We're Still Here...

I know it's been forever since I've posted. Will is recovering so well and is in his little helmet. It's so cute...Mom did a great job painting it just like a UNC football helmet. At only 11 months old, he's ready to be a Tarheel! Everything is going so well and we are so grateful to God for blessing Will with an awesome recovery. It's amazing to think of where we were 3 weeks ago (and what condition he was in). Now, we're getting ready for school to start and all that ensues with that. Never a dull moment in the Tyndall household. I'll keep posting more often...now that we're back to the real world again. Thank you all again for your support and prayers. Keep praying for his healing and recovery. Love ya'll!

Great is Thy Faithfulness...

Well....so much has happened since my last post!! I thought I would have really good internet access in the hospital, so forgive me for not updating sooner. Today is Friday, July 24th....four days after Will's operation and everything went SO WELL!!! The other side of surgery feels SO much better! These past four days have been a whirlwind, but I can tell you that God had his hand in every minute detail of this week. He has been so faithful from beginning to end. The recovery that Will is making is miraculous. He is pretty much back to his normal self again....eating, playing with his brothers, crawling, it's just amazing. WE SERVE A MIGHTY, AWESOME POWERFUL GOD and to HIM BE ALL THE GLORY!!! God has never failed me, never, and if I praise Him for the rest of my days it would not be enough! I want to share something that happened on the day of surgery that shows His provision during our darkest times. We dropped Zac and Ben off at Allen and Doris's house (my in-laws) and were getting ready to get in the car to head over to the hospital. Then Doris said "Look at that yellow finch". Well, I'll be honest, I have never seen a yellow finch in my life (not that I can recall). I thought those were birds that you buy in pet stores, like parakeets....I had no idea they were in NC. I think Isaac and I both said something like "Oh that's neat" and went on our way to hospital. A few hours later, while we were in the 5th floor surgery waiting room during the procedure, there was a lull in the conversation me, Mom, Stephanie and Heidi were having. Out of the blue, my sister Stephanie said "There has been a yellow finch flying back and forth along these windows as long as we've been sitting here." Isaac and I looked at each other....we immediately knew that was God's sign that he was with us and that His angels were watching over us. That one yellow finch then became about 5 that were perched atop of the tree that was right at the window. Isaac said he envisioned those as angels that were talking to each other, making sure we were ok. It's amazing what God uses to show His love for us. A finch (probably one of the smallest birds) was used by Him to show us that He was watching over Will and watching over us. This process is still ongoing, as Will is still in recovery, but I want to say this: Isaac and I know what life is all about....it's not about material things, money, stuff, or anything else the world has to offer. It's about family, it's about praising God and clinging to Him everyday of our life. God is the giver of life, and we owe Him everything. Every good and perfect gift comes from above!!! Throughout this week, this song has been in my mind every day as a song of praise. "Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness, Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided, Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me."

Emotions

Well, it's 2 days away from surgery (I can't believe I am writing that, it's been such a long road) and I am pretty much numb. I feel like God is just leading me and I am doing everything I need to do to get through the day. I was a little upset this morning, just because everything hit me (I have those times every now and then) and Isaac told me "Just think, next week this time this thing that has consumed our life for the past 3 months will be over.", and that put my mind at ease a little bit. I get upset when I start thinking about the actual procedure and what's it's going to be like to let him go....it just tears me up. BUT, I really can't let my mind go there. So, I choose to be numb versus being a basketcase. So now Lord, lead me. Get me up and out of bed on Monday morning and help me as I embark on a process, as hard as it may be, that I know will make my child's life better. Isn't that our job as parents? It's just not easy, ever, whether your dealing with a fever in the middle of the night or approaching your baby's surgery. I heard a quote the other day that really spoke to me; "I never knew my heart could come out of my body and walk around on it's own, until I had a child. Truer words have never been spoken.....

All Pre-Ops Completed...

