Dorothy and her friends in Oz did a lot of singing as they travelled down the yellow brick road and lately there is a little song that's been going around and around in my head (and heart!) as I continue on this unexpected journey. It's one of those songs based on a story from the Bible, about a man who couldn't walk. He was begging for alms one day when a couple of the apostles came by, and though they didn't have any money to give him, they did reach out to him in the name of Christ and he was healed.
The chorus of this little song is "he went walking and leaping and praising God...." I am so excited to report that I am now doing two out of three of those! No leaping yet, but...
I am walking... walking!! Without crutches and without pain! First it was just in my little kitchen, then inside my house only, but not on stairs or outside. Two weeks ago, I asked permission to walk in the grocery store, pushing a cart so that I didn't have to use the motorized scooter any more. My practitioner looked at me, smiled and said "yes" and then added "Put your crutches in your car, go in the store, and when you come out...just leave your crutches there so they are nearby if you need them, but don't use them anywhere now." I was so surprised and delighted, as you can imagine...and the crutches are still in the car!
Though my left leg is weak and there is a lot of rehabilitation ahead, it is "so far, so good" in terms of very minimal swelling and no pain other than some cramping in my foot in response to each week's increase in weight-bearing and activity. In a few weeks there will be another MRI to discover for certain how much healing has happened in there and, if it looks good, then I can begin putting pressure on my knee (climbing steps the normal way, working on the leg machines at the gym, etc.) and start getting back to full use.
Six months ago we didn't know if I would ever walk unassisted again. The prognosis was not very good and the pain was terrible. Yesterday I did a 1/2 mile "hike" with trekking poles, on flat ground along the ocean with my wonderful husband, John, and my leg feels fine! :-)
So, not only am I walking... I am praising God!! For what is looking like a very good outcome, perhaps even a healing. For John, who has been such a support and help during this challenging time. For you and your faithful prayers and encouragement. And for the simple joy of walking (which I will never take for granted again...each step is a miracle and a delight!)
"Walking and leaping and praising God." No leaping is allowed yet, but two out of three is great. (The truth is, I AM leaping on the inside!)
With joy,
Joanna
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Walking on Water!
Two weeks ago, I had the most wonderful experience of walking on water. Well, OK, walking IN water! I was given permission to do "water walking" in the pool. With a flotation belt on and water up to my armpits (to keep my full weight off my affected leg), I walked up and back the lane 6 times...the first time walking without crutches since July! :-) I didn't know whether to cry or giggle, so I did a bit of both. I can't even describe what it felt like to actually walk on my own again...
My new friends in the therapeutic water exercise class, each dealing with their own physical challenges, cheered me on, which was really sweet and cute. I don't think I've been cheered on by a group of elderly folks in quite this way before.
The really good news is that there has been no pain whatsoever as I continue to put more and more weight on my leg. Though no one knows if or how much healing is happening, this is a very encouraging thing.
This past Monday, I was given permission to increase the amount of weight on my leg, still using crutches but mostly just for stability. And I can even take an occasional "one step" without the crutches in my "one step" kitchen. Still no pain! What an incredible joy it was to have in my hand a carton of eggs and to actually carry them myself from the sink to the stove... I just started crying. Almost six months now of not being able to carry things myself, and the simple act of carrying those eggs and taking a step....wow!
John and I thank you all so much for your prayers for healing, and we continue to trust Jesus with the outcome of this unexpected journey. No matter what happens, He is with us and we rest in that wonderful gift.
Blessings,
Joanna
My new friends in the therapeutic water exercise class, each dealing with their own physical challenges, cheered me on, which was really sweet and cute. I don't think I've been cheered on by a group of elderly folks in quite this way before.
The really good news is that there has been no pain whatsoever as I continue to put more and more weight on my leg. Though no one knows if or how much healing is happening, this is a very encouraging thing.
This past Monday, I was given permission to increase the amount of weight on my leg, still using crutches but mostly just for stability. And I can even take an occasional "one step" without the crutches in my "one step" kitchen. Still no pain! What an incredible joy it was to have in my hand a carton of eggs and to actually carry them myself from the sink to the stove... I just started crying. Almost six months now of not being able to carry things myself, and the simple act of carrying those eggs and taking a step....wow!
John and I thank you all so much for your prayers for healing, and we continue to trust Jesus with the outcome of this unexpected journey. No matter what happens, He is with us and we rest in that wonderful gift.
Blessings,
Joanna
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