One Last Surgery (Joanne)

On Dec 5th, at 11:50 AM I will be having one final surgery.  This time on my ankle.  Despite doing all the exercises my physical therapist has recommended and wearing the JAZ torture device for 1-½ hours every day I have made zero progress in getting my left heel to touch the ground.  So the orthopedic surgeon has said surgery is my option.  He will surgically lengthen my Achilles tendon.  After surgery, I will be in a cast for a minimum of 6 weeks, unable to walk on it at all. 

The surgery is a guaranteed fix to the problem.  Yet it feels like going backwards to me.  I will be less mobile than I have been in months, and I am expecting that it will hurt.  My hope is that when the cast does come off my left heel will touch the ground and I will be able to make some leaps in progress, learning to walk normally and without a cane.  That’s all I know for now.  I have been told not to look up details about the surgery on the Internet, so my assumption is that it’s gross.  (If you look it up, do not tell me what you find!)  I don’t want to know.  I keep telling myself that it’s not brain surgery so I can handle it with no problem ☺.  But I am nervous.  ☹

In other news, I am still going to acupuncture twice a week.  I do not love it, and am scared each time I go.  But we are seeing some results.  I can squeeze my left hand and move my left arm a very short distance!  Each week Dr. Fan tells me what a great doctor he is, and that he amazes even himself!  Good for him, but I do take some of the credit.  Of course, all the credit goes to God – and to you also for your continued prayers.  THANK YOU.  When I cannot sleep at night, I squeeze my hand and move my arm while I watch my minutes tick by on the clock as I long for morning. 

I really miss my shoes.  The esthetics I have to wear each day are super ugly.  Surgery will bring me one step closer to wearing them again.  So I’m keeping that in mind as I think about surgery.  Shoes are my silver lining. 

This past Saturday, a couple of friends and I went to see Swan Lake at the ballet.  We have tickets for the season.  It was fun to get out and do something “normal”, even if I had to wear ugly shoes to do it.  At the end of November, we will be going to see the Nutcracker – and Peter Pan is coming in February. 

In general, our family is doing fairly well, though we are getting weary.  I plan to use my six weeks of immobility to become adept at one-handed typing.  I miss blogging and all of you!  Thank you for praying for my family. 

With love,
Joanne

P.S.  A BIG thank you to Dad for being my typist today.  He is retiring again on Friday and will be my daily companion and chauffeur for a while.  He comes almost every day to help me with my leg exercises and to read to me – which

Comments

[Corinna Hunter]

I haven't met you or any of your family but I have come to love and pray for all of you during this new way of living... And your Dad is just amazing, as is Toban, for keeping us updated, helping with your blog. I love seeing your comments on facebook and LOVE the pic of you and the 2 ladies who went with you to see Swan Lake. What a great night that was for all of you! Just to let you know again, I pray for you all the time, and it helps so much to know what to pray specifically for. May God continue to bless your socks off! ;~D Love, Corinna

[Carla]

JoAnne -

I have had three ankle surgeries and would highly recommend that you look into to renting a Roll-a-bout from Roll-a-bout.com. I was off my feet anywhere from 2-6 weeks with each surgery and the rollabout offered me so much more mobility and freedom than crutches. It is worth every penny!

Also, do not get discouraged after the surgery. I found that the healing time took longer than expected each time. Give yourself the permission to stay off of it as much as possible so it can heal.

Prayers to you!

[Rebbeca]

Hi Joanne-

I've never commented before, but I've been reading your blog for some time. I just wanted to encourage you - as a result of premature birth and a mild case of cerebral palsy I've had my left achilles tendon lengthened twice in my life. Once as a child, and once as an adult when I'd stopped growing! It really does make a WORLD of difference and honestly, of all the surgeries and therapies you've been doing - this will seem like nothing (at least it did for me)! Especially once the cast comes off - it's back to the PT exercises but this time they come with FLEXIBILITY of the ankle. Praise the LORD! I'll be praying for you and your family as you transition to a less mobile time - and praising with you in the new life (and new shoes) this will bring! :)

[r.elliott]

It seems like every time I am thinking...wow I sure would like to hear how they are doing...and how I can pray more effectively...a post comes...I can't imagine the endurance it takes each day...I am praying for you and your family daily...I know God has raised other "strangers' to hold you before the throne of Grace and Mercy. I hope you feel God's love for you...to know that God comes and asks people who have never met you to pray for you daily...
Your dad is amazing...
Blessings and prayers to your family...

