We spent this past weekend with my friend Sarah who flew in from Seattle to wish me a happy birthday. We have a history of celebrating my birthday together. 10 years ago we flew to France with a few other girlfriends for a week to celebrate my 30th. Last year she came to visit me at Spalding, my in-patient rehab hospital and to bring me a Kindle, which I totally love. A big thank you to her husband Josh for taking care of the kids and for letting me have his wife for the weekend. We talked and talked and talked.
This week our friends the Hall family from Arizona drove up to see us over their spring break. We have missed them and it's been fun to reconnect.
Yesterday I saw one of my many doctors. We'll be juggling some pain medication around to see if I can get pain free and get me some sleep at night. He did say that where I'm at in terms of recovery is about as good as I can expect it to get. I had already accepted that fact but hearing ti from the doctor was disheartening. We also talked about long-term therapy plans. In the mean time I continue to work on PT and OT every day. I practice a lot of walking with a cain and can even walk outside as long as someone walks with me and sticks close.
The weather has been beautiful in Denver adn it has been fun to see green things startign to appear around the back yeard. I feel very ready for Spring!
Family counseling is going well. Everyone is participating and good conversations are usually the result.We are finding a new normal--a routine that seems to be working. It's by no means perfect, but we are beginning to settle in a bit. Feels good after what has been a very chaotic season.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
Prayer Requests:
1. We would love for the new medication regimen to work for pain releief and sleep at night.
2. We desperately want to keep the girls at Denver Christian--Audrey starts High School and Emma start middle school. But we are going to need financial aid to make this happen. Please pray that the school would come back with a generous financial aid package so we can keep the girls in an environment that they love (as much as kids can "love" school).
3. The entire family is pretty worn out and could use moments of rest.
4. Please pray for healthy relationships for the family including the extended family.We are still feeling our way along through a tough time and know that Satan would love to turn us on each other. Pray against that!
5. Praise!!! A while ago we prayed for wisdom as we faced some big decisions. While our future is still murky we are feeling some sense of leading from the Lord.
6. One day a week I go down to Colorado Springs with Toben while he goes to work. Toben and his dad find time to go shooting at his gun club and then we have lunch together. God has closed the relational gap between us and his parents. This is huge! Petty differences have been cast aside and if it took my stroke to heal this relationship that's at least one good thing that's come from it.
Your messages and comments continue to be so encouraging.Thank you for your care and concern for our family. We thank God for your family and pray that he blesses you abundantly!
Love,
Joanne
Happy early 40th, Joanne! Thanks for this update and your heart and the prayer requests. I will remember you and your family in these ways. Praying especially for your pain and restful sleep each night!!! SOOOOO important :)
peace & blessings,
Lisa Chandler
Posted by: Lisa Chandler | March 13, 2012 at 08:16 AM
We are so grateful for how you continue to bless us with your lives. Thanks for sharing. We pray that you feel the continued blessings and God's presence in your lives.
Posted by: Dan and Terri | March 13, 2012 at 08:21 AM
Joanne, I live in Highlands Ranch and learned about your journey right after the stroke last year from one of your friends. I have prayed for you and your family over the past year. I even resurrected my charm bracelet from High School -- inspired by you! I feel inadequate to articulate how I feel and my thoughts of and for you. You are a remarkable women - frail and strong --the definition of who God has created us to be. Thank you for your authenticity. I love knowing you even just through this blog!
Posted by: Laura Taylor | March 13, 2012 at 08:36 AM
so glad you had a good birthday celebration...continuing to lift you all in prayer...blessings~
Posted by: r.elliott | March 13, 2012 at 08:43 AM
Joanne, I'm so glad to get an update on how you are doing! I'm glad you had a wonderful birthday. You are always in my prayers and I think of you often - Bible Study at Mission is just not the same without you!
Posted by: Megan Sterling | March 13, 2012 at 09:11 AM
Oh, girl. I love you so much. Writing all your requests in my prayer journal. I just know God is going to provide. And what a HUGE answer to prayer with Toben's family. I remember talking about that when we were at your house in AZ. Thank you, Jesus!
I'm also praying that God reveals to you (this side of eternity) lots and lots of other amazing things that have happened as a direct result of your stroke.
I love you!!
Posted by: Marla Taviano | March 13, 2012 at 09:44 AM
It is always wonderful to see an update from you. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: julie | March 13, 2012 at 09:45 AM
Happy Birthday...and may there be many more! This path to recovery has taken many twists and turns for you, some good and some bad. I am sure both you and your entire family has grown from the process. And we who don't even know you personally have grown also, largely because you have been "real" with us throughout your struggles. My prayers for you continue and I pray that God grants you a recovery far beyond what the doctor has indicated. But if he should choose not to do that I pray that he will grant you the abilty to accept this new reality. Just know that through this some good has come and will continue to come....for All THINGS work together for those who love the Lord.
