2020 - hmmm....what a year so far. We truly believe all circumstances in life, enjoyable or challenging, have purpose. We can always learn, grow, and gain perspective due to what we go through...however, it does not make it easy. We praise God for his grace and mercy through the ups and downs. He is truly greater than anything we face.
Our year has had so many joyful moments we are so grateful for, but we have had a very difficult year so far as well. Medical needs have been difficult for 3 out of 4 of us...
Isla had surgery in Feb 2020 - We have so much we are thankful for in this part of our springtime journey...
Isla's VEPTR expansion surgery was successful and while Isla's condition is still hard on her and these surgeries really rough, she has healed well and continues to grow in so many ways. She is so brave and strong! We praise God for safety in surgery, healing well, and the joy that continues to grow in her heart...even going through really hard things often.We are so grateful that we traveled to Philadelphia for Isla's surgery prior to COVID-19 becoming a "hot-spot" in our town/state and growing across the country. We are waiting to hear when Isla's next surgery will be.
Isla has continued to have occupational therapy and physical therapy over Zoom. Not the easiest or best, but thankful for the ability to stay connected and get her any help she needs.
Zeke has really struggled with his allergies and issues with asthma. They became increasingly worse this past year. It has been a long road and we have seen many doctors to get the best help for him. He is on multiple treatments and we are doing all we can to help him out. Poor buddy has had a lot of issues with breathing. He is so incredibly brave and does not complain, but it really has been hard on him and tires him out easily.
As many of you know, my (Molly's) health has been struggling for a while. I was hospitalized for a week prior to Christmas due to my severe ulcerative colitis that I had been dealing with for a couple of years. I have been on countless treatments but none have worked or I had terrible reactions to them and my body could not hold up any more. I was put on steroids (still on them today). I did all I could to keep trying treatments and recover as best I could for Isla's next surgery that was the beginning of Feb.
I continued to not respond to treatments and in Feb I started having other symptoms and issues not related to my U.C. This spring I started another new treatment. I get side effects from it and my immune system has taken a huge hit, but I am "handling" it so far. So, we consider that a win! We are praying this will work!! We remain hopeful! This week I will be heading in for my 3rd treatment.
My other issues have becoming increasingly worse over the months. I've done so much testing/imaging and we are still in the process of figuring it out between multiple doctors.
I am going to keep details of this part private, but we really ask for your prayers as we are trying to find answers and gain clarity on my diagnosis. It seems that this road may be a long one and some possibilities of diagnosis are frightening, which feels really difficult. There is a possibility I may have to travel out of state to see a specialist. I (Molly) live with intense pain every day. I live with daily fevers. I am weak and so fatigued. This is hard on our whole family. The kids know mommy is not well and it is hard on them and all my appointments bring up a lot of trauma triggers for them. Justin has so much to balance in meeting so many of our needs while also working as much as he can. Justin has been OUR HERO and a rock for our family. He has had to be home from work often for me to get to appointments and to help with the kiddos appointments and life in general on days that I am not able to do anything. Lately, those days have increased. We are a team 🖤 We praise God for bringing us together as a family, for teaching us what empathy is and how to care for one another, and we do not lose sight of the miracles that God has done...so, so many miracles.
We have lived a "quarantined" life often through the years, due to our family medical needs and especially with Isla's health condition and caution in keeping her and our fam healthy around her surgeries. It was really difficult to go even deeper into quarantine this spring - we missed friends already and continue to miss them through this time. While we are so thankful for the ability to stay connected by phone and computer these days, it just felt like a deeper loneliness while going through really stressful circumstances. We are taking things one day at a time...It has been difficult and very wearing. We have so many things to work through and think through each day. IT IS HARD.
We want to be very real with you all...
We trust the LORD and his sovereignty through this. We love that we each are fearfully and wonderfully made by him. We rest in the fact that he SEES US and LOVES US unconditionally.
We are humbled by his grace and mercy for each day...how he meets us where we are and gives us the endurance for each day - even when we feel like we have no idea how we will get through the day.
Our JOY is not stolen from us. But, while still having that peace and joy, we are hurting. We are weary.