Well, now we can say the next time we head over to Charlotte will be on Monday morning, the day of surgery. Yesterday, we went for Will's "pre-op screening" at Levine Children's Hospital (which is a part of CMC Main in Charlotte), and that went very well. I had no idea what to expect, I knew the anesthesiologist was going to talk to us about what he was going to be doing, but other than that, I had no clue. We got there, they took Will's weight and height and head measurements. The anesthesiologist then came in and talked about the type of anesthesia they are using: general (of course) for the procedure with an IV morphene drip afterwards for the pain, followed by normal pain medication. All of the IV's will be applied while he is asleep so he won't have any discomfort from that. He was very nice and said that we are in the best hands possible with Dr. Heafner: he does about 2-3 of these per week. Then we talked to the care partner who was there to educate us on the in's and out's of the hospital. She was wonderful and really took time with Zac and Ben to explain what was going to be happening with their brother. We saw an PICU room (where we'll be staying the first night) and then a regular hospital room. Both of them are so nice and HUGE compared to our local hospital's rooms. We saw the surgery waiting room...they have TV, computers (with internet access) and receptionists that will keep us informed on how the surgery is going. So overall, yesterday was great. It really put my mind at ease knowing that we are going to such a state-of-the-art Children's Hospital. Today, we went to Cranial Techologies in Charlotte. That's where Will will be getting his post-op helmet (pc term "DOC Band") on. They took pre-op pictures of different angles of his head and we go back on July 27th (1 week post-op) for pictures after surgery. Then on August 3rd he will be fitted with his band. We already have plans to decorate it like a UNC-Chapel Hill football helmet. Hey, he's a boy, why not have fun with it? That was actually my idea, not Isaac's. :) SO, now we are in the process of doing laundry, packing and getting all of our ducks in a row for Monday. I know there are so many of you out there that are praying for him and us, and for that, we are eternally grateful!! God has given us a wonderful family and support network of friends that are helping us through this time everyday. Keep going to the Father on our behalf and I will keeping you all updated as often as I can. Much love from me and Isaac! :)

Rescue

This song has always been special to me, but especially during these trying times...thought I would share it with you all. To view the video, just click on this post's title, "Rescue". It's such an anointed song....it says simply, "I need you Jesus, to come to my rescue, where else can I go? There's no other name by which I am saved, capture me with grace, I will follow you..." Simple post today...one week from the surgery date. At this time next week the surgery will be over. I will be so relieved once it is over, but I am still dreading it.. It's very hard to put into words the complete rollercoaster of emotions I experience daily. This too shall pass...this too shall pass.

First Pre-Op Appt. Down, 2 More to Go...

Today we had an appt. with Dr. Michael Heafner, Pediatric Neurologist at Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates in Charlotte. It went very well....he is very laid back and assuring, which of course, helps put a worried mother at ease. He answered all 12 of the questions I had written down as I am sure he has dealt with many nervous mothers before. I definitely feel that Will is in good hands. The closer the surgery gets the more nervous I get...which is to be expected. I am just ready for it to come and to get the recovery process going. Those three hours that he is going to be in surgery is going to be agony for us, but I know it is for his good and the good of his future. I am just praying for peace...for God's thick hedge of protection to be over Will and for God to guide the surgeon's hands. Oh God, please give us that peace that passes all understanding in the next two weeks. I have come to the end of myself...now it's time for you to take over Lord!

Has it Really Been Six Years Ago?

Yesterday was our "Baby Zac's" sixth birthday...I know, he's not a baby anymore, but that's what we used to call him probably up until the time he turned 2 years old. I absolutely cannot believe I have a six year old. As Sissy Spacek said in one of my favorite movies, "Coal Miner's Daughter", "Things are just a movin' too fast in my life." That is the complete truth...I am constantly amazed at how fast time flies. All day yesterday I tried to remember every detail of the day Zac was born. I was induced, so we had to be at the hospital at 5:30 am...that being our first baby, I was really nervous, not knowing what to expect. I was in labor for roughly 6-7 hours and he was born at 2:20 pm (on the 22nd, isn't that cool?). Isaac, my mom and my sister Stephanie were all in the room for Zac's birth...it was one big party! (This was before I was a fan of no pain meds during childbirth...yep, I had an epidural...not like the last 2, completely natural!). So, overall it went well...very smooth delivery. I just can't believe it was six years ago...alot has changed in six years. One thing Zac said yesterday after I asked him if he was still my baby, he said, "Mommy, I'll always be your baby, even when I'm a grandpa.".......there are no words...

All I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten...

Kindergarten...just the word reminds me of my first year of school, my teacher, Mrs. Troutman, naptime on pallets (although we never slept), learning how to write on handwriting paper, and pretty much spending all day playing, drawing, making crafts and playing outside. Ohh...to be a five year old again! Well, this year, I got to experience that wonderful year all over again with Zac, our oldest, and what a great year it's been!! We were blessed with an amazing Christian teacher....Mrs. Duncan, who was just the perfect fit for Zac. The year was full of fun field trips, class parties and awards ceremonies. This past week, at his last awards ceremony, Zac was awarded the Reading Award, "Extra Mile" Award and "Most Creative Writer" Award for his class....needless to say, Isaac and I were so proud of our little man. It's hard to believe our "Baby Zac" (as we used to always call him) is on his way to first grade next year. So, I am going to have to sign off now so I can go bawl...where does the time go, really? One thing is true...every stage brings new thrills...watching your little boy walk across the stage to accept an award is like watching him take their first steps...different, but just as precious.

