Friday, February 27, 2009

My gifts

Today is my 31st birthday and we are spending it with our precious baby girl up at Stanford. Yesterday, after Riley's MRI, we were given the news that she has a tumor (3cm) on a delicate area of her brainstem. This was not the news we were expecting to hear and has caused me to have great fear, anxiety, and an outpouring of love for my Riley. Thankfully, I have not felt any anger. After a slow start at Kaiser we switched insurance and in January were blessed with an amazing pediatrician. We were then sent off to a great GI doctor. We have been blessed with great care since. We are now at Lucille Packard Childrens Hospital Stanford and again I am thankful that we live only 30 minutes from here and we have the best Neurosurgeon in Northern California. We have been surrounded by our family, have been blessed with an amazing community group at our church, led by our pastor and his wife, and many other wonderful friends who are pouring out love, help with Avery, and meals.
Riley will undergo another MRI scan of her spine today to make sure there is nothing more and is tentatively scheduled for brain surgery on Monday. We have to wait for the biopsy results to know her course of treatment.
More than any other monetary gift, I have been blessed with a loving husband, 2 beautiful girls, an amazing family, great friends, and more importantly a God that cares about every part of my being. What greater gifts could one ask for?
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17 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2009 at 8:01 AM

    We are in constant prayer for Riley and your family. We know that God is holding little Riley in his arms, and is in control every step of the way. I'm in awe of your strength and I know that God will continue to hold up you and Jaron.

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  2. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2009 at 8:25 AM

    We are also praying and sending any extra positive thoughts and energy your way. I hope that gives you and Riley the strength you need to get through this very difficult time.

    Kevin and Karla Amador-Lum Lung

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  3. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2009 at 9:54 AM

    Thank you for your post. We are praying hard for Riley. I'm thankful for your faith, and I pray that God will give you strength and peace.

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  4. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2009 at 9:56 AM

    Jennifer,
    Your little girl and family will be in our prayers. God is good all the time. Know that I think of you often!!!
    With lots of love,
    Lori Ferrante (MCS)

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  5. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2009 at 11:40 AM

    We are definitely praying for your sweet Riley as well as for your family. Thanks for keeping us all up to date.

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  6. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2009 at 1:52 PM

    Dear friends,
    Please know we are praying for your family.
    Diana Mitts (K's mom)

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  7. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2009 at 2:21 PM

    J+J,

    I, and my wife, are thinking of you. If you need some help, I'm a stone's throw away LPCH. Let me know.

    Victor Adler

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  8. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2009 at 4:41 PM

    my heart aches for you. the girls and I have been praying for her every night for the past week. you are an amazing women, mom, and wife. We love you and love the amazing heart you have. We are thing of you

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  9. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2009 at 5:43 PM

    Thank you for keeping us updated. We're all praying for little Riley and that the surgery tomorrow will go well.

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  10. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2009 at 7:22 PM

    Dear Jaron and Jenni,

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Please let us know if there is anything you need, and know that your Harker family is here for you as well.

    Ramsay, Andrea and Sarah Westgate

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  11. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2009 at 7:26 PM

    I'm so sad I didn't get to see you and give you a huge hug while we were in town. Just know I am a prayer warrior for you guys right now!!

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  12. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2009 at 7:57 PM

    I am amazed by the strength and peace that you have. You seem so much stronger then I was when Caden was going through his surgery's...I pray that God continues to wrap you in that peace and give you comfort during all of this.

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  13. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2009 at 8:21 PM

    praying....
    and calling on everyone and anyone i know to pray right now.

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  14. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2009 at 8:57 PM

    I will be praying for all of you continually. You don't know me, but I came from Laura's tweet. I will be following. God bless you, Penny

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  15. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2009 at 9:02 PM

    praying for you all! So glad you find yourself in a place of grace today! May God continue to give you strength and perspective.

    -Caroline

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  16. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2009 at 9:49 PM

    I have been praying for you guys all day today and will continue until little Riley is healed. My heart aches for you guys and I can't imagine what you are going through. Your strength in God is a testament to us all. Take Care!

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  17. AnonymousFebruary 28, 2009 at 12:30 PM

    A friend sent me your link, I have past it on to all my brothers and sisters in the Lord. An army of prayer warriors are with you. May our Father grant you peace and strength.

    Mike Orloff

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