Prayers & Quotes for November 9, 2009

Prayers & Quotes for November 9, 2009

If you have a prayer request for a cherub or family member of a cherub, you can send it to prayers@cdhsupport.org In addition, if you have a quote that you would like to share, please feel free to send it too.

Please keep the following in your thoughts and prayers:

Newborn cherub Lewis M. had his CDH repair, but is maxed on support and oxygen levels are low
Newborn cherub Maisie K., arrived 11/2 premature, but surgery repair set for today
Cherub Alexander H. has H1N1
Cherub Henry E. is recovering from H1N1
Cherub Isabel H. is visiting a pulmonary hypertension clinic, cardiac catheter procedure on Wednesday
Cherub Jaime T. is recovering from a major reherniation repair surgery
Newborn cherub Chase K. is working on being weaned from the vent, parents got to hold him this past weekend
Newborn cherub Carter A. is working on battling his staph infection, just started a 6 week course of antibiotics. Carter has been in the hospital over 6 months, prayers for his entire family during this difficult journey.
Newborn cherub Mia M. is still in the hospital and working on feeds
Cherub Ethan H. has reherniated and surgery is set for 11/17
Cherub Ian M. is recovering from pneumonia
Cherub Dylan J. has reherniated and surgery is set for 12/2
Newborn cherub Zoe L. and her twin sister Sadie L., both are still hospitalized and Zoe is now on high flow nasal cannulas, but is fighting a staph infection.
Newborn cherub Emery who is still in the hospital
Cherub Alina H. is recovering from pneumonia.
Cherub Kamryn S.’s dad Shawn is recovering from the flu
Nicolle C., mom to angel cherub Kasey is having a fundraiser on 11/14, in memory of her son, “Christmas with Kasey”
To all our military veterans, honoring your service to our country this week.


Cherubs On Their Way:

Cherub baby boy “Sunshine” B. and family, induction date of 11/11
Cherub Kalliope R., mom is on bed rest and Kalliope could arrive at anytime
Cherub Baby boy Ruben, due 2/24, pray his heart is normal and strong
Cherub Averi G. and family, Averi’s heart is good!
Cherub Jaden M., due at the beginning of the new year
All families expecting a baby with CDH, may you have continued hope and strength for the journey that lies ahead.


Grieving Families:

Cherub Andrew H. and family
Cherub Nolan R. and family
Cherub Zoe F. and family
Cherub Ireland B. and family
Cherub Jonathan M. and family
Cherub Vincent S. and family
Cherub M.J. S. and family
Cherub Rafael E. and family
Cherub Floyd D. and family
Cherub Peter N. and family
Cherub Avery K. and family
Cherub Jackson B. and family
To all families affected by CDH and the loss of their precious child, may continued peace and comfort surround them


Today’s Quotes:

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience on which you really stop to look fear in the face.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

“I have always believed that whatever good or bad fortune may come our way we can always give it meaning and transform it into something of value.” - Hermann Hesse

“You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” - A.A. Milne (Christopher Robin to Pooh), from angel cherub Kasey C.’s mom Nicolle

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning how to dance in the rain.” - Author Unknown

New Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Holiday Items on Cafepress!

We have added some great new items on our store - all to raise CDH Awareness during the holidays! Take a look at the new graphics you can buy on 100's of items (click on the graphics to purchase items):

http://www.cafepress.com/cherubs/6953284




http://www.cafepress.com/cherubs/6953176

http://www.cafepress.com/cherubs/6953318

http://www.cafepress.com/cherubs/6953303

Personalized Official Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Ribbon Items On Cafepress

CHERUBS offers CDH families free personalized graphics of the Official Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Ribbon. We have created over 135 personalized CDH Awareness Ribbon graphics so far and continue to offer this free service to CDH families.

We also post these ribbons on our Cafepress site so that family and friends can purchase items with these ribbons. There are over 75 items with each of these adorable faces on them! All proceeds go to help CDH families through our CHERUBS HOPE Totebag project!!! :)

A HUGE thank you goes to Shana Kelly who made most of these ribbons!!! And also to Fernanda Arce and Barbara Wagner! Thank you ladies!!!!