Chocolate Milk..

I don't have alot of news on the surgery front or anything, being that we are pretty much in a "waiting period" right now, so I thought I would put a little light-hearted post up. Every night the boys go to bed they say their prayers, and Zac's always pertain to the happenings of the day and are very long and detailed....Ben's is usually the same prayer and it normally goes something like this...

"Dear Jesus, thank you for Mommy and Daddy and Zac and Ben and me and Baby Will and Kobe (our dog) and books and chocolate milk in Jesus name, Amen."

Every night, that exact same prayer....and he never leaves out that chocolate milk. I said in a previous post that he's our "little things" child, and he truly is. Why don't we thank Jesus for chocolate milk? I mean, to him, that is something he loves and he wants to thank Him for it. The innocence and simplistic faith of a child is a beautiful thing...what's your chocolate milk?

The Surgery is When??!!

Well, today we finally got a surgery date (after another call from me to check on it) and the date is....get ready for it...Monday, July 20th...six weeks from now! Ugghh! I immediately let them know that we weren't happy about it but they let me know that the doctors weren't concerned to the point of making it a "stat" surgery, so that made me feel better. I have to say, living every day with this hanging over our heads is no fun, and the idea of another six weeks of this is pretty nauseating, however, there are alot of things that need to happen in the meantime. We are donating blood to be used (if they need to use it). Isaac and I agreed that we would rather him get our blood than a perfect stranger's...so that process needs to happen. A few pre-op appts. will happen...one at CMC (Levine), one at Cranial Technologies (the helmet clinic) and another one at Dr. Heafner's office (the neurosurgeon). So we will have PLENTY of time to get all of those things done. Positives...Zac's birthday will come without interruptions, Ben's therapies are up and running and, as more time passes, we get used to the idea of surgery even more (as I mentioned in my previous post). We just have to keep getting up every morning, putting one foot in front of the other and just let the Lord lead us through this time....I have NO DOUBT He is in control. There is a reason for everything (even far off surgery dates)....we just have to keep trusting. Here are some things to pray for for the actual surgery: -Pray that Will will react well to the anesthesia. -Pray that the Lord will guide the surgeons hands and that Jesus will be in the operating room with Will. -Pray against any and all infection (it's a 3 1/2 hour surgery). -And just pray that the entire process will move smoothly, from check-in and admittance to discharge. Love you all! Keep praying!

In the Waiting..

As of today, we STILL don't have a surgery date yet. You can imagine how frustrated we are...I still call every other day just to check on it and now I am sensing frustration in their voices when they realize it's me. How hard is it to schedule a surgery that needs to be done sooner rather than later? I know the surgery involves 2 doctors and there has to be a time in their schedules when they can both be there, but seriously? Insurance has gone through...so, now we are just trying to get an OR scheduled. I am amazed at how long things take in the medical world....and those of you out there in the medical profession, I am not saying anything against you (as I used to work in healthcare marketing) but in my mind, there is no reason why this should take this long. In my last phone call (on Thursday), the neurosurgeon's scheduler said "There is a possiblility we can schedule it for this Tuesday, but if that doesn't work it will have to be mid-June due to the doctor being on vacation." Isaac thinks she told me the Tuesday thing just to put me off...because yesterday I was waiting on them to call, and of course, no call. So now, there is pretty much no way Tuesday can happen due to 2 pre-op appts. that would have to take place before then (one at the plastic surgeon and one at Cranial Technologies...where he will be fitted for his helmet). I know this is a long post...it's mostly for me to have an outlet to vent, but thanks for listening.:) I just wanted to let you all know what the status is. PLEASE pray for this to get scheduled soon...it is no fun having this hanging over our heads and feeling our life is on hold. One positive thing about it though..it is giving us time to "wrap our heads" around the concept of surgery, which is a good thing. We will keep you posted as soon as we hear!

Pretty as a Picture..

