We made it through another week. And it was a big week. Joanne started out-patient therapy at Spalding this week. And she did great. It's a lot of work and she has definitely been taking a little nap after she gets home each day, but it is so good for her to be doing this work. As hard as it is, I think she is getting a real sense of satisfaction out of the work she is doing. So we have about a month or so of this out ahead of us and we are hoping for some great results over that time. Joanne will be there three days a week and will have a lot of "homework" to do on the days she isn't at Spalding.
The house is quiet this morning. Joanne is eating breakfast, Audrey is still in bed (and will be until we roust her out) and Emma spent the night with Gran and Papa. These moments are nice. Feels like all is right with the world. We are planning on doing very little today. Joanne and I are going to sit on the deck and have conversation and later we will go to church.
Speaking of conversations, Joanne and I have had some great ones over the last weeks. I think before the stroke, even though we made some time for it, we rarely slowed down enough to have a good, long, heartfelt conversation. We did have our "morning meeting" for half an hour every morning, but now we sit and talk longer because to put it bluntly, there isn't too much else to do. Many of the activities of life have been stripped away and the list of things that we can do is pretty short. We try to add a thing here and there to the list of stuff we can do but at this point sitting and talking is at the top.
I guess that leads to a discussion on pace of life. Joanne is busy at therapy again, and even when home health care was coming in she had a few things on the calendar, but weekends are much more open. Aside from church, and Sunday supper with the family at Gran and Papa's there isn't much if anything on the calendar. Forces us to rest a little and to focus on each other. I like the opportunity to do that.
The other big adventure this weekend is that Joanne is going to see Audrey's hair stylist Jlynn. Jlynn has a special place in our hearts because she has been very kind to Audrey. She lost her dad when she was young and that has given her a sense of compassion that pours out over Audrey and means the world to me. Plus she makes Audrey look super cool. Her latest haircut is the best yet. We'll have to get some pictures taken. I call it her "punk princess" look. Anyhow, Jlynn said she would love to gift Joanne a cut so tomorrow we are giving it a shot. Can't wait to see what she does. I'll make sure we get some photos and maybe get them posted up over on Kristen's blog.
Next week at work is going to be pretty crazy so I am going to bask in the slowness of our pace this weekend. I am going to invest in Joanne and the girls. I am going to have conversations and think thoughts. And I may sneak in a nap.
Prayer requests:
1. Pray that Joanne ankle/leg responds to therapy. To be specific, we need to get Joanne's heel on the ground. Right now she is walking on the toes of her left leg and it forces her ankle to do all sorts of crazy stuff. So that's a big focus of the therapy.
2. We have a new AFO (ankle foot orthotic) coming this week. Please pray that if fits well, and is comfortable and gets the job done in helping Joanne straighten out that foot and ankle.
3. Clarity and unity for the family. We have some big decision to make about Joanne's care/therapy/treatment after she is done at Spalding.
Toben
Continuing to bathe you all in prayer. Enjoy your weekend to the fullest... drink in every moment. :)
Posted by: Heather C | July 16, 2011 at 09:20 AM
Enjoy the weekend and I will as always continue to pray.
Posted by: Slchapin | July 16, 2011 at 09:26 AM
I am so glad you both are finding those special moments to have conversations together. I have four boys and our world is so fast paced that there are days I can't wait for the kids to grow up and move on. Then I think of how special this time is and decide to wait patiently.
I'm glad therapy is going well. I am praying all the time for Joanne to get well. I'm sure it is tough for her to just sit all the time.
As for Audrey's hair....Kristen posted pictures on her blog already and I LOVE IT!!!!! She needs to be a model. Audrey can pull off any outfit and hair style. I can't wait to see what Jlynn does to Joanne's hair.
Have a great day and enjoy the rest & relaxation!!!
Posted by: Kimberly S. | July 16, 2011 at 09:31 AM
Thanks for continuing to allow us such honest access to your family. I have not posted a comment in quite some time but continue to pray daily for Joanne's healing and for you, the girls, and your extended family. I will add these requests to my list.
Still praying in Las Vegas!
