[AKA Elena]

The following update is not to make people give up, it is to encourage more prayer on behalf of little Claire and her family. Please excuse the frequent updates ... I feel those who have become involved are entitled to know the good and the not so good about Our Claire. It was written by Tyler, my grand nephew and Dad of Claire.

Thursday, June 3: Update 2 June 3, 2010 -- 6:35 pm

We got the MRI results and the only word I have to describe it is ‘ambiguous.’ I don’t know why this is affecting me so acutely, but this news in particular is hitting me hard. It may have been that I was hoping for too much.

The MRI revealed that there is damage to the Basal Ganglia in her brain. This area of the brain is a deep portion of the brain and disorders in this area can lead manifestations like Cerebral Palsy. The neurologist used ‘mild’ to describe the damage but it is a nuanced use of the word: while the current MRI looks mild, there is potential that the damage could still be devastating. This is where the ambiguity comes in. We were told on the first night that the extent of damage on functions could be between 0 and 100%; that appraisal remains the same.

While the doctor and neurologist who conferred on the scan have been practicing for decades, they could only describe what they were seeing as different: this is a new case to a neurologist that has seen much in 25+ years. This ‘different-ness’ doesn’t leave things open to interpretation: there’s just nothing to interpret. The MRI results are a data point that gave just confirmed that our uncertainty was warranted. Things are still very uncertain.

So where does that leave us? The only person that can answer that question is Claire. The damage to her brain is done. Nobody knows to what extent. So we are now getting ready for an exercise in ‘Show us what you can do.’ While we were wrapping up our MRI results meeting, the doctor turned off the remaining sedatives. We’ve started the process of removing whatever roadblocks she would have to directing her own recovery. No more sedation meds. No more paralytics. And as soon as she’s able, no more assisted breathing.

We’re going to be looking for progress. We don’t know how deep the injury goes so we will be anxiously waiting, praying and hoping to be shocked. Because that’s what it’s going to take.

Tiffany, Autumn, Heidi and I are missing our daughter and sister. My heart is hurting for her and I am frustrated that I can’t fight for her. As a father I have always been aware of what I can protect her from and I have endeavored to keep those things at bay: it’s so difficult that I can’t see those things that are standing in front of her right now. It’s harder that I don’t know which obstacles she’ll be able to lift on her own and which will be permanent. I want to move those mountains for her. I can’t.

I am sorry we don’t have more news to report. The next seven days will tell us much. And as a skeptic, I’m asking for a miracle.

The ache in Tyler's post is palpable. We have to storm the heavens with sincere passion on Claire's behalf. If we could manage a short prayer every day of the next seven, for Claire's brain to heal and be wholly functional or critically functional, we would be asking Him for a great deal, but as we all know, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!

[Joya]

Thank you for this update. I will continue to pray for Claire.

[llmc1]

Thank you for the update. You are right - nothing is impossible with God. I will continue to pray for Claire, her family, and her doctors.

[Tribune7]

prayers continue

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you for keeping us informed. Prayers continue for Claire, Tyler and all the loved ones....

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Mobties]

Get well, Claire.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Continued prayers for a miraculous recovery for the little one.

[LibertyRocks]

My prayers continue for precious Claire, and for her whole family — especially Mom and Dad. Thank you for taking the time to update everyone, it’s very kind of you.

[LonePalm]

More prayers up for Claire and family.

Notre père, qui êtes aux cieux!
Que votre nom soit sanctificié. Que votre règne vienne.
Que votre volonté soit faite, sur la terre comme au ciel.
Donnez-nous aujourd'hui notre poindre ce jour.
Pardonnez-nous nos offenses, comme nous pardonnons aussi a ceux, qui nous ont offensés,
et ne nous soumetez pas à la tentation, mais délivrez-nous du mal.
Car c'est à toi qu'appartiènne, le régne, la puissance et la gloire, pour les siècles des siècles.
Amen.

Je vous salue, Marie, pleine de grâces,
le Seigneur est avec vous, vous êtes bénie entre toutes les femmes,
et Jésus le fruit de vos entrailles est béni.
Sainte Marie, Mère de Dieu, priez pour nous pauvres pécheurs,
maintenant, et à l'heure de notre mort. Ainsi-soit-il.

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

[FourPeas]

Bump

[Albion Wilde]

"The next seven days will tell us much. And as a skeptic, I’m asking for a miracle."

Father God,

I am praying for the miracle to start in the hearts of the parents. May their surrender to Your will and Your salvation be complete and utter. May they fall on their knees before you in the realization that they are sinners, but would do anything for their child. May their faith be real and may it outlast every aspect of this situation.

Next, Father, we lift up little Claire for Your miraculous healing. She has lingered here for a reason, Father; make that reason clear. Bring her back to her family with the calm assurance that You were with her every moment that she has been in twilight. May she turn to You for strength and encouragement on the journey ahead.

In Jesus' holy name,

Amen.

[mlizzy]

"Nothing is impossible with God," is correct. Advise the family to ask Christ to place sweet Claire in His protection. Also call upon St. Clare, herself. Christ does His greatest work when we feel we are helpless to do ours; He wants us not to necessarily help Him get down off the Cross, but to suffer right along with Him (getting to "painstakingly" know Him), while praying and listening to Him breathe. Also, call on Jesus' mother for intercession for Claire, even if it be just one Hail Mary at a time.

And here's an interesting link. I suppose (if I knew the family) I might print the letter describing St. Clare (you can click on it and it enlarges), and place it in little Claire's room. Link.

[Bluebeard16]

I will continue to keep Claire in my prayers.

[Smokin' Joe]

More prayers on the way!

[Fawnn]

Prayers continue for Claire.

(I’ve read about success some have had with hypnosis that suggests the brain return to a “before” date. Seems to help stroke victims as well. My head injury occurred when I was 4 so I’m not using the self-hypnosis tapes for that, but I am suggesting my brain think back to how I was before I got sick in 1990. We’ll see what happens....)

I imagine that special self-hypnosis tapes would need to be made for a child that young. If the family is interested, I could check to see if tapes for children are available — or even better, if one could be made specifically tailored for Claire. Let me know if they’re interested.

Sometimes God puts things in our path that are intended to be a help in answering our prayers. I’m praying that the CDs/mp3s I’ve started to use (that use this new technique) are mine.

I know from experience that tapes helped one of my daughter’s friends who suffered brain damage from a car accident.

[Mrs. Don-o]

For Claire. Have prayed and will pray. Dear God our Friend, help her and those who love her.

[mass55th]

Thank you for the update on Claire’s condition. I will continue to keep her and your family in my prayers.

[EDINVA]

I join in the continuing prayers for Claire, and for her family and her medical team. We are seeking a miracle, Lord, and the restoration of Claire’s health to full functioning. We thank You for bringing her this far, and look forward to Your Hand guiding her to complete healing.

[LucyJo]

[trisham]

Amen. Continuing prayers for little Claire and her family.