I thought I would share some beautiful pictures my sister Heidi took of Zac and Will at our Easter Sunday picnic at the park. I am so thankful to have artists and photographers in the family...I definitely have connections.;)

Prayer request for today....pray for speed in scheduling the surgery (it still hasn't been scheduled yet even though I have called the office many times to check on it). We're ready for it to get over with. On a good note...Ben's therapies have been scheduled and all of the referrals have been made (praise God)....so we're happy to get that process going.

I hope you all have a very happy and blessed Memorial Day weekend! Thanks so much for the prayers and support!

It's the Little Things

Ben is a little boy of few words, but when he says something, you better listen. It's funny, but that's what my grandfather said about me when I was little. He doesn't say "I love you" as much as we would like him to, but when he does, it's extra special. He is our little reminder that we need to appreciate the little things in life.

Yesterday one of those little things happened when I was practicing a song I am singing with the choir in a few weeks called "I Will Carry You". We were in the lineup waiting to pick up Zac at school and while practicing my song, I heard this little voice in the back singing the chorus word for word....here is what he was singing (to the top of his lungs):

My child, when you can't go on another mile, I will carry you,

Through the heartache of your greatest trial, I will carry you,

My arms are strong and tender, my faithfulness is true, I will carry you,

You can trust me and I, I will carry you....

Needless to say when I heard him singing this my eyes filled with tears. It's as if God reached down and gave me a big hug and a kiss...He knew that's what I needed at that time. Always listen for the "little things".....that's when God speaks the loudest.

Just an Overview...

After I posted the first entry, I realized there might be some of you that haven't heard the whole story of what's going on with Ben (our 3 1/2 year old) and Will (our 8 month old). So, here is a quick little summary... Last Monday, after suspecting it for about 18 months, our Ben was diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The doctor said he has a mild/moderate form of Autism that he suspects will probably evolve into Asperger's Syndrome when he gets older. He is very optimistic that Ben will respond very well to therapies and will get better. Every day is a struggle (tantrums, etc.), but hopefully now we can get him the help he needs. We know Ben is the way God made him and we know that the future is very bright for him....he is a special little boy. Within the past month, we have gone through meetings with doctors, a ct scan, and a diagnosis for surgery for our little Will. He has a condition called "craniosynostosis" which basically means that his soft spot fused too quickly, which is the reason his head shape is more long and narrow. To allow for normal brain growth, surgery must be done to separate the sagital sutures (where the soft spot is) so his brain will expand normally. If this isn't done now, not only will the shape of his head worsen, but there could be some ill side effects down the road (blindess, mental damage,seizures,etc) therefore time is of the essence. Isaac and I hate the idea of our baby being in surgery, but we are thankful there is a way to correct this condition and make his quality of life better. SO, that is what we are dealing with right now in a nutshell. Here are some really good websites that have helped us on both of these conditions....www.autismspeaks.org and www.craniokids.com. Please remember Ben and Will and our family in your prayers....they mean more to us than you will ever know!!! We know God is in control!

What a Whirlwind...

Hey ya'll...so, I've decided to start a blog about our current "life journey" we are experiencing for many reasons 1) to chronicle these times so we can look back and remember how God carried us through this and 2) to keep you all updated on our boys and how they're doing. I have been putting updates on Facebook and will continue to do so, but more of the details will be on here. I can't really begin to go into all of the emotions we are experiencing every day. Some days are better than others....but everyday God gives me that "peace that passes all understanding" and tells me He is taking care of Ben and Will (and Zac too!). He assured me they were His before they were mine....so of course He is holding them in the palm of His hand. We're kind of in an in-between time right now for Ben and Will. Sometimes I feel that my full-time job is to be on the phone all of the time making appointments for my babies...after all, us parents are the best advocates for our children aren't we? However, I get really frustrated when I don't feel that the office workers have my children's best interest at heart....I know they are doing their job, but things just seem to take foreverrrrr to get done! I always want things to be done yesterday, but God is trying to teach me patience through this too...He has to be! So, we are waiting for Will's surgery to be scheduled (of course the workers say their hands are tied because of insurance pre-cert procedures) and we're waiting on Ben's Dr. to make about 3 referrals for therapies for him. I know I am bugging his office staff, but we are really tired of waiting. We were always told "He needs to have a diagnosis before we can see him", now we have the diagnosis and it's still taking forever. Sorry to vent....just been one of those days! So, today, our prayer request is for things to get done and scheduled quickly! Especially Will's surgery...the longer away it is the more it's on our minds. Thank you all for your prayers and support! I will continue to update you all on how everything's going!