The Macs » Blog

whew!

Cora just came out of surgery, and the doctors told us that she did fine. It was a LONG wait for all of us, especially Joel and Jess, before the doctors came in to give us the news that she was ok. They said that they were able to drain the fluid from around her heart, and were also able to put a drain in her abdomen to help with the seeping fluid from her previous incision. The nurses are getting her settled in again from her surgery before we can go in and check on her.

Praise God for his protection over Cora during her 4th time in the operating room, as these surgeries do not always turn out the way we plan. Another family that we have gotten to know here in the PICU needs your prayers today. Their fourteen-year-old son had the same surgery as Cora this morning, and did not make it through. His name was Tony. Our hearts break for his sweet family. Please pray for them. 
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  • The Schilling's from PICU - Glad to hear Cora made it through and is getting settled! I am so sad to hear about Tony’s family! They are so blessed to have you there to comfort them just as you did us! Just know we continue to pray and are sending you lots of hugs from Cimarron!

    Love to you all!

    AMIEReplyCancel

  • Hiserote Blog - We are friends of Bill and Olivia’s from KC – although we are now living in London. We want you to know that we’ve been following your story very closely and praying for you several times throughout each day. We are so inspired by your faith and trust in Christ, and we stand alongside you (even from the other side of the ocean) and continue to ask God to heal little Cora, give strength to your family, and use this horrible situation for His glory.
    All our prayers and love,
    Jeromy and Sara HiseroteReplyCancel

  • Sheryl from Colorado - I have been glued to the computer waiting for updates….thanks and keep posting with news. We are continuing to lift you all up in prayer. We will pray for comfort and peace for this family that lost their son.ReplyCancel

  • beckley - whew, indeed.
    and prayer for tony. my heart breaks.ReplyCancel

  • Elaine - Praying for your sweet baby Cora, praise the Lord she did well today. We will pray for Tony’s family.ReplyCancel

  • leahneer - I am relieved to hear that Cora made it through the surgery…whew! May she adjust to the surgery well now and rest come her way for her little body. She has been through so much today and in the past weeks. I will continue to keep you in my prayers and will add Tony’s family as well. So sad for them! May god be with all of you as you get through the rest of your day. God Bless:)ReplyCancel

  • Courtney and the Boys - So glad the surgery went well. And my heart breaks for Tony’s family…they are now in my prayers.

    CourtneyReplyCancel

  • The Veers - So glad to hear that Cora is out of surgery and doing well!ReplyCancel

  • Judy - Praise God for this one victory! And continuing to pray for many, many more victories in the days ahead! We know that Jesus is hearing Cora’s name quite frequently these days and we are going to continue to bring each request before the throne of God!ReplyCancel

  • Maureen - Praise the Lord! Cora is continually on my mind in prayer. I will also pray for Tony’s family.
    Thank you for your updates. Praying that Jesus would pour out the right amount of grace needed for each moment!

    Prayers from Washington,
    MaureenReplyCancel

  • Tami - Praise God for yet another miracle. We will lift up Tony’s family to our amazing and powerful Lord!ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - Praise for you and your family. We will continue to pray for good news. And we are already praying for Tony’s family. God be with you all.

    Talley Morrow, St. Francis, KS

    Aunt of Baylee Banning (neurob survivor) and friend of Lori Kruse RaileReplyCancel

  • The Sieberts - Praise Jesus! I have been thinking about her all Day and PRAYING SO HARD! We love you guys…ReplyCancel

  • Ali - Thank you for taking the time to let us know Cora made it through. I know a lot of us have been refreshing all day, hoping and praying for the best. It does my heart good to see that she is such a fighter, and a strong little girl. Still praying…ReplyCancel

  • Marla Taviano - Praise You, Jesus! Oh, God, comfort Tony’s family right now!ReplyCancel

  • lgraves - praying, praying, praying. we’re so relieved to hear about cora – believing good things are ahead.

    love, the graves’ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - Praise God from whom all blessing flow!!! Will add Tony’s family to the prayer chain. Are believing for complete recovery for Cora.
    Tons of love and prayers from Manhattan Beach
    Sharley and BobReplyCancel

  • David Hall - Outstanding! We will be cheering loudly for Ivy and Owen at tonights game.