So many of you have kindly asked how you could help us.
Due to COVID and 3 of us in our fam being immunocompromised in severe ways, we cannot have people coming into our home right now. That has made it difficult to know how to accept help.
Some sweet friends helped us think through our needs and different options of how to help our family with food needs, kiddos needs, and financial needs.
Due to all the restrictions and how difficult this season is, our greatest needs revolve around how to help the kiddos and how to support Justin as he supports his fam. Please hear us when we say, we have no expectations or there is absolutely no pressure to help our fam in these ways - we are humbled to put this out there.
The first things we ask for are ENCOURAGEMENT and PRAYER
Truly - as anyone that has gone through difficult circumstances, you know how much kind and encouraging words can really help a person get through the day. Knowing people are thinking of us and praying is such a gift that we so deeply are thankful for! We ask for prayer for healing and wisdom for our doctors. I personally ask for prayer for Justin. He has such a HUGE heart...giving so much of himself each day for his family. He takes his job at Boeing so seriously and takes caring for his family so seriously. He has a lot to balance each day.
Some sweet friends helped us think through our needs and different options of how to help our family with food needs, kiddos needs, and financial needs.
Due to all the restrictions and how difficult this season is, our greatest needs revolve around how to help the kiddos and how to support Justin as he supports his fam. Please hear us when we say, we have no expectations or there is absolutely no pressure to help our fam in these ways - we are humbled to put this out there.
The first things we ask for are ENCOURAGEMENT and PRAYER
Truly - as anyone that has gone through difficult circumstances, you know how much kind and encouraging words can really help a person get through the day. Knowing people are thinking of us and praying is such a gift that we so deeply are thankful for! We ask for prayer for healing and wisdom for our doctors. I personally ask for prayer for Justin. He has such a HUGE heart...giving so much of himself each day for his family. He takes his job at Boeing so seriously and takes caring for his family so seriously. He has a lot to balance each day.
Our dear friend, Erin, Set up a "grocery meal plan" for our family (THANK YOU!)
(click here) MEALS FOR THE SINDELAR FAMILY
(click here) MEALS FOR THE SINDELAR FAMILY
With the help of sweet friends and fam (THANK YOU for the ideas!)
- We have come up with an Amazon Wish List for the kiddos - to help bring in some items that can help them as Mommy is needing more rest each day.
Another sweet friend helped us talk through and think through our financial needs. (THANK YOU!)
Justin has had to be home much more than anticipated. Majority of these days are unpaid days.
He is SUCH a hard worker and we do not take lightly the days that he has to stay home to help.
It is bittersweet - so thankful when he is able to be home to help, but it surely takes a toll on us financially. With us having so many medical appointments, it takes much of our finances as well in medical bills.
We know there are so many taking a financial hit during this time. Us putting this out there is so humbling and we do not take this lightly. Again, we have NO expectation for people to give. We are deeply grateful and cannot thank you all enough for helping our family. We share this because our reality is that this is our need. Having this help, takes away a stress on Justin and the days he needs to be home.
(click here) LOVE IN ACTION FOR THE SINDELAR FAMILY (Go Fund Me)
Justin has had to be home much more than anticipated. Majority of these days are unpaid days.
He is SUCH a hard worker and we do not take lightly the days that he has to stay home to help.
It is bittersweet - so thankful when he is able to be home to help, but it surely takes a toll on us financially. With us having so many medical appointments, it takes much of our finances as well in medical bills.
We know there are so many taking a financial hit during this time. Us putting this out there is so humbling and we do not take this lightly. Again, we have NO expectation for people to give. We are deeply grateful and cannot thank you all enough for helping our family. We share this because our reality is that this is our need. Having this help, takes away a stress on Justin and the days he needs to be home.
(click here) LOVE IN ACTION FOR THE SINDELAR FAMILY (Go Fund Me)
We just have to say THANK YOU for all the support and love. Like we say over and over...we are so very humbled and grateful. We often do not even have the words...you are an answer to prayer.
Prayers for your strengthening health. You guys will come through this difficult time.
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