March 30, 2011

Preparing Our Hearts

I don't have many medical updates for today, which is good.  Clara has done a good job of pulling off those fluids (you can see how much less puffy she is), but perhaps too good of a job.  They stopped the diuretic tonight and have been giving her some blood components today because her blood volume seems to have been a little low today - the ECMO machine cut off several times throughout the day (it's apparently not as scary as it sounds.... they get it back going quickly!).  They've actually increased her sedation some, but this afternoon she was wide awake and looking around for almost two hours.  It was more than just a flicker of her eyes, but instead a real constant gazing and looking around and we were able to feel like we really connected with her.  I wonder what she's thinking about all that's going on around her....
We told her lots today about what a big day tomorrow is.  We've encouraged her to be strong and brave and to be a fighter tomorrow.   We hope she listens.  

If you haven't had a chance yet to sign up for a time slot to pray for her tomorrow, click on the link on the right side of this page (or go to http://www.doodle.com/qgia3xymr2imhv39#table).  We are so excited that there are already over 100 people committed to praying for her tomorrow and we know that there are many, many more who will be praying for her throughout the day.  We will do our best to keep you posted once we know something after surgery.  I'm uploading several photos today and a couple of videos of her looking around too.  We also have added a few new things to this blog - there's now a Twitter feed on the right hand side and (FINALLY) a place where you can sign up to receive an email when the blog is updated.  I hope that these features will help you all to stay even more connected.  Thanks for all the scriptures that you have sent to share with us!  We will be praying over them all tomorrow.  

We cannot express enough gratitude and love to you all for following us so well and caring so much about us.  We're eager and anxious about tomorrow, but I truly am not scared.  The only way I can explain it is that it is God's peace that passes all understanding.  I should be a nervous wreck, but instead I just feel peace.  Thank you, Lord. 

Tonight we are just preparing our hearts for some serious prayer and meditation tomorrow.  We hope you're doing the same.  Gaze upon these precious sights:

 






20 comments:

  1. Clara, I love you so much. Please be strong tomorrow and in the days ahead.
    Sweet Mama

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  2. Clara,
    You have people in Granite Falls, NC, who sit and look at your pictures and smile and cry with joy. You make us remember the tender mercies of God. We admire your parents for being brave and loving you so much. What a special girl you are.

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  3. Prayers will flood the heavens tonight for Clara.
    Pa. Grandma of Ramsey LCDH survivor.

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  4. Oh, I am smitten. Clara is soooo adorable, God's creation inside and out. She has been my first prayer each morning since she was born. My scripture prayer for you, Clara, one of my favorites: " For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11). And for your parents: "I am with you.... I am your God, I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you." (Isaiah 41:10). And Anne Marie (my second grader) is praying extra hard for you as well. God's blessings on your precious family. Karla Frazier

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  5. She's so precious and I love that I'm allowed to be a part of this little girl's life through this blog (and through her grandmother, Karen!!) I'll be praying throughout the day for the surgery to go as expected and that God will breathe life into those sweet lungs. I'll also be praying for continued strength for both mommy and daddy as well as all grandparents and family. I've been a NICU mommy too and know the longing to have your child in your arms.

    Hugs to you all!
    Tracy (Lord) Hunter

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  6. Chrissy, as I often do when I read your blog, I can relate to how you feel. Throughout my son Ramsey's CDH fight, I felt such an unexpected strength, that could only come from God. During times when I let fear get the best of me, I would repeat to myself, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". Prayers are with you tomorrow as always!

    Lisa
    rootingforramsey.blogspot.com

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  7. Praying for Clara's strong spirit tomorrow. Thank you for posting these beautiful pictures. She is a precious creation and is loved by so many. Chrissy and Robert, we are with you.
    Love,
    The Hemphill Family

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  8. Praying for sweet baby Clara as she goes through surgery and for continued peace to you, Robert and Chrissy!

    ~Ladonna Shive Daughtry

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  9. Praying for sweet, precious baby Clara and for strength and peace for each of you.

    ...Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

    Melissa Brady

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  10. Praying that surgery goes well for Clara today. Also praying that you both find the strength to get through this. There are SO many of us who have been down this road and we are ALL praying for you.

    CDH mommy to Caiden

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  11. Love the pictures of sweet, sweet, baby Clara. You have been in our thoughts and prayers constantly and will continue to be on Thursday. Stay strong Hardy family...

    All our Love,
    Jodi Moore

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  12. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
    Love, hope, strength, and many, many prayers are with Clara and her wonderful family this morning and forever.

    dee

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  13. Sitting in New Testament and having a real hard time concentrating.

    Thinking and praying for Clara all day today.

    Also, for the hands of the Surgeons, the nurses, and the techs. For mama, daddy, Sweet Mama (btw, I LOVE that), and all the rest of the family.

    Love to you all.

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  14. I LOVE the beautiful pictures of her eyes wide and opened. Continuing in prayer as your princess is in surgery now. We love you guys! God, please be with this beautiful family and be merciful and good! Bless all who care for her during her fight!

    Love,
    Nicole and Presley Jones

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  15. You don't know me, but I was emailed about your precious family last week. Our son Jacob is a CDH survivor. He was born in January of 2009, and is a strong and active 2 year old. The days following surgery are tough, but God will give you the strength and peace that you need to weather this storm. I find it especially unique that little Clara is having surgery on CDH awareness day. We are wearing turquoise today to honor you and little Clara as you fight for her life! Blessings to you all. We will be praying!

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  16. "O God, to whom all things grow, and by whom they are strengthened when grown, stretch forth Thy hand upon Thy servant who is sick at a tender age: that recovering the vigor of health, she may arrive at the fullness of years, and always give unto Thee a faithful and grateful service all the days of her life. Through our Lord. . ."

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  17. Dear Hardy Family:
    A friend asked for prayer for you all on Facebook last week and I've been keeping up through the blog. Your testimony has truly been a blessing to me! I've been praying and will continue to for sweet Clara for a smooth recovery and strength for you all.

    Our oldest son, 7, was born with a very rare birth defect and has had 18 reconstructive surgeries at Duke. His condition has fortunately not manifested as being life-threatening, so we count our blessings. But we are very familiar with how the strength of God and the power of prayer can carry families with special children through even the roughest patches.

    God speed, sweet Clara!
    -Mundy Price, Greenwood, South Carolina

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  18. I love those her open eyes! She is gorgeous! The pump cutting out and the need for more blood is pretty typical. I used to explain to parents it is like keeping a gas tank full to work properly - no biggy, just needs attention. Things sound very normal. We are all praying Clara does well in surgery today and afterwards. She has an excellent surgeon - praying for him too. The Buckners

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  19. So thankful to hear that Clara made it through the surgery and that it went well! My husband and I have been praying for her and her mommy & daddy everyday! I read your request to send verses and had a few I wanted to share with you!
    "Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases." Psalms 103:1-3
    "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
    "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come unto you." John 14:18
    Hope these are an encouragement to you! We will continue to pray for little Clara until she is able to come home with you.

    Bethany Settle
    Sonographer in Prenatal Assessment

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