One week down.

It's hard to believe that tomorrow will be one week since surgery. I knew this was a big surgery, but I never anticipated how difficult and slow the recovery was going to be for Jack. He has done remarkably well given all his underlying issues.

I have to admit that I was not at the hospital for a good part of the day today. My dear friend Peggy came by about 11am to stay with Jack. I went to lunch with a friend then to Peg's house to relax for awhile. I made it back to the hospital around 5pm. I missed much of Jack's day and he is now sleeping. I did find out that, for the next six months, he will have to wear his body jacket whenever he is out of bed. Because the jacket supports his right hip and goes down to his mid thigh - he will have to be in a reclined position the entire time. We have to get a different wheelchair before we leave. I'm a bit overwhelmed thinking about the next 6 months and Jack not being able to sit up at all for that long. I have no idea how we are supposed to transport him to doctors' appointments. I feel like we were not at all well informed of what to expect following this surgery. I could write a commentary about what transpired between the orthopedic surgeon and Peggy today when he came by to "discuss" some questions I had for him, but, I'd rather not focus on the negative today, it consumes too much energy. Let's just say I might need a particular someone to come to St. Louis and kick some butt! :-)

I've asked to stay here until Monday - which they said shouldn't be a problem. Jack's nurse, Kristi, flys in Monday from Phoenix to help us out next week before we head for home on Friday. I never thought I'd ask to stay in the hospital, but Jack's care is very involved and requires at least two people to manage him. He also really needs the support he gets from the respiratory therapists and the physical therapists for as long as possible -- all of whom have been wonderful.

Thanks for checking in.