Joanne brushed her teeth today with the help of Gale, her OT. Gale held up the tooth brush and asked Joanne if she knew what it was and what to do with it. Joanne was able to get a grip on it and moved it to her mouth, She was able to move it back and forth just enough for us to see that she knew what she was supposed to do. That was pretty cool. She did all the rest of her exercises and then got to go back to bed, where she soundly slept most of the rest of the day. Gale says that even the smallest moves and excercises are exhausting to her.
Kristen was in for a number of hours and it was nice to sit and visit with her. She brought along the cards that so many have sent to her house and a hole-punch and put as many cards as she could on a ring so that they will be easy to read to Joanne at her bedside. I feel fortunate that our family enjoys each others company--otherwise those would be some long, awkward hours spent together. But our conversation is easy.
To be honest we spend a lot of our time attending to Joanne. Yes, there are times where we sit and talk, do email, update twitter, etc. But a lot of time is taken up just taking care to make sure that Joanne is comfortable. We check her temperature: cold feet gets socks, cold legs gets an extra blanket. We position her head frequently so that her neck doesn't get stiff. We arrange pillows and try to keep her from lying in one position for too long (the nurses do that too). We bother the nurses to do this and that. And we talk to her most a lot while this is going on. It is sort of like a running narrative. Joanne doesn't respond other then cracking the occasional smile, but we have been told that she can hear us and understands what's going on around her. So we keep the conversation going.
Of course the nurses, techs and therapists do the same thing, always explaining to Joanne what they are doing with her or what they need her to do. So we are following their model.
One tough thing: the hospital is pretty far from the house. On a good day it's about half an hour away. Today in traffic it took me and hour and a half. It took Gran over two hours last night. I am hopeful that when Joanne goes to rehab it'll be closer by. It was great at Littleton to just hop in the car and be there in ten minutes. Made things a little more flexible. But heading to the LTAC is a commitment! We are committed to being with Joanne all day every day if at all possible, leaving her alone only at night to get her sleep.
Heard from a friend of a stroke survivor that having people around was a huge part of her recovery so even though she sleeps through most of our time there, it's still good and right for us to be with her. I honestly wish it was easier to spend the night at the hospital (Gran is the only one who has done it so far). When she is more alert, and if they chart that she is awake much in the night, I suspect that I'll pull a few over-night visits. I just hate the thought of her being awake and alone.
Tomorrow is her one week anniversary of moving to LTAC. I'll blog more about htat tomorrow.
Prayer request:
There is just one: that Joanne would be awake and alert during some of the day and that she would rest well at night. If she perks up a little will make the therapists jobs easier and she will be able to progress a little faster. But she also needs peaceful sleep--it would just be nice if she waited for the sun to go down before zonking out! Of course every patient is different and she is doing what her body requires right now. This is all going to happen in God's timing.
Toben
P.S. The TobyMac show with Audrey was a lot of fun.
So thankful for the updates and still praying. Of course he was! Toby Mac is often awesome:)
Posted by: rhonda | February 04, 2011 at 08:00 PM
Thank you for sharing what your days are like and the specific prayer requests. Still praying in Southern California.
Posted by: Karene | February 04, 2011 at 08:03 PM
She always did like to go to bed early! :)
Posted by: Kimberly | February 04, 2011 at 08:03 PM
You tell that sweet Jo that I'm just grinning from ear to ear over her!!!! He is going to show us step by step just how amazing it is to see her restored!!!
((((hugs))) from TN!
Fran
Posted by: Fran | February 04, 2011 at 08:11 PM
Praying for all of you, this Friday night, Toben. So happy to read of Joanne's OT and the toothbrush....what a great sign of things to come. I hope that you have a little down time this weekend. This past week has been a lot of adjustments for all of you with Joanne being in her new place. Her entire family has shown their love and commitment in huge ways. Be sure you take care of yourselves a long the way. Joanne needs all of y'all in top form in her marathon, too. Prayers and blessings sent from Atlanta...Lisa Walker
Posted by: lisa walker | February 04, 2011 at 08:12 PM
My dad had the same kind of stroke and he had his nights and days mixed up for a while. It will all work out and yes it does take time. Sounds like she is doing so well. We are praying for her so often in our house. Much love to y'all, leigh
Posted by: Leigh gray | February 04, 2011 at 08:37 PM
A friend of mine had a stroke 30 years ago. She is still my friend. Took her some time to get there, lots of love, and a wonderful husband that still stands beside her. Thank you for updating everyday. I have read her blog for a couple of years now, feels like I know all of you through her.
Posted by: Annie | February 04, 2011 at 08:47 PM
Continuing in prayer in Mississippi.
Posted by: Betsy | February 04, 2011 at 09:16 PM
my 5 year old daughter was saying her prayers tonight and on her own prayed for Joanne's healing. Peace be with you all!
Posted by: Dawn | February 04, 2011 at 09:17 PM
I wish Ohio and Colorado weren't so far apart. :( I'd love to come sit and chat with my friend. I love you, girl!
Posted by: Marla Taviano | February 04, 2011 at 09:21 PM
Praying on, Toben. Thanks for the updates. You're doing such an amazing job caring for her. I hope you're able to tak just a little time for yourself, too. Probably a near-impossible task. Praying for your rest and respite, Joanne's rest, and total healing, and for rest and joy within your family.
Posted by: gretchen | February 04, 2011 at 09:30 PM
Still praying here in Mesa!!
