Comments on Cora's Story: Five days that changed the world. Day five.

I will post your button on my blog and help to spr...

2011-06-06T12:02:04.527-07:00

I will post your button on my blog and help to spread your story. It has touched my heart as it will others. But for me it was personal. My firstborn son and his wife had a baby that they were lucky enough to find out early through ultrasound that it had heart problems. They knew that it would be a 50/50 chance when the baby was born if he would make it. We were lucky and he did make it. We pray constantly for others who have to deal with this. We pray for them to have strength. The strength to get through the tough times. Our grandson had four separate heart problems. He has done well with his surgeries and recoveries. Not everyone has that outcome and we are very painfully aware of this fact. We grieve for these families and wish we could do something, anything to help. So, as a tribute to Cora, and her loving parents I will post her story. Awareness makes a difference!

Dear Mr. and Mrs. McCormack: I have a beautiful l...

2011-04-12T10:10:30.338-07:00

Dear Mr. and Mrs. McCormack:

I have a beautiful little boy named Sam. He's 8 months old and the light of my life. I can only imagine how much light young Cora was brought to your lives.

I was made aware of this heart defect by a friend--and thus, she made me aware of Cora's story. I was 39 when I gave birth to my little boy. I am in awe of everything he does.

I cannot imagine going through what you both went through, and to continue the fight to make sure no one forgets little Cora. I can tell you her story won't leave me now that I know.

And she is a Mega-Cheeks angel in heaven. I know that nothing can possibly bring you solace--but know that what little time you had with Cora was absolutely precious. I will cherish every day with my boy--and even as I wish he wouldn't grow up, I will remember as he does that you wish you could've seen what baby Cora could've accomplished.

Cora's time was short--but her legacy is awareness. Thank you Cora...

And thank you to both of you for sharing an extremely difficult experience. I am so very lucky.

I sit here in absolute sadness for you, your husba...

2010-12-09T08:22:10.124-08:00

I sit here in absolute sadness for you, your husband, and your family. I pray God holds you and carries you through this impossible situation. I can't even pretend that I can imagine the sorrow, but know my heart breaks in a million pieces for the loss of your beautiful daughter. I don't even know you and your family, but as a father, I would love nothing more than to hug both of you and reflect His perfect love off of me and shine it on to you, to know you won't walk or hurt alone ever. I am in awe of your courage and strength to post this today. All of my prayers and those prayers of my entire family will be for you and yours for quite sometime. My deepest sorrow and sympathies for you.

The Gowen Family
Frisco, Texas

Im at a total loss for words, tears are rolling do...

2010-12-06T21:46:43.061-08:00

Im at a total loss for words, tears are rolling down my face I feel sick.
This could have so easily been my baby boy its still all so fresh, we were lucky that his chd was picked up on an early ultrasound. Although my son is 4mths old I quietly fear what could happen at any time, but cant bare to say it.
My heart breaks for you all, what you are doing your very brave and i admire you greatly.
You are beautiful baby cora and you have a wonderful family around you xox

As you approach Cora's birthday, I know the gr...

2010-11-02T14:48:34.293-07:00

As you approach Cora's birthday, I know the grief will be fresh and raw again. I lost my son due to complications with his birth in January 2005. Jan 1 is his birthday, every new year is just another year he's not here.

My beautiful third child shares Cora's birth date, Nov. 30th.

The awful ache of losing your child never goes away, but I will tell you, it gets easier. Easier to hope, easier to smile, easier to breathe, easier to get up and put one foot in front of the other and live.

I don't know your spiritual beliefs, but i hope you won't be offended at an offer to pray for your peace, and the healing of your heart, from one mommy with aching arms to another.

what a beautiful & sad story all in 1.. Your b...

2010-11-02T13:53:05.858-07:00

what a beautiful & sad story all in 1.. Your beautiful people & hope that u keep your strength for each other. May your gorgeous angel to beautiful for this earth,watch over u.. Til your all reunited,god bless.x

I came across your site and read yours blogs. Fir...

2010-10-30T00:44:33.098-07:00

I came across your site and read yours blogs. First, I am very sorry for the loss of your beautiful baby girl. She is a precious little angel who is watching you from above. You have such a strong heart in being able to write this for us to read. I do not have children yet but I desire a baby with all my heart. I cannot even imagine how hard something like this can be. Always remember the happy days you were able to have. Hold those close to your heart and your baby will live forever. May God bless you and your family.

I have no idea how I stubbled upon your blog. My h...

2010-10-26T15:21:01.953-07:00

I have no idea how I stubbled upon your blog. My heart just breaks for you. My hope is that you find some comfort by sharing your story. I will remember your precious Cora. God bless you sweetie!

Do not ever doubt that you are still a mother and ...

2010-10-25T09:34:25.934-07:00

Do not ever doubt that you are still a mother and you have a daughter by the name Cora. She only changed her form. You may not be able to touch her, change her diaper, or feed her. But Cora is right there with you taking care of you and loving you. Of course you have to celebrate her birthday, because Cora is forever.
Just looking at her picture i really fell in love with her and felt her presence. I hope your sadness will be replaced by a flood of happiness, because that's what Cora would love to see too.

I am so sorry. What a brave woman you are to share...

2010-10-22T20:47:34.387-07:00

I am so sorry. What a brave woman you are to share your heart like this. Sweet Cora's legacy will live on through you. May the Lord bless you richly!

No words.

2010-10-20T19:42:37.908-07:00

No words.

I admire your bravery in writing ths I to have los...

