Buddy's first post-operative visit

This afternoon we were finally allowed to visit our little Buddy.

I'll admit, I was nervous, not sure what to expect. And I don't have much stamina for being around medical "stuff" (example: when Sal had an accident in his chemistry lab back in grad school, I was the one who needed an oxygen mask in the emergency room). I get "woosy" easily.

I anticipated that Buddy would slowly walk into the room to visit, but instead they wheeled him into the room in an "oxygen box". In addition to oxygen being administered through tubes into his nose, he's in this special box for now ... it has pure oxygen pumped into it to assist his breathing and increase the oxygen level in his blood.

When we first saw him, he was sitting up, alert, and seemed to recognize us! And he gave us kisses! Always a sweetheart! He has a giant bandage wrapped around his entire midsection. We brought some of his favorite food, but he wasn't too interested in eating yet. After a while he got tired, so we bid farewell until tomorrow when we'll visit him again.

We also spoke with the surgeon, who said that Buddy is recuperating well, and that his blood oxygen levels have steadily improved. He assured us that they're managing his pain carefully, and in 4 different ways ... an epidural, through his chest tube, with a patch, and via an I.V. drip.

Although it was difficult to see Buddy full of tubes and everything, it was so great to visit our sweet angel. Sleep well, Buddy, we'll see you tomorrow! I hope he isn't scared and knows how much he's loved.