    David HallReplyCancel

  • Katy - I’m happy to hear that Cora’s surgery went well. I will continue with my prayers for her.

    I’m so sad to hear about Tony, that’s terrible…it’s just not right. I’ll keep his family in my prayers as well.ReplyCancel

  • The Frasiers - Wow. Thank the Lord. Just wow.ReplyCancel

  • The Frasiers - Wow. God’s strength is awesome. Wow.ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - THank you Jesus. Lifting up Tony’s family.ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - ….still praying in central Illinois…..ReplyCancel

  • laney - …thank You thank You thank You Lord for protecting cora during surgery…thank You for the doctors and nurses ….thank You for kind friends who kept watch with cora’s mommy and daddy…thank You for this successful operation…thank You for the thousands and thousands of prayers that have been said for this little one…as we praise You we come with sad hearts for the parents and grandparents of the young son who died…please hold them close to You…place in their path loving people who voice exactly that right words of comfort…help them through each hard and lonely minute of the rest of their lives…we praise You …oh how we praise You in Christ’s name we pray ….amenReplyCancel

  • Elizabeth - Interesting how the Father works…I did not know about this recent change and yet He impressed on my mind at 1:45 today that you were in need of prayer at that moment. We are thankful that Cora’s surgery is over! Praying for you every day! Thank you for letting us all have a small part through this blog.ReplyCancel

  • Courtney - So glad to hear Cora came through surgery so well. Praise God! So sorry to hear about Tony we will also pray for his family to find peace and comfort in God during this terribly sad time. We lost our son Dylan nine years ago so we can completly feel their pain.

    Love In Christ
    Kelly and CourtneyReplyCancel

  • Mama Kat - Just heart breaking. I’ll continue to pray for Cora and my heart aches for Tony’s family.ReplyCancel

  • Candace Unruh - Joel and Jess,
    God brought to mind the song “He’s got the whole world in his hands” and I have been inserting Cora’s name in when I pray. Also I want to share Isaiah 43:1-2 with you.
    -Candace UnruhReplyCancel

  • Joanne (The Simple Wife) - Praising God with you and begging his mercy for Tony’s family. Please pass on our condolences and prayers for their family.ReplyCancel

  • Karen - So sad for Tony’s family. It is so heartbreaking to hear that these things are going on.
    So HAPPY for baby Cora. One more hurdle conquered. yippee!ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - Praise God!! This morning as I prayed for Cora’s surgery I read these two scriptures that gave me comfort. I wanted to share them with you.

    “We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” Psalm 33:20-22

    God is our refuge and strength,an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at the break of day. Nations are in uproar,kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us;the God of Jacob is our fortress.
    “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:1-7, 10

    We continue to pray-
    Reid & Lori(Kruse)RaileReplyCancel

  • carissa... brown eyed fox - oh Heavenly Father… cover Tony’s family with your grace… !

    SO happy to hear little Cora is out of surgery… keeping your little angel close & in our prayers!ReplyCancel

  • i love plum - praing, praying, praying. xoReplyCancel

  • Sarah - Thank you for the update. I am praying for you and am passing your story along to all my friends.

    BlessingReplyCancel

  • Cristy - I am so glad to hear Cora is recovering well. My heart is broken for Tony’s family. I will say a special prayer for them.

    Continued hugs and prayers….

    CristyReplyCancel

  • Tobie - I am so glad to hear Cora’s surgery went well! Praise God!ReplyCancel

  • Erin Robertson - I am a friend of Lisa Spence… she mentioned your family on her Facebook page, so I decided to check out your blog. I just spent the last 90 minutes reading through every single one of your posts since the day Cora was born. What a beautiful little girl she is. I feel like I know your sweet little family now, and my heart aches for what you are going through. I have been so blessed by your faith in God and His promises. What a testimony you are to all who know you and hear your story. Cora will be in my prayers now, and I look forward to reading your daily posts from this point on. Hang in there, and continue on in faith.

