So far so great

(This post happily brought to you by Sharon, Joe's friend in Chicago, at the request of Becky who cannot get to a computer.)

Becky and Joe are both doing great! They are in rooms 1106 and 1108 (2 doors down from each other) and being well taken care of. As I know the phone tree was put into effect, everyone should know now that both surgeries went extremely well. Becky was in and out according to plan and Joe's couldn't have gone more smoothly. It was expected to last 10-11 hours and he was out in 6. They also expected him to be sedated overnight, but he was brought to consciousness last night and his new liver was already 'cleaning him out' according to his doctors.

Upon visiting tonight, Becky was resting and had just finished talking to both of her nieces on her brother's cell phone. They say the second day is the worst and Becky would agree, but she was in very good spirits and could carry conversations without too much strain. She got out of intensive care this morning and is recovering exactly according to plan - even getting up to go to the bathroom, although that did cause some nausea. She wants to make sure her family leaves the hospital and wants her brother to get to see some of Chicago so she's still thinking of others ahead of herself. She and Joe haven't spent much time together, although they did wheel them next to each other for a wave at some point. Of course, they both ask everyone about the other and his/her progress.

Joe is already losing some of his jaundice and his color will recover slowly over the next week or two. He is still incredibly itchy but he can't scratch comfortably so that's annoying. Moving and straining his torso is difficult and painful because of his massive scar.

So here's what you're all really waiting for: The Scar Report
Joe wins by a landslide. Becky has an incision a few inches long, everyone is surprised that it is so small. Joe, on the other hand, has a scar that that could be mistaken for the San Andreas fault. It is like an upside-down "Y" and stretches from his sternum to each of his hips. It is held together by staples whereas Becky has a nice clean suture. It is going to be impressive to say the least.

Becky hopes to get to a computer tomorrow if she can get out of bed easier. She is supposed to be out of the hospital on Saturday, give or take a day so I'm sure she'll be back in touch. Keep them in your thoughts, as I know you all are, but know that their spirits are high and they are recovering nicely. It's a long road to full recovery, but given what they've been through, they're doing just fine.

Sharon