Rough Afternoon

We learned something important today: Josh+Percoset=No Good. The Percoset made him throw up 5 times, which is infinitely more unpleasant than normal when you have staples in your abdomen, I'm sure. Plus then he got the hiccups, bless his heart. He was in a lot of pain. They switched him from Percoset to Lortab and put him back on IV fluids and gave him some nausea medicine, so hopefully that will do the trick. He hasn't thrown up anymore anyway, keep your fingers crossed.

Update

Hey everyone. We are hoping that Josh can be discharged from the hospital on Christmas Eve... the discharge criteria are that he's able to get up and walk, he's switched from IV pain meds to pills, and he's able to eat solid foods. He's been walking some every day and they disconnected the morphine pump and started him on Percoset this morning. He's grumpy about that (understandably), since he's still in a good bit of pain. He's still on a clear liquids diet for now, which means juice and chicken broth. I have been so impressed by his patience and his positive attitude. When he goes on walks around the unit, he smiles and says hello to everyone and encourages his fellow patients who are walking around too. So basically he's just being his normal friendly, gentlemanly self, only slowed down considerably and in pain. He did something very, very sweet for me--he had Cassie call me the day of the surgery to tell me that he loves me, since he knew he wouldn't be able to tell me right then. I really needed to hear that at that moment so that was really a blessing to me. Well, hopefully we'll be home for Christmas. Keep the prayers coming. Love, Kimberly

Hallelujah!!!!

Hello everyone, Kimberly here, Josh's surgery went as well as it could possibly have gone, according to the surgeon. They started at 9 yesterday and finished at 12:50. I was at the hospital from 6 am yesterday until 11 am today, so I'm a little cognitively impaired right now. :) Josh is doing AMAZING. He got up (with assistance, of course) and walked around the unit at 1:30 this morning. So 12 hrs after he was out of surgery, he was up walking around. He is a VERY patient patient, fortunately for me and Jamie. I'm so proud of him. Thank you to everyone who came to the hospital--Father Pat and Deacon Lou, Jamie, my parents, Aunt Toni, Uncle Sammy, Elizabeth, and we also got a visit from Savannah's Uncle Larry and granddaddy OC. I will post more when I'm able to think straight, but they were able to reconnect Josh with the J pouch and the temporary ileostomy. So no permanent colostomy bag! Yay! Thank you so much to everyone who has sent us prayers, good wishes and positive vibes.... it worked. God has truly blessed us and my heart is full of love I want to share with everyone. Will post more soon.

Surgery Schedule

Well, I heard from the doctor's office a few moments ago. I am scheduled to arrive at the hospital at 6:00 in the morning. I was told that the surgery will begin around 8:00. The operation is approximately 3-4 hours.

Good thoughts everyone!

Peace
Josh

Mr & Mrs. David Ferster

Congratulations to David and Savannah on their wedding in Athens, GA on Saturday. It was a beautiful weekend filled with great food, good music, and plenty of celebrating. Here are just a few pictures from the weekend.

P.S. I am counting down until tomorrow. I am starting to feel a little nervous I suppose, but not too bad. I will post tomorrow after I hear what time the procedure will be.