As much as I would dearly love to give you a positive update on Joanne's status unfortunately things have deteriorated. Overnight Joanne began to lose the limited function that she had and she had a seizure. She was taken to CAT scan first thing this morning and it was determined that her brain was experiencing massive swelling. She was immediately taken to surgery to remove a portion of her skull to relieve the pressure.
She is in no pain and completely unaware of what is happening. That is a blessing! We are surrounded by friends and family here at the hospital--I think we have taken over the whole waiting room.
Prayers: I don't even know how to articulate anything here. Joanne is literally in a fight for her life. Just pray however you feel lead.
Again you can get regular updates on twitter at tobenheim
Toben
Was up all night praying. Still am.
Posted by: Kristen | January 12, 2011 at 02:26 PM
Just prayed for her.
Posted by: Jessica | January 12, 2011 at 02:27 PM
Praying through Psalm 46 for Joanne. Blessings to you all...
Posted by: Kay Harms | January 12, 2011 at 02:32 PM
Praying and Praying for your family. This is so heart breaking to read.
Posted by: Lisette M Delgado | January 12, 2011 at 02:39 PM
Praying, praying, praying....
Posted by: Beki - TheRustedChain | January 12, 2011 at 02:39 PM
Sending love and prayers to all of you and claiming Pslam 23 v6 - that you will ALL know God's goodness and unfailing love pursuing you every day ...
Posted by: Debbie | January 12, 2011 at 02:45 PM
Continuing to lift you in prayer Joanne. Praying for you also Toben and your girls as well. I cannot imagine what you, the family, must be experiencing. We all know the Lord is right there with you. Praying for the Lord to embrace you all and comfort you as you wait this out.
Posted by: heidi | January 12, 2011 at 02:47 PM
Praying for your family from the north Georgia mountains...
Posted by: Jenny | January 12, 2011 at 02:51 PM
praying!!!!!
Posted by: Millicent | January 12, 2011 at 03:18 PM
Praying for your family.
Posted by: Leah | January 12, 2011 at 03:25 PM
Just found out about your family. I prayed Psalm 46 over Joanne a moment ago.
Praying for the Ultimate Healer to do his work.
Posted by: Gretchen | January 12, 2011 at 03:31 PM
In my prayers too.
Posted by: Provincial Homemaker | January 12, 2011 at 03:38 PM
Praying for you in OH! May the many whispered prayers cover you and comfort you....
~Heather
Posted by: Deciduous Heather | January 12, 2011 at 03:50 PM
Praying...
Posted by: Amy | January 12, 2011 at 03:52 PM
Praying for her and i'm praying for Him to give you strength! love ya Brother
Posted by: Tom Judson | January 12, 2011 at 03:53 PM
Praying for Joanne and the rest of your family!
Posted by: Jodi | January 12, 2011 at 04:00 PM
Praying in Arkansas.............
Posted by: Cary Garner | January 12, 2011 at 04:02 PM
Lifting you up prayers from Indiana Joanne. For you, Toben and the girls.
Posted by: Solidia | January 12, 2011 at 04:08 PM
Still and constantly praying for Joanne, Toben, and the girls.
Peace,
Kim Feth
Apex, NC
Posted by: Kim Feth | January 12, 2011 at 04:16 PM
Praying over Psalms 46 for Joanne in the precious, victorious Name of JESUS!!!! All of our love & constant prayers of healing! xoxo
Posted by: Irishsplendour.blogspot.com | January 12, 2011 at 04:23 PM
Praying for all you
Posted by: Tammy | January 12, 2011 at 04:45 PM
I don't know of Joanne but heard about her situation in a couple of blogs today--lifting her and all of you up in prayer.
Posted by: Lisa | January 12, 2011 at 04:57 PM
Lifting you up in prayer!
Posted by: Renae | January 12, 2011 at 04:59 PM
Praying for God's healing, peace and restoration. God's blessings brother.
Posted by: Patrick King | January 12, 2011 at 05:21 PM
Toben, Audrey, Emma,
My heart is breaking for you with worry. Please know that I am praying for Joanne. Although I have never had the pleasure of meeting Joanne in person, we have exchanged emails and even did a blog project together a couple of years ago. Joanne provided advice and inspiration to me when I was going through a tough time. Joanne is a very big hearted, compassionate person. I will keep your whole family in my prayers.
