About Claire and ClairesBear.com

Why We Chose to Create ClairesBear.com

The idea for ClairesBear.com came from the mental exhaustion Justin and I experienced the week of Claire’s discovery and diagnosis; because, while it brings so much comfort having so many people surround and support you during a time of crisis, it can also be extremely overwhelming as you try to communicate and update everyone. We know that Claire’s surgery and days following in post-op will be long and emotionally draining, that we will need specific and different prayers daily and probably hourly some days, so felt this would be the best way to reach out and receive everyone’s love and prayer. 

Secondary to having a medium to communicate with family and friends, writing for me has always been very therapeutic and I felt called to document Claire and our faith testimony as God sees us through this. I think a big question I struggled with at the infancy of my faith journey, as many others I’m sure have, is “Why does God let bad things happen.” And though I don’t necessarily feel advanced enough in my biblical and theological understanding to answer that question for people, I can use Claire’s story to perhaps show that even though bad things will happen in our life (this is laid out very clearly in the Bible and experienced by every person in it), God is a Promise Keeper and His promise is that we will overcome. “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

The last reason we decided to create this site is because, unfortunately, there is not much information to be found about Choledochal Cyst on the internet. Justin has purchased the domain choledochalcyst.com so that we can build an information database and resource in the near future for other parents and families going through this. 

If you or someone you know is seeking more information on Choledochal Cysts, please visit: http://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/c/choledochal-cysts

About Claire

Claire, often referred to as “Miss Claire” or “Claire Bear” is our extremely easy-going, loving, sweet, little baby girl who is sometimes mistaken for a baby doll (no joke). She has two wonderful big brothers, Parker (almost 9) and Tyler (almost 5) who love to affectionately dote on her all day long. They are two of her biggest encouragers and her favorite people to giggle and play with. People have commented from a young age that she is “so strong” and she is. She’s 9 months old, crawling all over the place, putting Everything in her mouth and if she’s anything like her brothers we only have two more months until she’s walking (I’m in no rush…still need to get a couple gates up).

Her smile will melt your heart and her big green eyes and perfect eyebrows have drawn more than just a few compliments. She completes our family and when I think of Claire going into surgery, I often call upon the verse from Proverbs 31:25 “She is clothed in strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future.” I love this verse so much in fact, I decided to buy our first Mommy and Me t-shirt/onsie combo with these words that we will wear into the hospital and then when it is time to bring our baby girl home!

FUN FACT: With Claire’s diagnosis she was immediately put on a drug called “Ursodiol,” which is lab-manufactured bear bile. Yes, you heard that correctly. It is synthetic bile from a bear. It’s Justin’s absolute favorite thing to tell people about Claire’s medical diagnosis and treatment, and is something we find humor in given the fact that her nickname since birth has always been “Claire Bear.”