received a phone call (we did call some of you) we have your basket! Otherwise, basket numbers and winners will be posted by noon tomorrow!
If you know that we have your basket please call Kathy Minter at 683-1851 to schedule a time to come and pick it up (preferably between 5:30-8:30 during the week or 9-1 next Saturday)...More information will be posted tomorrow!
THANK YOU!!!
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Check Out Cliff and Dani's Story on Channel 2 News
Some exciting news...Cliff and Dani are home and....
Their story will be featured on Channel 2 News tonight at 11!
An article about them can also be found on Channel 2's web page...Check it out here!
Their story will be featured on Channel 2 News tonight at 11!
An article about them can also be found on Channel 2's web page...Check it out here!
We're looking forward to seeing you all at the Benefit on Sunday!
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Another Great Recovery Week and Some REALLY Cute Pictures!
Hi everyone,
As the old adage goes, "no news is good news," so is the case with little miss Cordelia and her mom and dad this week. Life in Cincinnati was pretty uneventful with Cordelia's numbers and stats all staying in the normal range.
One really exciting piece of their week was having Cordelia's transplant bear hung up at Cincinnati Children's Hospital! The hospital is quite large with many different floors/wings all devoted to very specific issues and illnesses. The floor that Cordelia was on was a gastrointestinal floor, and the section they were in was devoted in large part to liver patients. After a patient gets a donated liver and goes through surgery the family receives a bear that they get to dress (Dani ordered the adorable clothes!) and decorate. Here are a couple of pictures!!
Don't forget to come see us at the Caring for Cordelia Benefit next Sunday from 4-8 at the Main and Transit Fire Hall! We have LOTS of great baskets and bigger items to raffle including an new I-Pad, a flat screen t.v., two Keurig Coffee machines, a Nook and a home alarm system from Amherst Alarm!!! Email me if you need more information!!
As the old adage goes, "no news is good news," so is the case with little miss Cordelia and her mom and dad this week. Life in Cincinnati was pretty uneventful with Cordelia's numbers and stats all staying in the normal range.
One really exciting piece of their week was having Cordelia's transplant bear hung up at Cincinnati Children's Hospital! The hospital is quite large with many different floors/wings all devoted to very specific issues and illnesses. The floor that Cordelia was on was a gastrointestinal floor, and the section they were in was devoted in large part to liver patients. After a patient gets a donated liver and goes through surgery the family receives a bear that they get to dress (Dani ordered the adorable clothes!) and decorate. Here are a couple of pictures!!
That scripture verse included on their bear's little sign is Isaiah 41:10...
"So do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous hand."
Such powerful words and truth that Cliff and Dani have held onto throughout this entire journey. Words and a promise that will hopefully encourage and strengthen other families who travel this road in the future.
On another note of good news...Cliff and Dani think they may get released very soon!!!
So soon that they are hoping one way or the other that at least one of them will get to make an appearance at the benefit next Sunday. WooHoo!!!
They hope to be released beforehand, but have said that if that were not the case they would try to at least make the trip this weekend to bring some of their stuff back to Buffalo either way! Let's all keep our fingers crossed for them!
A bit of a disclaimer for them, and I know I've said this before, Cordelia's immune systems is EXTREMELY compromised for the first six months post surgery and Cliff and Dani need to be INCREDIBLY careful to not bring anything home to her when they are out in public. That said, if you are sick or have recently had a live vaccine (within 48 hours) you'll need to keep your distance from them once they are home...that goes for little ones too (if they've had live vaccines).
All good and exciting things!!!
Please continue to keep them all in your prayers and to pray for protection over Cordelia as they get ready to come home and be on their own.
A few ADORABLE pictures to leave you with:
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| Cordelia can finally practice tummy time! A HUGE milestone for her. |
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| Getting ready cheer on her Buffalo Bills! |
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| Joy. Pure Joy. |
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Happy 6 Month Birthday Cordelia!!
All is good in Cordelia's world this week! And, today is her 6 month birthday!!!
Happy 6 month Birthday Cordelia!!!
We continue to count our blessings and praise God for the miraculous ways He works. She is happy and growing and thriving. She is smiling and playful and curious. It leaves me shaking my head at the miracle that has occurred for her to be in this place right now.