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa R-p | January 12, 2011 at 05:36 PM
Praying for Joanne a seista in Albuquerque NM
Lord you are her strength and you are her sheild and Lord you are singing over her right now and You Lord are holding her in your arms.
Carol
Posted by: Carol | January 12, 2011 at 05:39 PM
Still praying in California, for your whole family.
Posted by: Karene | January 12, 2011 at 05:55 PM
Praying in Alaska!!
Posted by: Heidi | January 12, 2011 at 06:09 PM
we lift our eyes to the hills...
from where does our help come from?
our help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of Heaven and Earth...
Heartbroken for you and your precious family
Posted by: Leanne | January 12, 2011 at 06:11 PM
You have no idea how close to home this hits. I am a fellow stroke survivor and also go to Denver Seminary. Since I heard the news from Sarah Heiser I've been crying and praying for Joanne. I went to Littleton Adventist for 3 weeks, Porter for 2 weeks, and regained everyday functioning like walking, talking, and swallowing at Craig Hospital in Englewood where I was for almost 3 months. Praying for Joanne. Wow.
Posted by: Amy | January 12, 2011 at 06:31 PM
You know, I don't know who you guys are. I just saw a post that Candice (Watters) made on her Facebook page. But wow, you guys are so heavy on my heart today. God keeps bringing you guys to mind and I'm praying for you whenever He does...which seems to be a lot. I wish that I could lift your worries and fear and that I could send you all a great big hug. But, while I can't, I know that there is One who can and I'm praying that He'd speak words into those unspeakable areas. It's always comforted me to know that Jesus is interceding for me and that the Holy Spirit is interceding with "groans that words cannot express" whenever I'm facing something that is too heavy for me to bear and so much that it steals words from my lips before they can ever open in prayer. Praying that He's interceding for you guys and for Joanne tonight and praying those prayers for you.
Asking Him to wrap you all in His big and tender embrace and to wipe away the tears, settling those fears and bringing you peace,
Alicia
Posted by: Alicia | January 12, 2011 at 06:58 PM
PS: One more thing that I pray for is that you don't lose courage, that you don't lose hope, that you don't lose HEART.
When you are utterly shaken and feel yourself coming apart at the seams, know that your Maker stands in the gap with you guys and will never leave you or forsake you.
"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord who has compassion on you." (Isaiah 54:10)
"Nothing can separate us from the love of God." (Even when it feels like He's a million miles apart. He'll never stop loving you guys).
"In this world you will have tribulations but TAKE COURAGE. I have overcome the world." (Jesus--can't remember the verse number, but I remember that verse).
Posted by: Alicia | January 12, 2011 at 07:03 PM
Prayers going up to our Father from Maryland! Philippians 4:7
Posted by: Terri | January 12, 2011 at 07:05 PM
Praying for your whole family. May God hold you in the palms of His hands.
Posted by: Donna | January 12, 2011 at 07:12 PM
Praying for your precious wife.
Posted by: Erin | January 12, 2011 at 07:17 PM
Praying as the Lord brings you all to mind...
Posted by: Leah | January 12, 2011 at 07:22 PM
I found out this news today, I'm so sorry. We are praying for God's graciously and miraculous healing and also strength for your family. Try to get rest if you can.
Posted by: Leah Mick | January 12, 2011 at 07:24 PM
Praying for you and your beautiful family, I hope for the very best outcome possible.
Posted by: Victoria | January 12, 2011 at 07:39 PM
My heart aches for your family...please know that prayers are being sent to our amazing Father by one more person. Our daughter suffered a major stroke when she was four months old, and she is a living miracle and testament to God's hand. He has healed her, and I know He can do the same for Joanne. Continue to speak life over her (Proverbs 18:21). Love and prayers...
Posted by: lindsey | January 12, 2011 at 07:50 PM
I am praying for Joanne as well. I do not know your family but saw the request for prayer for your wife on another blog I read. 5 years ago my husband suffered a severe brain injury in a car accident and I know that the power of prayer, many prayers lifted up across the country from people we did not even know, made such a difference to our family and my husband has miraculously recovered as a result of the prayers of many. I'll be praying.