Posted by: Merla Parker | March 13, 2012 at 10:21 AM
Happy 40th, Joanne. You and your family have chosen to be led by God through what has got to be one of the driest desert seasons. He is faithful in your words of encouragement to all of us. I pray you feel comfort and joy even on your hardest days. Praying for supernatural healing and that your pain would abate. xxxooo
Posted by: gretchen | March 13, 2012 at 10:32 AM
Just sending love and hugs to you, Dear Friend.
ps~the ladies loved the chocolate mousse
Posted by: Kimberly | March 13, 2012 at 01:12 PM
hi there. thanks for writing. i think of you often. <3 xox
Posted by: renee altson | March 13, 2012 at 02:04 PM
p.s. - and happy birthday - i am so grateful you exist and are alive! ((gentle hugs))
Posted by: renee altson | March 13, 2012 at 02:06 PM
Happy almost birthday!! :) How awesome to spend your special day with those whom you love.
My heart aches for this news the doctors have given you. I have a verse...
John 16:33
"I have told you these things so that you would find comfort in Me. In this world, you will suffer; but be courageous, for I have overcome the world!"
Hon, Jesus has overcome the world and with these words I have hope that you will heal 100%. Find comfort in Jesus and continue to seek His face and banging on His door for healing. Don't ever give up and keep on pushing.
My doctors told me I would be crippled, they gave me little hope. But I kept pressing into God and asking and seeking. Having hands on prayer whenever I could find someone to pray over me. I was anointed with oil and was prayed over. I am not a cripple. Jesus has answered my prayer and He will answer yours too.
Keep pressing in. Praying and praying for 100% healing.
<><
Posted by: Child of God | March 13, 2012 at 02:37 PM
Just continuing prayers for you and your family. Your progress is amazing and you inspire me!
Posted by: AndreaW | March 13, 2012 at 02:55 PM
Hi Joanne. How wonderful for you to be able to spend your special day with your friend. I am so sorry about how your doctor appointment went...but God is able to continue in your healing, however that may be. I really hope that the medication allows to help with pain and with sleep. You are sounding more hopeful...and with spring around the corner, it will certainly help to lift your spirits. Live to you.
Lisa
Simply...this.that.and the other!
Posted by: lisa | March 13, 2012 at 03:05 PM
Thanks for the update Joanne! As always, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers!
Posted by: Kristy | March 13, 2012 at 03:36 PM
Happy b day Joanne. I am a friend in Texas you have not met face to face. I feel fortunate to "know" you. I have been dedicated to prayers of thanksgiving and praise for you since first reading about you as a siesta sister in Texas. I want to take a moment and praise the Lord for his wisdom and grace. For allowing me to grow closer to him by reading about you, your family, your progress. I am praising him today as I have many times for the great medical care you have received on this journey. I praise him for knowing our needs before we know it. Your move to Colorado and the ministry of Denver Christian long before your family needed them are two great examples of his "knowing" . He knew of my need this year for a very powerful witness to his grace in my life at the death of my father and there was the blog post from Beth Moore. I know he has plans to prosper you surely. I praise him daily for the light you are in this world. I know he has already seen your needs and those of your family. I praise him for I know they are already supplied. Your birthday is a gift to so many. Continue Joanne. Keep stepping out in faith. My faith is stronger and my walk is steadier because of your witness. His grace is present for so many because of your faithfulness.
Posted by: Teri | March 13, 2012 at 05:23 PM
I just googled "Christian stroke" and found your blog. I am 39 and had 6 strokes in Oct. and Nov. of last year. 4 1/4 months later and I'm just starting to take a few shaky steps in therapy. I can't use my left hand. I just got glasses yesterday and they help address the blurry vision a but I'll probably have surgery in a year or so for double vision. I'm posting updates at http://infertilitymom.blogspot.com/search/label/stroke
I hate that you are going through this but glad to have found you.
Posted by: Jenni Saake "InfertilityMom" | March 13, 2012 at 05:30 PM
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Janet Cline | March 14, 2012 at 09:19 AM
I'm continuing to check several times each week for updates on your story; always looking for ways we can continue to pray for you. Thank you for sharing your latests needs, concerns and praises. Happy birthday, and praying that this coming year proves your doctor's prognosis 100% wrong!!!
Posted by: Steve Lambert | March 14, 2012 at 03:37 PM
Happy birthday and glad it was a special time for you with the visit from your friend. I love my Kindle too and don't know why I resisted getting one for so long.
