Despite several attempts they couldn’t manage to insert a new IV in Ella’s extremeties. They are just too swollen. This isn’t a good thing because there are many medications that she needs to be getting but only one IV that remains functional. The decision was to insert one into a vein in her groin area (I forget the name of that vein, but it has one I assure you). The process went smoothly and she now has a more robust line in. An x-ray was done to confirm that it is in place. We are hoping that the swelling will start coming down. For one, we are approaching the magic 48 hour marker from surgery. Also Ella is now getting a medication intended at encouraging her to loose fluids. Throughout this Ella has been kept asleep, moving only once in a while when the medication runs thin.
I find myself frequently going back to Ella’s pictures from before surgery to assure myself that she has the potential of looking completely different than she looks today.