Not sure what it will lead to but someone form P.F. Changs saw our blog post about Joanne wanting to go there in her first outing since her stroke. They got in contact with Joanne and asked for my number and email so that they could get everything "all set up." I have no idea what that means but how cool of them! Pretty cool for them too because obviously now we will be telling how awesome PFC is and that everyone should go there--and even if they weren't being so cool to us it's still hard to beat Joanne's requests: won ton soup, lettuce wraps, and orange chicken. I will be having the "spicy fish." So excited for Joanne's big adventure this weekend!
This just in: Got an email while I was writing this from Jason at PFC. They are going to get everything set up for us in order to make our first weekend outing a special one. PFC has a new fan for life.
You know her other big request is to sit in her living room and snuggle Joey the cat. I was at the house feeding them today and explained to Joey what I expect from him on Sunday. I think he knew what I was saying and is up to the challenge.
I don't have to do to go to the office tomorrow so I will get to be here with Joanne all day and see her therapy. Usually by the time I get here all the cool stuff has already happened. Tomorrow I get see it all! Pretty excited about that.
BTW, Joanne's haircut is amazing. I was totally blown away when I saw her last night. I went to the Walmarts and got her the right product for her hair and she is going to by stylin' on Saturday. The cut completely hides her incision scar--something I thought would be very difficult to so but Kathy the hairdresser pulled it off. Way to go Kathy!
The girls and I are at the hospital now and we are all going to get to eat dinner together. Love it when that happens. The whole clan (the Heims, the Friedensteins, and the Haufschilds) hasn't been together all at once maybe one or two times in three months so any chance to get around a table as a family is a big deal. Rosie, the chef here at the hospital, has promised us something tasty for tonight. Rosie totally rocks. She is a great cook and loves her job. Tough to beat that.
Wow, what a random post!
Prayer Requests:
1. Patty, across the hall from Joanne is recovering from a bike accident where she broke 9 bones including her hip, pelvis, collar bone, a bunch of ribs and a few other things. She gets to go home on Friday and she and her husband are a great Christian couple. Please send up a prayer for her continued healing.
2. We can always use prayer for Joanne's spirits. She gets pretty low from time to time, which is totally understandable. Please pray that God would shower her with his grace, peace and courage. She told me last night that this is the hardest thing she has every done. This from a woman who bore two children, wrote six books, runs five miles a day, homeschools the girls, studies Greek at Denver Seminary, etc, etc. So when she says something is hard it's hard!
3. One little detail: Joanne has struggle with motion sickness on every ambulance transport to date. Please pray for no motion sickness as we drive her around on Saturday.
Toben
P.S. Last night Joanne said, "The therapist told me to look at my arm and put all my concentration into moving it. I felt like Luke Skywalker trying to get his X-Wing Fighter out of the swamp." This may be my favorite post stroke comment from Joanne. Great word picture.
I love how much you love JoAnne. What a beautiful family God created when he put the two of you together!
Posted by: Linda | April 14, 2011 at 05:50 PM
Toben I have been praying for your family and a friend of mine and I prayed today for your all's time on Saturday I am so excited for you all , Your family blesses me everyday Joanne you Rock and you are a Warrior. Keep on keeping on my friend and you will be home before you know it.
Way to go PFC cannot wait to hear what you all did for the Heim family. I have never eaten at PFC but I am willing to try it now.
Toben you rock as a husband you have been so faithful to your wife and kids and that is huge and thru your family I have grown closer to Jesus and my prayer life is better and my quiet time has gotten better.
Thanks for your posts they make me smile cry tears and bless me.
Carol Bruntlett
Posted by: Carol | April 14, 2011 at 05:50 PM
God is Good. Try the spicy prongs (shrimp) if you like spicy. May God continue to bless.
Posted by: Johnny Cavender from TN | April 14, 2011 at 06:11 PM
OH THIS POST MAKES ME CRY! SOO VERY EXCITED FOR YOU ALL, AND IM SO GLAD THAT PF CHANGS IS GOING TO LOVE ON YA!!
IM A FAN!!
PS I SURE HOPE SOMEONE TAKES A PICTURE OF YOUR DATE DAY!!!
Posted by: ANDREA | April 14, 2011 at 06:22 PM
I love that they contacted you! Oh, I am just filled with joy thinking about this first weekend of freedom and home for you, Joanne! You soak it up, girl, and know that we are all praying for you!
