Is This Normal?

Part of the reason I haven't blogged as regularly lately is that we have sort of moved into a "normal" phase where each day pretty much resembles the last. Yes, there are little things that change and improve every day, but for the most part things are pretty normal. The big news from this week is that Joanne is walking more and even made it up a flight of 12 stairs at the hospital. This is a very big deal as we have a lot of stairs at our house!

Joanne also walked about half way to the dinning room last night before needing the wheel chair. So lots of improvement. The thing is that all this movement is exceeding hard on her. She is literally exhausted after what we might consider to be a small activity. By the time she gets in bed each night around 7 she is ready to go to sleep! We try to keep her up for awhile but by 8 at the latest, she is gone! I think they wake her up to give her some meds around 9 but other then that, she is sleeping.

And that's an answer to prayer for sure! For much of this ordeal Joanne hasn't slept well at all, but now, between the exhaustion from her therapy and the medication that she gets, she is sleeping great!

We continue to try everything possible to relieve the pain in her left shoulder. She gets all kinds of meds and therapies for her to try to relive the pain, but it still bothers her constantly. She wears a sling whenever she gets out of bed and we keep it propped with pillows when she is in bed, but it still hurts. I think the pain really takes it out of her. 

Today Gran is gong to the hospital in the morning, then Papa will head there from the airport when he lands. Then the rest of us will show up around lunch time for Sunday dinner. I hope they have roast beef again! Whatever it is, it's fun for us all to be together around the table.

I guess that's about it. Next weekend Joanne may get a pass that would allow her to get out of the hospital for a couple of hours. That would be pretty cool! She says she wants to go home which means we need to clean the home! The cats have had the run of the place for the last three months and I haven't even touched the vacuum cleaner! It seriously looks like our cat Pumpkin has exploded.

Prayer requests:

1. Joannes shoulder pain.

2. Increased ability and endurance to walk and do stairs.

3. Joanne's spirits are still pretty low. She wants to go home in the worst way. She knows that she needs to be at rehab in order to improve so that she can come home, but it's still hard for her. Please pray for her that she would be encouraged.

Toben

Comments

[Penbleth]

Prayers for strength and endurance. Each step and each day are a step closer to Joanne's goal of getting home but I can so understand how she feels frustrated.

[Marena]

Father, give Joanne a sweet day of rest before her hard week starts again tomorrow. Let today be filled with sweet times with her family that give her the courage to press on, in spite of the pain, looking forward to her time at home next week.

Lord, also raise up women who can help Toben with with the cleaning of his house so that that concern can be lifted from this dear sweet family.

Amen

[julie Hoagland]

So happy to hear about the progress and that she is sleeping well. We are still praying for her pain, strength and recovery. We will pray for her to feel encouraged. Still praying for you and the girls too! I wish I lived close by.....I LOVE to vacuum!

Blessings,
Julie Hoagland, Seattle, WA

[Helen]

I'm really happy for you all that things are becoming 'normal'. Although I understand Joanne's frustration, I'm amazed how the recovery is going. Real amazing improvements have been made last couple of week. I hope Joanne can find some strength in looking back and this will uplift her & encourage her to go on. Her support system is awesome. With wonderment I've been reading this blog.

[Beth@bmeandering]

Lifting her up daily.

[Lee Ann Lee]

Praying for you all as you walk through this "new normal" for however long this stage lasts. Thankful for your faithfulness which has inspired my own faith. Going back and reading some of the blog history has taught me alot about where God has brought your family from to prepare you for such a time as this. Praying for His continued support and strength.

[Tena Tell]

Not to be intrusive, but have they figured out what is the cause of her pain in that shoulder?
I know J will be pumped when she gets to go home. That could be great medicine for her by itself.
Plenty prayer for you guys!

[Auntie Mip]

Good Sunday Morning Joanne and Family,

I have been thinking of late how symbolic it is that your rebirth, the walking, the increased autonomy coincides with the dawn of Spring and Easter. Easter is such a beautiful reminder of God's perfect love for you Joanne and it is no coincidence that all of your strength, the passes out of the hospital, the restoration, your personal resurrection, comes now, in Spring, so near the Easter of your life!

As a nurse I am acutely aware of how hard this time in a recovery is. You
are so close to your goal and yet there is still so much to do and so many
basic skills yet to be regained. It is easy to become disouraged and miss
or lose sight of how far you have come. For the record, your recovery is
nothing short of miraculous. I so hope in the quiet times when you are
alone, when sleep fails to find you, that you see the depths of these
accomplishments. You need that to continue to fuel that fire in your belly
that pushes you farther and harder when all you desire is to climb back in
bed and pull the covers over your head. This is when hope is most
important. This is when hope is often hardest to find. I am including one
of my favorite poems, it is one of Emily Dickinson's best works. Perhaps
you have heard this one or someone else has sent it to you. I bet your
lovely and talented sister can spruce it up and make it look pretty for
you. I feel like I have come to know your beautiful family through this.
Just another of the positives that emerge from the darkness, like the
flowers that blooms in spring from the cold of winter. It is a perfect and
beautiful metaphor for where you are right now. May you always find hope
in the darkest of moments and may the glory of the resurrection bring you
comfort and inspiration.

