So, I did announce this on both Twitter and Facebook, but the news is BIG and deserves its own post here on my poor, neglected blog...
I AM CANE FREE!!
I began to wean myself from my cane a couple of months ago--using it only in the shower and outdoors and away from home. And then I stopped using it at home altogether, only taking it with me to new places, or out if the weather was bad.
I began to leave it in the car for church (since it's a familiar place where I am comfortable and safe).
Then I began to leave it in a corner at the stroke center, only using it to walk outside to and from the bus.
I went cold turkey and left it at home all the time. And the last time I used it at all was Mother's Day since we had five inches of snow and safety seemed prudent.
So I have been totally cane-free for weeks now--shopping, church, appointments, the stroke walk this morning (two quarter-mile loops around a lake at a local park).
It feels great! With a my right hand free, I can set and clear the table at meals, cook some,walk Maddie and make and carry my coffee in the morning. It's awesome! A miracle even! Something I wasn't certain would happen. But all this hard work at PT and perseverance and prayer (thank you!) has paid out some big results!
Seeing progress like this has motivated me to keep working hard to stay positive, to refuse to consider giving up.
Just had to share my big news with you!
Enjoy your weekend!
With love and gratitude for your support and prayer,
Joanne
You really do beat all... Yes, even Chuck Norris. Love you and your perseverance. You inspire me to not give up, my dear friend. Love you so!
Posted by: Holly Smith | May 30, 2015 at 03:07 PM
Yippee!
Posted by: Colleen | May 30, 2015 at 03:30 PM
YAY you!!!!!!!
Posted by: Genie Cowden | May 30, 2015 at 03:34 PM
Such a happy day!!!! You are on your way !!!!
Posted by: lana dunkerley | May 30, 2015 at 03:50 PM
That is super BIG
Posted by: martha | May 30, 2015 at 03:52 PM
Yay! Praise the Lord! Your post brought a smile to my face. A couples verses were brought to my mind after reading your update...
"If you can? Everything is possible for one who believes." Mark 9:23
"We are pressed on every side by trouble; but we are not crushed or broken. We are perplexed, but don't give up and quit." 2 Corinthians 4:8
Keep persevering Joanne! :)
Posted by: Jodi | May 30, 2015 at 03:52 PM
Awesome! Congrats! Don't give up! Keep on, keeping on!
Posted by: Janelle | May 30, 2015 at 04:03 PM
Never give up Joann. God has big plans for you!
Posted by: ginger a Towns | May 30, 2015 at 04:06 PM
Such an awesome and joyful praise the LORD. ..but in no way negating your effort and determination!
Posted by: Pam Houston | May 30, 2015 at 04:11 PM
It IS a miracle! Praise God! I'm so happy for you!
Posted by: Angela | May 30, 2015 at 04:18 PM
So happy for you!!!! Keep moving forward. Love and prayers
Posted by: Adrienne | May 30, 2015 at 04:21 PM
love u love u
Posted by: annemarie anderson | May 30, 2015 at 04:23 PM
Pray
Until
Somthing
Happens!
Keep pushing the rehab goals!!
Posted by: Kim Feth | May 30, 2015 at 04:30 PM
I'm praising Jesus with you. That's really wonderful news!
Posted by: Deidra | May 30, 2015 at 04:38 PM
Yay, you! So happy!!!
Posted by: Dawn Welch | May 30, 2015 at 04:48 PM
Wonderful news! So happy for you. Thanks for sharing your great news with us. Keep on keeping on; you're doing great!
Posted by: Kelly | May 30, 2015 at 05:08 PM
This made my day. Truly. Celebrating with you!!!
Posted by: Karen Booker Schelhaas | May 30, 2015 at 05:17 PM
You are an encouragement to me!!!
Posted by: Dean Skaret | May 30, 2015 at 06:20 PM
We're so proud of you!!
"I am so glad that you are able to go everywhere without your cane and I love you and miss you." ~Pumpkin
"I'm very glad. I love you and miss you!" ~Dumpling
"I love you and miss you and I wish I could see you and I love you so much and you're so pretty." ~Cupcake
"Well done. I'm so glad!" ~Sweetheart
Posted by: kimberly | May 30, 2015 at 06:22 PM
That is huge! So happy for you Joanne!
Posted by: Rose | May 30, 2015 at 06:48 PM
"Never give up! Never surrender!" You made me think of my favorite movie - Galaxy Quest. That is amazing and wonderful news and I'm rejoicing with you.
Posted by: Jill | May 30, 2015 at 07:17 PM
Joanne! This is amazing! You go, girl! We have prayed for miracles, and this is another one! All the hard work is paying off. May God strengthen you in every way! Blessings and hugs! 🎉🎈💐
Posted by: Elaine Viergever | May 30, 2015 at 07:31 PM
So wonderful! Congrats Joanne, I am so happy for you!
Posted by: Jenni | May 30, 2015 at 07:49 PM
So awesome, Joanne!
