From This Point Forward...

We met with Samuel's neurosurgeon this morning after learning two weeks ago today that he has a Type 1 Chiari Malformation and a Pineal Gland Cyst.  His symptoms began in January with headaches and have since progressed this month to dizziness, nausea, tingling/numbness in hands and feet, itching, weakness, etc.  After a spine MRI on March 13th, we were to learn the results.

Thankfully, Samuel's spinal cord is normal and has not been affected by the malformation in his brain!  There has been no tethering or appearance of cysts.  

From this point, we will continue to monitor and journal his symptoms over the next six weeks to provide the neurosurgeon the data needed to determine whether a Chiari decompression surgery is needed in Samuel's case. 

In the meantime, we will visit a ophthalmologist and neurologist to see if they can provide further details or answers regarding Samuel's symptoms.  We will meet back with the neurosurgeon in six weeks.  Pray for continued grace through the daily struggle, adequate rest, and wisdom as we schedule appointments, log his symptoms, and determine whether surgery is needed at this time.

We will communicate from this point forward on this blog to keep you updated and provide you with specific ways on how you can pray for our family.

Please respect that we are shepherding our children through this process and ask that you refrain from speaking about it to them.

http://jennarjohnson.blogspot.com/2015/03/seeing-through-suffering.html

Seeing through Suffering

On Monday, March 9th, we took Samuel into Vanderbilt Children's Hospital for a sedated MRI of his brain.  He has been complaining of headaches since late January, and after experiencing other symptoms of nausea and dizziness, though these could signal a sinus infection or migraines, our pediatrician saw signs of neither.  After his exam, he felt it best that Samuel have this test done.  We were expecting the results but not as quickly as we received them.

On Tuesday, the next day, our pediatrician relayed the news that Samuel, in fact, had two abnormalities on his MRI.  We were informed of them and waited for our next call.

On Wednesday, we heard from the neurosurgeon nurse practitioner who explained the MRI results and gave more details about what we would do from this point.  We were to begin taking detailed notes of Samuel's symptoms, and he would be having an MRI of his spine two days later.  She also informed us that Samuel would meet with his neurosurgeon on Monday, March 23rd.  The seriousness of the situation began to sink in.

On Friday, Samuel had a sedated MRI of his spine.  He handled it all very well, considering how challenging it must be for a four-year-old to process.

Over the next week, we continued to journal Samuel's symptoms, and they progressively worsened. From dizziness and itching to tingling hands and numb feet, he went from what we thought was perfectly fine in December to having difficulty holding his toothbrush and using his scissors in March. There have been moments when he is unable to stand because his feet are numb and nights when he cannot sleep well because his head aches so fiercely.  He appears fine to most, but there were definite changes... and we saw them.

Do you know what we also saw?!

We saw God open doors miraculously.  We saw Him take care of our son when we felt unable at times.  We saw friends love us through calls, texts, and meals.  We saw the church pray, and we FELT it.  We saw the Word come to life.  We saw the importance of staying IN the Word and filling our hearts and minds with truth from it.  We saw how necessary it was to love each other.  We saw the need for being thankful for what we have.

It hasn't been easy, but I KNOW that God didn't make mistakes when He made this precious boy of ours.  The doctors say he has a Type 1 Chiari Malformation which is a brain defect, and he also has a cyst on his pineal gland.  Both of these are making it difficult for spinal fluid to flow freely and putting pressure on his brain.  Although we are, I know that God isn't surprised by these.  God still has a plan to receive glory through this situation with Samuel, and we are praying to that end.

We will communicate from this point forward on this blog to keep you updated and provide you with specific ways on how you can pray for our family.

Please respect that we are shepherding our children through this process and ask that you refrain from speaking about it to them.

Just a Typical Snow Day...

The rest of our county is closed for a snow day (the 8th consecutive day, to be exact), but as a homeschooling family, we just PLOW on through since we are stuck inside due to freezing temps and ice-covered driveways.