[Holly Smith]

I am SO very proud of you--you are a fighter and never give up!! I love you, Joanne! you are so dear to my heart. I cannot wait to spend time together again soon!!

[Kathy Dublin]

Joanne, I've been following your blog since the stroke - and celebrating your progress all these months. Will continue to pray for you to have strength, peace & rest in the weeks to come. Blessings from S.C. Kathy Dublin

[Ann]

JoAnne I know that surgery seems like going backwards but in order to walk with a normal gait ya have to have a heel strike. Your heel has to come in contact with the ground 1st. Think of it as being proactive than reactive. I know it is easy for me to say cause I am not the one going through the surgery . But with what you explained , you have a very GREAT Ortho doc..... I will be praying for continued healing. So glad that there is movement in your Left arm and hand now... Thats AWESOME .... Keep up the GREAT work we are all rooting for you .... Love ya Ann Doucette

[Julie (Johnson) Powell]

Love it that Dr. Fan is so pleased with himself! Thanks be to God for the reawakening of those left arm nerves. Glad to pray with you through this surgery, asking indeed for quick healing, freedom from pain and the possibility of cute shoes. I'm hoping for cute shoes when I get to Heaven, having been blessed with the world's ugliest feet. Ain't no surgery can fix these!

Love it, too, that your Dad is 'retiring again'. Your family continues to bless me across all these years and miles :-) What a great ministry your parents live.

Love to you, mon amie, and prayers for your peace of heart, mind and body, through Him Who alone gives peace.

[linda]

I've been away from the blog for a bit-since about the time Pumpkin came home (yay!) But you popped into my mind yesterday with this little thought, this is part of the reason why it is so important to have a simple life.The way you were choosing to live helped prepare you to go through this very complicated recovery...

I love you, Joanne. Blessed sleep. Perfect peace. Simple faith. And a bright tommorow!

[creative_chick]

It's so good to hear from you, and to know how to pray. Encouraging news about your left arm! God bless every member of your family, even the furry ones. :-)

Ask your regular physician & Dr. Fan what they think about using Lidocaine (a topical anesthetic) during Acupuncture. It could help a LOT.

[kimber fenili]

You and your family are in my every prayer. I know that you are afraid of the surgery and immobility it will cause for a short while. My daughter had the same surgery after her AVM and brain surgery and is doing well. She is currently working out 3 times a week with a trainer ~ much different than PT but so worth while! Her stamina has greatly improved. I've shared with her your accupuncture and we both know how brave you are to do this twice a week. Keep up the good work and keep the faith that our Lord is with you always.

[Rayleine Chagoya]

Hi Joanne,
My prayer for you is that this surgery will bring your heel right back to where it belongs & you can dance all over the house with Toben & your girls.I found your website just before your stroke & fell instantly in. Blessings to you all from our heavenly Father.
Love from Rayleine in southern california

[Seaweedandraine]

Jo it's wonderful to hear from you! And hearing how you are progressing is nothing short of amazing. Pray against the fear. Remember that perfect love drives out fear - and the only one that is perfect is God. :) Ask for His indwelling daily, and expect the miraculous. :) God loves surprises, and He loves you.
Blessings to your household.
Sheree (in Sydney). xo

[Jennifer]

Hi Joanne,

I am relatively new to your blog, but I read your book, "Living Simply", a couple of years ago. After visiting your blog several weeks ago and learning that you had a stroke, I have been praying for you. God will comfort you, strengthen you, carry you, and guide you through and in this time.

Love in Christ,

Jen

[Deidra]

I pray the Lord's continued healing for your body. You are a picture of courage and strength. God bless you and your family.

[Kristy Hunt]

Joanne, I continue to pray for you and for a complete healing in your body. I can't imagine how discouraging all these months of continued trialsmust feel , but I praise God for the continued measures he takes daily to sustain you. As our family recently began a new season of trials, God laid these verses on my heart... so I thought that I might share them with you.

1 Peter 2:19-21 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

You are dearly loved and prayed for friend!!
Love, Kristy Hunt

[Colette]

You can count on me for prayers! I will show this uodate to my church too and they will all be praying too! Remember, Psalm 18:32
" It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect!". He is making your way perfect!!! Thank you Jesus!!