If you would like a free personalized CDH Awareness Ribbon please e-mail your cherub's photo, name and date(s) to ribbons@cherubs-cdh.org The turnaround time for ribbons to go up on our Cafepress site is 3 week so please make sure to order your ribbon in plenty of time for holiday shopping! :)

Some of the wonderful items available on Cafepress with personalized Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness ribbons:

Change for CHERUBS

Cherub Landon Kelly and his sister, Nyah, raised money for CHERUBS while Trick-or-Treating. Landon and Nyah collected change for CHERUBS while they collected candy. And they were adorable while doing so! Way to go!!!

Nyah, Landon and Skye

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Ribbon Ornament

Barbara and Shane Wagner have graciously offered to make these beautiful Official Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Ribbon Ornaments as a fundraiser for CHERUBS!!!!

They are all handmade and painted by Barb and Shane in honor of Logan Wagner.

They make great holiday gifts for family, friends, doctors, nurses and others to raise CDH Awareness! Or buy mini-ornaments to tie onto your holiday gifts with your tags!

CDH Awareness Ribbon Ornaments
Size - 3.5" L x 2" W
Price - $3.00 each
6 for $15 (That is buy 5 get one free)
12 for $27 (3 free)

Mini CDH Awareness Ribbon Ornaments
Size - 1.5" L x 1" W
Price - $1.50 each
6 for $7.50 ( getting 1 free)
12 for $13.50 (getting 3 free)

Shipping Costs (U.S. prices):
Up to 24 ornaments - Priority Shipping for $5.00
25 ornaments or more - Priority Shipping for $10.00

If you do not want Priority Shipping or want to ship outside the United States, please contact Barb at for a quote.

You can contact Barb or buy an ornament by paying through PayPal to
ornaments@cherubs-cdh.org

Make sure to let Barb know your name, shipping address, size and quantity of ribbons! :)

Why Not My Cherub?.... A Letter To Grieving Parents

We have lost so many cherubs in the past few months and watch so many parents suffer through the tragedies and grief. We also watch cherubs who survive and go home and know that all the grieving parents are asking the same question... "Why not my cherub"?

Dear Grieving Parent,

It is not because you were not worthy of your cherub - you were and are. You are so worthy that you have been entrusted to carry on your life's goals and theirs as well. You are so worthy that your cherub chose you to be his or her mommy and daddy during their short time here. You are so worthy that you were blessed enough to be the parent of a living angel... a child placed on earth to touch the hearts and lives of so many people. So much love and so many lessons put into such a short time. Not everyone can comprehend that great blessing and that great responsibility - but you were chosen.

It is not because of your faith or doubts. It is not because you didn't pray hard enough or because not enough people prayed for your cherub. There are cherubs who have had 1000's of people around the world praying for them... and they did not survive. We have had cherubs whose parents do not believe in religion and they have survived. Your prayers for a miracle were not refused. You have received miracles too... even though they may not be the one you wanted most. Prayers can sustain us through whatever CDH throws as us, helping us to make the right decisions, bringing us peace no matter the outcome.... and they can lift us up and carry us through grief.

It is not because you made a bad medical decision or did not fight hard enough for your child. Your cherub had a whole medical team fighting for them along side of you. You made all the best decisions that you could for your cherub. You were and are the best parent to your cherub that you can be. There are 1000's of healthy children who do not have parents who would fight for them.... your cherub was blessed to have you as parents just as you are to have had the opportunity to be a parent to your cherub. If CDH has taught us anything it is that it plays by no rules. Children with no diaphragm and little lung can survive while children with 2 full lungs might not. It has taught us that lung function is not the deciding factor. It has taught us that sometimes the best care in the world is not enough.

It is not because you couldn't offer your cherub the support or resources needed for a special needs child. It is not because you lack patience or skills. We have grieving members who are doctors, nurses... we have parents of survivors who were teenagers themselves. We have grieving members who are amazing, amazing parents and we have parents of survivors who have lost custody of their cherubs. We also have many, many parents of survivors who are amazing and prepared and ready to be wonderful parents to their cherubs. CDH does not care who is ready, who is able, who is best qualified to care for a cherub and who is not.

