Thank you for your continued prayers and support!
Aug. 2014...
Tim and Docs
Tim
met with no docs in August. He meets with Dr. Ringler, orthopedic/trauma surgeon, and Dr. Anderson, foot & ankle surgeon, in Sept. He meets with Dr. Do, reconstructive surgeon, in Oct.
As Tim's wounds developed, progressed, worsened, healed, etc., we took hundreds of pictures, mostly so that we could present our questions with documentation (sometimes the pictures helped speak words for us) when we met with docs, nurses, therapists, etc.
Obviously, the docs have plenty of pictures as well. Although these pictures are amazing, many are not what we consider "post-appropriate" on social media. (AWWWW MAN!)
But when Tim's surgeons recently called to ask his permission to share pictures of his medical experiences for presentations to other surgeons in the field, Tim agreed that this would be beneficial.
We understand that in many places, Tim's leg would have been amputated. The reconstruction of Tim's leg is amazing, and we give thanks to God for equipped, competitive, and able medical minds with whom God has blessed our community.
Tim also placed a phone call to his doc regarding the expiration of his temporary red handicapped placard...you know the sign - thing that hangs on the rear view mirror when you park...
And a more permanent placard was issued to him. It expires in 2018. You can imagine that this type of step makes things "sink in," makes us realize that Tim and our family are adjusting to a new "normal."
The kids are adjusting more patiently than I (Teresa) am with a slower pace way of life. Tim says, "It's hard. The things you would do immediately before you just can't do quickly anymore, if at all. Walking well, moving and lifting stuff, fixing certain things...it just doesn't happen as quickly or easily as it did before." Remember that not only does Tim have limitations with his leg, but his "core" balance is also off due to the missing ab muscles, which were moved to his leg to provide reconstruction.
Tim went from wrestling with kiddos, tossing them around, to being able to throw a football, play catch, hug them. He has not been able to really play or roughhouse with them like he used to since Dec. 7. Our children know this, but only one speaks of it: our youngest, Luke. He asks, "Dad, remember when you used to...??? Do you think you can do that again sometime soon?"
I try to fill in, but I'm just not Tim.
Deep down, as we have lived throughout the year, I know that life lived in "slower motion" is one when you simply catch more. Tim says, "You smell the roses more."
Certainly, we give thanks to God every day for the gift of life, and that Tim is doing as well as he is.
Tim's Life, Day to Day
We give thanks to God for providing returning strength daily for Tim. He is driving, and he continues to work as a machine salesman at Quality Machine & Automation, full time.
The Farm
Public Speaking
Tim takes it very seriously that he is still alive following his accident. When people ask him to speak about this experience publicly, and privately, he agrees. Upcoming public speaking dates are:
SEPTEMBER
Saturday, Sept. 13 in Grant, MI, for a breakfast Bible Study made up of a group of approximately 70 farmers.
Wednesday, Sept. 17 at Oakland CRC, south of Zeeland, for the 7 pm area Cadet kick off.
OCTOBER
Thursday, Sept. 16 at Hudsonville Christian Middle School for the morning chapel.
DECEMBER
Wednesday, Dec. 3 at Overisel Old Township Hall, for MOB Night (middle school students).
In Other News
We were reacquainted with docs when our youngest, Luke (6) split his head open while playing outside, which required 3 staples. We give thanks that God has provided healing, infection-free.
We give thanks to God that we were able to spend some family time together this month in Fremont, MI. Here is a picture of the Vander Zwaags.
As Tim's wounds developed, progressed, worsened, healed, etc., we took hundreds of pictures, mostly so that we could present our questions with documentation (sometimes the pictures helped speak words for us) when we met with docs, nurses, therapists, etc.
Obviously, the docs have plenty of pictures as well. Although these pictures are amazing, many are not what we consider "post-appropriate" on social media. (AWWWW MAN!)
But when Tim's surgeons recently called to ask his permission to share pictures of his medical experiences for presentations to other surgeons in the field, Tim agreed that this would be beneficial.
We understand that in many places, Tim's leg would have been amputated. The reconstruction of Tim's leg is amazing, and we give thanks to God for equipped, competitive, and able medical minds with whom God has blessed our community.
Tim also placed a phone call to his doc regarding the expiration of his temporary red handicapped placard...you know the sign - thing that hangs on the rear view mirror when you park...
And a more permanent placard was issued to him. It expires in 2018. You can imagine that this type of step makes things "sink in," makes us realize that Tim and our family are adjusting to a new "normal."
Tim went from wrestling with kiddos, tossing them around, to being able to throw a football, play catch, hug them. He has not been able to really play or roughhouse with them like he used to since Dec. 7. Our children know this, but only one speaks of it: our youngest, Luke. He asks, "Dad, remember when you used to...??? Do you think you can do that again sometime soon?"
I try to fill in, but I'm just not Tim.
Deep down, as we have lived throughout the year, I know that life lived in "slower motion" is one when you simply catch more. Tim says, "You smell the roses more."
Certainly, we give thanks to God every day for the gift of life, and that Tim is doing as well as he is.
