I can't tell you how badly I have wanted to write this post over the last 12 days. But today I can tell you the we have good news! Joanne is waking up. She is off the medication that kept her in a coma so we are getting to see little signs of healthy brain activity, of life! Here's a list of what has happened so far.
Eyes open, both left and right, although she is having a little easier time on the left side. But I can tell that she really wants to open that right eye. Her eye aren;t trackign yet, but they are open which is what I have been waiting for. I have prayed, "Lord, just let me see those brown eyes again." And he's answered that prayer.
Leg movement, both left and right although she is taking commands a little better ont he right side then on the left. The nurse gets right up in her ear and in a bit of a stern voice say, "Move your right toes Joanne!" and she does it. And not only on command but just from time to time of her own accord. She has also moved both legs giving indication that she may be able to walk when she gets through rehab.
She is moving her right arm and hand and gave me the thumbs up tonight! I tried to copy the nurse and said, "Show me that right thumb Joanne!" and she did it!
Like I said earlier, the MRI shows a lot of destruction on the right brain but there is still some tissue over there that remains in tact. That's a very good thing. Left side looks good and there had been some concern that there was left side damage so knowing that she didn't "smoosh" that side of her brain due to inter-cranial pressure is a huge relief.
So, she should be able:
Walk unassisted (maybe)
Talk
Recognize people and objects
Recover full movement on her right side
Recover limited movement on her left.
Read!
That's all the doctor is saying for sure. There are lots of other little things: eating, breathing unassisted, etc. that we'll see about as time goes by. But today is literally the first day that I will leave the hospital feeling encouraged! Joanne, in one form or another, is coming back to us.
The next step is likely to be an LTAC where she will recover a bit more before she moves to rehab. I'll keep you posted on that. We are hopeful that we will be able to decorate her room with the hundreds of cards that have come in, pictures of the family and be able to play her favorite music.
Another cool thing about today is that Gran and Audrey were able to take the pressure socks off of Joanne long enough to shave her legs, message her calves and feet and get her moisturized. I can just imagine that Joanne feels like a million bucks as a result. Tonight Jessica is going to wash her hair so in the morning she is going to look like a million bucks too!
Prayer requests:
1. Joanne will likely be getting a tracheostomy tomorrow or Tuesday as well as a PEG line into her stomach for feeding. This is actually a great thing as with will get the breathing tube out of her mouth and the NG tube out of her nose, both of which are terribly uncomfortable for her. Pray these procedures go well.
2. Joanne is still running a fever. Could just be a neurological deal but it could also mean she has some sort of infection on board. We need her infection free!
3. Would love to see her continue to progress in her movement. If she squeezes my hand one of these days I'll be over the moon!
4. If Joanne is stable by the end of the week she will get moved to a new facility. We have loved Littleton Adventist and will hate to go, and need prayer that her next facitlity will be just as awesome.
5. Here's the best one: Prayers of absolute praise to God is healing her! One of my closest friends told me on the phone tonight that he is going to bed with praises instead of petitions. We can all do that. Way to go God! Her recovery is all to his glory!
With much love, a grateful heart, and appreciation for your support,
Toben
*sobbing* God is SO good! Praise You, Father!
Posted by: Heather C | January 24, 2011 at 06:36 AM
Praise God!!!!!!!!!!!! I've been waiting for this post!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Toben for keeping us updated.............
Posted by: www.raisingthree4him.blogspot.com | January 24, 2011 at 06:40 AM
Praising God for this wonderful news! Thank you for keeping us updated! It is the first thing I do every morning, check in on my new friends! Joanne is really working at getting better for all of you!
Have a blessed day! Hugs and continued prayers! Theresa in Georgia
Posted by: Theresa Roach | January 24, 2011 at 06:44 AM
amazing awesome!!!
Posted by: Tara | January 24, 2011 at 06:46 AM
"Praise the Lord! Sing alleluia, for His Name alone is High. And, His Glory is exalted and His Glory is exalted and His Glory is exalted far above the earth and sky!"
Posted by: Thy Hand | January 24, 2011 at 06:47 AM
Praise God! I have said many prayers for God to save her life, heal her, and restore her to her family. I now have specific prayers to lift up for Joanne and for you all. May God continue to give you all strength and peace!
Posted by: Kendra | January 24, 2011 at 06:53 AM
Crying with a tiny bit of sadness and a whole lot of joy. Thank you, Toben, for giving us so much detail. We love you guys, and we won't stop praying!
Posted by: Marla Taviano | January 24, 2011 at 06:53 AM
Praising God! Rejoicing with you over this good news! Continuing to hold you all before the Lord in prayer.
Posted by: Sharon - Ontario Canada | January 24, 2011 at 06:57 AM
Praying fervently for Joann and all of you and will continue to do so but when I read this post (and your twitter) all I could say was THANK YOU, LORD! THANK YOU, LORD! THANK YOU, LORD! THANK YOU, LORD! THANK YOU, LORD! THANK YOU, LORD! THANK YOU, LORD! THANK YOU, LORD! THANK YOU, LORD!
Posted by: Beverly Wooley | January 24, 2011 at 07:00 AM
Praising God for his healing powers!!! Wahoo!! :) :) :)
Posted by: Ruth | January 24, 2011 at 07:01 AM
YES, God, YES!!! Hallelujah!!! Oh Toben, I am thrilled and I know you are too.
Posted by: Ashley Honea | January 24, 2011 at 07:09 AM
Praising God and praying your prayer requests....to God be the glory, honor and praise.
Posted by: Mary Lou | January 24, 2011 at 07:40 AM
Praise God from whom ALL blessing flow! Still praying (and now praising!) in KS.
Posted by: Paige Szajnuk | January 24, 2011 at 07:41 AM
Praise the Lord!!! This is a wonderful post to read this morning!!