[Child of God]

Hi Joanne,
So nice to hear from you!!!!! Praying for you always and will be including this up coming surgery. This is a tough journey but, as you know, you are not on it alone.

Glad to hear that there is progress. My friend tore her Achilles tendons and had surgery to repair them. It took a bit to heal but she is back running again and they don't bother her one bit.

Praying and praying,
<><

[Jen]

Hi Joanne,

I love when you post on your blog....it is like being reconnected with a dear friend (even though we have never met in person) I do feel like I know you :)

I will continue to pray. God put me on your heart yesterday and then today when I checked my email....there was a new post from you.

Much love and blessings

Jen Medeiros

[julie]

Great to see a post from you, Joanne! Continuing to pray for beautiful you... and your beautiful family!

[Kathryn Champion]

Hi Joanne :)

I will certainly continue praying for you and I just put a reminder in my phone to be in extra prayer for you on the day of your surgery. I hope you liked the little Christmas ornament that I sent to you by Holly. It was totally a God-thing - I did not go in looking for anything for anyone. I was just walking around and all of a sudden I saw the ornament right in front of me with your name on it - I KNEW I was supposed to send it to you. (Of course, I also then got one for Holly - lol)

I hope I do get to meet you one day here on this earth, but even if I never do, I'm sure I'll see you in Heaven one day :)

Love and prayers as always,
Kathryn

[Andrea]

Dear Joanne,

I don't know you and chances are will never see you this side of heaven, but even with one arm and one leg you have inspired me so much. You are such an amazing person person, when I first heard of a 38 year old mom having a stroke, I was filled with pity for you. Not anymore. Your determination to fight, your honesty, your family, your faith and everything about you is inspiring and I am in awe of you. Your sense of humor and that comment about brain surgery made me smile. Your story has made me grateful for what I have and made my daily issues insignificant. You had a life changing event happen, but through your honesty and sharing your journey, you have touched mine. I have no words to say except 'Thank you' and that you are a ROCK STAR in my eyes. The God who brought you this far will be with you as you have surgery and you will be surrounded by prayers. Never doubt that. I send you my love, my prayers and my hugs across the miles.

Andrea

[Carly Winborne]

I think of you so often, wishing we were "real life" friends so I could visit and tell you in person what an amazing lady you are! Because of you, my children and husband LOVE your morning glory muffin recipe (let's face it, i say i am making them for my family, but they're really for me!). I made my very first turkey two Christmases ago because of your brilliant instructions to use brown paper bags and saying there was nothing to it. I have chosen to homeschool and think of you as my little girl and I learn passages of scripture together. (I'm just not brave enough to post a video of us!). I wept with a pounding heartbeat for days and days after reading about your stroke in January. All these things are fine and good, but I'm overwhelming inspired by your tenacity and good-nature through this season of your life. I'm sure it feels like this season is lasting a near eternity. But I pray for you that you find rest and peace through it all. You inspire. You are amazing. And you are loved by a great heavenly Father. In terms of your shoes and all the other desires of your heart, I think of this verse: "But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."

Wishing you an evening of sweet sleep.

Carly Winborne

[Carly Winborne]

sorry, the scripture reference is Romans 8:25

[Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife]

Darlin' J, It makes me so happy to think about you transcribing through your faithful Daddy. Reminds me of the Apostle Paul with that nasty thorn and yet he was surrounded by loving friends to help him get his words across. What a gift.

I'm happy you got to have a Girls Night Out. Praying you through this surgery. I just know you will get back in those great Frye boots very soon.

I love you my friend!

Lisa

[Angie]

Joanne! Friend! I'm so tickled to read a blog post in your very own words. I think the surgery sounds exciting. It might seem scary, but think of the possibilities. I'll be praying for your peace and the surgery's success. Shoes! The light at the end of the tunnel.

I am missing you like crazy. Jealous that my sis got to visit. I'm determined to make my way down there and soon! Love you!

[Sue Cramer]

Love ya sweetie! Thanks Dad :)

Always in my prayers girl!
Sue

[karen]

Joanne, I've been following your story since your stroke.. so good to hear how far you've come. The frustration you must feel, I'm sure, is overwhelming....but seeing your progress from the outside looking in is amazing. Keep up the hard work of recovery, healing thoughts coming your way ~