Day 2 at Duke during 3rd Hospital Stay

Joe had a REALLY good day today at Duke.  Although I probably shouldn't say that since whenever I get real excited about how well he is feeling, along comes a set back soon thereafter.  But for now, he feels good and is doing so much better.  He ate well today, walked in excess of 10 laps around the floor of the unit, had visitors off and on all day, without any overlap so never did the room get too crowded which always seems to tire him somewhat, and I even washed his hair for him this evening!  They are now changing the packing in the open incision 3 times per day, so somewhere around midnight, Niki his nurse, will be in for that fun chore.  Speaking of Niki, when she came on duty tonight at 7, when she first came in the room after getting notes from the day nurse, the first thing she noticed were Joe's eyeshades hanging from his IV pole.  However, her thought was, and she said this out loud, "What is a fushcia bra doing hanging there?"  We all 3 busted out laughing as she realized what it really was.

We laughed so loud, the other nurses at the nurses station, which is just outside Joe's room, came in to see what all the ruckus was about.   Niki was Joe's night nurse last night as well and has been so wonderful and kind to us both.  Speaking of good nurses, the day nurse today, Crystal, was no exception.  She was so attentive we really did feel like Joe was her only patient, although nothing could have been further from truth as it showed 5 other rooms on the assignment board for her.

Crystal worked so hard for us today I just want to say a big thank you!  You were great and we really appreciated all your concern & attentiveness.

Joe's family is coming tomorrow morning so it will be good to see them again and I'm sure a big relief for them to see him.  Hopefully he will rest well tonight and will have as good of a day tomorrow as today.  That should hopefully help them feel better about things.

Right now I am watching basketball without the sound on, the rain sound machine is going and Joe has his eyeshades on and is snoring lightly.  I think he has drifted off to a deep sleep.  But in about 1 1/2 hrs, he and most likely I will be awaked for the changing of the packing & dressing since they need to turn the bright lights on to see exactly what they are doing (probably a good idea, huh?)

It's been a long day but the anxiety has been eased some by the excellent care and the fact that the little sparkle that is usually in Joe's eyes has returned some today.  It does my heart good!