This week, we moved to the kitchen table because our classroom has been so cold as the exterior room in our house. Plus, the flexibility and change are so nice.

Daniel (Age 5, Kindergarten) is busy learning to read. He is amazing me with how quickly he is catching on. Some days he gets frustrated easily, but other days, like today, he was determined to read. He sounded out his 9 sentences with such joy, and I was incredibly happy for him! He's working on sight words and focusing on phonics.

Samuel (Age 4, Pre-K) is reviewing/learning phonetic sounds of the alphabet, pre-primer sight words, and sounding out the beginning and ending sounds of cvc words. He loves to work and work!

Elias (Age 2) is busy cutting, gluing, making messes, and being made to clean them up. Such was today.

Lunch Lines

Lunch with three boys is... well,  entertaining. Here are just a few things I overheard today while trying to enjoy my leftovers:

Underpants!

Do not put it in the macaroni water.
(Referring to the chicken and dressing touching the macaroni and cheese)

What if a dinosaur burped really loud?

After a certain toddler was told not to stand in his chair:
What if he fell through the window?
Birds would fly in.
Oh, bears would get in too!
We could stack blankets over the window to stay warm.
What about rain?
That would be bad!

He just spit in his plate.
I don't even want to eat with him anymore!

We've Only Just Begun (Curriculum and Choices)

The first week of homeschooling was probably the most rewarding thing I have ever done. No, really. It was extremely challenging and I wanted to raise my voice numerous times, but God supplied grace for my every need. I watched my children as they settled into our new environment, and they smiled each morning when it was time to go to the classroom.

Each boy has his own curriculum or set schedule to do each day, and although they range in age, we are at a point where some subjects can be learned together. I love sitting in the floor with them and helping sound out words or count out manipulatives and coins.

Daniel (Age 5, Kindergarten):

Daniel is a little over halfway through his Kindergarten year. At age 5, choosing curriculum for him was not difficult because after attending public school for 6 months I realized what might help him learn more efficiently. He is a kinesthetic, creative, hands-on learner who needs the opportunity to move, build, and touch almost everything. We are using lots of manipulatives  (magnets, tiles, dry erase boards, etc.) in addition to his curriculum.

Bible: The Interactive Story Bible
Math: Saxon K
Reading: The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading
Phonics: Explode the Code 1
Handwriting: A Reason for Handwriting

Samuel (Age 4, Pre-K):

I wasn't as prepared for Samuel as I should have been because at age 4, he has an abundant love for learning. He would sit in our classroom all day! He is a visual learner and needs lots of pictures, graphics, art, and videos to help him grow. He thrives on drawing and writing in journals and loves to do pages in workbooks... page after page after page. However, I didn't realize that and didn't have enough! We're starting where we left off at Mother's Day Out and continuing the alphabet, phonics, handwriting, and math.

Bible: The Interactive Story Bible
Math: Evan Moor Pre-K Math Skills and SOME Saxon K
Phonics: Get Ready for the Code A
Alphabet/Handwriting: "My Self Made Curriculum" that focuses on the letter of the week

Elias (Age 2, Tot School):

Now, this little buddy threw me for a loop the first day because he didn't really care a thing about the busy bags I had made (spent hours, lost sleep) for him. I knew I needed a new plan, but it had to keep him occupied and be beneficial and safe. That's when Elias kept mentioning glue sticks to me. I handed him one on the 2nd day with a piece of construction paper and a bowl of construction paper cut into 1 inch squares. He spent 1 hour gluing. He was happy, quiet, AND using his fine motor skills.

Bible: The Interactive Story Bible
Skills: Fine Motor (cutting, gluing, etc.), Behavior (sitting, obeying, kindness), and Identifying (colors, counting, saying ABCs)

I realize the newness will wear off in time, and they might not be as overjoyed as they get older. However, in this moment, I feel as though I am where God called me.