Posted by: anna | April 14, 2011 at 06:23 PM
P.F. Chang's is an awesome company. They also own a restaurant called Pei Wei, and those employees are amazing, as well!
The cats will help her feel immeasurably better, as cats have a tendency to do. God bless and have fun this weekend!
Posted by: Melissa | April 14, 2011 at 06:27 PM
I LOVE PF Chang's for doing something for Joanne. Whatever they are doing will be a very special touch for a very special family. Have a blessed time Saturday, and I look forward to hearing all about it!!
When I came home from a hospitalization (nothing like Joanne's) my cats really helped cheer me up. They are like family. :)
Love,
Carla in Maryland
Posted by: carla Sorensen | April 14, 2011 at 06:37 PM
Way to go PF Changs! Will be praying for no car sickness on Saturday for sure! So much deserved fun after so much hard work!
Posted by: mk | April 14, 2011 at 06:40 PM
So happy for your precious family! Will be praying that you have a glorious time!
Posted by: Betsy | April 14, 2011 at 07:00 PM
Ask her dr. if she can use the little patches that go behind the ear for motion sickness. They are the only things that keep me from chucking on the "vomit comets". I don't remember the prescription name, but certainly a dr. will know what they are.
Have fun at PF Changs. Adam and Faith love it there. I guess someone has to like Asian food to keep them in business. ;-) Enjoy friend!
Lisa Brooks
Posted by: Lisa Brooks | April 14, 2011 at 07:31 PM
Toben - Ask the docs if Jo can take Bonine before the ambulance ride. I get motion sick in a rocking chair and this stuff really does the trick. Praying for all of the above, but especially the motion sick part. It is beyond awful!
Posted by: Beth Petty | April 14, 2011 at 07:33 PM
I've followed every word, Toben, and I'm praying that this weekend is full of God's good surprises. I can't wait to hear about it.
Posted by: Karen Booker Schelhaas | April 14, 2011 at 08:03 PM
that last comment made me LOL!
I am so thankful for these updates
we pray for Joanne everyday
God is faithful and true!
Praying for a wonderful weekend escape!!!
Posted by: Kim - connorcolesmom | April 14, 2011 at 08:27 PM
With tears in my eyes.... So happy for all of you guys!!! Will cont. to pray. thanks for posting!
Posted by: sue | April 14, 2011 at 08:30 PM
I get motion sickness too, especially when riding backwards. My most recent ambulance trip was almost 200 miles (from hospital to rehab hospital), and it made me so ill. The issue for me is definitely the riding backwards, as well as vertigo.
What helps for me is to suck on ginger or mint candies and face forward, preferably in the front seat. Also cool air helps as well.
I am so excited for her that she gets a weekend pass! Prayers continue for all of you.
Posted by: Shari | April 14, 2011 at 08:52 PM
Hooray for PF CHANGS!! That is SO cool!
Posted by: Jen the Newlywed | April 14, 2011 at 09:35 PM
Oh what an exciting weekend ahead! Yea for a great hair cut and for PF Changs, (what ever that is) for cats and family dinner times.
Praying and praying!!
<><
Posted by: Child of God | April 14, 2011 at 09:55 PM
Picture (of the hair you keep mentioning), please!:)
Enjoy your weekend! Sounds exciting!
Posted by: marcy | April 14, 2011 at 10:17 PM
Getting a haircut always makes me feel good! How awesome of PF Changs to do that, what a blessing! What fun you all are going to have.
Thank you for sharing how we can pray for Joanne and her friend Patty so that we can pray specifically!
Posted by: momstheword | April 14, 2011 at 10:18 PM
I LOVE that we have moved from prayers to save Joanne to praises for PF Changs! Isn't God amazing!! Look at all that He has done to heal Joanne in 3 months! I have tears thinking about your weekend! I pray that it will be motion sickness FREE!! I hate that feeling! I bet the girls are over the moon excited! Enjoy your PF Changs Orange Chicken (I always order a combo orange beef, chicken & shrimp...am feeling the need to go there this weekend!) and relaxing in the comfort of your own home with your family & cat! What a great reward for all the hard work you have done! :) Praying for the pain in your shoulder too!! Hang in there Joanne...you are an inspiration to us all!!