It is not because you didn't love your cherub enough. If love could spare babies from CDH, this horrible birth defect would not claim one more life. CDH shows no favoritism. It shows no prejudice. It truly is the luck of the draw who survives and who does not. It does not mean you are better or worse than anyone else. It is not fair. Your cherub did not chose to leave you. But they did chose to spend their time here with you. They did not choose wings over feet. They did not chose Heaven over staying here with you.

There is no good answer to why your cherub did not survive... but there are hundreds of answers as to why he or she should have. At CHERUBS, we all know the pain of CDH. The pain and grief of having a child born with a severe birth defect... some grieve over the loss of a healthy child as they struggle to deal with CDH in their surviving cherub and the loss of a dream. Some grieve a never-ending grief of losing the dream and the life of their cherub. But we all grieve, we all have questions that we may never get answers to.

We have all lost a lot. So many parents are grieving the losses of their babies right now. The CDH community has lost so many babies that we have all prayed for, loved from afar. But we have gained a lot too. So have the family members, friends, and even strangers. Each cherub has left their mark on this world and left it a little better than they found it. That is more than most people do in lifetimes that last decades. We should all should follow such beautiful examples as these children have left for us....

Prayers & Quotes for November 2, 2009

If you have a prayer request for a cherub or a family member of a cherub, you can send it to prayers@cdhsupport.org In addition, if you have a quote that you would like to share, please feel free to send it to prayers@cdhsupport.org too.


Please keep the following in your thoughts and prayers:

Cherub Anaid L. is having surgery this week for an expansion (scoliosis)
Newborn Cherub Lewis M. was born this past weekend
Cherub Jaime T. is recovering from a major reherniation repair surgery
Newborn Cherub Chase K. is off of ECMO and going strong
Newborn Cherub Carter A. is working on his staph infection and oxygen weaning
Newborn Cherub Mia M. is still in the hospital
Cherub Ethan H. has reherniated and surgery is set for 11/17
Cherub Kyle A. is sick with pneumonia in his left lung
Cherub Dylan J. has reherniated and surgery is set for 12/2
Newborn Cherub Zoe L. and her twin sister Sadie L., both are still in the hospital and Zoe is fighting CDH
Newborn Cherub Emery who is still in the hospital
Cherub Alina H. is recovering from a viral infection and is sick with a cold
Cherub Kamryn S.'s dad Shawn is recovering from the flu
Nicolle C., mom to angel Cherub Kasey is having a fundraiser this month in memory of her son, "Christmas with Kasey"
Natasha D., mom to angel Cherub John, is expecting a baby


Cherubs On Their Way:

Cherub baby boy Ruben, due Feb. 24th, cardiologist saw a possible hole in his heart. Grandma to this precious boy is asking for the Lord's protection and His perfect will. Next appointment is this week.
Cherub Kalliope R., mom is on bed rest and Kalliope could arrive at anytime
Cherub baby boy "Sunshine" B. and family, induction date of 11/11
Cherub Averi G and family, that Averi's heart is okay and mom's fluid levels come down
Cherub Jaden M., due at the beginning of the year
All families expecting a baby with CDH, may you have continued hope and strength for the journey that lies ahead.


Grieving Families:

Newborn Cherub Andrew H. grew his wings on 10/30, memorial service tonight
Newborn Cherub Nolan R., grew his wings on 10/9
Cherub Zoe F. and family
Cherub Ireland B. and family
Cherub Vincent S. and family
Cherub M.J. S. and family
Cherub Rafael E. and family
Cherub Floyd D. and family
Cherub Peter N. and family
Cherub Avery K. and family
Cherub Jackson B. and family
To all families affected by CDH and the loss of their precious child, may continued peace and comfort surround them


Today's Quotes:

"Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless." - Jamie Paolinetti

"This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, love to complete your life." - Author Unknown

"There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something better tomorrow." - Orison Marden

"One day in retrospect the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful." - Sigmund Freud

Please change your profile photo today in memory of a baby lost to CDH

The CDH community gained another angel last week... little Andrew. We have lost quite a few cherubs lately and it's left such a feeling of helplessness and we wall want and need to do something to help and make a difference.