Posted by: Carol | July 16, 2011 at 01:56 PM
So glad that you are taking the time to connect and communicate. We are continuing to pray for you "continually and in all matters".
Peace,
Kim Feth
A Siesta
Apex, NC
Posted by: Kim Feth | July 16, 2011 at 06:34 PM
Thanks for continuing updates on Joanne and the family. I am, along with all the others, still praying for you all. It certainly helps us focus on what to pray for.
Posted by: Patti | July 17, 2011 at 08:28 AM
Thank you Toben for this post. To hear of the slower pace and the fruit of quiet time together, the emphasis from 'doing' to 'being' is a beautiful picture to all of us. We get busy, even with ministry and good works, and we can miss the necessity of communion with the Lord and each other. I appreciate your openness to share, and your faith that God is using this suffering to impact many in ways you may never know.
We are blessed to be a part of your lives.
Kathy in Idaho
Posted by: Kathy Rivera | July 17, 2011 at 03:19 PM
Our Prayers are still with you all. It's good to hear that you two are able to have some quiet time together, that's a gift that no one else can give you but our awesome God. It warms my heart to see the recognition you have in seeing what He is doing. I'm sure it's not all perfect but you see it with an open heart!
Love & blessings, Bobbie
Posted by: Bobbie | July 17, 2011 at 04:00 PM
So glad to hear you and Joanne are having some good conversations. Re-hab sounds like it is going well and I got to see a sweet pic on twitter of the new gym that is up for Joanne. Looks great!
Always praying for you Joanne and will be focusing on these new requests.
God Bless,
<><
Posted by: Child of God | July 17, 2011 at 07:49 PM
I am not in any way saying Joanne's ordeal is a blessing in disguise, but what a lovely thing to find the joy in it. To find a calmness that maybe wouldn't have been found a year ago. I think you are amazing, as is Joanne, to keep going with a positive attitude.
Our family continues to pray for yours.
Adam and Lisa Brooks
Posted by: Lisa Brooks | July 18, 2011 at 04:30 PM
I understand better than most what Joanne is going through. I had a stroke on February 2, 2010. I have come along way but its a long process and there is still improvements to be made. I hope your AFO arrives and fits mine made a huge difference right away in my walking. I'm trying to strength my leg to learn to walk without it. I can a little but its hard. If you have any questions or want to talk to someone who has gone through a stroke at a younger than average age, I was only 25, email me at kancell24@gmail.com. Take care.
Karissa
Posted by: karissa | July 18, 2011 at 10:08 PM
Thank you Toben for this post. Cannot wait to see the picture's off joanne new hair cut. Nice to hear you have good conversation white Joanne.
Blessings
Posted by: Eveline from the Netherlands! | July 19, 2011 at 01:45 AM
Praying!
Posted by: Adrienne | July 20, 2011 at 12:28 PM
My son suffered a brain injury at five months (and is now 13) in a car accident, on the right side, and has nearly identical issues to Joanne, plus some. Joanne's walking on the toe - my son was doing that, too. We got Botox injections a few times over the years to relax the muscles in the leg and foot which helped, but this year it was worse than ever, so Shriner's Children's Hospital did surgery. They cut into the inside (arch) of his foot and stretched/lengthened and/or cut the tendon. Combined with a cast on his foot for three months to further stretch the muscles, he is now walking flat-footed and can wear his orthotic comfortably. It really changed the way he walks from his back on down. Just thought I'd mention these ideas.
Posted by: samantha | July 20, 2011 at 11:08 PM
I pray your next post includes a wonderful progress report of noted improvement in these areas.
Posted by: Kathy C. | July 21, 2011 at 04:01 PM
Our family is lifting yours up in prayer! Praying for healing, joy and peace for every family member.
Posted by: kristi walker | July 22, 2011 at 10:08 AM
My son has cerebral palsy and walks on his toes on his left foot. He has botox injections that have really helped. I'm not sure if this is an option for you or not. Praying for you! Take care :)
Posted by: Lisa Gibbons | July 25, 2011 at 08:45 AM