We're Still Hanging In There...

Well, a little bit of time has passed since my last update. We're still continuing with the expansion process. Ella still is not very excited about the whole thing, but seems to tolerate them better and better each time. So we are thankful for that.

On Wed, the 6th we had an appointment, and they were a bit concerned about how the stitch made to insert the back (medium-sized) expander looked. It had a little black and blue color around part of it, which possibly could mean the skin was stretching a little bit too thin along that area. So it was decided to give that expander a break for the week and to follow-up at our next appointment. We did do that, and in fact only did one filling each in the other two during that week.

The following appointment was this past Tuesday, the 12th, and the spot that was a concern was still looking pretty much the same. So again we would just leave that one alone. But there was also a little bit of pulling now on her smallest expander's stitching as well. In fact, there were a couple of, what appeared to be, holes in the skin along that stitch. So it was decided that we will give that one a break now too. So the only expander we are adding any fluid to at this point is her largest one - the one on the right side of her head. But this is the most important one anyhow, the one that is creating the majority of the excess skin that will be used. The other two (that are getting a "break" for now) are actually almost large enough to serve their purpose. At least that's what the doctor thinks.

During this visit, our nurse Jim injected a small amount of solution into the expander while Ella was letting him know how she felt about it all. She was not happy. Well, maybe I should say that her baby kitty-cat Rhapsody let him know their feelings about the whole procedure - he gave a couple of good hisses and loud meows. It was pretty funny. Jim thought so too.

So her head is looking a little rough right now - with all of the bruising, dark spots, and holes along the stitches, but she is still doing very well. We continue to be amazed at how she takes so much in stride. She certainly is our little trooper.

The other day, she looked at me and said, kind of out of nowhere, "my head looks like a mountain." That's a pretty good description right now. But when she said that, I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. I think I kind of did both.