2010-10-19T17:30:28.048-07:00

I admire your bravery in writing ths I to have lost 2 children first my son then my daughter due to circumstances that were unknown to my husband and I. I would never tell you I know how you feel because everyone deals with grief differently. My neice has CHD my sister and brother in law were told when my sister inlaw was about 4 moths pregnant she was delivered with no problems but has since had 2 surgeries and will have to have more. I agree there should be more ways to detect it. To think she wouldnt be here had the doctor had his way they wanted to abort ( the doctor told them she would never survive). She will be 2 in March. Good luck to you. You and your family are in my prayers. By the way your daughter was born on mine and twin sisters birthday. She passed on my oldest neices birthday. I feel a connection with that believe I was meant to stumble on this wonderful and brave story for a reason. Again god bless you and your family.

Kristine, first, you are a beauttiful, strong, cou...

2010-10-12T14:50:00.001-07:00

Kristine, first, you are a beauttiful, strong, courageous, and inspirational woman. Thank you for sharing your beautiful daughter's story. You are right, she does melt hearts. I have a small inkling of a feeling that in my own small way I can relate to your story. At a week old my daughter nearly died in my arms before the ambulance arrived at our house. That is why I am even more humbled by your strength and your drive to save others. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

i am reading this today, almost 8 years after the ...

2010-10-11T13:03:31.870-07:00

i am reading this today, almost 8 years after the death of my daughter that was born with transposition of the great arteries (and a few other mild chd's) and i can still feel the pain. this brings it all back again. but as much as it hurts, i know that im not alone. there are others that have been where i was, and they give me strength. as mothers that have lost children, we have to be there for one another. if not for others who had been there, being there for me, i would have never made it through. thank you so much for this!!!!

You are so strong mama. Heart hugs. I can't se...

2010-10-08T11:20:18.526-07:00

You are so strong mama. Heart hugs. I can't seem to find it anywhere and didn't really want to have to ask, but what chd did Cora have?

Thank you so much for sharing. I am still not ab...

2010-09-29T12:51:00.379-07:00

Thank you so much for sharing. I am still not able to write about my son's last night (December 26, 2009). One day I hope to be able to be as brave as you are. Thank you again.

Like many woman here, I have tears steaming down m...

2010-09-29T06:15:33.200-07:00

Like many woman here, I have tears steaming down my face. No mother should ever have to go through this, especially when there is the test out there to find this.You are such a brave and wonderful person. I admire you and everything you are doing. Although these are just words from an internet stranger, know they are filled with compassion. I know you will have the strenght to continue your journey. And on the days you don't, remember Cora is there guiding you along. God bless you and your family.

This story has changed my life, i cant even imagin...

2010-09-19T08:01:49.074-07:00

This story has changed my life, i cant even imagine what you went through, stay strong. I'll be keeping you in my prayers. God bless

I read this blog often and it brings me to tears e...

2010-09-17T18:30:09.930-07:00

I read this blog often and it brings me to tears everytime. I feel as though I know you both. My son was born with TOF and though he is thriving and has had his OHS there are to many that go undiagnosed thank God that things are changing and Pulse Ox testing is that much closer to being a requirement before discharging babies... You shoudl take pride in knowing that you and your precious little girl have helped get that accomplished! Hopefully it will save others from going through the same thing..

God Bless!

I am so sorry for your loss. I can't thank you...

2010-09-13T07:07:19.968-07:00

I am so sorry for your loss. I can't thank you enough for having the courage to share your story.

I just found your blog through another mommy blog ...

2010-09-08T20:18:37.236-07:00

I just found your blog through another mommy blog and I just wanted to say I so sorry for your loss and to thank you for going through the hard task of sharing you and your daughter's story with us. Sending you healing hugs through the net.

My husband lost his first child, Ashley, to a cong...

2010-09-07T05:43:04.198-07:00

My husband lost his first child, Ashley, to a congenital heart defect. She lived for 3 days. My daughter was just shy of a year old when I was told she had CHD. She stayed sick, a lot, and had to see a pediatric cardiologist regularly. She had surgery 17 days after her 5th birthday.

Though my story has a happy ending, I saw the pain my husband went through when his daughter died. (We were best friends then.) That loss nearly broke him... he blamed himself. That was 17 1/2 years ago and it still hurts, though he said it's easier now.

I admire you for your strength and courage... and I admire you for sharing your story, for sharing Cora's story. NO PARENT should EVER go through what you went through.

God bless you and your husband. My heart swells with love for your family.

I just have to say how brave and selfless it was f...

2010-09-02T19:24:03.472-07:00

I just have to say how brave and selfless it was for you to share your story. I can't fathom how hard it was for you and your family to experience such heartbreak and then to recount it again in the hopes of spreading awareness to save the lives of other babies. I think your angel, Cora, is very proud of her mommy and daddy. May God bless you and you and your family are in my prayers.

Just heartbreaking. A devastating story, but beaut...

2010-08-20T07:07:25.040-07:00

Just heartbreaking. A devastating story, but beautifully told by a loving mummy to the last.

X

Thank you from one mamma to another. May this huge...

2010-08-19T09:53:50.721-07:00

Thank you from one mamma to another. May this huge step of you sharing your grief and disbelief at something so tragic, bless many that hear the message. I have shared it with my friends and family so that they, too, may pass it on. May Cora be blessed and smiling in Jesus' arms until you are all reunited, knowing that her mommy was so very strong. I wish you healing that only the Lord Jesus can bring to you and your husband and family. Again, thank you for sharing your heart and hopefully saving many young lives.