Tim's Life, Day to Day
We give thanks to God for providing returning strength daily for Tim. He is driving, and he continues to work as a machine salesman at Quality Machine & Automation, full time.
The Farm
"We ground feed, spread manure, completed general cleaning around the property, butchered 3 steer. Upcoming: butchering 6 steer Sat., Sept. 6, preparing front field for reseeding of hay, getting ready for ear corn picking, new calves are arriving this month, and that's about it for now." - Tim
Public Speaking
Tim takes it very seriously that he is still alive following his accident. When people ask him to speak about this experience publicly, and privately, he agrees. Upcoming public speaking dates are:
SEPTEMBER
Saturday, Sept. 13 in Grant, MI, for a breakfast Bible Study made up of a group of approximately 70 farmers.
Wednesday, Sept. 17 at Oakland CRC, south of Zeeland, for the 7 pm area Cadet kick off.
OCTOBER
Thursday, Sept. 16 at Hudsonville Christian Middle School for the morning chapel.
DECEMBER
Wednesday, Dec. 3 at Overisel Old Township Hall, for MOB Night (middle school students).
In Other News
We were reacquainted with docs when our youngest, Luke (6) split his head open while playing outside, which required 3 staples. We give thanks that God has provided healing, infection-free.
We give thanks to God that we were able to spend some family time together this month in Fremont, MI. Here is a picture of the Vander Zwaags.
Left to Right - Back Row: Teresa, Tim, Mom, Dad, Doug, Kevin, Laura, Violet, Front Row: Lilly, Nikki, Jared, Luke, Ryan, Brent, Carter, Joel, Lena, Sean, Elma and Caleb
Birth order of Mom and Dad's sons: Tim, Brent, Doug & Kevin.
Tim is married to Teresa, and we have 4 kiddos: Caleb, Joel, Lilly & Luke.
Brent is married to Nikki, and they have 4 sons: Jared, Sean, and twins Ryan & Carter.
Doug is married to Laura, and they have 3 daughters: Lena, Elma & Violet.
Kevin may be the youngest of the 4 boys, but he's a US Army Staff Sergeant, and he could take his big brothers down in a heartbeat.
A tradition that has been passed down on my side of the family is the annual Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk. I remember walking it as a child, and now our kiddos cross it. This year was different, because Tim didn't cross the bridge with us. He drove across and waited for us at the finish line. Tim thought that 5 + miles would be a bit much right now. Maybe next year. :)
Here is a picture of us just starting out. My dad is pushing his mother in the wheelchair (Grandma Fauble is 90 years young.) But she was bound to walk across the finish line, so she did. :)
The bridge walkers this year were (left to right) Lilly, Aunt Darlene, Teresa, Grandma Fauble, Dad, Caleb, Luke, Aunt Gloria & Joel. It was a gorgeous day. It was windy, so the bridge swayed, and so did the walkers. Good thing I had kiddos and the wheelchair to hang onto! There seemed to be less people this year, Tim thinks due to the threat of rainy weather (which... it didn't rain.) :) Although this is not one of Tim's favorite Fauble traditions, he admits that he missed walking it with us. We agree. It just isn't the same when you are down a walker.
We started the walk at 7 am and crossed the finish line at 9:05 am. 5 miles of gorgeous beauty. SO fun! I love the walk and the drive home because it takes my mind off the anxiety of school starting the next day. It's a great way to end the summer.
And of course, the yearly tradition of starting school happened as well, today, the day after Labor Day, ...we sent our 4 off to school. Caleb is in 7th grade, Joel is in 5th grade, Lilly is in 4th grade and Luke is in 1st grade at Borculo Christian School, just down the road from our home.
I, Teresa, continue to give thanks to God for the jobs He provides to me...wife, mom, ice cream twirler/burger flipper at The Spot in Borculo & sandwich maker at The City Deli on 8th St. in Holland. I am looking forward to our fall Body and Soul classes starting up. I give thanks to God for routine. I have always been a restless one...routine helps me to be still and know. :)
One of our favorite songs to sing:
"Our God" Chris Tomlin
Have you heard this one? Check it out...this song was sung at the Byron Center Christian School chapel when Tim spoke there. Powerful.
Have you heard this one? Check it out...this song was sung at the Byron Center Christian School chapel when Tim spoke there. Powerful.
Water, You turned into wine
Opened the eyes of the blind
There's no one like You
None like You
Opened the eyes of the blind
There's no one like You
None like You
Into the darkness, You shine
Out of the ashes we rise
There's no one like You
None like You
Out of the ashes we rise
There's no one like You
None like You
Our God is greater
Our God is stronger
God, You are higher than any other
Our God is healer
Awesome in power
Our God, our God
Our God is stronger
God, You are higher than any other
Our God is healer
Awesome in power
Our God, our God
And if our God is for us
Then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us
Then what could stand against
Then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us
Then what could stand against
Giving thanks to God for your continued prayers and support!
Continuing to give all glory & honor to God.
He keeps His promises. He loves you.
He keeps His promises. He loves you.
Tim & Teresa
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