Praise You In This Storm

The good news this week...Cordelia's PELD "score" (a number given to her on a scale of <1 to 60 to determine the severity of her condition) was raised from a 14 to a 29, placing her in the "priority" category on the transplant list.

While this is in someways bittersweet (her health needed to deteriorate in order to increase her score), it is a very good thing in her overall fight towards health and GREATLY increases her chances of getting a viable liver.  There are 17,000 patients on the national liver transplant list and somewhere between 5,000-6,000 livers become available each year for transplant.

The doctor's in Cincinnati have been WONDERFUL and my parents reported as they were leaving the Cincinnati hospital this morning that one of Cordelia's tests today (thyroid?) came back normal, which surprised the doctor's as much as Cliff, Dani and my parents...a huge praise in the middle of a lot of challenges.

They (our parents-- Cordelia's grandparents) also reported that while Cordelia was fussing when they first arrived in her room this morning, within the couple of hours that they were there that she finally broke a smile and was in good spirits when they left.

Cliff, Dani and Cordelia have been blessed with visitors this week-- my parents were there from Wed-Saturday, a couple from their church told me they felt so blessed to be able to go out and visit and see Cordelia in such great hands at the hospital, and Dani's mom is on her way today. The help has been wonderful for them because it gives them a chance to leave the room, take a walk, or a shower, or a nap! as well as just feel loved, encouraged and supported.

Another note of good news...Cliff and Dani received a room at the Ronald McDonald House next door to the hospital. They have been on a waiting list for a couple of weeks and were finally able to move in this morning!! While they will continue to spend most of their time in the hospital this allows them a space of their own to call "home base" where they can shower, store personal belongings and even receive free meals that are prepared by local volunteers.

Cliff and Dani can receive mail at the Ronald McDonald House so if you'd like to send along a card you can do so by addressing it to their attention at the following address:

Cincinnati Ronald McDonald House

350 Erkenbrecher Avenue

Cincinnati OH 45229

What I continued to be awed and inspired by is Cliff and Danielle's strong faith and their trust in God in the middle of all of this. Our family grew up in the church and Cliff has always been strong in his faith, but seeing his and Dani's response to all of the challenges they are facing right now is nothing less than inspiring.

 Cliff told me last week that neither of them had ever read their Bible's from front to back and thought that while they were spending time in the hospital that they would start doing it together...and if they got to the end, they will start all over again.

They also sent a text with this picture...Cordelia's medical "tree of life" so to speak...

along with the title of a song by Casting Crowns, "Praise You in This Storm"...

I googled the song to read the lyrics myself...I've copied them here for you because they are so powerful.



"Praise You In This Storm"

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus:]
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus]

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

[Chorus x2]

 Cliff, Dani and Cordelia feel the strength of your prayers and appreciate them all.

Lastly, as I mentioned in my last post, we are in the process of planning the September 8th fundraiser. If you click on the "Fundraising" tab at the top of the blog page you will see the flyer and I will begin to post information under that tab about needs, both donations and volunteers.

The biggest need that we are thinking about right now in terms of the fundraiser is gift baskets for the auction...A basket/gift can be any appropriate giveaway that is $20 or more...i.e. restaurant gift certificates, car wash certificates, movie certificates, a basket of chocolate/goodies from a local business,   the list goes on and on.

If you are a business owner, or know a business owner who might be willing to donate a basket for the fundraiser please ask, collect the basket and then arrange a time for pick-up/drop-off with us (contact information is posted under the "fundraising" tab. Thank you!