We are starting a new tradition at CHERUBS and within the CDH community today that we hope you will all participate in.

Visit Andrew's Blog to read about his brave battle against CDH

The CDH Community is changing our profile photos on Facebook, Myspace and other social networking sites to the CDH Awareness Ribbon to raise awareness in memory of little cherub Andrew who will be laid to rest.

This is something new that we are starting to do to come together as a community and show unity to pay our respects to those cherubs who earn their wings. We will do this every time a cherub earns their wings to raise awareness of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in their memory.

We are using the official cloud ribbon as seen on CHERUBS profile photo today (the one voted on by CDH families, not used by any other causes and used in 38 countries around the world)... we truly hope no one tries to make this a ribbon / group competition or takes anything away from the positive support we are trying to show Andrew's family today.

Feel free to use the above Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Ribbon graphic.

CDH Bricks... Building An End To This Horrible Birth Defect Together

Dealing with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia is like nothing else on this earth. It's a horrible, horrible birth defect that steals the lives of 1000's of babies every year. But it's proving so hard to get anyone to take notice! Over a half a million babies since 2000... why isn't this on the National News every day until we find the cause??? Why isn't there more Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness that actually does something to help these children???? Families dealing with CDH not only have to deal with the horrible medical issues involved - the hospitalization, surgeries, ECMO, etc - and sometimes losing their children.... but they also have to deal with the fact that hardly anyone has ever heard of CDH. Searching for information, searching for support, searching for hope.... thank goodness there are groups who do help these families now (there were none 15 years ago and only 5 years ago there was only one - CHERUBS).

But CDH is a different journey for each of us. It takes on different paths in the same valley. We each learn different things and each become a thread in the CDH community. We are each the families who have experienced CDH and each now have a responsibility to help others who come down this path after us. We should all be working together to help each other and new families. All CDH families, all CDH groups, all CDH sites.

I compare it to CDH giving us all tools to help others... like bricks. Each experience we each have, each day with our cherubs, each complication, each procedure, each ultrasound, each piece of research we find, etc - a brick. We can all chose to take our bricks and build our own little houses or a few working together to build apartment complexes or tiny community buildings... but imagine what we could build if we all put our bricks together.... a hospital, a research center, a CDH library... finding the cause and prevention and best treatments for CDH. That's our goal at CHERUBS and ACDHO... working together for the common goal of stopping this monstrous birth defect.

I hope every CDH family and group will chose to work together.

What People Are Saying About CHERUBS - we're requesting quotes for our new site

Each page of our new site will include 2 things that we need help to collect from CDH parents:

1. Photos of cherubs dressed as cherubs (wings, halo)
2. Quotes from members about how CHERUBS has helped you.

We will also be using these photos and quotes in awareness campaigns. You can submit yours to dawn.williamson@cdhsupport.org

Below are some quotes we've received.....

"I have found so much support, love, and many friends. I will be forever greatful to everyone at CHERUBS for helping me through the death of my daughter. Words could never describe the love I have in my heart for this organization." - Kate Crawford, mom of Shannon Crawford (1/16/07-1/19/07)

"CHERUBS is a place CDH families can go and talk about the many issues we deal with on a daily basis. It is an extended family--that offers love, support and strength. No matter how CDH has affected each individual member. We are a united family and CHERUBS gives you the peace in your heart to know you are not alone on this CDH journey. You have members all around the world that understand CDH. We are all in this together. Knowing I have members who can help me with each step we take with our daughter Shelby. Makes this journey easier." - Stephanie Olivarez, mom of Shelby Olivarez (7/10/06)

"My only wish is that I had found CHERUBS earlier. My son wasnt diagnosed until birth with CDH and after months of struggles I found CHERUBS and joined their family! Yes, it is a family, although each CHERUBS' journey is different, we all have the common bond of the helpless feelings and receive unconditional love and support from one another. THANK GOD FOR CHERUBS!" - Penny Campsey, mom of Cole Campsey (3/26/03)

