I crossed paths with two of the first responders for Claire last night just as I was leaving OCH. Kristen and Veronica had come to see her and we were happy to bend the rules so they could see her. It’s important to us that the people who saw her that day see the progress she has made to date. It helped calm their minds as well. We spent about an hour discussing what happened that day and it was eye-opening to see which pieces I recalled and which I blocked. While I may forget pieces of that day, I won’t forget the part Kristen and Veronica played in saving Claire’s life.
Claire had a challenging night last night. Her sleep cycle shifted and made her night more fitful. We had hoped she would recover some of the lost sleep today. She hasn’t. The doctors wanted to run some labs on her this morning. The subsequent finger pricks made her irritable and weepy. By the time she had managed to calm down, a therapy session was scheduled. The cycle continued throughout the day. I hope the sleep loss will result in a quiet night; however, there are no guarantees.
There have been few other changes. The occupational therapist mentioned that Claire’s range of motion is improving. Tiffany and I are being aggressive with her therapy when she’s not in session. Though Claire’s loud protests muffle our soft commands, she is working hard and bearing the pain. We are proud of her.
I went to pick up some food before heading to OCH today. As I got out of my car, I heard my name. I was shocked to see Claire’s admitting doctor from Medical City. He joined me for lunch and we had the chance to discuss a variety of topics. He is not only the one that stabilized and first administered care for Claire, he is also a friend. Tiffany was jealous that I got to see him and not she. He is a part of our family now and it’s hard not to regularly see those you trust on a regular basis. We grew accustomed to his advice, manner and attention. We miss it. I was glad to share a meal with him, even if his was just a cup of Coke.
Claire’s cheerleaders continue to increase in number. Tiffany and I read each of the comments and marvel at the number of times they begin with “You don’t know me… . ” We are happy so many people are cheering for Claire and keep her in their daily prayers and thoughts. It’s helping sustain us. We thank you for it.
Our Claire Journal 
Well, you DO know me:). Praying for you all – reading every single update. It is so obvious that God is working in you – your attitude through all this requires some sort of explanation. All of IBC is with you guys!!
Jennifer Lefforge
I am so glad the people that helped Claire first have continued to be in your lives. With all of that kind of support Claire is sure to make great progress! I continue to keep your family in my thoughts!
I can’t tell you how it makes me feel when I read that Claire is continuing to improve. I have read so many uplifting stories about children beating the odds, and I just know Claire is going to be one of those stories! Tiffany it was great to see, meet you and give you, probably too many hugs! Thank You again for sharing your sweet angel with us. Love and Prayers to all 5 of you!!!!!
You may not realize this but you are such an encouragement to everyone who reads your posts. Your honesty and willingness to be vulnerable with us is truly touching. I just want you to know that I pray for Claire and your family every single day.
You don’t know me, but I continue to follow Claire’s progress daily and many prayers are being said for Claire and your family in Boston.
Good days and bad days are all leading to the days of great joy and happiness along Claire’s journey to recovery. My thoughts are with you all.
I can’t even begin to express how grateful I am to all the people that played a role in saving Claire’s life. I wish I could pay them back in some way, but saving people is what they do everyday. Our family would never have been the same without our Claire. Thank you a million times, and Praise God that she is alive!
Step by step…little by little….poco a poco…..Claire is improving and like so many people said: she’s a miracle in progress!
mucho amor,
maria, rodrigo, mateo and mia
Another person you don’t know who is praying for Claire. I’m from PA and marvel at how far and wide these prayer warriors for Claire stretch. Was directed to the blog and asked to pray by friends of your family in CO. Regularly pray for Claire and all of you and eagerly await updates. Praising the Lord for the wonderful progress Claire has already made!
tyler – am so glad to read the progress – keep it up – we pray for you and your family daily.
Hi Y’all! Although we’ve never met, I feel like I’m getting to know you (: I have read each post and anxiously await each days update. I am marveled by your frankness, honesty, and heart. You guys are amazing! Those sweet girls are so fantastic! Our Sunday School class has been praying for your family. This story is such an amazing testimony of love and faith! Thank you so much for sharing it with me. I’m so sorry you’re having to walk through this, but at the same time, am so impressed by the out pouring of love through everyone you have been in contact with through these posts, the doctors and staff, and your families! God Bless you! And, keep going Claire, you’re doing an amazing job!
You don’t know me…. you really don’t know me. I live in Gainesville, GA and a friend from high school had a link to this page on her facebook page. I have been following Claire’s story. My heart breaks for all of you as you continue in this journey. I have requested that my church pray for Claire and she is now on the prayer list. Please be assured that there are many prayers being lifted up for Claire, her parents, and her extended family. May God bless all of you and give you the patience, strength, and endurance that you need for this time of trial in your lives.
Another you don’t know me, but I know that a large church in COS is praying for all of you!
