Out of the ICU

Joe took another step in his recovery and was moved out of the ICU & into a regular room. They took out his catheter & the tube in his neck. He continues to have an IV for fluids and the drain that goes thru his nose. Joe's liver disease(PSC) is actually a disease of the bile ducts which destroys them and causes damage to the liver as well. During surgery they had to remove his old liver & the bile ducts with the hope that the disease will not come back. In doing so they had to attach his new liver to a piece of his intestine & then attach it to the stomach. This requires a little extra care in recovery and therefore the need to keep the drain that empties his stomach and allows the intestines to heal completely before he can eat & drink again. He's moving around a little more & doing his breathing exercises to keep his lungs clear. Being a transplant recipient means that they do not allow any live plants/flowers on this floor of the hospital due to the risk of infection. Cards & phone calls make him the happiest. Thanks to Janelle, neice Megan & our Nicholas St. neighborhood for the signs & posters that decorate his room. We continue to send thanks & prayers to the donor family, Toni, Dana & all of our family & friends that have made this miracle happen.