It was a simple question we both were thinking.

Joe looked at me as I was squatted on the ground maneuvering a bag full of some fluid coming from his body. My own swollen belly making it difficult to help him out of bed. He’s in pain but attempting to make his walk around the hospital floor. He then shook his head in disbelief and said, “How did we get here? You’re pregnant and I’m a mess.”

Joe had a dream last night we were giving birth in the World Trade Center as it was under attack. Pretty symbolic- for all this week has brought on.

This has been much harder then either of us imagined. The doctors can warn you but until you are in the trenches, you are never fully prepared.

The hardest day was seeing Joe’s incision for the first time. It honestly wasn’t the staples or the tubes that took my breath away. It was watching Joe see it. He was looking down in disbelief at his body. I saw every bit of spirit and fight wash from his face.

Slowly the days are moving though and tiny successes come with them.

A Popsicle every 8 hours is a major highlight and talks of removing the chest tube have given Joe just the boost he needs to know this is all temporary.

Thank God for moms because we need them and they’ve been helping make sure I’m eating and taking shifts sitting with Joe. My grandma has been put in charge of making sure our bills get paid and saving receipts for taxes.

She also met with a complete stranger here in Houston who had been gathering things to help us with our stay here. She’s a friend of a friend and heard our story and brought us a bag of donated gift cards and cash. One volunteer had even collected change to the tune of $10 with a handwritten card. It’s pretty amazing, the power of people.

Whenever we start to feel totally overwhelmed, we focus on January. Healed with a baby on our chest. That’s the happy place we are working towards.