My parents go to Irving Bible church and passed the news of your daughter to me days after it happened when the prayers were going through Dallas and throughout the world. I have been following her progress ever since. I have read every single post. Although you don’t know me I feel so connected to you. I have 2 daughters and one of them is the same age as Claire so it hits me hard and every time you write it makes me hug my Cammie that much tighter. I told my girls about Claire and we pray at night for her, that she needs Jesus to heal her. They are praying their sweet prayers for her too! Thank you for your sincerity and vulnerability in your posts. We know exactly how to pray for you and your family. You are such an encouragement to us. We are rejoicing everyday at every progress she makes!! Praise the Lord!! 🙂
You are always in our thoughts, in our hearts and in our prayers. May you have peace in your heart tonight as you rest.
Peace and Blessings over you,
The Le Blanc Family
Ryan, DeAnne, Chloe and Camdyn
St. Charles, Missouri
Praying for you all…so glad to hear Claire is improving!
(and no…you don’t know me!)
You don’t know me, but I am friends with someone you go to church with and thus received a prayer request for Claire and have ever since been consumed by her journey. I found myself crying in the kitchen the other day after a run and my husband asked me what in the world was wrong and I told him I’d had a “hard run” because I literally broke down crying about Claire and I don’t even know you all. I don’t know if its because I’m a mom and I also have three girls, one of which is 3 and a half, and wears darling pig tails like Claire, but whatever it is, I pray for you and Claire constantly. May peace be with you.
Lovingly,
Julie Jackson
Flower Mound, TX
Hi guys! Not a day goes by when I don’t think about y’all and wonder how Claire is doing! Just seeing your family come together was an inspiration to me…y’all are each a jewel! Praying for the best and hope to see y’all soon! We all miss you!!!
– Sarah RN
Sarah (One of our brilliant PICU nurses):
We hope to see you soon and miss you also! Hope you are enjoying your weekend!
Tyler & Tiffany
Our family continues to pray for Claire, when I read your comments it brings back all the raw emotions I have of our own daughter after her stroke. As hard as that is, I know how important it is for people to pray and how my husband and I were constantly in awe at the people we would find out who would be praying for our daughter. We pray every day for Claire, that God would show you progress every day, we know this journey isn’t easy, but God is faithful. Thank you for posting daily and being so honest in all that is happening with your family.
Lisa, Brad, and Mia in California
You don’t know me …(when I read these words in your post, I knew I’d have to leave my first comment)…I don’t remember how I first heard of Claire’s story. I think it was a tweet, asking for a retweet and prayers. This was 3 – 4 days after your nightmare began, and I’ve been following your blog since. I don’t have any words of wisdom, I just wanted you to know a stranger in California is cheering Claire’s victories, big and small, and crying with her brave parents through these trials and tribulations. In September my 24 year old cousin was diagnosed with heart failure when her first born was 6 weeks old. She received a heart transplant a month later. Truly a miracle. Miracles do happen. I am praying for one for your family. Out of difficulties grow miracles.
I am praying for your family. Your story reminds me how fragile life is and what a tremendous gift our children are. Thank you for sharing.
We’ll always keep on cheering Claire, she’s doing a great job. Send u big hugs 🙂
Hi, Tyler and Tiffany. Before I signed up for your e-mail list, my daughter, Anne Rener, sent your posts to me daily, and I usually got them in the morning because they were from the previous day. Now, I find that I’m really eager to hear from you far sooner than you’re ready to write!
In fact, we went out early tonight and didn’t get back till 11 p.m. I went straight to my computer to check in. It’s so gratifying to hear that Claire is indeed going forward. I, too, have trouble thinking of her in a near-coma state since she seems more alert than I would ever have dreamed possible. I love your comments about her protests during therapy or any other time she’s bumped out of her comfort zone. That sounds so healthy!
I can well imagine that reliving the day of the accident, as you mentioned in today’s post, is painful. I believe that the more you do remember and talk about it, though, the better it will be for all of you, including Autumn and Heidi, in the long run. There won’t be any ghosts to fight later on because you’re bringing it all into perspective now while it’s still clear and you’re sharing with each other and the first responders.
Please know that all of us who are following you are sharing your daily vigil. We’re praying for you every day, but you’re already well aware of that. And you’re both so kind to thank everyone at the end of each post.
Keep the faith!
Our Moms in Touch group is praying for Claire and for all the family. Thank you for taking the time to keep this journal, and for allowing us to share this journey with you in prayer.
We send our love and prayers to you. Thank you for being so open and for sharing all of Claire’s progress with everyone. You have more people than you can imagine praying for all of you..take care… we love you guys!
I don’t know you, one of my daughter’s grade school friends posted your site on Facebook – but please know that there are many people all the way up here in South Dakota who are praying for your beautiful baby girl, Claire and for your family. Thank you for sharing at this difficult time. I know that God is watching over Claire and will give all of you the strength to get thru this.
