Dramatic changes. Ella’s bandages were removed by Dr. Patel this morning exposing the new Ella face. As we noticed during the night, the swelling has started, right on schedule, so it will take a while till we really see the difference. What is visible is that her lower jaw fits the upper much better, she now has a slight under-bite. It seams like her mouth will be closer to horizontal too. There is a new scar along the jaw bone, up to the ear. The ear lobe has been separated and reduced somewhat. Ella now has much less nevus, the dark abnormal skin, we’ll see how much later. Ella was in a good mood and played, watched videos and didn’t seem to suffer from the pain. Unfortunately, we know the worst pain comes later when the nerves get a chance to think it over. Since she started looking a bit bored, we disconnected her from the tubes, put her in a stroller and we walked around the hospital for an hour. The one thing that isn’t happening is any eating or drinking. She rejects it quite assertively, pushing it aside with her left hand. Strange phenomena is that usually we have to coax any verbalization from her with lots of repetition and when she says it, it is partial and half-hearted. Now when I ask her ‘more food or all done?’ I instantly get a perfectly formed ‘all done!’. Apparently she can do much better when she needs to. Once she can eat we will be discharged. Probably tomorrow.
The staff here all comment about her sweet disposition.
Yes. It’s their job to say that. But it’s true you know.