Posted by: Leah | January 12, 2011 at 07:57 PM
Lord, i know you are worthy of our praise whatever path it is You have for Joanne. we pray to You tonight that it is a path of life and healing. Lord be with her, be her strength. be her family's shelter. be her girl's and her husband's shelter. let them feel Your love ever strong.
Posted by: danielle | January 12, 2011 at 08:07 PM
IM PRAYING HERE IN OHIO! SO SORRY!
Posted by: ANDREA | January 12, 2011 at 08:15 PM
Prayers for all of you!
Posted by: Michelle | January 12, 2011 at 08:18 PM
Praying...
Posted by: Jessica | January 12, 2011 at 08:22 PM
Praying for all of you...
Tricia
Posted by: Tricia | January 12, 2011 at 08:36 PM
praying peace, healing, and restoration over joanne...
...in Jesus' Name
Posted by: Gritandglory | January 12, 2011 at 08:37 PM
Toben,
I am praying for Joanne but I am also very much praying for you. As you lead your wife and girls through this...God will sustain you. My four year old Abby prayed for Joanne at dinner tonight. I explained that your family was the one who prayed for us when our Daddy was sick. I think it really touch my 8 year old. We are praying as are a two churches in Houston.
Posted by: Kimberly | January 12, 2011 at 08:45 PM
i wish I knew something to say other than that my heart goes out to you and I'm praying.
Posted by: dawn | January 12, 2011 at 08:49 PM
Lifting up prayers in California.
Posted by: Keli Gwyn | January 12, 2011 at 08:49 PM
Praying!!!!
Posted by: Megan | January 12, 2011 at 09:03 PM
I read about your wife on Angie's 'Bring the Rain' blog. I have been praying, & trusting the Lord to give you faith, strength, & a peace that only HE can give. Praying that your wife will be restored fully to you, & be a testament of His healing power.
Posted by: Judy | January 12, 2011 at 09:13 PM
Praying fervently for Joanne and your whole family.
Posted by: Alana@A Kiss, A Hug, and A Squeeze | January 12, 2011 at 09:13 PM
"You are radically dependent on God to do something in your life you could never do."
You wrote this in your blog on 1/5/11... how true that has proven to be Joanne. Praying (from Hawaii) for radical healing for you and strength for your husband, precious daughters and parents.
Posted by: Billie | January 12, 2011 at 09:25 PM
Still praying!!
Posted by: Paige | January 12, 2011 at 09:40 PM
Praying for you all and our sweet girl. Lord your will be done on earth as it is in heaven
Posted by: Janine Longoria | January 12, 2011 at 09:48 PM
We will continue to pray without ceasing. Alone, together, as a family, we are begging for HIS healing...
Love, Becky & Charlie Johnson (members of Mission Community)
Posted by: Becky Johnson | January 12, 2011 at 09:51 PM
Praying for you in Denver.
Posted by: sandie posthumus | January 12, 2011 at 09:53 PM
Your wife has been such a blessing and encouragement to me. Praying for healing and for peace and for strength.
Posted by: Betsy | January 12, 2011 at 10:17 PM
praying HARD and OFTEN....for Joanne, for you, for the girls, for family, for close friends, for the doctors and nurses and caregivers...I will continue to lift all of those who are close in this situation in prayer again...HARD and OFTEN.
Posted by: Heather | January 13, 2011 at 04:57 AM
Came to this blog via Living Proof ministries' blog.
On my knees praying here in northwest Ohio for all of you!
Posted by: Vicki L H | January 13, 2011 at 06:48 AM
Prayed since hearing of this, yesteday, during the night, and all morning in NE Ala. Joanne has been an inspiration to me thru her blog! Praying for u too Toben and the girls!
Posted by: Jan Hullett | January 13, 2011 at 08:01 AM
Praying for all of you.
Posted by: Stacey | January 13, 2011 at 09:06 AM
praying!
Posted by: Kristi | January 13, 2011 at 09:56 AM
Praying fervently for Joanne, and for you all from here in Virginia, and spreading the word to our friends and family to pray as well.
Posted by: Joel and Emily Nyquist | January 14, 2011 at 03:55 PM
praying for Joanne to improve and strength for you and your girls
Posted by: Tina | January 23, 2011 at 06:25 PM