Life is crazy and complex and for all of the wonderful stories we've heard from other families with children in similar situations who are also doing well (a beautiful and wonderful thing!), we have also heard our share of sad stories...hard stories. We continue to pray for those families and none of us has answers to why those things happen...the hard things,the things we may never understand until we find ourselves in heaven someday....maybe then (maybe?) we'll understand with a little bit more clarity.
But for now I am incredibly grateful for our little miracle...and her mom, the hero, who got to be an integral and forever part of her miracle (The doctor called Dani a hero after both surgeries were complete!)!
The three of them (Cliff, Danielle and Cordelia) had a great week. They drove all the way to Kentucky for ice cream from Dairy Queen on Monday (it's actually only a 10 minute drive from Cincinnati to Ky!), and went to the aquarium on Tuesday. Cliff and Dani hoped Cordelia would like the aquarium a bit more, but Cliff said she was bored pretty quickly...I guess fish don't compare to all the high-tech hospital equipment and demonstrations she is used to!
Cordelia's "numbers" (I'm not exactly sure what this means, but the nurses stop in to take "labs" once or twice a week and they are looking for certain tests to come back within certain ranges) have all been normal and good. There was a little glitch in her glucose numbers, but they think they have that figured out and aren't immediately worried about it.
The home health care/nursing staff is still working to maximize her nourishment and therefore have her on her feeding tube 16 hours a day, but Cliff and Dani are hoping to get her off of the feeding tube sooner rather than later so that she can start to figure out her own instinctual need for food, hunger, etc. They actually picked up some rice cereal this week, which Cordelia did not care for!
The most important medication that continues to be monitored is her anti-rejection medication. I asked Cliff if they would ever lower the dose, but he explained that as she grows in size/weight the amount of the medication actually is lessening (or becoming more diluted) as far as amount/percentage per. lb. Therefore, they just continue to give her the same amount and hope to not have to increase the dose too much as she grows...As I mentioned before, the higher the dose of anti-rejection medication the more her immune system is suppressed.
On a very exciting note, Cliff and Dani are hoping to be released to come home by very early October (possibly the first week)!!! WooHoo!! They are super excited about the possibility and can't wait to re-start their life back here. Their nurses are working on a "transition plan" right now where they are trying to set up the proper health care relationships in Buffalo, etc. They will need in-home health care to visit regularly and will likely also begin making trips to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester for any major imaging (MRI's, etc.) or other big appointments.
On that note, while they are really excited to come home they will be very limited in how much they'll be able to take Cordelia out and how many people they'll be able to have visit in the next few months. Cliff explained for example, that they shouldn't be around kids (or even parents of kids) who have recently been given a live vaccine because of the possibility of the illness being passed to Cordelia. In some ways this will all be a huge learning curve and we all just need to be super supportive, ask lots of questions and help them out as much as we can (sometimes by staying away if they need us too!).
That's all for now! We're getting really exciting for the benefit...we have received (and are still collecting!) lots of fun baskets and raffle items and looking forward to meeting many of you whom we have only heard about from Cliff and Dani or through email communications.
My daughter was with me at my moms tonight when we were working on the baskets and she has a heavy eye on one that includes some kids puzzles and silly string...you might want to stay out of her way, she went to bed asking how she could up her chances of winning it!! (:
Pre-sale tickets are $20...Track one of us down and let us know if you need them! They are $25 at the door and kids 12 and under are free.
Blessings to you all!
Happy 6 month Birthday Cordelia!!!
We continue to count our blessings and praise God for the miraculous ways He works. She is happy and growing and thriving. She is smiling and playful and curious. It leaves me shaking my head at the miracle that has occurred for her to be in this place right now.
Life is crazy and complex and for all of the wonderful stories we've heard from other families with children in similar situations who are also doing well (a beautiful and wonderful thing!), we have also heard our share of sad stories...hard stories. We continue to pray for those families and none of us has answers to why those things happen...the hard things,the things we may never understand until we find ourselves in heaven someday....maybe then (maybe?) we'll understand with a little bit more clarity.
But for now I am incredibly grateful for our little miracle...and her mom, the hero, who got to be an integral and forever part of her miracle (The doctor called Dani a hero after both surgeries were complete!)!
