The next day

I came back to the hospital this morning and Joel had developed a fever since I left last night. They started him on Tylenol to try and bring it down but its continued throughout the day and is actually increasing slowly. They say that Joel getting up and walking more will also help. It is really important Joel gets up and moving and he did get up tonight. If he doesn't get up and walk around a couple of times a day there is more risk for infection, pneumonia, and blood clots. Not something you want to hear but the Dr said that the first 3-4 days after the surgery are actually more critical than the surgery itself. Joel was fighting getting up and I shared with him exactly what the Dr told me and he hasn't complained since then. Joel says that once he's up that he's fine but the getting up is the hard part. He won't be able to sit on his bottom or lay on his back for a couple of months...ugh so hard already. Joel has to lay on his side with pillows propping him up and flip every2 hours. He hates this but it has to be done. I give such credit to all the nurses here at U of M. They are AWESOME!!! They make all you are going thru is so much easier. We have been lucky so far and have had a few really good ones. Joel's roommate was discharged tonight and so I am able to stay in his room. I have one of those fold-out chairs that Dad's sleep on in labor & delivery. Not like home, but at least I will rest a little tonight.