I don't care how long a live or whatever else has to happen with Joanne's medical issues but I will never get used to or be OK with her being wheeled away to surgery. It is just a horrible feeling. I want to go with her and be there until she is totally out. Today they gave her a whopper of a sedative before wheeling her away and she was starting to fade, but I just imagine that ride form the pre-op to the operating room must be very lonely and frightening.
Gran and my mom and I spent the couple of hours with Joanne before she went in. We tried to keep the conversation light and we prayed with her. Apparently the ambulance ride was tough and Joanne is so scared that her nerves were totally shot and she felt nauseated. But through it all she has maintained her sense of humor. May be a way of coping with the stress but it is good to see her smile even in the midst of all that's going on.
So now we wait. the surgery is about three hours and then she'll be in post-op for a couple of hours. Then she'll be back in the ICU. I found John (our favorite nurse) and it looks like he will be the one taking care of Joanne today. How cool is that!
I'll update after I get to see her.
Toben
God provides the very best for His children. John is there which is a direct answer to prayer. I'll keep praying throughout the day.
Posted by: Wilma Hatcher | March 24, 2011 at 11:16 AM
Praying!
Posted by: asnipofgoodness | March 24, 2011 at 11:17 AM
I'm waiting and praying with you, Toben!
Posted by: adele | March 24, 2011 at 11:18 AM
still praying in NC! Believing God with you for Great things!
Posted by: sue | March 24, 2011 at 11:27 AM
Thank you, Toben, for taking time to update us! I'll be praying, too... I think this is a good day to put my charm bracelet on! :)
Posted by: Patty Mullins | March 24, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Praying for the best possible outcomes! You are all in my thoughts.
Tricia Hicks
Posted by: Tricia | March 24, 2011 at 11:33 AM
Praying in TN...waiting with you..
Posted by: Mary Lou | March 24, 2011 at 11:35 AM
Praying!!!
Posted by: Amy | March 24, 2011 at 11:36 AM
THinking of you and praying for a best possible outcome and speedy recovery. Yay for those godsend nurses!...
Posted by: karen | March 24, 2011 at 11:38 AM
PRAYED THIS MORNING AND WILL PRAY AGAIN NOW!
THANK YOU FOR UPDATING! I LOVE THAT JOHN WILL BE TAKING CARE OF HER!!
Posted by: ANDREA | March 24, 2011 at 11:42 AM
Toben - Praying in Ontario Canada... Looking forward to an update.
Posted by: Janna | March 24, 2011 at 11:42 AM
Waiting with you, Toben.And praying to our Father in Heaven for Joanne. Peace.
Posted by: Maribeth | March 24, 2011 at 11:50 AM
Thanks for the update, Toben. J's been on my heart all morning.
Posted by: miss chris | March 24, 2011 at 11:59 AM
Praying! I inquired of nurses I work with re the recovery/rehab improvement followimg the brain flap surgery. I was advised it stabilizes the brain pressure again. Without it, the brain pressure fluctuates with the outside & environmental factors (e.g. weather!). Once the brain flap is restored, her brain pressure restores, & the brain can function more on target! Waiting for more miracles!!
Posted by: Susan in COS | March 24, 2011 at 12:02 PM
Going to sleep praying for you ( I'm a night shift nurse). Glad to see this update before I go.
Posted by: Marena Sheffield | March 24, 2011 at 12:12 PM
from the old song..."Jesus, Jesus, How I trust thee..."
Praying in Sugar Land, TX
Posted by: Lana | March 24, 2011 at 12:13 PM
I woke up at 5am (I usually don't ever get up that early)started praying for Joanne. Anxiously awaiting news. Remember all the miracles so far! What an amazing journey!
Posted by: Sandi in MN | March 24, 2011 at 12:19 PM
Praying all morning & last night.Thanks for updating it means a lot to all of us I can see. Joanne is a might woman of God & He is with her. <3 & prayers from So Cali.
Posted by: Rayleine Chagoya | March 24, 2011 at 12:25 PM
Dear Toben,
Thank you so much for the continuous updates! Please know all of you are in my thoughts and prayers daily!!
Praying, praying, praying for Joanne and waiting anxiously to hear how she's doing.
Blessings from Cypress, TX
Posted by: Lynn | March 24, 2011 at 12:31 PM
Praying and praying...I see you have tons of prayer cover! :)
Praying,
<><
Posted by: Child of God | March 24, 2011 at 12:39 PM
I am so glad they gave her a sedative. That had to have helped! Oh man - I even looked up MST to know when that would be compared to my CST. My sister and I have been emailing each other here in Alabama to remind each other of the surgery. I can relate to that extreme surgery fear - only mine was for something happy and healthy - a C-Section where I would be awake with an epidural. I trusted God - but still the physical fear - whoa. I loved the sedative that relaxed me.
I was out of the house biggest part of the day and was so glad to get this update. Praying for everything after this to be fearless for her - and as much comfortableness as possible. Ya'll are warriors - huge encouragement to the body of Christ.
Posted by: Elizabeth Rhodes | March 24, 2011 at 01:05 PM
Have been praying about this all week.
Posted by: Amy M. Fry | March 24, 2011 at 01:16 PM
Been thinking about you today!!! Hope all is going according to the "plan". :>) Sending prayers your way!!
Posted by: Michelle Silliman | March 24, 2011 at 01:24 PM
praying in colorado...how awesome that John is there! laura
Posted by: laura | March 24, 2011 at 01:41 PM
Following, praying, waiting with you throughout the night and morning. Good idea about wearing a charm bracelet and great information in a comment about the benefit of getting the flap back in place. (Susan 12:02 p.m.)