The three of them (Cliff, Danielle and Cordelia) had a great week. They drove all the way to Kentucky for ice cream from Dairy Queen on Monday (it's actually only a 10 minute drive from Cincinnati to Ky!), and went to the aquarium on Tuesday. Cliff and Dani hoped Cordelia would like the aquarium a bit more, but Cliff said she was bored pretty quickly...I guess fish don't compare to all the high-tech hospital equipment and demonstrations she is used to!
 |
| Cliff's training team at the "gym" (in the Ronald McDonald House). That little Cordelia looks like one tough coach if you ask me! |
Cordelia's "numbers" (I'm not exactly sure what this means, but the nurses stop in to take "labs" once or twice a week and they are looking for certain tests to come back within certain ranges) have all been normal and good. There was a little glitch in her glucose numbers, but they think they have that figured out and aren't immediately worried about it.
The home health care/nursing staff is still working to maximize her nourishment and therefore have her on her feeding tube 16 hours a day, but Cliff and Dani are hoping to get her off of the feeding tube sooner rather than later so that she can start to figure out her own instinctual need for food, hunger, etc. They actually picked up some rice cereal this week, which Cordelia did not care for!
The most important medication that continues to be monitored is her anti-rejection medication. I asked Cliff if they would ever lower the dose, but he explained that as she grows in size/weight the amount of the medication actually is lessening (or becoming more diluted) as far as amount/percentage per. lb. Therefore, they just continue to give her the same amount and hope to not have to increase the dose too much as she grows...As I mentioned before, the higher the dose of anti-rejection medication the more her immune system is suppressed.
On a very exciting note, Cliff and Dani are hoping to be released to come home by very early October (possibly the first week)!!! WooHoo!! They are super excited about the possibility and can't wait to re-start their life back here. Their nurses are working on a "transition plan" right now where they are trying to set up the proper health care relationships in Buffalo, etc. They will need in-home health care to visit regularly and will likely also begin making trips to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester for any major imaging (MRI's, etc.) or other big appointments.
On that note, while they are really excited to come home they will be very limited in how much they'll be able to take Cordelia out and how many people they'll be able to have visit in the next few months. Cliff explained for example, that they shouldn't be around kids (or even parents of kids) who have recently been given a live vaccine because of the possibility of the illness being passed to Cordelia. In some ways this will all be a huge learning curve and we all just need to be super supportive, ask lots of questions and help them out as much as we can (sometimes by staying away if they need us too!).
That's all for now! We're getting really exciting for the benefit...we have received (and are still collecting!) lots of fun baskets and raffle items and looking forward to meeting many of you whom we have only heard about from Cliff and Dani or through email communications.
My daughter was with me at my moms tonight when we were working on the baskets and she has a heavy eye on one that includes some kids puzzles and silly string...you might want to stay out of her way, she went to bed asking how she could up her chances of winning it!! (:
Pre-sale tickets are $20...Track one of us down and let us know if you need them! They are $25 at the door and kids 12 and under are free.
Blessings to you all!
Saturday, September 8, 2012
New Sights and Sounds for Baby Cordelia!
Cordelia got to see a bit of the world this week!!
It's funny the things you can take for granted, like the fact that most children (mine included) had seen the sites and sounds of dozens of stores and public places and had met countless people at church, through work and in our everyday comings and going before they were three or four months old.
Little Miss Cordelia...she's met LOTS of doctors and nurses, but for the most part has spent a significant part of her life cooped up within the four walls of a hospital room. So, new places and faces and spaces...this is BIG stuff for her.
They have taken a walk or two, drove to the bank this week and even ventured to Target on one occasion!
It's nice to hear Cliff talk about some more normal day to day things like how nutty it can feel to pack a diaper bag and a baby and all the stuff that follows along, get down to the car, get the stroller in the trunk, put the car seat in the back and then finally venture to somewhere as simple as...the bank.
I teased him about the inevitable that you get all that stuff packed up and then realize you either forgot your wallet in the house or the baby suddenly has a stinky diaper!! That hasn't happened yet, but I'm sure it's coming (:
Cliff said that Cordelia is pretty happy these days and very curious. Curious about her feeding tub, his cell phone, anything her little hands can reach. Apparently, she is also trying to scoot across the bed (the only soft surface in their room) on her back. She hasn't been able to do the typical "tummy time" yet and as is typical for her age wants to MOVE.
