Wow...what a difference a few hours makes.

I went back to the hospital to check on Joel and all I have to say is that he better never complain about my feet touching him when we are falling asleep again!!!  Seriously, he has already created special names for all the contraptions they have hooked to him: "the leg squeezie things" that are to prevent blood clots, the blood pressure cuff, the heart monitor, the oxygen, the "loogie sucker" which is like one of those things they use at the dentist to suck the water and spit from your mouth, the IV, and of course his favorite, the catheter.  Again, my warm loving feet can not be as big a nuisance as the combination of the things that are hooked to him right now.  (No, I haven't forgotten that he is also on the "daddy" of all pain meds.)  

Anyway, he already looks so much better.  His face was quite swollen when he came out of surgery and that is pretty much gone.  Also, he isn't as chatty.  Early today, he told me the reason he was in recovery so long is because all the nurses were loving his stand up comedy.  He was still cracking jokes tonight but he was a little more reserved.

Below is a picture of a bracelet he is wearing.  Joel was wondering why he needs to wear this because he thinks having a "zipper" head should be indicator enough.  I was wondering why he didn't get this bracelet a few weeks ago because the Chiari cause such bad balance.

Here is the before, feeling like throwing up.

The "horrible" socks that had to go. We got to bring these home if anyone is interested!

Striking a pose before.  Remember it is 6:45am, we have been up since 4:30am and we didn't sleep really well.  We were kind of being goofy.  However, how often do I have a good excuse to post such a completely ridiculous picture! 

Right out of the recovery room. A good thumbs up!!

Again, by the time I visited him this night, he was much less swollen but just as smiley. Recovery is going to intense but he already has great attitude and is feeling symptoms disappear. We have been told he will have some good days and bad.  I am really encouraged we are starting with a good day. 

Again, thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Now to try to get some sleep.

Monica