February Birthdays!

A Very happy Birthday to Fulton who turned 4 this month!
To Michael who turned 6 this month!
To Sheila who turned 18 this month, what a milestone!
Sheila spent her birthday with her Nana, her aunts, her father, and her sister Claire who was still recovering in the hospital. What a light Sheila has been to our family, we are so grateful for her presence and joy. Although with the chaos of our lives currently, it may not appear as though we appreciate her; we feel deeply graced by the gift she has been to our lives.
May God continue to bless her future as he had our family by her presence with us.
St. Therese of the Child Jesus - Sheila's Patron Saint,
Pray for us!!!

Claire is doing well!

Claire is doing much better.  Her recovery has been rough, nothing out of the ordinary for Claire.  She did have complications with her lungs given the amount of blood she was given during her surgery.  She also had some concerns with pain and with her shunts functioning properly.  But, she has turned the corner and is doing much better now.  We are confident that it is because of the tremendous amounts of prayers from so many people who have stormed heaven for Claire and her healing.  It certainly is a grace to see the corrections made to her spine.  And, we are so thankful that she now has more strength and we pray that with therapy will regain more leg and arm function.
Thank you for your prayers, and please offer thanksgiving to God for prayers answered in Claire's recovery.
Praise God!!

Surgery for Claire

Claire's surgery went very well.  It was over 12 hours and she needed 5 liters of blood in the process.  As a result, she is very swollen from all of the blood products.  She is in a great deal of pain as well.  However, all of this seems worth it given that her curvature was progressing and may have eventually caused further damage to her spinal cord.  The surgeon mentioned that they were able to make a 70% correction with her scoliosis and correct a portion of the caiphosis. At this point, Claire's arm and leg function have improved.  We noticed an increase in arm function, and we will have to wait and see on her leg function given that she has an arterial IV line in one foot and compression braces on her legs for blood circulation.  But she is able to move her feet up and down. Praise God!  The prayers, masses, and rosaries certainly have aided Claire in such a smooth recovery.  We have seen Claire come out of much less complicated surgeries with more difficulties and pain.  However, since we certainly rallied all the troops for prayerful intercession, her recovery has been, for the most part, very uneventful. Thank you all for your prayers; our family is so grateful to those who have kept Claire on the top of their intention list.
May God continue to bless you for your kindness and deep faith.

Murray Clan current events

Claire recently had another MRI given some weakness in her left arm and some severe pain she was experiencing.  The MRI indicated there were no current syrinx issues and that she was still clear to have the surgery on Feb. 16th.  We continue to pray that Claire will experience tremendous healing.  We ask our Lady of Lourdes especially during her Feast day, Feb. 11th, for Claire's recovery of her legs and some organ functioning.
We also attended a beautiful mass at the Cathedral on Saturday for the World day of the sick. This was hosted by the Order of Malta.  During the mass Claire received the sacrament of anointing in preparation for her upcoming surgery.  This was a unique opportunity for us to be in solidarity with others who suffer, as well as those who care for them, and experience the strength and purpose of suffering.  Each of those who were anointed participated with the suffering of Christ.  Bishop Cordileone celebrated the mass and eloquently detailed the importance of being spiritually fed and healed as only our Lord can provide in the sacraments.  The mass and anointing were unique supernatural opportunities to pray with Claire, and for Claire as she prepares for this very long and painful surgery.  The timing of the surgery, the mass at the cathedral and Claire's presence could not be more providential.  We are thankful to all for their patience and kindness as we hope and pray that this is the final surgery and healing is achieved through God's grace.
God Bless you all.
Our Lady of Lourdes,
Pray for us.