Hope     

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune--without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

Emily Dickinson

[Kristen]

I was thinking about Joanne and praying for her laying in bed the other night and a thought came to me. What about a chiropractor? Is Joanne even able to be adjusted due to the surgery she just had? Again, people where Joanne is may have already thought of this, but I have chronic neck and back problems and the chiropractor has really been the main thing that has helped me stop having pain. Many of these will even make "house" calls or come to you! Just had to throw it out there. Praying for you all!

[Carla]

Hi Toben,
The fatigue is totally normal after such an extensive injury to her brain.

Unfortunately, some of that (though it will get better) will likely never go away completely.

Lack of endurance and fatiguing easily are two of the most common complaints of brain injured people long after their injuries have ocurred...even 10-20 years down the road.

However, my husband (having suffered a severe traumatic brain injury 11 years ago)has regained enough enudrance to hold down a full time job with a job on the side--we see the effects of the injury when he comes home though, because after he eats, he goes straight to bed.

Still he is able to do way more than he could when he was in rehab--it will continue to get a lot better in the coming years!

Praying for you, Joanne, and the rest of your family.

In Christ,
Carla (Masto Mama)
http://mastomama.blogspot.com/
http://mastomamamakeovers.blogspot.com/

[Shelly]

Hi Toben,

Is Joanne's shoulder subluxed? I can't remember if you mentioned it in another post or not. If it is, there are specific slings that help with subluxation after a stroke. It is made out of neoprene and holds the shoulder in correct alignment and can help with pain IF that's part of the cause. I'm sure the OT has already thought of it, but if not maybe ask him.

I'm glad to hear that she's doing so well and tackling the stairs!

Shelly

[Patty]

Praying for all Toben. Praying that darn pain goes away. I am sure they are trying hard to find an answer for that.

Praying that her spirits increase back to her normal happy self...that would be good for you all. No matter how much we try to hide our sadness when someone is sick it hurts us to see them in pain and not be happy.

Praying for endurance! That's the hardest.
Not praying for it but to have it.

[Kendra @ www.abusywomanslife.com]

Prayers for you all. I don't even know you but I think about you often.

Blessings,
Kendra
www.abusywomanslife.com

[Laura]

We are still praying for you and your precious family! You are amazing and I know God is near for the big and small steps!

[Jennifer]

Toben - I've been following your amazing story for months now and you and your family are so inspiring. I too have had many painful days in my life due to illness and other physical problems. I feel Joanne's pain and realize how frustrating it can be when pain meds and therapies don't help. Pain can be so completely draining long term. I have found one thing that I haven't heard you mention that I wanted to share with you. I have been seeing an acupuncturist for the past year for nerve damage and broken bones that have created numerous problems and long term pain...nothing else has really helped me. I've found that acupuncture seems to create a balance in my body that helps with the pain and actually increases the blood flow to the 'numb' areas. It has helped me so much and I'm now pretty much able to function without pain meds except for Advil....just a thought for you in the hopes that Joanne finds some peace from the pain.....my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Jennifer

[Liz Reeves]

Oh how I wish I lived near you guys so I could go over & clean the house for you! Praying you get it all done before Joanne comes home for a visit!

[Susie Tiemeyer]

I'm so glad to hear that Joanne is sleeping. I know this was an issue for her for so long.

I will pray for encouragement for her...that she can hold on until the day she gets to head home...o happy day!

[Sandy Tate]

Toben, you don't know me but Joanne and Kristen and all their family does. Call me! I can clean and I live close by! I haven't been checking your posts for awhile but am just catching up. Have Kay or Kristen call me. home: 303-770-4491 or cell: 720-384-3301. I can help organize some people to come clean.

I live 5 minutes from your house. :)

Sandy (Perkins) Tate

[Tammy]

I will be praying for strength and encouragement for Joanne and all of you. Her progress is amazing! Praise God for all He's done and yet to do!

[Ruthy :o)]

AWESOME GOD... I was just talking with my friend, the other day how we where praying so much for J to come out of her coma n just reflecting on God's GOODNESS to where she is now :o) What a WONDERFUL SAVIOUR.

AND Practicly Yes get your friends to BLESS YOU'S even more by cleaning your house.

With MUCH LOVE

[Esther in Queen Creek, Az]

Toben, Joann and family-I have been reading and watching this blog since January 11, 2011 when my youngest son asked me to pray. Him and his family go to Mission Church and they know Joanne. I have praised God for the incredible healing that has taken place and I am sure that what God has begun here, He will finish. I saw that one poster mentioned chiropratic. I am not a nurse, but I have worked with MD's for about 16 years. Some say that chiropratic does not help, but some of the ones who really understand that medical science is not an exact science will tell you to try chiropratic. It is about the patient feeling better! I have known several chiroprators that would go to the hospital to help a patient. It would be worth a try, as long as it did not interfer with the brain surgery.

Lastly, I truly wish that I lived near you all, I would whip over there and clean up your house for you, but I am in Arizona. Love to you all even though you have never met me, I feel like I know you all. May God bless you and especially Joanne right now as she is working so hard to get better. I am praying for endurance and freedom from pain. Heaven is going to be such an incredible reunion!

[emily m]

Hang in there Joanne! You are doing great!!!!