From a medical standpoint she continues to do VERY well. As a matter of fact the doctor's reiterated to Cliff and Dani yesterday just how pleasantly surprised that are at HOW well she is doing.
The doctor's prompted Cliff, Dani and Cordelia to visit the hospital wing/floor where she had been pre-surgery to visit with the staff who took SUCH good care of them for the two months they were waiting for surgery. The nurses were thrilled to see Cordelia doing so well and grateful to have gotten a visit and to have been part of their journey!
In so many words...the whole thing truly is a miracle. The two successful surgeries (hers and Dani's), the recovery, the wisdom and skill of the amazing medical team in Cincinnati. There were some pretty significant risks and challenges going into those surgeries for both mom and baby, making us all that more grateful for the incredible outcome. As long and hard as this road has been, we are all so thankful to feel so covered in God's grace, wisdom and blessings. It has certainly strengthened my faith. I posted some thoughts on miracles on my own personal blog shortly after the surgery...if you feel like reading a bit more feel free to click here.
Thanks again to those who joined in to purchase the I-Pad for Cliff and Dani...they have really enjoyed using it! Cliff told me last night they enjoy linking up with The Chapel (mine and Katie's home church) online to watch the music portion where he likes to show Cordelia the live video of Uncle Scott (my husband) playing the guitar on The Chapel's live feed Sunday mornings...Uncle Scott was feeling pretty proud!!
Also, Cliff's good friend George sent them some sort of NFL football hook-up app that will allow them to watch the Buffalo Bills game on their t.v. through the I-pad tomorrow!! Cliff said he was pretty excited about that because typical Sundays in the past included going to George's house to watch the Bills games. While that is not possible at the moment, he's excited to be sharing in the Bills game through George's ingenuity on sending the app along...thanks George!!
And thank you ALL for your incredible outpouring of prayer, generosity and support. There have been SOOOOO many small acts of kindness and generosity, things I have heard about and probably just as many things that have been done in humble and quiet ways to love on Cliff and Dani. It has truly restored some of my faith and belief in the kindness and goodness of humanity towards each other.
Fundraising
On that note, the Caring For Cordelia benefit is quickly approaching. The date is Sunday, September 30th from 4-8 p.m at Main & Transit Fire Hall.
Even though we are on the other side of surgery, I'm sure you can imagine the many medical costs Cliff and Dani will still have, especially over the next couple of years as Cordelia continues to recover. For all of those reasons the Caring For Cordelia benefit is a VERY important piece in coming together to help relieve some of their burden.
Here are things you can do to help us out now:
1. Buy a ticket! Feel free to email me at lisa.littlewood@gmail.com if you need tickets and aren't sure how to get them. They are $20 presale and $25 at the door.
2. Make a basket for the raffle! We have gotten many baskets in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and thematic ideas. Please keep them coming. The more baskets we have, the more fun the raffle will be. Again, email me if you'd like to make a basket for the raffle, but need some suggestions or ideas!!
We are trying to arrange pick ups/drop offs (at my moms) of the baskets by September 21st!
We've had many creative folks just pick up items and put themed baskets together and others have been goods donated from business...so, if you are a business owner or know a business owner, please considering donating to the benefit!
3. Volunteers We will need some volunteers the day of. Please let me know if you are interested in helping and I will pass your email information along to our volunteer coordinator. We'll contact you the week before the event to let you know where we'll need you and when to show up.
Thank you all!!
 |
| Cordelia going for a walk in her stroller. Her feeding tube is on 16 hours a day and off 8hours, so during those 8 hours Cliff and Dani can take walks or run errands if they want. |
...well, when she wasn't sleeping that is!
It's funny the things you can take for granted, like the fact that most children (mine included) had seen the sites and sounds of dozens of stores and public places and had met countless people at church, through work and in our everyday comings and going before they were three or four months old.
Little Miss Cordelia...she's met LOTS of doctors and nurses, but for the most part has spent a significant part of her life cooped up within the four walls of a hospital room. So, new places and faces and spaces...this is BIG stuff for her.