Posted by: Kayce | January 24, 2011 at 08:11 AM
That's great news! I am so glad for you. So encouraging. Prayers are working! I'll continue to pray for you all.
Posted by: Zannah | January 24, 2011 at 08:32 AM
Oh Jesus, how we thank You! Thank You for hearing our cries and answering with love and compassion. Thank You for Your grace, Your strength, Your peace, and for Your healing hand upon Joanne! We praise You, Lord!
Posted by: valerie (in TX) | January 24, 2011 at 08:35 AM
Crying tears of complete joy with y'all today. So grateful for all these steps toward the direction of Joanne's recovery. Will continue praying over all the things you mentioned. Praying that today is full of many more encouraging steps forward too!
Posted by: Wired Whimsy | January 24, 2011 at 08:53 AM
Praise the Lord! I continue to pray for Joanne and her healing! God is great! Heard this song recently and i wanted to share it with you!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLPp4gXUY3o&sns=fb
Posted by: Gabby Pop | January 24, 2011 at 09:21 AM
My heart lept for joy this morning upon reading your update. Glory to God!!! I know you all still have a lot of decisions ahead for her...LTAC being one of them. My Dad and I researched and visited most all of them from Denver to Colorado Springs last year...looking at everything from medical expertise to the spiritual climate...which is so important!!! I gave the Vidano's my Dad's cell number (Vince D'Acchioli, On Target Ministries)...and he would love to share some info. on what we discovered. SelectCare has one of the highest success rates in getting patients off of the respirator and a low rate of secondary infection. Our Mom was in the Colorado Springs SelectCare...but there is also a branch in Denver. If possible we would highly recommend you stray away from Colorado Long Term Care in Downtown Denver...for reasons that we can explain in detail. We feel like we have learned alot regarding the whole LTAC climate and dealing with insurance, etc. Would love to offer some advice and encouragment to you and your family if you are interested! Blessings to you all and continued prayers!!! (:
Posted by: Kristen McWilliams | January 24, 2011 at 09:24 AM
Have been following this religiously, and praying for Joanne each time I pass by the hospital (which is often). I will be shouting praises today WITH you!!!!!
Posted by: Karen Booker Schelhaas | January 24, 2011 at 09:27 AM
Continuing to keep Joanne bathed in prayer. Praising God with thanksgiving for tiny miracles coming true daily! Tobin, please know I am also lifting you in special prayer. Had the privilege of reading your and Joanne’s story this weekend. I pray you will continue to feel washed in grace, your mind closely guarded, and reminded, “Through Christ, you can do all things!!!” Much love from a fellow Siesta in NY!
Posted by: Katie | January 24, 2011 at 09:28 AM
Praise God for his wonderful work in healing of Joanne! Am literally in tears reading about her progress. Please take care and thank you for the updates. Even though we've never met and I hadn't heard of Joanne until last week, I am praying hard!
Posted by: Andrea | January 24, 2011 at 09:29 AM
Praise God! I am so happy to read this post. I have been praying and will continue daily for all of you! As a mom of 2 young girls, I have been touched deeply by you and Joanne. You are an inspiration Toben.
Amy in North Idaho
Posted by: Amy J. | January 24, 2011 at 09:29 AM
Amen, Praise the Lord! I am so excited about your news and I know that as her family, y'all are beyond excited. I pray this week will bring more alertness, more answered moving commands, and positive test results.
Posted by: Donna J | January 24, 2011 at 09:41 AM
Wonderful news:) Praising and praying...
Posted by: Leah C | January 24, 2011 at 09:45 AM
God is good. So happy for y'all.
Posted by: TAMMY VICTOR | January 24, 2011 at 09:54 AM
Ok I am just bawling!!! So excited for all the progress Joanne is making! Praise God for His faithfulness!!
Asking for continued miracles for Joanne and your family!
Kim - connorcolesmom
Posted by: Kim - connorcolesmom | January 24, 2011 at 09:59 AM
I couldn't wait to check in this morning and hear of Joanne's progress and just want to add my Hallelujah! Even though I've only learned of your family in the last ten days, since Melissa Moore Fitzpatrick's post on the Living Proof Life Blog, I'm sharing your struggle and victory through this trial and am praising our God with you! Elaine - a Sister from St. Louis
Posted by: Elaine | January 24, 2011 at 09:59 AM
Toben, that is such wonderful news. I will continue to pray!
Posted by: Elle | January 24, 2011 at 10:00 AM
I am new to this blog but have been following it and praying for your wife's recovery for the past few weeks. This post literally brought tears to my eyes! I will continue to pray for her and your family. I wish I would've found this blog sooner, but I'm thankful to have found it none-the-less. Sending all kinds of positive thoughts your way...RC
Posted by: RC | January 24, 2011 at 10:24 AM
Awesome God! I am so happy for you and all the body of Christ, who has come together "for such a time as this!" God is showing up and showing off on your behalf. God heard all our cries and His answer was "Yes!" Singing the high praises of God. Will continue to lift you all up on Joanne's "Ultra." So very thankful...for the life she has lived and the life yet to live for His glory.
Posted by: Pam Houston | January 24, 2011 at 10:36 AM
Such incredible news. Thank you for sharing the praises. I am also one who came here through the LPM blog and some tweets I saw. I love to see a community of believers come together in prayer, and to see God's glory shine through. Continuing to pray!
Posted by: Jean M | January 24, 2011 at 10:37 AM
So happy for the GREAT news! THANK YOU, LORD! Keeping all of you in prayer!
Posted by: Beth | January 24, 2011 at 10:42 AM
WOW!!!
Posted by: kym | January 24, 2011 at 11:36 AM
Amen!
Posted by: Sarah Graham | January 24, 2011 at 03:02 PM