    Erin Robertson
    Oakville, OntarioReplyCancel

  • Melissa - Glad to hear that Cora make it through ok! Praise the Lord!

    I’ll be praying for Tony’s family. That is so sad.

    God bless you all in the coming days.ReplyCancel

  • Gail - Wow–you guys have been a part of some tough stuff these past weeks–I’m sorry to hear about Tony. Know that his family and yours are being prayed for. Love you!ReplyCancel

  • kristine - We R so glad 2 hear how Cora did in surgery, very sorry 4 Tony’s family. We will pray 4 Cora & your family. We R from Beloit & my daughter had brain & spinal cord cancer when she was 3 yrs old. She is 19 yrs in remission now. Kids R really strong & I think they help 2keep us going. We will keep your family in our prayers.ReplyCancel

  • Something In The Glass - I just can’t imagine the anxiety you must be facing and the terrible sadness Tony’s family is enduring. You know well that no matter the path God chooses for us, he will be our provider and our shelter.

    Praying for you all.ReplyCancel

  • meleea - so glad cora made it through the surgery – our family continues to pray every day for your sweet daughter!ReplyCancel

  • James' Full House - More prayers your way. I can not seem to stop thinking about Cora. I have been praying all through out the past few days. Strange when I do not know you. Isn’t wonderful how the Body of Christ works, how we can all come together.

    BrandiReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - So thankful that Cora came out of the surgery ok. She is a strong little girl. Thanks for the updates. We are praying for complete healing. Also praying for Tony’s family. Cannot imagine their pain. Jesus We Trust In You.ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - You have made me want to be a better mother, and wife. You are the epidomy of Grace under fire. Bless you and your family in this hard time. And bless the family of Tony. May they trust in the Lord to know that his body is now healed.ReplyCancel

  • Michelle - I too have been anxiously waiting for updates. It is wonderful to hear Cora made it through.Thank you for letting us pray for you and your family. It is so sad to hear what Tony’s family is going through. Please post and let us know if there is anything we can do for them. We’ll be praying for comfort and healing. God Bless.ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - Praise Jesus for a successful surgery! Baby Cora we will continue to pray for you in NC. You are one precious angel. God is good…. Much love, and many more prayers to you all.ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - You don’t know me but I have heard about your baby girl from a couple of different people. My 13 yr. old cousin has been battling neuroblastoma for the last year. He was diagnosed last April. He just completed 2 stem cell transplants and radiation at Children’s Mercy in KC. He was not given a good prognosis in the beginning. He started out with stage 3, but since neuroblastoma is so very rare in children his age the outlook seemed bleak. He has been a strong fighter and has done amazingly well. He will be having testing done later this month to see if he is in remission. God has done amazing things in him and I know that He can do amazing things for Cora. I can’t imagine how tough this must be to see your infant go through all this. I will pray for her healing, your strength and the God can use you to share Him with others as you go through this trial. It is powerful for others to see you praising Him in your storm. Our God is a Mighty God and He is powerful. I pray that you be encouraged each day. I look forward to continuing to read your blog and seeing the miracles performed in her tiny body. May God bring you peace!
    Peggy Williams
    El DoradoReplyCancel

  • Courtney - Praying for your precious baby girl as well as her sweet mom and dad. May God bring you all peace, comfort, and healing, along with the other children and babies you have mentioned. God Bless you all.

    “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” (Mark 11:24)ReplyCancel

  • Courtney - PS – I wondered if you guys believe in prayer cloths…If so I would love you mail you one for Cora, and yourselves as well…You’re free to email me at courtneybestep@hotmail.com … 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Kymberly - I found your blog through Angie @ Bring The Rain. I have been following your story for a few days. My heart is broken for your family. Your sweet little girl has been on my mind all day. I will be praying for you guys and your beautiful little girl.ReplyCancel

  • Misty Rice-Baniewicz - Oh I am so thrilled for Cora and so sad about the 14 year old. A mix in emotions reading that one.