Posted by: Janna | May 30, 2015 at 07:57 PM
congrats-I know it must have taken some dedication, effort and hard work to get there-Keep going!
Posted by: Merla | May 30, 2015 at 09:18 PM
Oh how wonderful! Good job, Joanne! Keep it up :)
Posted by: Jennifer X | May 30, 2015 at 11:26 PM
Smiling BIG!! So wonderful. Continued blessings to you.
Posted by: amy | May 31, 2015 at 05:37 AM
Congratulations, Joanne! You continually amaze me with your determination and very hard work to kick this thing in the backside and live the life God has planned for you! Thank you for your inspiration to all of us.
Posted by: Bobbie Lutz | May 31, 2015 at 09:09 AM
Awesome! You Go Girl! Keep up the hard and rewarding work of moving your life forward. Inspirational, you are.
Posted by: Karen | May 31, 2015 at 09:11 AM
Very HAPPY FOR YOU - and you sure have made stupendous strides and kept to the grindstone. God has truly brought you to this, so for sure I know in spirit you're holding His hand & He is holding yours. You're an inspiration, Joanne. Be very proud of your accomplishments. I love hearing your updates. We continue to be HERE for you; so don't forget that. Hugs and Love, Jan
Posted by: Jan Partin | May 31, 2015 at 10:34 AM
I got tears in my eyes for you!! God knows you need these milestones to keep you going and to remind you of His faithfulness to us even in the devastating moments of our time on earth!
Soooooo happy for you, sister!!
~Margie
Posted by: Margie Smallman | May 31, 2015 at 01:01 PM
Thanks south for sharing; that is incredible news! I'm praying for more miracles of restoration in your life. Love & hugs.
Posted by: Sharlene | May 31, 2015 at 01:26 PM
PRAISE the LORD for such wonderful news. HE is a MIRACLE worker.
Posted by: Charlotte Moore | May 31, 2015 at 01:54 PM
So glad to hear this! I have been praying for you for just this kind of encouraging progress! Will continue to pray!
Posted by: Jeanine | May 31, 2015 at 03:47 PM
When I read this I almost screamed! I've followed you since the stroke and God has often laid you on my heart as I've been running on my treadmill. Your story is so inspiring and I, like so many others, have been cheering you on and celebrating each and every milestone. Your parents seem amazing and I pray for them too. I even pray for your husband and kids although I just don't understand them. BUT GOD! You have clung to Him and brought Him so much glory by your attitude and determination to not give up hope. It would be such an honor to meet you but most likely it will be in heaven, maybe running together on the streets of gold!
Posted by: Karen Hicks | May 31, 2015 at 04:28 PM
When I saw your FB status update about being cane free, I was rejoicing with you, sister!! Continuing still! Love you!
Posted by: Kela Nellums | May 31, 2015 at 04:52 PM
Whoop whoop!
Posted by: Brandi Luiz | May 31, 2015 at 08:55 PM
Joanne,
This is the best news.
I am so proud of your perseverance and not giving up (redundant, I know but it bears repeating).
I am so excited for this new aspect in mobility and life and feeling mounting purpose in your everyday life.
I love you girl!
Way to go!
Hugs and high fives!
Posted by: Helen Washington | May 31, 2015 at 11:21 PM
WOW! Spell it backwards WOW!
When we look at your Journey Hon how AWESPME is our Wonderful God.
Blessings and Love
xxxxxxx
Posted by: Ruthy :) | June 01, 2015 at 04:03 AM
Joanne,
Oh, the places you'll go.....believe and keep working forward. Congrats!!
Posted by: Melanie | June 01, 2015 at 06:50 AM
So thrilled for you, Joanne! What a huge accomplishment. I am so proud of you and so happy for you. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Posted by: Sharon | June 01, 2015 at 07:58 AM
So proud of you
Keep up the great work!
Posted by: Kathy Collard Miller | June 01, 2015 at 10:25 AM
Joanne, I have followed your blog before your stroke. You don't know me at all but I just wanted to let you know how much I admire and all you have been through. Keep going strong and keep blogging for us!!!
Posted by: Anita | June 01, 2015 at 02:50 PM
Praise the LORD!!! I am so happy for you and still praying for you!!
Posted by: TJ | June 01, 2015 at 05:05 PM
thank you for sharing it's wonderful wonderful wonderful news!! so happy for you!!
Posted by: sharon | June 02, 2015 at 01:12 PM
I'm so happy for you! Praising God for this wonderful victory in your life:) You are on my heart daily and I will continue to pray for you!
Posted by: Erin | June 03, 2015 at 08:29 PM
I've been following your blog since your stroke and you truly are a remarkable person. To have gone through what you have gone through, in every way that your life has changed, and how much your heart must break, you can still find humour and light in the things that would wear most people down, is just so heart warming. I know all the things that you hold dear, physically and emotionally, will return to you and you will be even stronger, if that's even possible xx
Posted by: Kath | October 30, 2015 at 04:49 AM