A week has come and gone

I spent Thursday morning learning how to change and clean Joel's bag. The stoma nurse explained that there are tons of different options and that Joel will need assistance at first. I intended to return to work earlier this week but because Joel's second surgery I was held up a few days. So Friday was my first full day back at work. It was nice to be back. After work I picked up the kids and we headed to the hospital to see Dad. Joel was doing so much better. He is still in a lot of pain and he thinks he may have pinched a nerve in his back from laying funny all the time but overall he looks so much better. Since its so painful to try and sit up a little or hard to lay on his side and eat, Joel decided today that it was much easier to eat meals while standing so that's how he took lunch and dinner. Whatever works. The nurse showed me how to pack Joel's incision. It got a little infected at the beginning of the week and the Dr removed about 4 inches of staples that run down his abdomen. I have to take care of it once he's home. I won't go into details but gross!! Joel got to take his first shower today. I am sure he was pleased with that. We had a nice visit today and Joel even did a lap around the whole 8th floor and walked us to the elevator. Only a couple more days. They are keeping Joel to at least Monday so that he can do stairs and to watch the infection a little more. I can't wait till he comes home, I miss him so much and so do the kids. Ty didn't understand tonight why he couldn't come home and kept telling me"Don't leave him mommy" as I pulled out of the parking spot. I cried.