I am glad Claire is making progress. I know how slow it must seem for all of you but as I have learned with David and Joshua patience is a virtue. I think I have been thru every range of emotions on the scale with them from one end of the scale to the other. Just remember share it and get it all out believe me it helps. My dad always worried how I was going to lift and care for the boys as they got older and I remember telling him I can lift them today and thats all I think about I let GOD worry about tomorrow. I am checking up daily and will continue to pray for all of you.
Hi Tyler and Tiffany,
I just wanted to let you know that you and your girls stay in our prayers. I read the posts and then the tell Chaplain Brian what I read. He and I speak of you often and the courage that you and your family have shown. Claire is a special and a blessed girl and we pray that God will grant her more recovery than even the best estimates are.
Thank you Jim. It was a blessing to have you and Chaplain Brian at our sides in those first weeks, and it is comforting knowing that you are staying with us.
I was directed to your blog through Ethan Krawiec’s blog and have been reading for the past 2 weeks. I am awestruck at how God is working in your life and especially in Claire’s. His power is so mighty and he is a good God!
My grandmother used to always say “God sets a back for the burden” and as a child I didn’t understand what that meant.
Now I realize God doesn’t give us anything more than he enables us to handle.
Continuing to pray for a full recovery for Claire, and strength for your family also.
I too still pray for Claire everyday. Several times a day actually. I feel as though all of you are part of my family and we have never met. I wake up in the morning and the first thing I want to do is check on Claire. I speak about her to other people as if I have known her for years. I so wish that there was something that I could do for your family. Even if it is just to bring you an apple pie, made with real apples. 🙂 I will continue to pray daily for you all. I thank you so much for sharing your story with all of us.
🙂
I was out of the country for about three weeks so I couldn’t read any updates. I was anxious to get back into the country to read about Claire. I’m so glad to hear about the little steps she has taken and will continue to pray for her and the rest of you as well.
Joanna
Hey Joanna,
It’s good to hear from you. Thank you for praying for us. We really appreciate it.
Tyler and Tiffany
You don’t know me, but my daughter (7.5) & I have been following your story & keeping Claire & your family in our thoughts & prayers, so glad to hear there’s been improvement, even if slowly. *hugs!*
Tyler and Tiffany,
I DO know you (well, we’re family, anyway!) and I too read every post even if I don’t respond to them all. And I pray throughout every day, and every day I tell more people about your need for prayers, even as Claire improves.
Glad her range of motion is improving, in spite of her protests at your therapy. You two are doing the right thing, as you have been all along. Which includes being vulnerable. I’m so glad for the meetings with the first responders and the doctor–those weren’t coincidences, you know–I think the Holy Spirit had a hand in there. And they’re important to remind you just how far you and Claire have come. As well as to remind you of what an impact your whole family has made on the people you’ve me. You’re very special people.
Hope today’s post will tell us she (and you) slept better last night.
You are all precious in God’s heart and God is with you on this hard journey.
Love,
Dodie
SOO nice to see progress; any going forward is fabulous:)) I met a fiesty seasoned nurse who works w stroke patients n she sd “Candy, for the first 4 months, only let him use his weak side, literally, tie up his good side so he doesn’t use it at all. This will cause the brain completely rewire to the strongest result, usually 100% recoup”
The brain is amazing! And prayer is powerful. My uncle has recovered from his stroke:)
Doctors/nurses/EMTs love to see how ‘their’ patients turn out – and rarely get to.
So nice you were able to connect with all of them.
Love and prayers to all.
Care for the caregivers.
Love from Susan and co.
Hi – I am another of those folks who you don’t know that have been following your posts. It’s amazing how close you can feel to a family you have never met. Your posts are so descriptive I sometimes feel like I’m in the room with you and Tiffany. Please know that there are folks in Connecticut thinking of you and your family, cheering for the good and praying for continued improvement.
As the saying goes, one day at a time.
Nancy
I think about you guys often and keep updated by your posts! You continue to be in my prayers. I can’t help but think of you Tiffany every time I pull out my crochet project. I’ll send pics soon. Miss you and can’t wait to see you soon!
Christina RN
Christina (another brilliant PICU family member):
We expect to see those pics very soon! We miss you and can’t wait to see you too. Give our best to everyone at the PICU.
Tyler & Tiffany
Christina!
I don’t know how I missed your post! So good to hear from you! I hope you are doing well. Wow, I miss you. I wish I could see you again. I hope your crocheting is coming along well. Thanks for keeping in touch. 🙂
Tiffany
Thank you so much for your posts almost every day. I have known Susie for quite awhile and so feel as if I know all of you too since she speaks of you all so often. I just wanted to cheer you on in what you’re doing for Claire. I’m a CNA that has had several homecare clients that have had strokes. Some regain use of limbs or speech in a few days, others a few years, but they never gave up in their therapy and rehab. I love how you speak only affirmative words to Claire about how she can do something. This will help her more than anything to know she has loving support from you.
I’m praying for all of you, especially Claire that she keep on fighting and persevering to regain all that she can.
Strength and blessings to you,
Patti, CNA