How is Josh??

Since I get asked this question a whole lot, I guess I better get around to answering it. So, how is ole Josh?

Here is the long and short answer.

Physically, Josh is still in a lot of pain. The funny thing is that most of the pain is coming from his hip. Seriously. He has complained from the moment that he woke up about his hip hurting. Initially, we were told it was from the extended amount of time that he spent laying on his right side during the surgery. However, doctors are starting to doubt this little theory and have decided that he will likely be getting some follow up testing on Tuesday when he goes in for his post op follow up appointment. He is still taking pain medications every 6 hours around the clock. He says that he can really tell if he is late with a dose. He will wake up in the middle of the night and know that it is time for medication. This may be more about Josh than anyone ever wanted to know, but at least it isn't accompanied by a picture this time. Josh is a really hair guy. His tummy got shaved for the surgery. Now it is starting to grow back...Josh is a very itchy dude right now ;)

Emotionally, Josh is doing well. He gets frustrated that he physically isn't able to do things that were once very easy for him- like lift a full gallon of milk. The social worker in me keeps looking for the emotions that are supposed to come with living organ donation to show up. So, I will tell you what I have observed with Josh. It is basically this...he seems to feel very paternal and protective toward Maggie. He worries about her a great deal. He asks me every time he wakes up if I have heard anything about Maggie. Laura, Maggie's Mom, is awesome about letting us know about what is going on with Maggie. That makes him very, very happy ;). He also says, that he feels this very intense urge to see to it that Maggie feels better. He is her knight in shining armor.

He seems to be handling it all very well. Every single day, he gets cards and well wishes (many from strangers) in the mail. They mean a lot to him. They are very encouraging. I think his favorite was addressed to "Josh, kidney donor" from a 9 year old girl named Apryl. It was so adorable. Thank you so much for all of your prayers, cards, well wishes, meals and encouraging words. You guys are amazing! You are all heros in our eyes.


It is funny how it takes about a week to go from this....

To this......

He will keep healing. He will keep getting stronger.  And eventually, this will just go into our book of wild, crazy adventures as one of the best trips yet!!