I keep seeing God's sheltering hand over all.
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." I Peter 5: 6-7
Blessings from the Seattle area!
Posted by: Michal | March 24, 2011 at 01:43 PM
I was thinking a little bit ago how hard this day was going to be for you Toben. To have seen so much progress and then see Joanne being wheeled away and trusting that the doctors will bring her back to you better than before. The overwhelming emotions and memories that it must bring back. I have been praying specifically for you today as well as Joanne. It hurts my heart that you have to go through this today but we all know that God is taking care of your girl and that this will be a huge step in Joanne's recovery. A sense of humor is certainly a way to cope and its a good one. It has carried me through many hard days. I am so glad that Joanne still has hers, it will definitely help her through these times.
God bless you all today. My thoughts and prayers are constant today.
Posted by: Sandy Chapin | March 24, 2011 at 01:50 PM
Can't wait to hear about her opening those brown eyes and seeing you there! Whole different scenario this time! Praising the Lord for answered prayers!
Posted by: Beth Petty | March 24, 2011 at 02:24 PM
Thanks for keeping us informed! It helps to be reminded to pray continuously.
Posted by: Patti | March 24, 2011 at 02:34 PM
I've been praying specially for this procedure and you all and her Doctors, nurses and staff all throughout the day today. (and I'm 5 hours ahead of you)
I know it felt like she was lonely being wheeled away, but whenever it's one you mind, picture God holding her hand, looking into her eyes, talking her through it. He's in charge!
Posted by: Chris L-B | March 24, 2011 at 02:45 PM
Praying continuously in all matters!
Peace,
Kim Feth
Apex, NC
Posted by: Kim Feth | March 24, 2011 at 03:01 PM
Praying for Joanne for calm, and for a covering over the surgeons decisions and skills. God's got her. Go outside and look up :)
Posted by: Seaweedandraine | March 24, 2011 at 03:03 PM
Love, blessing, healing and peace to you all. Praying for Joanne, for successful surgery, speedy recovery and for rest for all of you.
The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
Lynn
Posted by: Penbleth | March 24, 2011 at 03:08 PM
Love and peace to you and your tribe. Blessings
Posted by: Chip Shepherd | March 24, 2011 at 03:58 PM
Great news that John is there. I've been praying specifically for Joanne's caregivers. Praying for good pain control and that she will be as comfortable as possible. It will be so good to have this surgery behind her. Thanks for taking time to update us.
Posted by: Kim Mc | March 24, 2011 at 05:09 PM
Praying!
Posted by: Theresa Roach | March 24, 2011 at 06:59 PM
Praying from Tifton, GA. Joanne has been on my thoughts and in my prayers. I pray that everything went well and that her healing is quick. She has a lot of people praying for her as well as you and the the girls.
Posted by: LeiAnn | March 24, 2011 at 07:55 PM
The tweet from Joanne has me crying.
Think it might be time for the blog to be called "The Miracle Wife"!!!!!
Praising to read the tweet from J and that the surgery is in the past. Onward!
Posted by: merlin | March 24, 2011 at 08:24 PM
Joanne and Toben, I pray for you both every day. Today was just a bit more exciting! I can't wait to hear how it all has gone. Thinking of you so often, Joanne.
Posted by: Jane | March 24, 2011 at 08:32 PM
A Tweet from Joanne! I wasn't expecting to see that until at least tomorrow! You absolutely amaze me Joanne! Watching the miracles He is working in you and your life has left me completely stunned!
Posted by: Tammy | March 24, 2011 at 09:12 PM
Praying here in northern California. -Stefie
Posted by: Stefie from Northern California | March 24, 2011 at 10:19 PM
Praying for your sweet wife Toben...you too!!! I know you already know that God knew this day was going to happen while Joanne was being created. He is right there with her and you. I love to hear the miracles everyday.
Posted by: Ginny | March 25, 2011 at 08:16 AM
Praying in Ky. Hope the surgery went well. Praying for all of you.
Posted by: sarah | March 25, 2011 at 08:37 AM
Came on this morning to see what the news was.....praying, praying ,praying!
Posted by: Mary | March 25, 2011 at 09:07 AM
OK- getting a little nervous!! Where is the update?? Praying all went well!!!
Posted by: Michelle Silliman | March 25, 2011 at 09:42 AM
praying for you all! Sure hope all is ok
Posted by: HomemakerAng | March 25, 2011 at 10:05 AM
Those looking for an update can see the small one on Toben's Twitter:
http://twitter.com/#!/tobenheim
Posted by: Rachel | March 25, 2011 at 01:40 PM
Thank you Rachel. Was fearing something bad might have happened.
Posted by: Marena Sheffield | March 25, 2011 at 02:55 PM
Checking to read any updates. Praying that all is well and for a restful weekend.
Posted by: sue | March 26, 2011 at 12:12 AM
Thanks for posting Toben's Twitter link. I've been looking for updates every few hours and was so glad to read that all is well. God has been busy hearing all our prayers. Sending much love...
Posted by: Kathy (on Long Island) | March 26, 2011 at 03:49 AM
Wow was I getting concerned. Thanks for the twitter link. Way too many technology communications. To God be the Glory.
Posted by: Lisa Curtis | March 26, 2011 at 05:23 AM
I am reminded of a little song we used to sing...Expect a Miracle when u Pray Expect a Miracle everyday...for when u expect it God WILL find away to perform a Miracle...for you each day.
Continuing to Pray and Thank God for those Miracles.
Lots of Love
Posted by: Ruthy :o) | March 26, 2011 at 09:26 AM
Glad the surgery went well, Praying for all of you.
Blessings
Posted by: Erika | March 26, 2011 at 03:56 PM