Posted by: Terrie G | April 14, 2011 at 11:02 PM
How lovely that everything will be ready for Joanne's outing, blogging people sure can get stuff done.
I hope you all but Joanne especially have a lovely and fun weekend and that the cat does his part by being beautifully petable.
Posted by: Penbleth | April 15, 2011 at 02:10 AM
Such an awsome post, Toben! I've been cheering Joanne on (and you) from my home here in Montreal. Things are going so well and I could not be happier for you. Hope your lunch at the restaurant is fantastic - how can it not be?!!
Posted by: Zita - Mlle Magpie | April 15, 2011 at 05:31 AM
Praying for you all! I'm believing that God has the most awesome weekend for you guys! May His grace cover you and bring peace, joy, healing and FUN! I'm so excited for your time together outside of a hospital! Many prayers will be sent your way.
Posted by: Kristi Walker | April 15, 2011 at 07:47 AM
I am praying for an amazing weekend for your family, a weekend of the comfort of home. You know - there's no place like home. I'm so thankful for God's tender care of Joanne and for the love of her precious family.
Posted by: Deidra | April 15, 2011 at 08:28 AM
This is so awesome!! I think we may have to go to P.F. Changs for some lettuce wraps this weekend too!! And as I held my cat today I was thinking of you and praying for you to have a beautiful day tomorrow!! God is so good at working everything out for us that love Him!! Thank You Jesus!!
Posted by: Colette | April 15, 2011 at 09:50 AM
Toben, PFC has y business for life b/c of what they are doing for you guys! Have a wonderful 'pass' weekend, and Joanne, I'm giving that kitty hugs for you......but she will enjoy much more getting one from you (as will you getting one from her!)
Posted by: Lynn Kelly | April 15, 2011 at 09:57 AM
Praying for Joanne and your family. God Bless You!
Posted by: Cherie | April 15, 2011 at 10:58 AM
Sounds like a yummy time! Sending prayers for everyone to have a great time going home for the day! Next, Joanne will be home for good!
Posted by: Laurie | April 15, 2011 at 12:19 PM
I haven't commented much but I have prayed a lot for Joanne. I thought she was amazing before, I don't even have a word for her now, she is way past amazing. I just wanted to tell you I'm praying for a fun time on Saturday. I hope it lifts Joanne's spirits way beyond what we could ever imagine. I'll be praying hard for a fun time on Saturday!
Posted by: Beverly Atkins | April 15, 2011 at 12:51 PM
I have been following for months now but for some reason THIS post really touched me. I'm the Activity Director in a nursing home, and I know exactly how important those home visits and restaurant outings are to someone's spirits. I pray that the trip this weekend will go smoothly, and that it will lift all of you up as you get a glimpse of "normal" life again. I hope you have a wonderful time!
Posted by: Amy @ Tiny Blessings | April 15, 2011 at 03:27 PM
Dearest Heim family..I have been following since the start of your journey, but have yet to comment. Joanne's amazing miraculous journey has moved me. I survived a MASSIVE brain tumor called a Meningioma in 08. I almost died and had emergency craniotomy.Just had a clean MRI. God has blessed us both beyond measure. We are miracle SURVIVORS with amazing testimonies! Have fun at PFC..take pics! I would love to see the new do!God's blessings to you and your family Joanne<3
Posted by: Linda Samu | April 15, 2011 at 09:15 PM
Continuing to pray for all of you.
Posted by: Recovering Lutheran | April 15, 2011 at 09:30 PM
So thrilled for you and do thankful to our Heavenly Father for His answers to prayer on Joanne's behalf!! God is so good!! Praying you have a wonderful day with Joanne today and that it all goes well! ENJOY! Praising God with you!
Posted by: Diane Orr | April 16, 2011 at 05:47 AM
What a weekend for Joanne to get to go home..."Palm Sunday weekend!" Talk about compulsory praise...we give the LORD praise for the wonderful adventure for Joanne's first weekend outing and trip home after such a long time gone. Look at how far you have come! Love, love PF Changs...so glad for their generosity! Also, can't wait to see pic's of Joanne's new "do"! Short and sassy sounds sweet.
Blessings to all,
Pam H.
A So. Cal. Siesta
Posted by: Pam Houston | April 16, 2011 at 07:54 AM