Posted by: Lynn | March 14, 2012 at 09:43 PM
I'm also a friend in TX you have never met! I have followed you for years and read your books and bought extras of Living Simply and Misplacing God and tucked them in my college daughter's 'hope chest'. I have followed your (and your family's) posts since your stroke and keep you in my prayers. I was in the yard digging up weeds and planting flowers and you came to mind. I was thinking, I wished I lived near CO so I could have some fun in Joanne's garden! Prayers for a beautiful Spring for you. Forget what those Dr's say. Such things are uttered daily in the medical arena. (I'm a nurse!) God has ordered your steps and only He can say where this journey will take you.
Posted by: Chris | March 14, 2012 at 10:32 PM
Dear Joanne,
I love hearing from you but most of all I love what Chris said about the doctors. I wish you all the joy that you can handle each and every day and when your tired rest.and just remember you have lots of people like myself who has never met you that loves hearing about the sweet Joanne. One of many of your unmet friends this one is from Maine Rena
Posted by: rena | March 15, 2012 at 03:57 AM
You don't know me. I keep you in my prayers and check on you often. Happy Birthday and many, many more.
Posted by: Missy | March 15, 2012 at 06:42 AM
Your story inspires me and renews my spirit each time you post. I pray God blesses you with medication to take away your pain and blesses your family with a renewal as fresh as spring!
Posted by: Mrs. Claus | March 15, 2012 at 06:43 AM
Happy Birthday, Birthday Buddy! Miss you and wish we could celebrate together!!!
Posted by: Kimberly | March 15, 2012 at 07:23 AM
Happy Birthday Dear Friend, You are an inspiration and a truly remarkable and gifted lady. Love to you and your family, you are always in our prayers. Enjoy your day!
Posted by: Terri | March 15, 2012 at 11:37 AM
just know that a friend in S.C. is praying for you & following your story on this blog. praying for your strength and your spirit to be lifted :) God bless,
Kathy Dublin
Posted by: Kathy Dublin | March 15, 2012 at 03:31 PM
Hope today was a wonderful celebration of YOU, Joanne! Happy Birthday! May the coming year be filled with the miraculous,good and perfect gifts that come from the Lord who loves you!
Remembering you, Toben and the girls often in prayer,
Aurora
Posted by: Aurora | March 15, 2012 at 09:18 PM
Joanne, I have been following your blog since your stroke happened. I just want you to know that I think about you often and pray for you and your family. I have been suffering from chronic migraines since October 2011, and so have been in a lengthy season of pain and exhaustion. Your love for and faith in the lord is encouraging. I appreciate your truthfulness and open heart in your posts. Like you, I know God is in control, and when there are set backs, I pray that I will continue to trust in him. It is so hard to accept that life has a drastically new normal, so I empathize and will continue to pray for continued healing, but most of all, that you will at the very least be pain free.
Posted by: LaurieBrescia | March 16, 2012 at 09:07 PM
It was good to read your post, Joanne. I will pray tonight that God lead you and your family into your "new normal," whatever that season looks like, and for the girls' school situation.
I can't help but think that a "new normal" happens to all of us at some point(s) in our lives, and we don't necessarily like it.
Keep posting!
Love from Houston,
Susie T
Posted by: Susie T | March 17, 2012 at 07:57 PM
Hi Dear Joanne!
So glad you were born. So glad I got to know you and be under your teaching.
Love you!
Kristin Pattison in AZ!
Posted by: kristin | March 19, 2012 at 01:30 PM
Happy Birthday Joanne! We are blessed by your life, and Praise God for you.
From your unmet prayer friend in Ohio.
Posted by: Jenny | March 19, 2012 at 07:23 PM
Wow, for as long as I've been reading your blog, I cannot believe that your kids are now about the start high school and middle school! I hope that they can continue to stay at their school.
It is good to hear about your family counseling going well. Stay strong! You are a closer knit family for it. It is also great to hear about your family setting aside differences to see Toben's parents. My own family could learn from yours and I'm thankful for that. You are always in my thoughts.
Posted by: Meryl | March 20, 2012 at 11:10 AM
I think of you often and pray. You've inspired me, truly. Much love.
Posted by: Karen Booker Schelhaas | March 20, 2012 at 03:55 PM
Doctors, Doctors, they don't know everything--heck, they're just "PRACTICING" medicine!
Praying for y'all and your strengths!
Posted by: Tena Tell | March 23, 2012 at 08:41 PM
Joanne, I've been praying for you and your family since your stroke. You are one of the people I dedicated my book to (on women and spiritual warfare) when I wrote it this past year. I will continue to pray for COMPLETE healing for you, for the girls' financial aid, for sweet sleep for you (God gives His beloved sweet sleep), and other requests. Please keep writing with your beautiful writing (I have two of your books!) and keep us posted! Your life has touched so many people, world-wide.
Posted by: Beth Jones | April 26, 2012 at 07:53 PM