They have taken a walk or two, drove to the bank this week and even ventured to Target on one occasion!
It's nice to hear Cliff talk about some more normal day to day things like how nutty it can feel to pack a diaper bag and a baby and all the stuff that follows along, get down to the car, get the stroller in the trunk, put the car seat in the back and then finally venture to somewhere as simple as...the bank.
I teased him about the inevitable that you get all that stuff packed up and then realize you either forgot your wallet in the house or the baby suddenly has a stinky diaper!! That hasn't happened yet, but I'm sure it's coming (:
Cliff said that Cordelia is pretty happy these days and very curious. Curious about her feeding tub, his cell phone, anything her little hands can reach. Apparently, she is also trying to scoot across the bed (the only soft surface in their room) on her back. She hasn't been able to do the typical "tummy time" yet and as is typical for her age wants to MOVE.
From a medical standpoint she continues to do VERY well. As a matter of fact the doctor's reiterated to Cliff and Dani yesterday just how pleasantly surprised that are at HOW well she is doing.
The doctor's prompted Cliff, Dani and Cordelia to visit the hospital wing/floor where she had been pre-surgery to visit with the staff who took SUCH good care of them for the two months they were waiting for surgery. The nurses were thrilled to see Cordelia doing so well and grateful to have gotten a visit and to have been part of their journey!
In so many words...the whole thing truly is a miracle. The two successful surgeries (hers and Dani's), the recovery, the wisdom and skill of the amazing medical team in Cincinnati. There were some pretty significant risks and challenges going into those surgeries for both mom and baby, making us all that more grateful for the incredible outcome. As long and hard as this road has been, we are all so thankful to feel so covered in God's grace, wisdom and blessings. It has certainly strengthened my faith. I posted some thoughts on miracles on my own personal blog shortly after the surgery...if you feel like reading a bit more feel free to click here.
Thanks again to those who joined in to purchase the I-Pad for Cliff and Dani...they have really enjoyed using it! Cliff told me last night they enjoy linking up with The Chapel (mine and Katie's home church) online to watch the music portion where he likes to show Cordelia the live video of Uncle Scott (my husband) playing the guitar on The Chapel's live feed Sunday mornings...Uncle Scott was feeling pretty proud!!
Also, Cliff's good friend George sent them some sort of NFL football hook-up app that will allow them to watch the Buffalo Bills game on their t.v. through the I-pad tomorrow!! Cliff said he was pretty excited about that because typical Sundays in the past included going to George's house to watch the Bills games. While that is not possible at the moment, he's excited to be sharing in the Bills game through George's ingenuity on sending the app along...thanks George!!
And thank you ALL for your incredible outpouring of prayer, generosity and support. There have been SOOOOO many small acts of kindness and generosity, things I have heard about and probably just as many things that have been done in humble and quiet ways to love on Cliff and Dani. It has truly restored some of my faith and belief in the kindness and goodness of humanity towards each other.
Fundraising
On that note, the Caring For Cordelia benefit is quickly approaching. The date is Sunday, September 30th from 4-8 p.m at Main & Transit Fire Hall.
Even though we are on the other side of surgery, I'm sure you can imagine the many medical costs Cliff and Dani will still have, especially over the next couple of years as Cordelia continues to recover. For all of those reasons the Caring For Cordelia benefit is a VERY important piece in coming together to help relieve some of their burden.
Here are things you can do to help us out now:
1. Buy a ticket! Feel free to email me at lisa.littlewood@gmail.com if you need tickets and aren't sure how to get them. They are $20 presale and $25 at the door.
2. Make a basket for the raffle! We have gotten many baskets in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and thematic ideas. Please keep them coming. The more baskets we have, the more fun the raffle will be. Again, email me if you'd like to make a basket for the raffle, but need some suggestions or ideas!!
We are trying to arrange pick ups/drop offs (at my moms) of the baskets by September 21st!
We've had many creative folks just pick up items and put themed baskets together and others have been goods donated from business...so, if you are a business owner or know a business owner, please considering donating to the benefit!
3. Volunteers We will need some volunteers the day of. Please let me know if you are interested in helping and I will pass your email information along to our volunteer coordinator. We'll contact you the week before the event to let you know where we'll need you and when to show up.
Thank you all!!
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