    Still praying for you all.ReplyCancel

  • Jenae - Whenever we pray with Caleb (13 months) at night we always pray for baby Cora. Our hearts are with you as you continue along this difficult path.ReplyCancel

  • Denise - I am keeping your sweet little girl in my prayers. glad to hear that the surgery went ok. I found you through a friend that had your story listed. Praying for you in Minnesota.ReplyCancel

  • heather spratt - So happy to hear that Cora did well! So sorry to hear about Tony…continuing to pray for healing and also for peace & comfort for Tony’s family. The battle continues, we are armed & ready as we continue to storm the gates of heaven on Cora’s behalf!

    I am a cancer survivor. I know first hand the awesome power of prayer. I am a changed person after being on the receiving end of that power. I have been carried on the shoulders of countless prayer warriors that lifted me up to my Heavenly Father and carried me through my journey. While I might have thought I was alone on my path…I wasn’t…EVER! I am thrilled to enlist in the army of prayer warriors! “What a priviledge to carry everything to God in prayer!”

    Much Love,
    HeatherReplyCancel

  • Falling Around - So thankful to the Lord that Cora did well in surgery today. I will continue praying for her, Joel, and Jess.

    I am also adding Tony’s family to my prayer list as they grieve his passing. My heart is broken for them. Thank you for bringing this need to our attention.

    Praying & Loving Cora,
    Christy KleinReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - I heard of your prayer request through traveling treasures and my prayers and thoughts are with you. may GOD be with your family. bampyReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - Our thoughts and prayers are with you all each and every day. We will continue to pray for Cora’s recovery and that God will give her all the strength she needs. Our prayers are also with Tony’s family.ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - We are so glad to hear that Cora’s surgery went well. We have been keeping all of you in our prayers, and check on Cora daily. We know firsthand the ups and downs of childhood cancer. Our daughter Molly is now close to 5 years cancer free from AML leukemia. We will continue to lift you all up in prayer.

    The Lamberts from Chambers, NEReplyCancel

  • Amanda - I can’t even tell you how I found your blog, but I have been keeping up with Miss Cora for a couple of days. My daughter just turned one and we say a prayer for Cora every night before bed.

    So happy that Cora’s surgery was successful, and so sad for Tony’s family. We will be praying for you all and checking back often for updates.

    The Reeds in ArkansasReplyCancel

  • Heather C - Praising God with you and continuing to pray… God bless you all. Praying for the family of the boy as well.ReplyCancel

  • All Doll(ed) Up - praise God for another day, another step closer to healing. We are lifting you up- as we share your story, it is overwhelming how many people know of Cora and are praying, she is touching the lives of many! We love you guys!ReplyCancel

  • blessedmomto7 - Praise God for Cora doing well! Could you post an address to the hospital so people can send cards?ReplyCancel

  • The Balzers - My heart just aches for Tony’s family. I KNOW you guys are a blessing to them. Again, how amazing you are…finding a time and place to lift others up, even when you are suffering so much. I will pray for Tony’s family and hope so much that he is in the arms of our Savior now.

    PRAISE THE LORD that Cora was so strong during her surgery! It’s so nice to be able to celebrate the little things…like pee! I Hope you had a good day today.

    We never stop praying! We never stop thinking about you guys.ReplyCancel

  • Christina - The fragility of life is ever present, we just don’t see it all the time. Thank you, Lord, for keeping Cora and won’t You comfort Tony’s family.ReplyCancel

  • ran shae - keep on keepin’ on little cora girl! me and my 3 year old prayer warrior contend for you throughout our day. i pray that you would rest peacefully tonight in His awesome power and love.

    ~randi in wichitaReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - Continuing to pray – for Cora, Joel & Jess, Macs & Beverlins, and now for Tony’s family. God, give each one your peace and protection from anymore harm.
    Kathy VeerReplyCancel