A fight for Riley
Friends, Family, World- my name is Corrie and if you know me you know that I'm walking a path that I felt The Lord lead me to years ago but that path was thrown a curveball 8 weeks ago.
If you don't know me- you need to know a few things about our story. I'm carrying the sweetest little girl, but she isn't mine. She is my niece. Paige and Jordan (my sister in law and brother in law) are her parents and let me tell you- they are the best. This sweet little girl's name is Riley. She also has a big brother. He has been praying for a sister for many years.
So simply put: I'm the gestational carrier for Riley. We are 25 weeks along. And 8 weeks ago, Paige and I received devastating news. News that they told us is lethal for Riley. They discovered there is zero amniotic fluid in utero. This lead to the discovery that Riley unfortunately has not formed any kidneys. But everything else has formed. She has a strong heartbeat and I feel her kicks, she is just missing kidneys. And this is lethal because her lungs don't have room to develop. The last 8 weeks we have felt every emotion from heartbreak and devastation to seeking for hope. And this past week hope was found. We have prayed and prayed for a miracle or medical breakthrough. And God provided a story of hope that is now leading us down a road to fight for Riley's life. We have been told I can receive amnioinfusions in Omaha, NE. I'm all the way in TN, while her parents are all the way in CA. a lot of moving pieces but one important piece that felt like God providing hope was Stanford. Stanford has delivered babies with this diagnosis (Bilateral renal agenesis) and have saved them with dialysis. It's a long road we are looking at and a costly one. And that is where I am seeking prayers and help if there is help to be given. Weekly infusions in Nebraska will be a big piece of this puzzle that is costly as we try to make it far enough for delivery with the hopes being 34-36 weeks. Amnioinfusions will give Riley the chance for her lungs to develop enough for a safe delivery at Stanford in California. This will require me to leave my kiddos and husband weekly for a couple of days, miss a day of school (I'm a teacher) but I know if this were my child I'd do anything for her, and while she isn't mine, I have the honor of carrying her and I'm here to fight the fight if we can make it happen. If you feel lead to join us in our fight by giving financially, I can't begin to explain the gratefulness in our hearts, because this will not be an easy road or a short road. It will be long. And hopefully will bring us a life with Riley we get to witness and use this story to glorify God and His goodness. But let me reassure you this, no matter where the road leads, I can assure you God has been providing every step of the way and His goodness has shined through the dark moments. So whether good or bad is ahead of us, God is good and we are grateful that we believe in a God that is a miracle worker.
some have asked, if you'd prefer to give through venmo, my venmo is @Corrie-Neal every penny is going towards flights, weekly infusions and all medical expenses that we may face on this journey!