What a great update!! I just got done watching Beth Moore on Life Today, from Wednesday!! She was talking about Faith, Focus, Fire and Finish!!! It goes along with Joannes recovery!! We all have the Faith that Joanne will have a complete recovery! Joanne has the Faith and Focus and along with the Holy Spirit, she is on her way to a miraculous Finish!!!
Thank You Jesus!!
My Faith is growing with every awesome update I read!!! Thank You!!
Posted by: Colette | February 04, 2011 at 10:10 PM
Thank you so much Toben for continuing to update on Joanne's progress and specific prayer requests. Praising and praying!
Posted by: Sharon - Ontario Canada | February 04, 2011 at 10:27 PM
I am always thankful for your updates! I remember when a loved one of mine was in the hospital for quite sometime....and how we, as a family, took turns to be by his side. Joanne is truly surrounded by love at all times and this will help in her recovery process. I, too hope you are able to have rest this weekend.
Blessings to you and your family
Praying in Redlands, Ca.
Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer | February 04, 2011 at 10:36 PM
I'm so glad Audrey & you had a nice time.My heart & prayers are still ongoing & will be until Joanne has had a full recovery.The Lord Bless you(Joanne) & keep you(Joanne) The Lord make His face shine upon you(Joanne) & be gracious to you(Joanne)the Lord turn His face toward you(Joanne) & give you(Toben & family) peace.Numbers6:24-26
Prayerfully, Rayleine, West Covina,CA
Posted by: Rayleine Chagoya | February 05, 2011 at 12:59 AM
We continue to pray for your beloved, for you and your whole family, check for updates every day. Thank you for sharing your life with us ~ it has been a powerful testimony to us and countless others! Know that we love you, as God's family does, and are committed to praying for your family!
Posted by: Katie Zimmerman | February 05, 2011 at 04:11 AM
Good early morning. The Lord prompted me awake bright and early to pray. The prayer that he prompted is that you and your girls be so wrapped up in the arms of our Lord that you know with absolute certainty that your needs are fulfilled and that you are being completely provided for through Him. May God shine mightily through you, His people, and may you know how much you are loved by your brothers and sisters near and far.
Posted by: Megan, Calgary | February 05, 2011 at 05:05 AM
This morning in thinking of you's I re wrote surrounded....
Surrounded by a Gr8 cloud of witnesses wow!Surrounded by His love,Knowing He is caring and watching from above.
Surrounded by family, surrounded by friends, surrounded by staff,
surrounded by mercy surrounded by kindness.
The decoration of the room is rfeshing & lovely driving away all gloom.
Surrounded by the goodnessOf our all loving God,So full of tenderness so full of grace.
Knowing He is so interested
in us the Human-race.
As I Pray for you'd today I THANK God for You's Your testomany is shining and gloryfying Him.
Posted by: lots of love n hugs Ruthy :o) | February 05, 2011 at 05:41 AM
How wonderful to hear how well Joanne is doing! I'm smiling! It's a long road, Toben, and I know that you all will make it with the help and love of the Lord and all those praying!
Please tell Joanne that we all send out love to her!~
Posted by: Maribeth | February 05, 2011 at 06:00 AM
I'm so excited about the progress Joanne's making and am continuing to pray for God's strength and healing. May He sustain you all!
Posted by: Anuja | February 05, 2011 at 06:18 AM
Such great news to read of Joanne's progress. I remembered her saying that she does the reverse sleeping in.....going to bed early. I laughed when she said that because I'm the same way. Toben, I appreciate how you share your specific requests for your family's needs. It makes her progress more real for the rest of us. Continued prayers from Arizona. Be Blessed!
Posted by: Christine H. | February 05, 2011 at 07:25 AM
Praying for maybe a little more wakefulness today, and a deep sleep tonight. Y'all are loved. :)
Posted by: Heather Clement | February 05, 2011 at 08:18 AM
California prayer partner checking in! Thrilled with all the good news and encouraged to keep praying. My goodness, what a story she will tell when this is over. Thank you for your updates!
Posted by: Ginny | February 05, 2011 at 09:21 AM
Toben, thank you for your updates and a glimpse into J's recovery progress. She is still moving forward and will do so until the marathon is completed!!
Still praying in Hurst, TX.
Posted by: aTXtumbleweed | February 05, 2011 at 09:27 AM
Praising God for Joanne's progress and still praying for a miracle. Thank you for keeping us updated.
Posted by: Carol | February 05, 2011 at 09:55 AM
Our homeschool group has been praying for Joanne, and we'll continue to pray. I wanted to recommend a book that I read recently about the brain. "The Brain that Changes itself" by Norman Doidge, M.D. This book shares new studies on how "plastic" and "changeable" the brain is, and I think you'd find it encouraging as well as helpful as Joanne re-learns things. You can read reviews on Amazon-- there is a chapter specific to stroke victims--You just need to get this book!
Posted by: Dawn | February 05, 2011 at 10:56 AM
Will be praying her early to bed early to rise will soon resurface. I understand the long drive to visit a spouse in the hospital. I had 45 min w/o traffic in Houston. I will pray for endurance for you and the family...also a rehab hospital that is closer to home.
Posted by: Kimberly | February 05, 2011 at 02:32 PM
Lifting you up in prayer today Joanne, so thankful to hear you are progessing toward Complete Healing. Prayer warrior in Bryan, Tx
Posted by: yanna westmoreland | February 05, 2011 at 03:20 PM
I too have had a stroke. I don't remember a lot of things ,only what God needs me to know. Joanne keep using that Wii, it really helped me. God Bless You All
Posted by: Joy | February 07, 2011 at 01:29 PM