"My sister found CHERUBS for me right after Faith was diagnosed. I don't know what I would have done without all the love and support from these families around the world. Truly a community of courage, strength, love and understanding." - Amy Miles, mom of Faith Grace Miles (3/6/08-4/5/08)

"No one knows what this experience is like except someone who has really been there, and CHERUBS if just that- People all around the world who have seen the things we have, and felt the way we have, had to make the same decisions that we have. We all share the same goal now. Whether our children survived or not, we all want to see a day when there are more answers and more options." - Sarah Deskins, mom to Jeremiah Deskins (9/21/2007-1/12/2008)

"CHERUBS is important because of the awarness for research. I want to know WHY it was for our babies. Do we not deserve that? Parents with children with cancer or AIDS or Cystic Fybrosis or Spina bifida know what causes it. Parent with children born with CDH don't know why. I don't know why. I know it is not because I live in South Carolina because Shaz lives in Australia. I know it is not because I was 35 when Baer was born because Corin was 23 when Gabe was born. I know it was not because I was married because Tania had a partner in Darryl when Jacob was born. I know it is not because I was having a boy because Stephanie already had three girls when Shelby was born. I know it was not because I worked around chemicals in a engine factory because Amy was a teacher while expecting Faith. I know it was not beacause he was my fourth and I already had 3 perfect healthy children because Shannon was Kate's first and Jeremiah was Sarah's first. I know it was not because I had teenager's at home to help out with a sick baby because Kara had a toddler when she had Adam. I know it was not because it was 2007 and there wereso many pollutants in the air because Dawn had Shane in 1993. I know it was not because I did not have top notch prenatal care because Judi was in the military when Christopher was born. I know that it was not because I am not a christian because Penny prays to God everyday yet Cole was still born with CDH. I know that it is not because I am white because Juan Pablo and Fer are hispanic. I know that it is not because I am overweight because Danielle is and was thin when Alyssa was born. So now I know so many reasons why NOT, yet I and all the other CDH parents are still looking for WHY our babies where born with CHD. Until we have that answer we cannot begin to hope for a solution. This is why I think that CHERUBS is so important." - Lynne Brogdon, mom of Baer Brodgon (12/4/07)

"Five and a half years ago, during my second pregnancy, my child was diagnosed with a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH). All I was told by my OB was that there was a hole in her diaphragm and that she would need surgery. I went home and searched congenital diaphragmatic hernia and I found CHERUBS. Almost everything I learned about CDH was due to CHERUBS. Through their website and their information packet I recieved in the mail. This information gave me guidance as to what to ask the doctors at and what I need to know about CDH. There also is a need for research. The fact that the medical community does not know what causes CDH shows there is a definite need for more research." - Kim Richards, mom to Olivia Raine Richards (8/31/02-9/19/02)

"CHERUBS is my new family, is the place I can go to cry or share or ask for prayers and there is always someone listening. CHERUBS is a place full of love, support and understanding. In CHERUBS I know I'm not alone and that my friends (because I have found so many wonderful friends) will always care for me and my family." - Fer Arce, mom to Juan Pablo Arce (1/6/07)

"When my son was diagnosed with CDH,during my pregnancy, I thought it was something simple that could be fixed with surgery once he was born. When he died I was so lost and alone, nobody really understood what CDH was even after I explained it over and over to them. Then I found CHERUBS and immediately I felt at home, everyone is there for me whenever I need them and most importantly I know I am not alone on my own journey of CDH, which makes all the difference!" - Kimberly Switzer, mom to Asher Switzer (7/4/07-7/4/07)

"I thought when Colton was first diagnosed it was a one time thing. He's fixed and we were sent on our way. I went to our follow up thinking this is a waste of money. (not that I wouldn't of gone). But then the Dr, came in and said he had bad news. I was so confussed. I immediatly went home a started doing research. And I found my new friends and now I have a better understanding of what is happening. Not all the answers I was looking for. But I do understand it's not my fault. and Thank you for that". - Carrie Crum, mom to Colton Crum (10/11/07)